Dr. Karina Bravo
Dr. Karina Bravo
Assistant Professor of Psychology
Arts and Sciences
Marriage and Family Therapy, Parenting, Early Childhood Mental Health
Dr. Karina Bravo is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who earned her doctorate degree from Loma Linda University. Her expertise was honed in a variety of different contexts to include: Preschool Teacher, Group Home Treatment Support Staff, Behavioral Specialist, Volunteer for ARMY Chaplain Services, MFT in private practice providing therapy and consulting, Director of Early Intervention for Project CUIDAR, and most recently Child Custody Recommending Counselor for the Superior Court of California. She frequently presents at national and international conferences on childhood mental health and has presented keynotes for the same. In 2009 she was a 30 under 30 Latino/Native American Recognition Honoree, as awarded by California State Assembly member Wilmer Amina Carter for outstanding service to her community. She enjoys teaching graduate level university courses at Cal State San Bernardino, Northcentral University, University of Massachusetts Global (formerly Brandman University), and Loma Linda University to help future professionals hone their expertise.
Education History
2005 - Ph.D. in Marriage & Family Therapy, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA
- Dissertation: Severity of Autism and Parental Stress: The Mediating Role of Family Environment
2003 - M.S. in Marriage & Family Therapy, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA
2000 - B.A. Psychology & B.A. Human Development: Child Development Track, Cal State University, San Bernardino
Scholarly Activities
2024
- "Supporting Young Hearts: Grief & Loss Training". Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Los Angeles County Volunteer & Staff In-Service Training, Online, August 8, 2024.
- "How Preschoolers deal with Grief & Loss". Interagency Council on Child Abuse and Neglect (ICAN) 18th Annual Childhood Grief & Traumatic Loss Conference, Los Angeles, CA, March 28, 2024.
2023
- "Helping Children with Anxiety". High Desert Church Parent & Community Workshop, Victorville, CA, November 4, 2023.
Professional Experience
2012: Owner & Sole Proprietor, Bravo! Therapy & Consulting
- Private practice offering mental health counseling services, training & consultation
2013-2018: Child Custody Recommending Counselor, Superior Court of San Bernardino County
- Conducted child custody counseling to resolve child custody and/or visitation disputes.
2006-2013: Director of Early Intervention, Project CUIDAR, Cal State San Bernardino ICDFR
- Provide supervision and administrative oversight to parent educators leading community-based parent education groups.
Education History
2005 - Ph.D. in Marriage & Family Therapy, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA
- Dissertation: Severity of Autism and Parental Stress: The Mediating Role of Family Environment
2003 - M.S. in Marriage & Family Therapy, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA
2000 - B.A. Psychology & B.A. Human Development: Child Development Track, Cal State University, San Bernardino
Scholarly Activities
2024
- "Supporting Young Hearts: Grief & Loss Training". Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Los Angeles County Volunteer & Staff In-Service Training, Online, August 8, 2024.
- "How Preschoolers deal with Grief & Loss". Interagency Council on Child Abuse and Neglect (ICAN) 18th Annual Childhood Grief & Traumatic Loss Conference, Los Angeles, CA, March 28, 2024.
2023
- "Helping Children with Anxiety". High Desert Church Parent & Community Workshop, Victorville, CA, November 4, 2023.
Professional Experience
2012: Owner & Sole Proprietor, Bravo! Therapy & Consulting
- Private practice offering mental health counseling services, training & consultation
2013-2018: Child Custody Recommending Counselor, Superior Court of San Bernardino County
- Conducted child custody counseling to resolve child custody and/or visitation disputes.
2006-2013: Director of Early Intervention, Project CUIDAR, Cal State San Bernardino ICDFR
- Provide supervision and administrative oversight to parent educators leading community-based parent education groups.
Related Programs
Psychology & Counseling
Child Psychology, BA Psych
The child psychology concentration is designed for students interested in working with children, with an emphasis on children with various developmental challenges.
Jun 23, 2025
Psychology & Counseling
Prep for Adv Study in Psychology, BA Psych
Build upon your online bachelor’s degree with four courses that introduce the student to different areas within the field of psychology. This concentration prepares the student for graduate study.
Jun 23, 2025
5 Concentrations
Psychology & Counseling
Psychology, BA
Delve into the human condition with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. Through wide-ranging course offerings, you’ll explore various areas of psychology, along with developing critical thinking, research, and scientific writing skills.
Jun 23, 2025
Psychology & Counseling
Industrial/Organizational, BA Psych
This online degree is designed for students interested in applying their psychology degree in a business setting. Students will learn how to address diversity issues, training, performance feedback, and other personnel issues.
Jun 23, 2025
Psychology & Counseling
Prep for Adv Study Counseling, BA Psych
Build upon your online psychology degree with four courses that introduce the student to the world of counseling. This focus prepares the student for the advanced study necessary for a career in counseling.
Jun 23, 2025
Psychology & Counseling
Marriage/Family Therapy (Marriage/Family Therapy), MA
Navigating relationships is difficult at the best of times. As a marriage and family therapist, you’ll help individuals, couples, and families work through problems and past roadblocks. Earn your UMass Global MFT degree online with in-person practicum hours.
Jun 23, 2025
Dual Licensure
Psychology & Counseling
Marriage and Family Therapy & Professional Clinical Counseling, MA
Through a mix of online coursework and supervised in-person fieldwork, this dual emphasis MFT and PCC graduate degree prepares students for a career as a practicing clinical therapist. In that role, you’ll help individuals, couples, and families manage and work through relationship, personal, and psychological difficulties.
Jun 23, 2025
Psychology & Counseling
Professional Clinical Counseling, MA
Learn about the MA in Professional Clinical Counseling at UMass Global, an online degree program that prepares you to provide therapeutic services to diverse communities.
Jun 23, 2025