Kala Patterson received her master’s degree in Social Work (MSW) from the University of Southern California, Dworak-Peck School of Social Work. Kala is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). Kala’s clinical training has included working with dual diagnosis adolescents and adults in inpatient residential settings, re-entry populations and clinically diverse adults in outpatient settings.
Kala has 14 years of experience serving youth and adults struggling with social, emotional, and behavioral difficulties. After completing her graduate internship with Behavioral Health Services, she worked as a clinical social worker at Westmont Counseling Center. She has facilitated groups, implemented programs, and conducted individual, and family therapy, integrating evidenced-based modalities with psychodynamic theory. She also completed additional training in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), DV/ intimate partner violence, workforce development for at risk populations (OWDS) and Trauma Resiliency Model (TRM). She supports clients using strength-based and trauma informed approaches, to guide them towards improved resiliency. She most recently worked for Los Angeles County, developing programs with a team, for high-risk justice involved adult clients with mental illness. Kala currently serves as Program Director at PCH Treatment Center.