Meet Charlene Hecker, M.A., LMFT
I believe every person has a story worth understanding.
Over the years, I have learned that most people do not come to therapy because something is "wrong" with them. More often, they come because, somewhere along the way, they have become disconnected from themselves. My role is to provide a safe, collaborative space where we can explore your experiences with curiosity, rediscover your strengths, and support you in living more fully in alignment with your values.
I am the founder of California Pacific Psychotherapy and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with advanced training in Narrative Therapy and a strengths-based, collaborative approach. For more than nine years, I have had the privilege of supporting adults as they navigate anxiety, trauma, grief, relationship challenges, life transitions, and many of life's inevitable challenges.
In addition to my private practice, I served as a Mental Health Consultant with International Medical Corps during the 2025 Los Angeles wildfires, providing psychological first aid and trauma-informed support to individuals and families affected by crisis. That experience reinforced my belief that, even during life's most difficult moments, people have the capacity to reconnect with their strengths, values, and what matters most.
Before becoming a therapist, I studied Theater and Cinema at the University of Southern California and spent more than a decade as the Advisor to UCLA's Student Committee for the Arts, producing concerts, theater, and dance performances. Those years deepened my appreciation for storytelling, creativity, and the ways people make meaning of their lives. Looking back, I can see how those experiences continue to shape the way I connect with and support my clients today.
When I am not working with clients, I enjoy traveling, exploring new cuisines, attending music and art events, reading, and spending time in nature with my family and our German Shorthaired Pointer, Zsa Zsa. These experiences help me stay curious, grounded, and connected to what brings meaning and balance to my life.
Education & Professional Background
Master of Arts (M.A.) in Clinical Psychology
Antioch University Los Angeles
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
California Board of Behavioral Sciences (License #144667)
Advanced Training in Narrative Therapy
Miracle Mile Community Practice
Certificate in Holistic and Integrative Health
Loyola Marymount University