Vanessa Ulibas is a licensed clinical counselor who is passionate about expanding access to quality mental health care for children and families, particularly within BIPOC and underserved communities. Her commitment to this work grew through years of public service, where she supported families by connecting them with community resources and advocating for their needs. Vanessa earned her undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of California, Davis, and continued working in public service to support family reunification, develop individualized family plans, and provide referrals to essential resources. She later completed her master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at San Francisco State University, with a focus on supporting marginalized individuals and families. Vanessa has experience working with children, teens, and adults navigating chronic stress and trauma, and brings this background to her work at Little Otter, where she partners with families to build resilience and support meaningful, realistic change. She takes a thoughtful, collaborative approach to therapy, using a biopsychosocial lens to understand each child and family’s unique strengths, experiences, and needs. Outside of work, Vanessa enjoys spending time with her four Pomeranians, six chickens, and her “mini-me.” She also loves yoga, stretching, and gardening as ways to recharge.