Leanne Nettles

Leanne Nettles, LMFT (she/her), Professor, Marriage and Family Therapy Department, Pacific Oaks College

Professor Leanne Nettles, LMFT, is a dedicated clinician, educator, and advocate with a passion for trauma-informed, culturally responsive mental health care. Leanne joined Pacific Oaks College on the Pasadena campus as an Adjunct Professor in 2020. She has served in professional roles such as Clinical Director, Clinical Trainer, Program Manager, and Clinical Supervisor. Leanne has volunteered for several years with the Los Angeles chapter of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (LA-CAMFT) in roles including chapter President, Board Member-at-Large, Diversity Committee member, Therapist of Color Mentorship Program Committee member, and cultural affinity group facilitator. A graduate of Fuller Theological Seminary and Cal Poly Humboldt (formerly Humboldt State University), Leanne integrates her background in spirituality, multiculturalism, and expressive arts-particularly dance and movement-to promote culturally-competent, whole-person healing and empower marginalized communities.

As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Leanne brings energy and enthusiasm to her work with at-risk youth, adults, couples and families, helping them navigate through adversity and strengthen social, emotional, and behavioral wellbeing. In her academia, clinical leadership and training roles, she supports students and clinicians in building therapeutic skills, confidence, self-awareness, and collaborative care practices through a systemic approach. Most recently, Leanne has been honored to be a presenter at the 2026 Annual CAMFT Conference and the 12th Annual Department of State Hospitals-Metropolitan Multicultural Conference with her training "'What ARE You?' Considerations for Therapy with Mixed-Race Clients." Leanne holds certifications as a supervisor and trainer for Managing and Adapting Practice (MAP), the La Maida Trauma-informed Ecological Model, Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) assessment, Prepare-Enrich, and Dance for All facilitation. Additionally, has provided trainings on many topics, including but not limited to spirituality and mental health, suicide risk assessment and prevention, telehealth, diversity and cultural competency, home and community-based safety, prevention of sexual abuse in adolescent refugees, trauma-informed schools, LGBTQ+ inclusion, professionalism and boundaries in corrections environments, and caring for traumatized youth in foster care.