Camila Ferrario is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in California (LMFT #154815) and New York (#002544). She is a bilingual psychotherapist (English and Spanish) specializing in supporting women through every stage of motherhood—pregnancy, postpartum, and beyond. With advanced training in perinatal mental health (PMH-C), she works with mothers navigating postpartum depression, anxiety, bonding difficulties, identity transitions, and the emotional and relational changes that come with parenthood. In addition to her perinatal focus, Camila also works with individuals experiencing depression, anxiety, life transitions, identity exploration, and stress. She further specializes in parent–child relationships, attachment, and family-based interventions for young children with neurodevelopmental disorders who experience challenges with emotional regulation and behavior. Certified in Parent–Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), she uses evidence-based, relationship-focused approaches to strengthen family bonds and support children’s development.

Background

Camila received her clinical training at UCLA’s MOMS Clinic and UCLA Parent–Child Interaction Clinic, where she continues to serve as part of the clinical and research teams, as well as with the McDonald Lab at UCLA’s Center for Autism Research and Treatment (CART). Her research and publications center on postpartum depression and the mother–infant relationship, developmental outcomes in NICU graduates, and how parents’ early experiences shape bonding after a NICU stay. She has also examined innovative service models, such as the UCLA MOMS Clinic’s collaborative care approach, which integrates mental health into obstetric care and emphasizes trauma-informed treatment for perinatal populations. In addition to her clinical and research work, Camila teaches in the MFT program at California State University, Northridge, and frequently presents at national and international conferences on perinatal mental health, parent–child relationships, and family-based interventions. She is dedicated to bridging research and practice to better support mothers and families across the transitions of early parenthood.

My Approach

I believe therapy should feel collaborative, supportive, and grounded in relationships. My work is guided by evidence-based practices but always tailored to the unique needs of each individual and family I meet.

With mothers, I provide a safe and compassionate space to process the many shifts that come with pregnancy, postpartum, and beyond. This often includes navigating postpartum depression and anxiety, bonding difficulties, identity changes, and the emotional ups and downs of parenthood. My goal is to help mothers feel supported, understood, and empowered through these transitions.

With parents and young children, I focus on strengthening attachment and fostering communication through play-based and relationship-focused approaches. I help families address behavioral and emotional challenges, enhance regulation skills, and create more positive interactions that deepen their connection. As a certified Parent–Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) provider, I use practical tools and live coaching that parents can apply beyond the therapy room.

In addition to this work, I also support individuals navigating anxiety, depression, life transitions, identity exploration, and stress. These experiences can feel overwhelming and isolating, but therapy provides a place to slow down, make sense of what’s happening, and build new ways of coping. I view this process as not only a path toward symptom relief but also an opportunity for personal growth and self-discovery.

My approach integrates warmth with structure. I bring in evidence-based strategies, developmental expertise, and practical skills that clients can use at home and in their daily lives. At the core of my work is a commitment to bridging research and clinical practice. At the core, my goal is to help clients feel seen, understood, and empowered to make meaningful changes in their lives.