Bethany Vaudrey, PsyD

Hello, I'm Dr. Bethany Vaudrey, founder of Sunlight Psychological Services. I am a mom, wife, and Clinical Psychologist. ​ Background I received my Doctorate of Psychology (PsyD) from Azusa Pacific University. During my graduate training, I worked with traumatized children and teens at some of California's most well-known clinics including Hathaway-Sycamores and Pacific Clinics. I completed my pre-doctoral residency at the UC Davis Children's Hospital, where I received specialized training in the assessment and treatment of children with complex mental health histories. I became certified in Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) at the UC Davis PCIT Training Institute in 2014. I worked at the Child & Family Guidance Center as a psychologist and supervisor until 2019, when I opened Sunlight Psychological Services. In addition to my private practice, I also teach in the Pepperdine University School of Graduate Psychology (GSEP). ​ Philosophy I believe the best way to develop thriving adults is to nourish strong family relationships and emotional skills during childhood. When working with adults in therapy during my graduate training, I often found myself thinking, "I wish I had known you when you were five, before these unhelpful patterns were so deeply ingrained." Because our relational and emotional patterns form during childhood, there is no better time for therapy. I am committed to understanding the unique dynamics and needs of a family in order to provide therapy that is both empathic and research-supported. I combine elements of evidence-based therapies (such as Parent-Child Interaction Therapy or Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy) with a warm, fun, person-centered approach. I believe that parents are the solution for their children, and therefore I include caregivers as active partners in every therapy case. ​If you are here because your child is struggling, please know this: No child is too far gone. No family is too broken. Healing is possible.