Deborah Buttitta, Psy.D., LMFT, is an Associate Professor at California State University, Northridge, and a licensed marriage and family therapist, practicing in Los Angeles, CA. She has extensive clinical experience and is a seasoned educator and supervisor in marriage and family therapy graduate programs. In the classroom and in her clinical work, she incorporates writing and story development, community building, and emphasizes the importance of belonging. Her scholarly and research activities focus on accessible mental health services, community engagement, and identity development for LGBTQ+ youth. Recently, she and her two co-presenters conducted a study on maintaining critically conscious learning environments in higher education.