Member Highlight — Shelley Horner, LMFT

Kent Toussaint, LMFT, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

Kent Toussaint, LMFT, is a dynamic and ambitious therapist. Kent is the Founder and Clinical Director of Teen Therapy Center. His staff is made up of licensed and pre-licensed therapists plus a psychologist who can do psychological assessment testing for kids, teens, and young adults. Teen Therapy Center offers individual, family, and group counseling. Understanding and having a relationship with an angry, sullen, or silent teen can be challenging but Kent and his team can help to bridge the communication gap. Kent says, “We speak kid, we speak parent. We speak both languages and help the two sides to better understand each other.”

Kent enjoys presenting at schools, organizations, and on television. He has his own Facebook Live event, “Tips on Teens,” every Wednesday at 12 noon where he answers parent questions. Last year, he had a regular segment on the CBS Morning News show called “Ask Kent.” If you want to watch these segments you can click on www.TeenTherapyCenter.com/About-Us/Media.

Kent is a natural in front of the camera because he was an actor before he became a therapist. He earned his Bachelor of Arts at California State University, Fullerton in Theater Arts with an emphasis in Acting. Kent worked in the entertainment industry as both an actor and in the production side. Kent felt burnt out in the acting world. Once he became disenchanted with the acting world, a friend of his told him he’d be a great therapist. Kent tried it out as a volunteer and realized that he loved talking and listening to a person in order to help them feel better. Becoming a therapist was the ideal move for Kent who enjoys working with people.

Kent went to Antioch for his Master’s degree. He did internships at The Center for Individual and Family Center, New Directions for Youth and at Southern California Foster and Adoptions Agency. He then began working as an intern in private practice supervised by Robin Scott Walker, LMFT, who encouraged him to join our chapter. He joined in 2005 and worked for four years on the board. Kent now attends meetings and enjoys the warm welcoming group. He recommends that specializing and having a niche is very important for career development. Kent started out being known as the guy who works with teen boys. But through that specialty he has many other clients — children, teens and adults. Kent is a compassionate therapist who helps people. He loves listening and helping others to heal. Kent has such a warm relaxed approach to conversation that it’s easy to see why kids and adults open up to him.

Kent is about to start a non-profit program called Children & Teen Counseling that will provide low cost therapy. He will train Marriage & Family trainees to learn how best to help this population. Stay tuned for the grand opening this spring.

If you would like more information or to contact Kent, call him at 818.697.8555 or take a look at one of his websites www.TeenTherapyCenter.com or www.ChildTeenCounseling.org.

Shelley Horner, LMFT enjoys writing the our Member Profile section since she likes getting to know her colleagues in depth. She is an actress, speaker and therapist.

Shelley has had a private practice for more than twenty years. She assists adults, children, and teens as well as facilitates parent groups in her office in Calabasas. She also does consultation and training of employees through Employee Assistance Programs at various organizations and colleges.