Hidden Gems: Meet Marcela Rondani of Orenda Family Therapy Services

Today we’d like to introduce you to Marcela Rondani.

Hi Marcela, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself. 
I came to the USA in 2006 from Brazil, where I was working as a clinical psychologist, primarily with the severely mentally ill population. In California, I completed my master’s Degree as a Marriage and Family Therapist and my Doctoral Degree in Clinical Psychology, with my thesis on family therapy work. I worked in a variety of settings, varying from Rape Crisis Center and DMH agencies in LA to being a clinical director at Mental Health Residential for teens with eating disorders. I have been working with clients struggling with eating disorders since 2008, serving many years on the IAEDP (International Association for Eating Disorders Professionals) chapter board and recently as the LA chapter president in 2022. I also completed my certification as an eating disorder particular supervisor. In 2012, I decided to open my private practice in parallel to my other work, and my practice grew; in 2018, I decided to dedicate my time and energy full time to my practice, which kept growing, and right now, we are a group practice with five clinicians. We offer therapy, coaching, workshops, and groups to the state of California via telehealth or in person in Santa Monica (west LA area) and also on the east side of LA. 

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Moving to the USA, learning the language, and getting used to a different culture and habits was a challenge. Also, it was not easy to start working at a place where I did not have any roots or connections, starting from the beginning, which was also very rewarding. I can use the fact that I am foreign to be curious about my clients, relate to many different challenges, and embrace diversity. 

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Orenda Family Therapy Services, Inc.?
Orenda means (n.) a mystical force present in all people that gives us the strength to affect change in ourselves and the world. Orenda offer therapy, coaching, workshops, and groups. We work with individuals, teens, kids, couples, and families. Our specialization are teens/ young adults, adults going through relationship issues, mood disorders, transitional challenges, multicultural clients, eating disorders, anxiety, depression. We offer therapy in California via telehealth and in person in Santa Monica, which is close to the East Side of LA. We also provide educational workshops to schools, universities, treatment centers, individual, and families. 

We provide our services in English, Portuguese, Spanish, Farsi and Assyrian. 

If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
When I was young, I wanted to be an astronaut; the Universe always fascinated me. I then decided to move to journalism or nutrition. During my senior year in high school, I decided to become a psychotherapist as I realized that my main inspiration was to learn, study, and navigate the mysterious human mind. 

Contact Info:

• Website: www.orendaclinical.com
• Instagram: @orendaclinical