Meet Kim Virrueta, a licensed therapist offering Christian cancer counseling in OC, Corona & Riverside for individuals, couples & families.

I have a passion for working with Christians who are facing cancer. This is the Lord's calling on my life! I will walk alongside you & your family through your cancer journey, and help you focus on Christ, keep hope & faith strong, and help you stay resilient so you can weather this storm.

Using Biblical principles, scripture verses, and evidence-based therapy interventions, you'll learn how to reduce distress, get into a hope-filled mindset, and add coping skills to your tool box. With kids, I bring in creativity, art, play therapy, sand tray, and medical play into sessions.

I'm a blessed wife as well as mother of three adult children. My mission after raising my kids & shifting out of being a small business owner was to finish my Masters in Counseling to help individuals & families get through cancer with their faith and mental health intact.

From a very early age, I wanted to be a pediatric nurse. I loved the idea of helping kids in the medical setting. After I had children of my own, I soon realized that I didn't want to be the person giving shots and making kids cry!

During my bachelors degree, I completed numerous Child Life related courses and did a practicum at CHOC Children's Hospital in their Child Life Department (surgical, hem/onc, neurology, & infusion). It was then that I found the perfect blending of mental health and medical care: practicing medical family therapy as a licensed MFT. My career path was set!

In May 2022, I began providing counseling to Crystal Roses, a non-profit organization that works with individuals and families facing life-threatening illnesses such as cancer. In 2025, I added on 1-on-1 support sessions through Inheritance of Hope to offer personalized support for individuals & families going through cancer or grief.

I use a Christ-centered foundation + evidence-based interventions to address my clients' presenting concerns. I utilize Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and nervous system & somatic based approaches.

My clients would describe me as kind, warm, gentle, and goal-focused. We get A LOT done in sessions! I offer compassion, empathy, encouragement, and kindness while remaining committed to my clients' healing, growth, and the specific goals they have set for their lives.

I am a follower of Christ, which means that I offer unconditional love to all humans. This plays out in how I show love and embody love toward others.

I am a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT #148148), having earned 3000+ hours of counseling experience. I passed the CA State Licensing Exam in July of 2024. I am employed at Institute of Advanced Studies, a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable corporation.

Get in touch for a free 15-minute phone consultation to see if we're a good fit. Yes, I am currently accepting new clients!

Education

• 2016: Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education

• 2018: Bachelors of Science in Child & Adolescent Development

• 2021: Masters of Science in Marriage & Family Therapy

• 2024-current: Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist #148148 in California

Experience

• 2005-2018: Prayer & Share Counselor at Harvest C.F.

• 2016-2020: Child Life Volunteer at CHOC Children's

• 2016: Practicum in Child Life at CHOC Children's

• 2017-2018: Practicum in Early Intervention at RIO

• 2020-2021: MFT Trainee, Institute of Advanced Studies

• 2021-2024: Registered Associate MFT (3000+ hours)

• July 2024: Licensed MFT #148148

• I currently work with the following non-profits:

  • Private pay clients - Institute of Advanced Studies

  • Inheritance of Hope (Hope@Home provider)

  • Crystal Roses (Counselor & Advisory Board Member)