Casa De La Familia

Casa de la Familia’s mission is to deliver comprehensive, culturally sensitive psychological and psychiatric services to individuals and families affected by trauma, particularly in underserved communities. Through evidence-based practices, community outreach, and advocacy, Casa de la Familia aims to promote healing, resilience, and empowerment, enabling individuals to rebuild their lives in a supportive and compassionate environment.

Casa de la Familia is a nonprofit mental health agency dedicated to providing trauma-informed, culturally responsive care to underserved communities across California. Founded in 1996 by Clinical Psychologist Dr. Ana Nogales, the organization was created to ensure that survivors of trauma, particularly in immigrant and Latinx communities, have access to high-quality mental health services delivered with compassion and cultural understanding.

For almost three decades, Casa de la Familia has supported survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and violent crime, as well as individuals coping with grief, intergenerational trauma, and immigration-related stress. Services are offered in both English and Spanish, with a focus on bilingual, bicultural care that meets clients at their emotional and cultural starting points.

Casa de la Familia offers a range of services including individual and group counseling, clinical support for victims of crime, psychological evaluations for immigration and legal purposes, case management, and advocacy. These services are designed to help individuals heal from trauma while also addressing the practical and cultural barriers that often prevent access to care, such as stigma, language access, and fear of legal consequences.

The organization works in partnership with government agencies, schools, hospitals, and community organizations to provide services both virtually and in person. Casa de la Familia is committed to healing individuals, strengthening families, and supporting resilient communities by expanding access to equitable, life-affirming mental health care.

In 2024, Casa de la Familia provided trauma-informed mental health services to over 6,000 clients across Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties. The agency opened new offices in East Los Angeles and San Juan Capistrano to expand access to bilingual, culturally responsive care. It strengthened partnerships with local law enforcement, schools, and government agencies to increase wraparound support for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and crime. Community education and outreach efforts reached over 12 million residents through in-person and digital campaigns. CDLF also reintroduced community healing events like I Am Boutique and launched its first annual Extravagancia de Verano, connecting families to resources in a welcoming, joyful setting.

In 2025, Casa de la Familia is deepening its response to the growing mental health crisis within the Latino community, as anxiety and fear reach unprecedented levels. The organization plans to expand group therapy and in-person services across all offices, while launching new empowerment programs for women and culturally tailored healing spaces. A bilingual community education play is in development to reduce stigma around mental health and trauma. Casa is also strengthening its funding base through grant development and grassroots fundraising, including an upcoming gala. These goals reflect the organization’s commitment to healing, dignity, and resilience for individuals and families navigating trauma and systemic barriers.

Casa de la Familia urgently needs funding to sustain its Aquí Para Usted emotional support line and to fully launch Latina Power!, an empowerment program for Latina women with no current funding. We also seek support to expand resilience-building groups for families experiencing chronic stress.

Volunteers and in-kind donors are needed for community events like I Am Boutique.

Internally, the agency needs technology and staffing support to manage growing outreach demands.

Lastly, flexible funding is essential to respond to mental health gaps not covered by restricted grants.

CDLF provides mental health services throughout all of California virtually and provides in-person counseling and services to children and families throughout Orange, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, and Riverside counties. CDLF is centered in Santa Ana, the heart of Orange County, a city that is 78% Latino.

When I started Casa de la Familia, I had one goal in my heart. I wanted survivors of trauma to feel seen, heard, and cared for. I wanted our community, especially those who speak Spanish, who are immigrants, or who feel afraid to ask for help, to know they are not alone.
Today, I see the same needs, but they are even more urgent. The fear, anxiety, and pain that many families carry continues to grow. People are suffering in silence. We see mothers who have survived violence, children who are hurting, and elders who have lost hope. Many do not have insurance or legal status. But they all deserve to heal.
Casa de la Familia provides free or low-cost therapy, emotional support, and community programs in English and Spanish. We listen with no judgment. We guide with compassion. But we cannot do this alone. Most of our programs do not have enough funding. Our team is working every day to bring light into darkness, but the need is too great.
We are asking for your help. With your donation or partnership, you help us continue programs like Aquí Para Usted and Latina Power. You help us give survivors a safe place to heal. You help us bring mental health services to people who have never had access before.
Please stand with us. Your support gives life. It gives dignity. It gives hope.
— Dr. Ana Nogales
Founder, Casa de la Familia