Registered Associate Marriage & Family Therapist

Rori Coakley

Masters of MFT, AMFT #157243

EFT Couples Therapist

Rori believes everyone deserves healthy, fulfilling relationships. With over a decade of coaching experience, she has supported clients in deepening their personal growth and emotional awareness. Through this work, she understands what it takes to shift perspective, break unhelpful patterns, and create meaningful change. Rori combines this specialized experience with advanced Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy training to help her clients find clear paths to get out of stuck dynamics with themselves and others. She has learned, beyond a doubt, how secure relationships make people more resilient and successful in all areas of their lives.

Rori uses her training and clinical experience to help clients identify the patterns that block connection in their relationships. In both individual and couples therapy, she supports clients in building awareness of their emotional experiences and understanding how these emotions drive behaviors that keep them feeling stuck, disconnected, or in conflict. She works with a wide range of couples, including those navigating high-conflict communication, emotional disconnection, trust ruptures, and life transitions. Whether couples feel caught in repeated arguments or have grown distant over time, Rori helps them slow down, better understand one another, and shift the patterns that keep them stuck. She brings a balance of humor, direct feedback, and compassion into her work, helping couples communicate more effectively and rebuild emotional intimacy.

Creating a safe, nonjudgmental space is foundational to Rori's work. As a Black woman, she brings both lived experience and clinical insight into helping couples understand how cultural and racial identities influence their relationship dynamics. She supports clients in navigating these layers with curiosity, respect, and deeper understanding.

About Rori

Outside of work, Rori enjoys spending time with her fiancé, going out to jazz clubs, and listening to jazz and R&B together. They love to have fun and stay connected with close friends. Rori also values quality time with her family, as they play an important role in her life. She enjoys activities that help her recharge and stay grounded, including working out, hiking, yoga, meditation, and journaling.

Licensure

Education

  • Alliant International University, Masters of Science in Marriage & Family Therapy 
  • University of Phoenix, Bachelor of Science in Psychology

Work Experience

  • William Joseph Brinkley Center | Trainee Marriage and Family Therapist 
  • San Fernando Valley Counseling Center | Trainee Marriage and Family Therapist
  • Affirmation of Life Coaching, LLC | Life Coach

Therapy Experience

In addition to individual and couples work, Rori has experience supporting clients navigating depression, anxiety, and challenges related to self-esteem and life transitions. She helps clients better understand their emotional patterns, build effective coping skills, and develop a stronger sense of self. Rori's approach focuses on increasing emotional awareness, fostering resilience, and creating meaningful, lasting change.

Rori is currently working towards completing certification in Emotionally Focused Therapy. Emotionally Focused Therapy is one of the most effective couples therapy approaches to date. Certification in EFT requires hundreds of hours of supervised couples therapy, which is then reviewed and approved by The International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy.

Rori participates in weekly clinical EFT supervision by practice owner and certified EFT Supervisor, Haleigh Butler, to ensure the best care possible for her clients. Joanna also attends multiple EFT trainings annually to continue to hone her skills and stay up to date with the model. 

Additional Training

  • Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) Externship
    • Completed 2026, Trainer: Kathryn De Bruin & Cindy Goodness Zane
    • The Externship in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) is a 28 hr. 4 day training in EFT and a pre-requisite for all other trainings and certification. It includes an overview of all aspects of the model including steps and stages, interventions, adult attachment theory, and application of EFT with couples.
  • Coaching Certification in Life Coaching
    • Spencer Institute, 2019