Biography
Ofelia Madrigal
Degrees: M.A. in Marriage & Family Therapy, M.S. in General Psychology, B.S. in Business Accounting, A.A. in Child Development & Liberal Arts
Certifications: ABA Certificate, ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences) Certified, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Practitioner, Neurolinguistic Programming Practitioner, Positive Psychology Certificate, Life Coach & Strategist Certification
Specialties: Marriage & Family Therapy, Behavioral Intervention (ABA), Child & Adolescent Therapy, Foster Care & Adoption Support, Parent Coaching, Public Speaking
Ofelia Madrigal is a highly trained marriage and family therapist and behavioral intervention specialist with extensive experience working with children, families, and individuals facing complex emotional, behavioral, and relational challenges. She has served in a variety of clinical, educational, and community-based settings, combining her deep understanding of behavioral science with a compassionate, client-centered approach.
Before joining Beyond Expectation Psychological Services, Ofelia provided counseling and therapy for couples, families, and groups, helping them navigate relationship difficulties, transitional crises, and mental health challenges. She served as a Developmental Specialist and Service Coordinator for Nevada’s Aging and Disability Services Division, where she worked with children from birth to age three with developmental delays, autism spectrum disorder, and other neurological and medical conditions. In this role, she coordinated individualized treatment plans, supported family education, and ensured developmental and behavioral goals were met.
Ofelia’s behavioral expertise includes extensive training and practicum hours in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), where she provided one-on-one therapy and parent coaching, taught social and daily living skills, and implemented behavior modification strategies for children and teens. She also served as a Behavior Specialist for the Tulare County Office of Education, collaborating with schools, preschools, and mental health agencies to deliver intensive intervention programs for children with significant behavioral needs.
Her background includes experience as a Clinician for a foster family agency, where she supported children in the foster care system, provided trauma-informed care, trained foster parents, and worked closely with adoption caseworkers to ensure safe and stable placements. She has also held positions as a counselor intern, behavior technician, and public speaker, delivering education and training for families, schools, and community programs.
Ofelia holds a Master’s Degree in Marriage & Family Therapy from the University of Massachusetts Global and a Master’s in General Psychology from Grand Canyon University. She has completed specialized certifications in ABA, CBT, NLP, positive psychology, and life coaching. Her diverse educational and professional background allows her to integrate therapeutic insight, behavioral science, and practical problem-solving into her work.
At Beyond Expectation Psychological Services, Ofelia draws on her years of clinical and behavioral experience to help individuals and families strengthen relationships, develop healthier patterns, and create lasting change.
Publications:
Zest for Life (co-authored with George Knight) bridges cutting-edge science with timeless spiritual wisdom to help readers transform stress into strength and rediscover energy, purpose, and joy. Drawing from decades of experience in psychology, neuroscience, and the mind-body connection—as well as the grounding power of faith—this guide shows readers how to:
Understand what stress is doing to your brain and body
Shift your mindset with the science of positivity
Find deeper peace and strength through faith
Build resilience through evidence-based practices like mindfulness and cognitive reframing
Improve mood and focus through nutrition, movement, and sleep
Build a sustainable self-care practice that actually works
Grounded in science yet written with compassion, Zest for Life offers a clear roadmap—backed by research, enriched by faith, and rooted in the belief that a thriving life is within reach.