The 2021-2022 school year has brought new additions to the YULA Girls’ Division faculty. Dr. Elianna Rome joins this year as the new Director of Guidance and Counseling. 

Dr. Rome’s first experience working in an academic setting was her practicum placement in graduate school. At college, she was exposed to patients of all ages with a variety of different diagnoses and struggles and handled academic, social, and chronic mental health issues. However, Dr. Rome has always felt that she would work well in a high school environment.

Dr. Rome concentrates on forensics, so she first started treating patients being shuffled around the judicial system. She says this was a “way for me to work with children, parents, and attorneys to get the students what they needed to thrive.” She worked as an advocate and therapist, creating programs for those in custody at the Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall, California. Dr. Rome tried to impart lessons that the kids may not have had access to otherwise, reminding them that they each had the potential to turn their lives around and that their futures were bright. It was important for her to instill hope in them. 

Eventually, Dr. Rome completed her post-doctoral fellowship at Tarzana Treatment Centers and in their youth program. She also worked in the MAT (Multidisciplinary Assessment Team) Program, where they assessed clients in partnership with the Department of Children and Family Services. Many of these children had been arrested or were in foster care, which tied together all her knowledge and experience working with at-risk children. 

Years later, once she was married with children, Dr. Rome came across the opportunity to work at YULA. After growing up in LA, in this very community, she felt that “it was time for [her] to reconnect with [her] roots.” She feels that working at YULA grants her the privilege to give back and work with a community she loves.

 Any student feeling anxious, depressed, or even happy and wanting to share their feelings, should feel welcome to visit Dr. Rome. Her role is to support students and staff members, and “be the best go-to person one can find both on and off campus.” Additionally, she helps facilitate the guidance programs already set up in school. Dr. Rome hopes she can continue to create positive change at YULA.