Influential Woman · Healthcare
Angeline Thomson, M.A., LMFT
Licensed Marriage And Family Therapist, Headway
Oceanside, CA 92056
Her Story
About Angeline
Angeline Thomson, M.A., LMFT, is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over 21 years of experience in the mental health field. She provides therapeutic services to individuals, couples, and families across a broad range of clinical needs. Her professional background includes work with Alzheimer’s and dementia patients, children and family systems, individuals experiencing psychotic disorders, and clients in private practice settings. She is licensed through the California Board of Behavioral Sciences and has served in multiple telehealth and clinical platforms, maintaining a strong focus on accessible, client-centered care.
Angeline’s path into the field of mental health was deeply influenced by personal life experiences. She has shared that the early loss of her father when she was three years old, along with witnessing her sister receive therapy support through her mother’s involvement, played a significant role in shaping her commitment to becoming a therapist. Throughout her journey, she has also been guided and mentored by several influential figures, including high school counselor Linda Ring, therapist Katie Anderson, basketball coach Bob Wagner, and professor Dr. Fatten, all of whom contributed to her development both personally and professionally.
A defining milestone in Angeline’s academic journey was beginning college at an early age of 16–17, marking the start of her long-standing dedication to the field. In her professional career, she has provided mentorship and guidance to an estimated 500–1,000 individuals annually, while also supervising undergraduate students and emerging professionals in mental health. Her work is grounded in compassion, resilience, and a commitment to fostering growth, healing, and long-term well-being in the communities she serves.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Angeline
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to a strong educational foundation, ongoing professional development, and the guidance of influential mentors. I earned my degree from Mankato State University in 2008 and completed my master’s program at Argosy University in 2011, followed by continued required trainings to maintain and strengthen my clinical practice. While I was previously affiliated with CAMFT, I currently focus on collaboration with trusted colleagues and maintaining board certification standards rather than active organizational membership. I am also deeply grateful to mentors such as Linda Ring, Katie Anderson, Bob Wagner, and Dr. Fatten, whose guidance has significantly shaped my professional growth and approach to therapy.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the mental health field is to first get clear on your “why.” I often encourage those starting out to reflect deeply on what is motivating them to pursue this work, because understanding your genuine purpose will sustain you through both the challenges and the rewards of this profession. Mental health work requires resilience, empathy, and ongoing self-awareness, so being grounded in authentic motivation helps guide ethical practice and long-term fulfillment in the field.
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