Three decades of clinical experience, and a steady hand through the hard moments.
Dr. Corinne Hickson Barez is a licensed clinical psychologist and the founder of Complete Family Services, Inc. With more than thirty years of clinical experience and over twenty years as a former court-appointed 730 Child Custody Evaluator, she provides specialized care for children, teens, adults, couples, and families across the South Bay, including Torrance, Palos Verdes, Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, and Redondo Beach.
Dr. Hickson Barez earned her doctorate in clinical psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University, following undergraduate work at UC Irvine where she completed a double major in Psychology & Social Behavior and Fine Arts (dance), with a minor in Criminology. That combination of clinical depth, creative training, and forensic foundations continues to shape how she works today.
Her career uniquely combines clinical depth with forensic experience: more than twenty years as a former court-appointed 730 Child Custody Evaluator, certification as a divorce mediator, and active service on the board of We Are Brave Together, an international nonprofit supporting mothers of children with disabilities, learning differences, and complex mental health needs. That range (psychoeducational testing, high-conflict family work, nonprofit leadership) is what makes her practice distinctive.
Education, licensure, and professional affiliations.
Books & publications.
Dr. Hickson Barez is the author of the Life's Lessons children's book series, therapeutic stories designed to help children navigate the developmental moments that matter most. The series explores divorce and family transitions, grief and loss, separation anxiety, welcoming a new sibling, emotional regulation, friendship, and social skills. The first six books publish June 24, 2026, with additional titles in development. Two collections serve different ages: one for preschool and early elementary children, and a second for upper elementary readers ready to engage with emotional growth at a more advanced level. The books extend Dr. Hickson Barez's clinical work into the lives of families, educators, and caregivers, supporting the conversations that help children grow.
Academic publication
Dr. Hickson Barez is also a contributing author to The Handbook of Juvenile Forensic Psychology, an academic reference work covering the intersection of clinical psychology and family court systems.
Board service with We Are Brave Together.
Dr. Hickson Barez serves on the board of We Are Brave Together, an international nonprofit organization founded by Jessica Patay in 2017. The organization provides respite, community, and resources for mothers caring for children with disabilities, neurodivergence, and complex medical or mental health needs. It has grown to more than 4,200 mothers across 50+ countries.
Her board service reflects a clinical commitment to the families who often need the most support and have the least time to seek it.
A practice built around the whole family system.
Dr. Hickson Barez's approach is rooted in family systems thinking. When a child is struggling, we look at the family context, the school environment, and the relationships around them, not just the individual presentation. Evaluations are the start of treatment planning, not the end. Reports are written so families, schools, and other professionals can actually use them. And the work itself emphasizes emotional safety, clinical rigor, and concrete strategies families can put into practice.
Supported by licensed psychological assistants.
Dr. Hickson Barez works alongside licensed psychological assistants who provide testing and clinical support under her direct supervision. Our practice is small by design. That is how we maintain the depth and care our reputation has been built on.
Words from the families we've worked with.
“Working with Dr. Hickson Barez has saved my life. She has helped me navigate through some of the most challenging situations I have ever faced. She is compassionate, insightful, and truly gifted at what she does.”
“I have been working with Dr. Corie for almost 10 years, and she has been an incredible source of support and guidance. She genuinely cares about her clients and goes above and beyond to help.”
“Complete Family Services was able to keep my family communicating during one of the most difficult chapters of our lives. Dr. Hickson Barez provided clarity when everything felt overwhelming.”
“Dr. Hickson Barez meets me at my level and adjusts our session accordingly so I always get the most out of our time. She has helped me develop tools to combat anxiety — tools that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.”