Therapists in Encinitas, CA

I am a clinical and sport psychologist specializing in short-term solution focused therapy as well as longer-term insight oriented work. I work with clients on interpersonal relationships, life-transitions, personal growth, depression, anxiety, ADHD, and sport-performance enhancement. I bring a warm, non-judgmental, and strength-based approach to address each individual's needs. I use an integrative model incorporating the impact of relationships, exercise, nutrition, and sleep on one's overall well-being. Through our work together I help to empower clients to accomplish their goals and improve their quality of life.

I am passionate about helping people move closer towards living a full and meaningful life. I aim to assist clients in uncovering the barriers that keep them stuck, take action in their lives based on their values and goals, and mindfully cope with life's struggles.

My goal as a Certified Jungian Analyst and Licensed Psychotherapist is to work with my clients in a way that helps them unlock their potentialities, as well as their suffering, whether it be anxiety, depression, marital conflict, spirituality, occupational boredom, or confusion in what they should be doing in their life.

New Moms - I’m happy to talk with you about transitioning to parenthood, growing your family, and how these early days, weeks, months, and even years can bring so many challenges and even emotional pain. Being responsible for a new little human can feel overwhelming. It’s not your fault, you can do this, and you don’t need to go at it alone. There may be other relationships to manage with a partner or other children, a lack of sleep, and lots of self-doubt fed by the opinions of others and contradictory information to untangle. Let’s figure things out in a way that puts you on a path to parenting success that is just right for you.

I’m glad you’re here! Finding the right therapist can be challenging, so here’s a little about how I work to help you decide if we might be a good fit. I specialize in working with adults and couples navigating what can sometimes be an overwhelming existence. Whether it’s managing anxiety, healing burnout, traversing relationship difficulties, navigating a life transition, or living with grief, I’m here to hold a warm, supportive space.

My purpose is to provide expert mental health therapy to my clients. I have an approach in working with others which is a combination of utilizing evidence based practices with a mindful and person centered focus. My diverse array of experiences within the military, at the VA and within the San Diego community has facilitated my work with the populations, of children and adolescents, trauma survivors, severe mental illness, and age specific populations from young adult to the elderly.

Are you stressed and use alcohol, other substances, food, exercise, sex, work, spending, gambling, or screen use excessively? Do you think “I got this” after planning a strict regimen for change only to break it soon after? Do failed attempts cause you to feel down? Do you long for past times when you could enjoy these pleasures? Do you suspect there may be core issues that drive these behaviors but fear slowing down to explore them? Is there a personal or family history of trauma or emotional issues that causes anxiety? Do you feel exhausted and yearn to wake up refreshed? Are you isolating to avoid people who are concerned?

A bit about me, I am passionate about helping teenagers, young adults, and adults who are looking to learn, process, reduce, navigate, and manage the following struggles/issues: stress and anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts and self-harm, healthy relationships, low self-esteem, anger, loss of a loved one, difficult life transitions, and communication. I also have an intimate knowledge of the LDS faith/culture and can provide support and help to navigate faith crises while remaining in the faith and/or transitioning down a new spiritual path.

Do you feel like a misunderstood weirdo, even though you might look normal? I’ve got your back. Feel cramped by societal expectations and want to find the freedom and empowerment to be fully yourself? Step into my (virtual) office. I want to work with you if you are on the precipice of change, or in the throes of shedding the skin of your former self. I want to work with you if, somewhere in there, you suspect that these times are the ones that hone our edges, define who we are and are not, and allow us to emerge from the ashes more empowered, brighter, stronger, and more fully in ownership of our truth.

This is me at the beach with Shannon, our 25 year-old daughter. My wife Vicki and I had the good fortune to raise her here in beautiful San Diego North County, where she has had the opportunity to become an accomplished surfer, sailor, diver, and nature photographer. Vicki and I are a Marriage and Family Therapist team in private practice here for 20+ years in Encinitas, California. As well as seeing couples and families, I have specialized in treating anxiety disorders and phobias, depression, alcohol and substance abuse, and adolescents. I completed my B.A.degree at the University of Connecticut and graduate training at Purdue University. Using an eclectic approach, I combine elements of cognitive-behavioral, psychodynamic, client-centered and mindfulness therapies in my practice. I am also certified in Clinical Hypnosis for use in weight loss, smoking cessation, habit control and anxiety reduction. I began focusing on treating adolescents very early in my career, and I have always enjoyed working with their youthful energy. Helping parents to work more closely together and develope simple and effective parenting skills can transform a stressful, contentious family life i

You're feeling stuck. You're finding yourself feeling overwhelmed and disconnected from life, others, and maybe yourself. You feel uncertain of your thoughts, wants, needs or what to do. Trauma can leave us feeling hopeless, exhausted, and alone. It can make us shut the world out, or put other's needs before our own in hope for solace. At times it can feel like change isn't possible, or if we just ignore it long enough it will resolve itself.

There is no way around the fact that life throws ongoing curve balls, and sometimes those balls feel enormously overwhelming. I see therapy as a means to help people move through their suffering and finds better ways to experience their life and develop aspects of their brain that equip them to feel more joy, inner comfort, inner integration and meaning. I work empathically to build awareness of repetitive patterns, gain relief from emotional pain and help build deeper connections to oneself and others. My careful use of attunement and connecting one's core self to younger "parts" of the mind creates deep change.

Are you (or is your child) overwhelmed and struggling to manage your emotions or life right now ? For over 25 years, I have been helping adults, children and families face and deal with life's challenges, including anxiety, depression, stress, divorce and co-parenting, family conflict, and communication. You may be facing a new phase of life or having mild symptoms, or maybe you are dealing with a long-term and more complicated situation in which you are feeling stuck and helpless. Either way, I can give you the tools and provide the space for you to begin working towards a happier and more satisfying life.

I offer Creative Counseling to help you to feel happier, more successful and feeling better. Solution Focused and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy along with Music Therapy Sound Healing approaches are what I utilize. I use Zoom or telephone for sessions. I offer a results oriented approach for practical results for you to have a happy life. In the first session we can identify what are the issues and what solutions to the issues can be addressed if you are feeling stressed or anxious or feeing down or depressed. I can help you to know what to do and how to fix what is wrong.

Pamela Sachs is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who earned her MSW degree in 1984 from Boston University, and was licensed in the state of California in 1987. Pamela's career in San Diego County includes working with children, adults and couples in a variety of treatment settings. Having developed integrated behavioral health programs, she was motivated to evolve her practice into a holistic treatment approach, partnering with her clients to move toward emotional, physical and spiritual wellness.

As a psychotherapist, I use a holistic approach that blends clinical research with Eastern wisdom. I have trained extensively for a decade with renowned Psychiatrist, Dr. Jeffery M. Schwartz in his Four Step Method, which combines Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy with the Buddhist principle of Mindfulness. Although, the Four Steps was originally created to treat OCD, my recent collaboration in the advancement of the Four Steps has shown that it is also successful for various circumstances including anxiety, depression, phobias, addiction, and eating disorders. My work is highlighted in Dr. Jeffrey M. Schwartz's new book, "You Are Not Your Brain".

Our overall mission is to promote behavioral health and wellness for our clients to obtain a high quality of life within themselves, their family, and their community. We work with a wide range of emotional and behavioral issues providing services that include assessment, short-term solution focused interventions, consultation with other providers, and crisis intervention. If you are feeling stuck, stressed from life circumstances, or having trouble adjusting to new transitions, then please contact us. We are here for you!

When your life isn’t what you want it to be – Is less fulfilling and satisfying then it should be –– Might be burdened with sadness or depression -- I offer guidance, support and comfort in a safe healing environment that can help turn your life around. Help you discover how wondrous it is to find the emotional strength and freedom you need to recognize then pursue -- and finally realize your full potential

Dani is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a Masters of Arts degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Alliant International University. She has extensive experience working with teens, young adults, adults, and families at both the outpatient and residential level of care and has special interest and experience in treating eating disorders, anxiety, depression, suicidality, self-harm, emotion dysregulation and trauma.