Perhaps you are dealing with painful events outside of your control, your emotions are becoming unmanageable, or you are experiencing a new symptom that is sudden and overwhelming. It is very human to want to "feel normal" when dealing with these, but sometimes how we attempt to do this hurts us more. This could include the different ways we avoid our emotions, attempt to “be perfect" or negatively judge ourselves. Using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) I will help you identify and change ways of thinking and behaving that are impacting your mental health.

Self-awareness and understanding of our internal needs and motivations is one of the greatest gifts we can give ourselves and the ones we love. Our experiences as children are woven into our adult selves, and interact with our temperaments, life circumstances and connections with others. When these threads get tangled, psychotherapy can help us understand why and guide us in either untying the knots, or learning to accept them as part of the beauty of the fabric of who we are.

Stephanie Carter, LCSW graduated from Columbia University with her Master’s in Social Work (MSW) in 2001 after receiving her Bachelor’s degree in Social Work (BSW) from San Francisco State University in 2000. She received her LCSW in 2003 and has worked with a variety of individuals across the life span to facilitate their growth and happiness. Stephanie assists adolescents, adults, couples, and families to navigate the areas in life that are impeding them from living their best life.

My goal as a psychotherapist is to work with my clients to help them heal from their pain, make positive changes in their lives, and improve their sense of well-being. My background includes working with people of all ages and backgrounds, and extensive experience treating anxiety, depression, adjustment difficulties, stress management, life transitions, relationship issues, crisis, military family issues, pre and post-partum concerns, infertility, school adjustment, ADHD and parenting issues. Currently my focus is on working with children and young adults, helping them navigate transitions and better cope with life. I provide individual, couples, family and group therapy.

Are life challenges, stress, fear, worry, or physical symptoms interfering with your goals for work, school, relationships, physical, or spiritual well-being? Do you experience sadness, lack of motivation, problems concentrating, problems sleeping or eating, and decreased pleasure from activities you enjoy? Do you want to feel calm, present, positive, focused, and engaged in what is meaningful to you? I specialize in treating people who experience panic attacks, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and depression. I utilize an integrative approach consisting of mind (thoughts), brain, and body techniques to illuminate patterns, awareness, balance, and resilience.

First and foremost, congratulations on taking a step towards accomplishing your goals! Making the decision to work with a therapist to help manage any life stressor takes strength and commitment. When working with a new client, one of my primary objectives is to foster a welcoming and encouraging environment. I believe the best outcomes stem from an engaging, collaborative working relationship. Therapy is a very personal experience and I encourage my clients to be active participants in their therapeutic success.

I am an experienced, highly intuitive and compassionate psychologist. My work, The Awakened Heart, draws together three decades of applying many approaches to personal growth, healing and spiritual development. As a skilled professional dedicated to the practical application of healing and meeting life's challenges, I create a safe space for those who work with me to find within themselves the resources, talents and wisdom to live life more fully. I am gifted at helping those who are facing important decisions, who are in crisis, or who feel stuck, own their heart and recreate themselves to move forward.

Making the first step to begin your therapeutic journey can be difficult and scary. I recognize the courage it takes to invite someone to join you in your healing process and I strive to meet you where you are in order to help you feel supported and comfortable. I integrate evidence-based processes to support treatment of anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, illness, relationship and family issues.

I bring together the heart and science of psychology to my practice and 19 years experience in the field of mental health. I have worked as a researcher and clinician in inpatient and outpatient settings (including UCSD and the VA) and focused on trauma, grief, depression, dementia, Alzheimer's disease and forensics. I received a B.A. from Lehigh University in Psychology and Health & Human Development, an M.S.Degree from SDSU in Gerontology (the study of aging), and an M.A. Degree and a Doctorate Degree in Clinical Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology.

Everyone has the capacity to grow and create a more meaningful and fulfilling life. All that is required is a willingness to try and some perseverance. My goal to is create a personalized experience for you. I am passionate about my work, well trained and very experienced. Working together we can make sense of things, lessen the pain you feel, overcome stuck places and find your way forward. Whether you're suffering from anxiety, depression, loneliness, relationship issues or low self-confidence, we will address these issues and begin to find answers.

If you are easily overwhelmed, have feelings of chronic anxiety or depression or are struggling to find balance or purpose in your life, I can help. I specialize in reducing anxiety, overcoming depression, healing trauma, and recovering from addictions and co-dependency. In our time together, we will focus on alleviating distressing symptoms while addressing underlying causes. As greater awareness is achieved, old, destructive patterns will fall away. You will integrate new and effective ways of living, achieving your ideal balance of body, mind and spirit.

Are you feeling restless from our global health and economic crisis? Is the current political climate and systemic discrimination a conversation you are in need of? Do you have trouble with relationships, such as building intimacy? From breaking unhealthy habits to finding your life purpose, my mission is to help destigmatize mental health and to empower you to live authentically. I combine scientific research with compassionate, heartfelt counseling and psychological testing so that you can build awareness and resilience from the inside. We will ask questions to help explore your identity, obstacles, and cultural influences.

You're here because fully living the life you envision remains out of reach despite your best efforts. You know that something is getting in the way of achieving your passion & purpose. But you haven't yet found a way to get free of those blocks, or you're searching for ways to step fully into peak performance. As a therapist since 1974, I combine the best ingredients of conventional therapies with the speed of the newer "power" therapies (like EMDR & EFT) & an integrative health orientation. The result: you get faster more effective results & better solutions. Free phone consult.

Do you ever ask yourself, "My partner and I are successful in so many ways, why does our relationship feel so painfully disconnected?" Allow me to guide you in restoring the connection you once enjoyed together. Damaged trust, anger, infidelity, money problems, lack of sex, intimacy and affection are among the problems that can erode a relationship. I will provide you with tools that will help you move towards rebuilding trust, closeness and integrity in the relationship. I will also teach you how to effectively get what you want from your partner and the relationship.

Success in therapy comes from an awareness that one is ready to change, followed by the desire to find help to do so. I have the ability to create a safe, confidential environment for you in my office, where we can explore the issues that may be causing you distress. I can help you identify the ways of coping that may not be working for you, and learn more helpful patterns of thinking and behavior. We will focus on confidence, self-esteem and lasting skills to attain a wider range of self-expression and satisfaction with your life and relationships.

Interpersonal relationships are powerful contributors to our overall health. Our intimate partner relationships, family relationships, work or peer relationships tend to affect us in meaningful ways. When our relational lives are strong and connected we feel satisfied, empowered, hopeful, and more confident. When our relational lives are hurting, we feel anxious, sad, pained, frustrated, and left not knowing what to do to improve it. I work with my clients to address the heart of their stressors working toward tangible results with lasting effects. I work collaboratively & passionately to create a safe, responsive, and supportive environment to address your needs.

Therapy usually begins with taking stock of one's current situation in life, and figuring out the best way to move forward. I have been helping adults and children with difficult life situations and transitions for almost 30 years. My intent is to be understanding; to listen and to hear but also provide feedback, in an environment you can count on as confidential and safe. I work with children, adults, and families.

Hello and welcome! I am a licensed psychologist with over 40 years of experience. I work with preschoolers, children, adolescents and adults who struggle with anxiety, depression, grief and loss, anger management, and identity issues whether they be around sexuality, gender, religion or culture. My years of experience have led me to believe that there is nothing more precious than our emotional and physical health, and the emotional and physical health of those we love.

People seek psychotherapy with goals in mind: relief from emotional pain, resolving a personal or family problem, and to overcome barriers to achieving a life goal. I work with people who are making such changes: people who are struggling with relationship problems, feeling stuck in their job or a career, or are stressed by problems with their children or family. In my work with people who have anxiety, phobias, social fears, depression and anger, I help bring awareness to the source of emotional distress, and work together to arrive at solutions.

You tell yourself that you should be happy, but instead you feel anxious, exhausted, trying to please everyone, self-medicating, depressed and confused... How do you get back to who you used to be, get that inner fire back? How do you feel empowered and motivated again? How do you regain your clarity, health, and self-respect?... Take a deep breath… I can help. I know you may be feeling discouraged, confused, angry, lost, and maybe even hopeless. If you are a conscious person who believes in self-empowerment, alternative approaches, and figuring things out, you have arrived at the right place. Send me a message now.