Borderline Personality (BPD) Therapists in Cardiff By The Sea, CA

I completed my doctoral degree in clinical psychology (PsyD) at La Salle University in Philadelphia and am licensed in CA and WA. I have worked with children, teens, & adults with emotional & behavioral dysregulation, relationship issues, suicidal thinking, substance abuse issues, & difficulty with life transitions. I’m trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Mindfulness acceptance-based approaches. Specializing further, using Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and Exposure for treating trauma. I have expertise in treating Eating Disorders, Body image issues, Trauma, Suicidal behaviors, & Borderline Personality disorder.

I provide comprehensive Dialectical Behavior Therapy (adults & adolescents) experiencing emotional dysregulation, strained relationships, overwhelming suffering (w/wo diagnosis of BPD), and/or thoughts of suicide or self-harm. My frame is client-centered, believing that you are the expert of your life, & therapy is a collaborate effort. I also work extensively within the Trans*/Nonbinary community, supporting an affirmed life for you and those around you. This can be at any age and include issues of disclosure, life changes, overcoming fear while balancing safety, & community advocacy.

Dr. Riser has over 10 years of experience providing Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and various other evidence-based approaches for the treatment of mood, anxiety, and personality disorders with special interest in emotion regulation, self-harm, and suicidality. Dr. Riser is an integrative psychologist, utilizing science-based interventions while also taking a holistic, mind + body, indivualized approach to treatment. Dr. Riser earned her PhD in Clinical Psychology from The Chicago Medical School/RFUMS with a concentration in psychopathology.

To start, I am an Internal Family Systems Therapist and most clients I see are looking for IFS therapy. Now, Are you at a place in your life where you just want more? Maybe your marriage is not necessarily "bad" but a part of you feels like you are missing out on what you know it could be. Maybe a part of you is critical of yourself and is keeping you from reaching your dreams. I believe that better understanding and getting to know your own internal world helps you see the world differently. It is from that centered place that you can better get to know your compassionate, curious, and confident self. Life can be so much more!

I am a licensed clinical psychologist in the greater San Diego area. I specialize in treating disordered eating, self-harm, suicidality, and pervasive anxiety and mood disorders, as well as substance use, in adolescents, families, and adults. My book "Mindful Eating from the Dialectical Perspective: Research and Application" is available from Routledge and Amazon. I emphasize concrete behavioral strategies and validation to foster balance, self-awareness, and connection. Creating lasting change can seem daunting--and I can support you in this journey, with tools to help you take one step at a time, to ultimately achieve your goals.

My experience has given me the privilege to work with adults of all ages and adolescents with co-occurring disorders, mood disorders, psychotic disorders, addictive disorders, and some personality disorders. I have a passion for working with young people and their families to get through difficult times. I often work with folx who are survivors of trauma including PTSD and CPTSD. I am knowledgeable in many subcultures, sexualities and societal challenges that face many individuals.

Neurofeedback is able to help children, teenagers, and adults who have experienced Trauma, Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), ADHD and Anxiety disorders as well as a variety of other mental health symptoms. Neurofeedback, also called EEG Biofeedback or brain training, helps train your brain to self-regulate and correct issues that impact your optimal functioning. A self-regulated brain improves the functioning of the central nervous system, mental performance, emotional regulation, and physiological stability. A dysregulated brain has difficulty calming down at appropriate moments, adding physiological symptoms.

Life gets messy and painful sometimes. We can get stuck—feeling overwhelmed with trauma, depression, anxiety, undesirable circumstances, and disconnection. Having someone to share these experiences with can help us to get out of our heads and begin living deep within our hearts. I aim to create a space to help you find meaning out of the heaviness and feel empowered by the strengths you already have. You are truly the expert of your story, and I hope to walk with you in your journey towards self-acceptance and self-compassion.

My journey as a counselor began with an avid curiosity about understanding people and grew into a sincere desire to heal. I am a behaviorist by nature, but I have learned through experience that it is only one aspect of healing. After raising my family learning to understand the impact of unresolved behavioral and mental health issues, I decided to pursue a master’s in mental health counseling. Desiring the best for clients, I endeavor to learn which approaches can achieve the best results.

Psychotherapy is a process of exploration, discovery and growth. I work with patients who want to learn about themselves in a safe and caring environment. Whether you are in crisis, have overwhelming stress, have family of origin issues, depression/anxiety or just need support for the many issues people face today; call my office to see how I might be of help and support to you. I work from a relational and contemporary psychodynamic model of therapy, meeting the needs of each person as an individual. I use modalties such as insight/relationally oriented psychotherapy, and psychoanalysis.

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.

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.

I help clients with a variety of issues including depression, anxiety, sleep disturbances, trauma and more! I specialize in helping reduce symptoms measurably over time so clients can continue living happy and healthy lives. A few of my specialty areas include couples and family counseling.

Experiencing anxiety, depression, PTSD or difficulty controlling your thoughts & emotions? Are relationship challenges interfering with your ability to experience a fulfilling & satisfying life? If you've worked with other therapists in the past, or are considering starting for the first time, I have been where you are and know that solutions can sometimes feel unattainable. You don't want to just pay someone to listen, you want to attain improvements in all facets of your life. You deserve to experience contentment, peace & happiness, and the people closest in your life deserve to have that version of you. Real change is possible!

I am a licensed Marriage and Family therapist with 15 years of experience working with adults, adolescent, children and their families. I have worked both in the outpatient hospital environment and in the Del Mar School district. In addition to my private practice work I am active with KidsTurn San Diego, a nonprofit organization helping families navigate the process of divorce.