Therapists in Encinitas, CA

I am an intuitive coach and spiritual guide. My work combines my background and training in counseling and psychology with intuitive guidance to help clients heal, grow, and realize their full spiritual and personal potential. For years, I have supported children, teens and adults in connecting with their spiritual wisdom and enhancing all aspects of their lives. I can teach you how to tap into your inner resources, and help you to find strength, clarity and growth through your life’s challenges. I help you in healing your deepest hurts and connecting with your own inner healer.

Chris works extremely well with all adults, teens, and families. Chris helps individuals and corporate leaders in addiction and crisis. He is a highly effective leader of Interventions, Corporate Wellness Seminars and support for HR Directors and Leadership Teams.

Choosing a therapist is an important decision. My goal as your therapist is to help you find healthy ways to engage in life and use your strengths to help understand, uncover, and dismantle what is creating anxiety, depression and other emotional concerns you may find yourself living with. Therapy can help to create an environment to move through the process of self-discovery and self-awareness in a safe way. The treatments I work with have proven to be effective, including psychodynamic psychotherapy, mindfulness therapy, and EMDR. I believe therapy is foremost, about building a trusting relationship with a qualified person.

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".

Is your family under stress due to your child's difficulties at school or at home? These challenges can effect the overall happiness of your family. I can help you! Collaboratively piecing together the puzzle of your child's needs and creating plans to assist in their success- you too, can feel successful! I provide you with practical skills that you can implement the same day. With over 20 years working as an educator and therapist in schools, I know how to assess and reach tweens, teens and young adults to help your family thrive.

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

The therapeutic relationship can be an invaluable opportunity to foster growth, take intelligent risks, and rewrite unhelpful narratives. Often the most important and difficult changes in life are internal. Moreover, the most critical changes can begin with the acceptance of a painful reality. Sometimes it is helpful to explore these realities with a supportive individual who has some distance from the situation. I find the most successful clients are curious about their own beliefs and feelings. While they want to be challenged, they also believe in the necessity of self-compassion.

Life is unpredictable - relationships are complicated - loss hurts. Counseling can help. My approach to counseling both individuals and couples is warm, direct, and interactive. In my 36 years of experience, I have learned that engaging clients in the process of identifying a problem and understanding its cause enables them to learn to use the coping skills they need to solve the problem.

I am currently accepting new patients. Is your teen or pre-teen suffering from depression or anxiety? Are they struggling in school or with their peer group? Through the use of art, crafts and play therapy techniques, your child can learn new ways of coping. Children and teens don't always have the ability, or the words, to share how they are really feeling. Instead it comes out in their behaviors, which often times ends up creating conflict, disharmony and upset. It doesn't have to be this way. Your child and your family can enjoy being together. It is possible to see your child or teen be their best self!

I work well with clients who have experienced unresolved trauma. My preferred treatment modality is EMDR, which I use to treat not only the trauma but the negative cognitions associated with trauma. I find that addiction, anxiety, and depression are often decreased when the trauma is resolved. I have successfully treated clients with: sexual/physical/emotional abuse, phobias, combat trauma, dog attacks, and childhood bullying. I also have expertise in treating children and adults with learning disabilities, as I was a school psychologist for 10 years.

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.

Through a collaborative, trusting, and genuine therapeutic relationship, I am committed to walk beside you as you embark on your own, unique journey of self-exploration. I utilize a person-centered, holistic, and integrative approach to therapy, and focus on your strengths to help you achieve your goals.

I use a humanistic, client-centered approach to really listen and understand what is going on in the lives of each of my clients. Clients may present with depression, anxiety, addictions or anger issues. Any of these may stem from a variety of stressors; difficulties at work, or issues with friends or family. As we mature, we need to play new roles in life; as an employee or manager, as a spouse, becoming a parent, children leaving home, divorcing, parents aging or, as our children have families of their own, learning yet another role to play.

I enjoy helping individuals work through life's difficulties by facilitating a safe and supportive space to heal and find a path forward. I love empowering people to find their own strengths, build skills to manage their struggles, and learn to manage emotions in effective ways. I have an extensive history of working with adolescents in young adults in both inpatient and outpatient settings. I also specialize in working with athletes throughout (and beyond) their competitive careers.

Thank you for visiting my Psychology Today profile. I am a licensed clinical psychologist serving the greater San Diego area. I work primarily with those experiencing stress, anxiety, depression, relationship issues, trauma, grief/loss, and life transitions. I employ an eclectic therapeutic approach drawing upon a number of different healing modalities and traditions to fit your unique circumstances. I provide a safe, warm, supportive, and collaborative environment to help you achieve your goals.

Not every problem can be handled on our own. In these times, it's important to seek the aid of those who have an extensive understanding of overwhelming stress, depression, and anxiety. As a LCSW and psychotherapist, I know healing is possible and happens everyday. I have a passion for mental health and enjoy watching people become the best version of themselves.

When you're dealing with painful emotions, relationship issues, or other life challenges, every day can feel like a struggle. Finding the right therapist can seem like yet another daunting task. But it can also be the crucial first step toward a happier, more fulfilling, and more meaningful life. I believe in taking the time to get to know you as an individual and to understand your unique story, strengths, and clinical needs, so that together we can help you get past your current challenges and build a life you love living. I specialize in working with clients seeking personal growth and a more meaningful life.

You’re worried about your child. You wonder if they need therapy and it’s weighing on you. You’ve tried talking to them, reasoning why their fear doesn’t make sense, but it never seems to make a difference. I help anxious kids & worried parents feel safe and at ease. I get that you just want your child to feel more carefree and express themselves more confidently. Today, you’re searching for a child therapist because you know if you don’t get help, nothing is going to change for your child. And something has got to change. I understand.

Clients come to me when their stress or other symptoms become too difficult to manage on their own. Whether you are going through a new transition; coping with long-term challenges; seeking a better understanding of yourself; or working on personal growth - I will welcome you without judgment, preconceived notions, or a one-size-fits-all approach. I see each client as a unique individual. My affirming and culturally respectful approach helps clients feel comfortable with me from the first session. If you are looking for someone who will see you as a person instead of a label or diagnosis, then you are in the right place.