Dialectical Behavior (DBT) Therapists in San Diego, CA
Sometimes life experiences leave us feeling overwhelmed or hopeless and we find that the ways we usually cope are not helping. Sometimes our personal journey involves difficult, seemingly impossible crises or losses. At times like these, we often try to manage emotions with activities that help us feel better for a short time but then the cost starts to outweigh the benefits. I believe we all go through times like this when we are tired of struggling. The path towards recovering from these experiences seems more doable when we are able to find a renewed motivation and clear goals towards healthy change.
Sometimes life experiences leave us feeling overwhelmed or hopeless and we find that the ways we usually cope are not helping. Sometimes our personal journey involves difficult, seemingly impossible crises or losses. At times like these, we often try to manage emotions with activities that help us feel better for a short time but then the cost starts to outweigh the benefits. I believe we all go through times like this when we are tired of struggling. The path towards recovering from these experiences seems more doable when we are able to find a renewed motivation and clear goals towards healthy change.
I draw from EMDR, parts work, mindfulness, ACT, DBT, and CBT—tailored to what feels most helpful for you.
I’ve had the honor of helping folks manage depression and anxiety, navigate change, explore their identity, cope with daily stress, discover healthy boundaries, process grief and trauma, build self-esteem, manage anger, improve relationships, and find more joy, balance, and meaning in their lives. Together we can explore your story, foster helpful insights, and build skills that help you cultivate well being and self compassion.
I draw from EMDR, parts work, mindfulness, ACT, DBT, and CBT—tailored to what feels most helpful for you.
I’ve had the honor of helping folks manage depression and anxiety, navigate change, explore their identity, cope with daily stress, discover healthy boundaries, process grief and trauma, build self-esteem, manage anger, improve relationships, and find more joy, balance, and meaning in their lives. Together we can explore your story, foster helpful insights, and build skills that help you cultivate well being and self compassion.
Active listening, paraphrasing, validating, and offering tools using DBT, CBT, Mindfulness, and other techniques that increase their emotional literacy and self-awareness.
It is an inspiring and courageous step for someone to seek out support and help. Being part of that journey is an honor as a therapist. Life's challenges, transitions, and surprises are areas of growth that can have a positive impact on our lives when it has someone to guide and encourage us. Healing is a part of the journey for many, and as a therapist, being part of that uncharted territory is both exciting and daunting. Holding safe spaces for those in need of healing and growth is a privilege, which I am grateful for each day to be part of for those I serve.
Active listening, paraphrasing, validating, and offering tools using DBT, CBT, Mindfulness, and other techniques that increase their emotional literacy and self-awareness.
It is an inspiring and courageous step for someone to seek out support and help. Being part of that journey is an honor as a therapist. Life's challenges, transitions, and surprises are areas of growth that can have a positive impact on our lives when it has someone to guide and encourage us. Healing is a part of the journey for many, and as a therapist, being part of that uncharted territory is both exciting and daunting. Holding safe spaces for those in need of healing and growth is a privilege, which I am grateful for each day to be part of for those I serve.
These are the collaborative treatment types we use: CBT, DBT, ACT, PE, Schema Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, EMDR, and comprehensive psychological assessments.
Golden Hour Psychology. You’ve carried it long enough—the anxiety that won’t quiet, the trauma that lingers, the patterns that keep repeating. Maybe you feel stuck, unsure why things aren’t changing, or exhausted from holding it all together. You want relief, but more than that, you want clarity. You’re ready to understand, heal, and move forward. We can help.
These are the collaborative treatment types we use: CBT, DBT, ACT, PE, Schema Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, EMDR, and comprehensive psychological assessments.
Golden Hour Psychology. You’ve carried it long enough—the anxiety that won’t quiet, the trauma that lingers, the patterns that keep repeating. Maybe you feel stuck, unsure why things aren’t changing, or exhausted from holding it all together. You want relief, but more than that, you want clarity. You’re ready to understand, heal, and move forward. We can help.
Are you looking for connection, understanding and acceptance? Do you struggle with depression, fear, disappointment, tragedy, loss, isolation, and/or addiction? Are you struggling with past traumas? Through our work together you will learn practical skills to lower your anxiety, find new meaning and purpose in your life, learn to manage your emotions, and learn skills to improve your relationships. You can learn how to communicate more effectively and resolve problems.
Are you looking for connection, understanding and acceptance? Do you struggle with depression, fear, disappointment, tragedy, loss, isolation, and/or addiction? Are you struggling with past traumas? Through our work together you will learn practical skills to lower your anxiety, find new meaning and purpose in your life, learn to manage your emotions, and learn skills to improve your relationships. You can learn how to communicate more effectively and resolve problems.
One of Mo’s specialties is focusing on the mind-body connection. This is done with somatic exercises. Mo always starts off each session with a grounding exercise. She loves using body scans with clients to bring awareness to their bodies. Our body has so much wisdom and we can use it as a tool to know if something is feeling off or feels right. Most of the time after a traumatic experience we may lose touch with our body, part of the trauma work is being able to reconnect with what our body is telling us and listening to it with grace and understanding.
One of Mo’s specialties is focusing on the mind-body connection. This is done with somatic exercises. Mo always starts off each session with a grounding exercise. She loves using body scans with clients to bring awareness to their bodies. Our body has so much wisdom and we can use it as a tool to know if something is feeling off or feels right. Most of the time after a traumatic experience we may lose touch with our body, part of the trauma work is being able to reconnect with what our body is telling us and listening to it with grace and understanding.
I have, or am pursuing, certification in Play Therapy, CBT, TF-CBT and DBT.
Therapy is often sought during a difficult and vulnerable time, which can feel overwhelming. You are not alone in this process. Whether you (or your child) are experiencing anxiety, depression, emotional outbursts, a recent trauma or something has just "felt off," I am here for you. We will address the "whole" you. Working together I want to create a safe space to pursue growth and achieve your therapeutic goals.
I have, or am pursuing, certification in Play Therapy, CBT, TF-CBT and DBT.
Therapy is often sought during a difficult and vulnerable time, which can feel overwhelming. You are not alone in this process. Whether you (or your child) are experiencing anxiety, depression, emotional outbursts, a recent trauma or something has just "felt off," I am here for you. We will address the "whole" you. Working together I want to create a safe space to pursue growth and achieve your therapeutic goals.
You may be feeling stretched thin, like you're carrying more than you can hold, whether that's anxiety, burnout, career or school challenges, or relationship difficulties. You might be navigating a big life transition, questioning your identity, or trying to understand yourself or a loved one who is neurodivergent. Maybe you've felt unseen in past therapy experiences, or you're just not sure where to start. Wherever you're at, I'm glad you're here.
I work with individuals, couples, and families, and I bring a warm, collaborative approach grounded in emotionally focused therapy, solution-focused therapy, and mindfulness.
You may be feeling stretched thin, like you're carrying more than you can hold, whether that's anxiety, burnout, career or school challenges, or relationship difficulties. You might be navigating a big life transition, questioning your identity, or trying to understand yourself or a loved one who is neurodivergent. Maybe you've felt unseen in past therapy experiences, or you're just not sure where to start. Wherever you're at, I'm glad you're here.
I work with individuals, couples, and families, and I bring a warm, collaborative approach grounded in emotionally focused therapy, solution-focused therapy, and mindfulness.
Ava Swanson
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
2 Endorsed
San Diego, CA 92131
Waitlist for new clients
If you are running on empty, and looking for a place to land: welcome.
I support people-pleasers, perfectionists, empaths, and high achievers navigating complex trauma, past sexual trauma, unrelenting anxiety, attachment challenges, or relational conflict. If you are looking to reclaim your story and find freedom, I would love to support you.
Clients I work with have often turned traumas and emotional pain inward. They excel at showing up for others, sometimes to the point of losing themselves. Tending to others’ needs while ignoring our own can serve us well, until it doesn't.
If you are running on empty, and looking for a place to land: welcome.
I support people-pleasers, perfectionists, empaths, and high achievers navigating complex trauma, past sexual trauma, unrelenting anxiety, attachment challenges, or relational conflict. If you are looking to reclaim your story and find freedom, I would love to support you.
Clients I work with have often turned traumas and emotional pain inward. They excel at showing up for others, sometimes to the point of losing themselves. Tending to others’ needs while ignoring our own can serve us well, until it doesn't.
I love to incorporate DBT, CBT, EMDR and Mindfulness Practices.
Accepting new clients and taking insurance. Are you feeling stuck, tormented by anxiety, depression, or traumatic experiences? I would love to provide support by facilitating the discovery of new choices and tools for skill-building. There is nothing more loving than to be seen from heart-centered space and to experience a safe space where one can share deeply personal issues. My style is conversational, collaborative, intuitive, and with a dash of humor.
I love to incorporate DBT, CBT, EMDR and Mindfulness Practices.
Accepting new clients and taking insurance. Are you feeling stuck, tormented by anxiety, depression, or traumatic experiences? I would love to provide support by facilitating the discovery of new choices and tools for skill-building. There is nothing more loving than to be seen from heart-centered space and to experience a safe space where one can share deeply personal issues. My style is conversational, collaborative, intuitive, and with a dash of humor.
Making your first appointment can be one of the most challenging steps in your mental health journey. At LifeStance, we make it simple by offering both online and in-person therapy and psychiatry services, covered by major insurance plans.
Making your first appointment can be one of the most challenging steps in your mental health journey. At LifeStance, we make it simple by offering both online and in-person therapy and psychiatry services, covered by major insurance plans.
I am trained in a variety of models: CBT, DBT, abstinence & harm reduction, and psychodynamic therapy.
Caught in the cycle of impulsive decisions, negative thinking, or the secret weight of addiction? I help adults, couples and students move from feelings of being stuck to a life that actually feels worth living. I’m Lane McConnell, an LMFT with 20 years of experience specializing in the 'complex' stuff—BPD, addiction, and deep-rooted relational conflict.
I tailor my therapy approach to you based on what has and has not worked for you in the past. Together we will set therapy goals to help you remove present barriers, suffering and emotional pain and learn skills so you can live your life to your upmost potential.
I am trained in a variety of models: CBT, DBT, abstinence & harm reduction, and psychodynamic therapy.
Caught in the cycle of impulsive decisions, negative thinking, or the secret weight of addiction? I help adults, couples and students move from feelings of being stuck to a life that actually feels worth living. I’m Lane McConnell, an LMFT with 20 years of experience specializing in the 'complex' stuff—BPD, addiction, and deep-rooted relational conflict.
I tailor my therapy approach to you based on what has and has not worked for you in the past. Together we will set therapy goals to help you remove present barriers, suffering and emotional pain and learn skills so you can live your life to your upmost potential.
Empathy, compassion, and the emphasis on the therapeutic relationship have been the foundation of my work. I have had a wide range of experiences treating trauma, anxiety, and perinatal and postpartum challenges. Other areas of specialization include helping individuals who struggle with low self-esteem and poor emotion regulation skills, as well as difficulties coping with significant life changes (e.g., relocation, divorce) and conflicts in relationships. My style is collaborative in nature, as I support and guide individuals through the healing process.
Empathy, compassion, and the emphasis on the therapeutic relationship have been the foundation of my work. I have had a wide range of experiences treating trauma, anxiety, and perinatal and postpartum challenges. Other areas of specialization include helping individuals who struggle with low self-esteem and poor emotion regulation skills, as well as difficulties coping with significant life changes (e.g., relocation, divorce) and conflicts in relationships. My style is collaborative in nature, as I support and guide individuals through the healing process.
Over 20 years of my practice, I have seen almost every issue stems from our self-concept. The relationship we have with our self-concept prevents our ability to achieve our full potential and happiness. I can help you find the attention and honor you deserve first, then tackle your particular challenges at the present time. "Rock bottom became the solid foundation on which I rebuilt my life" -J. K. Rowling
I offer virtual sessions in CA and in person sessions Saturday morning and Monday in San Diego, CA.
Over 20 years of my practice, I have seen almost every issue stems from our self-concept. The relationship we have with our self-concept prevents our ability to achieve our full potential and happiness. I can help you find the attention and honor you deserve first, then tackle your particular challenges at the present time. "Rock bottom became the solid foundation on which I rebuilt my life" -J. K. Rowling
I offer virtual sessions in CA and in person sessions Saturday morning and Monday in San Diego, CA.
For more than 23 years, I have been passionate about helping children, teens, adults, and families understand the “why” behind emotional, behavioral, developmental, and learning challenges. As Founder of San Diego Kids First and a Voluntary Assistant Clinical Professor at UC San Diego, I have spent 21 years supervising Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Fellows while also mentoring psychologists and educating professionals who support children and families. My goal is to combine compassion, clinical expertise, and practical solutions that help every child and teen reach their full potential.
For more than 23 years, I have been passionate about helping children, teens, adults, and families understand the “why” behind emotional, behavioral, developmental, and learning challenges. As Founder of San Diego Kids First and a Voluntary Assistant Clinical Professor at UC San Diego, I have spent 21 years supervising Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Fellows while also mentoring psychologists and educating professionals who support children and families. My goal is to combine compassion, clinical expertise, and practical solutions that help every child and teen reach their full potential.
Growing up in India, living in Singapore, and now calling San Diego home, I bring a multicultural perspective that shapes how I understand identity, culture, and connection. I specialize in working with teens and women who are used to being the “strong one,” the caretaker, the therapist friend, the one others rely on. Many feel burnt out, disconnected from themselves, and unsure who they are beyond these roles. I help clients reconnect with themselves, understand their patterns, and begin building more authentic, fulfilling lives.
Growing up in India, living in Singapore, and now calling San Diego home, I bring a multicultural perspective that shapes how I understand identity, culture, and connection. I specialize in working with teens and women who are used to being the “strong one,” the caretaker, the therapist friend, the one others rely on. Many feel burnt out, disconnected from themselves, and unsure who they are beyond these roles. I help clients reconnect with themselves, understand their patterns, and begin building more authentic, fulfilling lives.
Welcome to your first step toward healing & recovery! We all know that hurtful emotional experiences, trauma, stress and anger, confidence issues, complex life changes, depression, anxiety, and substance misuse impact our ability to thrive and form healthy relationships. I have acquired many years of behavioral health experience helping people overcome these issues. I have a strengths-focused, skills-based, integrated approach. I use powerful transformative tools like hypnotic psychotherapy, motivational restructuring, trauma desensitization (ABS, EMDR, Brainspotting), and mindful grounding to maximize treatment effects.
Welcome to your first step toward healing & recovery! We all know that hurtful emotional experiences, trauma, stress and anger, confidence issues, complex life changes, depression, anxiety, and substance misuse impact our ability to thrive and form healthy relationships. I have acquired many years of behavioral health experience helping people overcome these issues. I have a strengths-focused, skills-based, integrated approach. I use powerful transformative tools like hypnotic psychotherapy, motivational restructuring, trauma desensitization (ABS, EMDR, Brainspotting), and mindful grounding to maximize treatment effects.
I use a mix of DBT, EMDR, and IFS to help people explore the deeper layers of their story—especially around trauma, identity, and body image.
You might be untangling your identity from family, faith, or cultural expectations—trying to make sense of who you are outside of the roles and systems you were raised in. Maybe you're unlearning old belief systems, trying to make peace with your body, or carrying trauma that still echoes in daily life. You might be questioning things you were once sure of—your identity, your values, your place in the world. If you’ve ever felt out of place in your own story, you’re not alone. If you want to feel more grounded, more like yourself, our work can help you get there.
I use a mix of DBT, EMDR, and IFS to help people explore the deeper layers of their story—especially around trauma, identity, and body image.
You might be untangling your identity from family, faith, or cultural expectations—trying to make sense of who you are outside of the roles and systems you were raised in. Maybe you're unlearning old belief systems, trying to make peace with your body, or carrying trauma that still echoes in daily life. You might be questioning things you were once sure of—your identity, your values, your place in the world. If you’ve ever felt out of place in your own story, you’re not alone. If you want to feel more grounded, more like yourself, our work can help you get there.
You may have reached a point where you know something needs to change, but you're not sure where to begin. If you've been trying to make sense of yourself, your emotions, your relationships, or your life, this might be for you. Many of the people who reach out to me are feeling anxious, overwhelmed, confused, depressed, stuck, or disconnected. They may be healing from trauma, sexual assault, intimate partner violence, grief, family conflict, relationship challenges, substance use concerns, or navigating a major life transition. They often tell me they've been in survival mode so long that they're no longer sure they're truly living.
You may have reached a point where you know something needs to change, but you're not sure where to begin. If you've been trying to make sense of yourself, your emotions, your relationships, or your life, this might be for you. Many of the people who reach out to me are feeling anxious, overwhelmed, confused, depressed, stuck, or disconnected. They may be healing from trauma, sexual assault, intimate partner violence, grief, family conflict, relationship challenges, substance use concerns, or navigating a major life transition. They often tell me they've been in survival mode so long that they're no longer sure they're truly living.
I am EMDR trained and integrate evidence-based approaches including attachment-focused EMDR, CBT, DBT, somatic interventions, and parts work to help clients heal from trauma, PTSD, complex trauma, anxiety,
Telehealth only, please schedule with me directly on my website.-
Do you find yourself stuck in patterns that no longer serve you, feeling overwhelmed by anxiety, struggling in relationships, or carrying the effects of painful experiences from the past? Many of the clients I work with are successful, caring individuals who are exhausted from constantly feeling on edge, disconnected, or weighed down by trauma. I provide a safe, supportive space where we can explore what is keeping you stuck, develop greater self-understanding, and help you move toward a life that feels more balanced, connected, and meaningful.
I am EMDR trained and integrate evidence-based approaches including attachment-focused EMDR, CBT, DBT, somatic interventions, and parts work to help clients heal from trauma, PTSD, complex trauma, anxiety,
Telehealth only, please schedule with me directly on my website.-
Do you find yourself stuck in patterns that no longer serve you, feeling overwhelmed by anxiety, struggling in relationships, or carrying the effects of painful experiences from the past? Many of the clients I work with are successful, caring individuals who are exhausted from constantly feeling on edge, disconnected, or weighed down by trauma. I provide a safe, supportive space where we can explore what is keeping you stuck, develop greater self-understanding, and help you move toward a life that feels more balanced, connected, and meaningful.
See more therapy options for San Diego
Nearby Dialectical Behavior (DBT) Therapists Searches for San Diego
- Bonita
- Chula Vista
- Coronado
- El Cajon
- Imperial Beach
- La Jolla
- La Mesa
- Lemon Grove
- National City
- San Ysidro
- Santee
- Spring Valley