Family Therapy in San Diego, CA
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Joseph Edwards LMFT Psychotherapy
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified
Verified
As a specialist in the prevention of mental illness, and as a
family therapist
, I am experienced in addressing behavioral issues and relational conflict.
If you find that you or your child are struggling with unique and painful challenges, I am qualified to help. I do so by using clinical knowledge, compassion, respect, and humor to create a safe therapeutic environment for my clients to learn about and improve themselves. I have been working in the mental health field since 2006, and I've been working as a Therapist since 2010. Also, I am currently the Clinical Supervisor at a psychosis prevention clinic. I treat clients who have experienced severe mental illness (SMI) ranging from mood and anxiety disorders to chronic schizophrenia.

Claudia Salazar
Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, LPCC
Verified
Verified
I utilize evidenced base approaches including CBT, Client Centered,
Family
Systems, Play Therapy etc.
My name is Claudia Salazar. I am a bilingual therapist in Spanish and English. I am experienced in working with individual and families of all ages. I have experience working with LGBTQ, a wide range of ethnicities, ages, and cultural backgrounds. I enjoy working with my clients to help build the skills needed to make lasting and positive changes.

Lauren Schade
Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, MA, AMFT
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
We'll explore ways to strengthen your ability to attune to your child that will create noticeable and lasting change for them and your
family
.
When children and teens become flooded with emotion, it’s difficult for them to identify, let alone voice, uncomfortable feelings. Their (sometimes challenging) behavior often indicates what they need. I provide developmentally appropriate ways for children to comfortably enact/express what’s going on beneath the surface during heightened emotional states. In my work with your child, we’ll take a deep dive into the attachment styles, nervous system states, and maladaptive coping skills behind the behaviors that impede their ability to thrive at home, school, or in social settings. Moreover, we'll have fun doing this meaningful work.

Erin Snemis
Counselor, LPCC
Verified
Verified
I specialize in trauma focused therapy and am trained in EMDR, NARM, and Internal
Family
Systems.
My goal is to help those seeking healing from trauma and regaining better management of mental health challenges. My therapy style is supportive and collaborative. I believe in meeting clients where they are in their journey and personalizing the course of treatment to their specific needs. I provide a nonjudgmental and caring environment that allows clients to comfortably work through their current challenges and reach their goals.

Sesen Negash
Marriage & Family Therapist, PhD, LMFT
Verified
Verified
Further, I have advanced training in three evidence-based models of psychotherapy ( emotionally focused therapy, internal
family
systems, and EMDR).
Acute and long-standing stress can trigger emotions, thoughts, and reactions that shape our sense of self and our relationships. If you find it increasingly difficult to cope with stressors, stay emotionally regulated, and connect to others, I may be able to help. My approach to therapy is compassionate, culturally responsive, collaborative, and non-pathologizing. Further, I am informed by multiple evidence-based perspectives and believe that societal influences significantly contribute to the way people receive, process, and respond to stress, problems, trauma, and relationships.

Nina Tomkiewicz
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified
Verified
My approach utilizes mindfulness, visualization, and self-compassion practices and is informed by the Internal
Family
Systems model, Emotionally-Focused Therapy, attachment theory, and Non-Violent Communication.
Do you struggle with achieving inner, emotional stability and find yourself having shame spirals? Is it hard for you to be authentic around others, and tend towards people-pleasing or over-focusing on other’s needs? Do you often ruminate on negative thoughts and are self-critical and self-blaming? Sometimes when we struggle during developmentally critical periods of our life, we can adopt strategies to survive that end up limiting or distressing us later in life. These strategies can manifest as symptoms of anxiety and depression and can get in the way of feeling self-assured and connected to others.

Stephanie Wolfe
Psychologist, PsyD, MA
Verified
Verified
My experience and expertise provides me with tools from DBT, CBT, Solution Focused Brief Therapy,
Family
Systems, addiction, and attachment approaches to help adolescents, adults, families and couples achieve best outcomes.
Life can feel chaotic. Whether you are considering your first time in treatment, continuing or returning to treatment, my goal is to provide you with the platform and skills to effectively evaluate, identify and create solutions to help you. It’s important to remember that therapy is not always about ‘fixing’ a problem. Sometimes, it is about learning how to work with the problem by creating awareness, strengthening insight, developing or broadening skills you already have. It is a joint effort between the therapist and the client, working together, to impact change and bring balance to what may otherwise feel out of control.

Colleen Mullen
Marriage & Family Therapist, PsyD, LMFT
Verified
5 Endorsed
Verified
5 Endorsed
OOO 6/30-8/1. Do you feel like you keep making the same mistakes in your dating relationships? Do you find that when you finally get the committed relationship you thought you wanted, you feel insecure in ways you didn't expect? Everything we feel and react to is sparked by our interpersonal interactions. When those interactions cause self-defeating reactions, you can feel insecure, lonely, and defeated. I want to help you change your patterns. I help people calm the chaos in their mind and their life. You will learn that you can manage your life (relationships,
family
, career) with strength and confidence.

Farah Giovannelli
Psychologist, PsyD
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
Dr. Farah Giovannelli is a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in working with adults and college students experiencing a range of concerns, including depression and anxiety, low self-esteem/self-confidence, relationship and
family
concerns, trauma, disordered eating and body image, acculturation and cultural oppression, as well as general dissatisfaction with life. Dr. Gio offers an empathic and compassionate space in which she strives to empower all of her clients to thrive and embrace their authentic selves.

Carly Stewart
Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, MA
Verified
Verified
As a Marriage and
Family Therapist
Associate, I want to create a safe space for you.
Are you battling anxiety that feels like it holds you back from experiencing a full life? Or perhaps you're dealing with a loss that feels too heavy to hold. Or maybe you're in a relationship that is not turning out quite like you had planned or hoped? Whatever brings you to this page, I'm here to help walk with you. “Your problem is how you are going to spend this one and precious life you have been issued. Whether you're going to spend it trying to look good and creating the illusion that you have power over circumstances, or whether you are going to taste it, enjoy it and find out the truth about who you are.” ― Anne Lamott

Kayla Karesh
Marriage & Family Therapist, MAT, MA, LMFT, ATR
Verified
Verified
For over 20 years, Kayla has passionately served with warmth as a clinician and leader, supporting integrative care to the whole person (mind-body-spirit), the whole
family
, and the whole community.
Stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, eating disorders, addictive behaviors: all of these struggles hinder peace and wholeness, and require a skillful and compassionate support. Kayla practices Integrative Psychotherapy, which combines the core elements of current evidence-based psychotherapy practices as well as integrative modalities that focus on the body and spirit. This allows for truly individualized psychotherapeutic care that responds effectively to settle symptoms through the cultivation of whole person wellbeing practices.

Darcie Brown
Marriage & Family Therapist, JD, MA, LMFT
Verified
Verified
Seeking therapy might feel like a huge leap of faith, and you might not even be sure if you’re ready. I get it. It’s really hard to get started, especially if you were taught to believe that therapy is “only for when things get really bad.” Let’s normalize going to therapy…for whatever reason you’d like: a break-up, a question about what’s next in your life, a vague feeling of something being off, a loss of any kind, a recent life change,
family
stuff, feeling down, feeling anxious, a concern about a relationship…the list goes on. No matter how big or small what you’re going through feels, I’m here to support you through it.

Zhaohui (Sunny) Yang
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified
Verified
My therapeutic orientations are mainly psychodynamic and person-centered, combined with Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Therapy, and Structural
Family Therapy
approaches.
I'm very much a client-centered therapist and collaborate with my clients in defining the goals and paths of recovery. Being an immigrant myself, I work extensively with immigrants and their families, as well as families of mixed racial/cultural backgrounds. I am a strong advocate for under-served, underrepresented groups, and for victims of social injustice and domestic violence.

Seth M Gans
Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, AMFT
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
It’s okay to not be okay. We all need help sometimes. If you're experiencing
family
conflict, I can help you connect with your child in ways that will foster healthy attachment and improve your communication. If your
family
is going through a divorce, I can help your child navigate that difficult life transition. If your child is acting out at school or at home, I can help them learn to express themself in healthier ways, as well as provide you with parenting strategies to decrease unwanted behaviors. If your child is struggling socially, I can help them improve their social skills so that they no longer feel isolated.

Carole Doherty
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT, MA, MSOL
Verified
Verified
Life is an extraordinary journey filled with constant changes and challenges. Therapy is a powerful tool that helps us navigate our way through some of the more chaotic and confusing times. The best answers are found by looking inward; examining personal strengths, values and beliefs, to gain insight and promote personal growth. I provide individual, couples and
family therapy
with a focus on building healthy relationships with self,
family
, friends and community. Most of our significant relationships fall somewhere on the continuum between dependency and interdependency.

Ginny Zarinebaf
Associate Professional Clinical Counselor, APCC
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
I have experience working with depression, anxiety, PTSD, Behavior Modification,
Family Therapy
& parenting skills.
Hello, I'm Ginny (she/her/ hers), an Associate Professional Clinical Counselor. I believe that therapy should be with a calm, caring and compassionate person who can help you achieve your therapeutic goals at a pace where you feel growth and positive change. I strive to connect the body and mind to help create a sense of wellbeing. I offer a safe space to feel, explore and grow. With over 12 years of experience working with families, children and teens as a therapist in the community, I will provide you with the tools and strategies to recover, reclaim and learn to ground yourself in all areas of your life.

Laura J Proctor
Psychologist, PhD
Verified
Verified
You and I will work in a collaborative relationship to create lasting positive change. Together we can alleviate your emotional suffering, identify your strengths, change old patterns, increase self-compassion, formulate goals, strengthen coping skills, enhance relationships, navigate transitions, and make life meaningful and fulfilling. Wherever you are in your process will be our starting point. I welcome clients from all backgrounds and communities. I specialize in anxiety, depression, stress, trauma,
family
of origin issues, relationships, academic/work challenges, identity, culture, grief and loss, and life transitions.

Lucy Millan
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
Lucy has substantial experience working as a
Family
Court Services Mediator and Child Custody Recommending Counselor in San Diego.
Are you considering divorce? Has your spouse told you they want to end your marriage? If you're in the fog of divorce, Lucy will provide the safe space you need. Divorce is trauma, even if you are the leaving spouse, because it changes your whole life. What you thought you could trust is no longer there.

Rose Corzine
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified
Verified
Hi. I’m Rose Corzine, LCSW. I’m a Child and
Family therapist
with years of experience. My passion is working with children and families in order to restore harmony in the home. When you are struggling in making a meaningful emotional connection with your child or spouse, it may be time to seek assistance. I offer parent consultations and individual child therapy, 8 years and up, and
family therapy
. Building healthy relationships with the families I work with allows me to understand their
family
system better and utilize current strengths to build and repair broken relationships and restore positive functioning.

Maribel Higuera
Marriage & Family Therapist, MS, LMFT
Verified
Verified
Everyone is unique and has their own way of expressing themselves; this belief leads me to adapt my approach according to the individual, couple and
family
.
Do you find yourself struggling in your relationships, worrying all the time, or dealing with depression? Perhaps you have a loved one struggling with similar issues. Facing these current struggles can be painful, scary and overwhelming, but you do not have to do it alone. I am interested in joining you to face these current struggles and find solutions tailored to your unique circumstance. I have experience working with couples, individual adults, children and adolescents facing relationship conflict, trauma, parenting issues, domestic violence, school problems, depression and anxiety. I am bilingual in both English and Spanish.
See more therapy options for San Diego
Family Therapy
What do family therapists do?
A family therapist facilitates the process of understanding and improving how a family functions. The therapist will help family members develop empathy for one another. They’ll seek to understand existing patterns, misunderstandings, and conflicts that arise, in order to help the family arrive at a realistic, unified understanding and develop the coping skills they need to build stronger relationships.
How long does therapy for families take to work?
Therapy manifests differently in every family; a common time frame is 12 weekly sessions, but some families may see improvement after just a few weeks. Families should discuss their goals with the therapist at the beginning of the process and periodically revisit those goals to assess their progress together.
How can you encourage a family member to attend family therapy?
You can encourage family members to attend therapy by expressing with both love and concern the challenges you see and explaining how a therapist could help the family navigate those challenges together. An outside perspective can help everyone feel heard, get on the same page, and develop new skills. If family members are still hesitant, it may be helpful to emphasize that family therapy is short-term—it won’t last forever.
Is therapy for families effective?
Family therapy can significantly improve family dynamics and relationships. Research suggests that family therapy can help individuals understand their role in the family, communicate and solve problems together, reduce conflict and draw boundaries when necessary, and develop coping skills for stressors, major life changes, and mental or physical illnesses within the family.