Sana Benefits Therapists in San Diego, CA
Colleen is deeply passionate about working with individuals dealing with substance abuse, ADHD, and psychosis or schizophrenia. Her therapeutic approach focuses on empowering clients to regain control of their mental health and lead fulfilling lives. Whether through mindfulness-based practices or goal-oriented therapy, Colleen tailors her care to meet each client’s unique needs. She also integrates Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Exposure Therapy to address complex issues like trauma and grief, providing comprehensive care that fosters growth and resilience.
Colleen is deeply passionate about working with individuals dealing with substance abuse, ADHD, and psychosis or schizophrenia. Her therapeutic approach focuses on empowering clients to regain control of their mental health and lead fulfilling lives. Whether through mindfulness-based practices or goal-oriented therapy, Colleen tailors her care to meet each client’s unique needs. She also integrates Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Exposure Therapy to address complex issues like trauma and grief, providing comprehensive care that fosters growth and resilience.
Katie Mattea helps teens and adults navigate emotional challenges, relationship concerns, and identity-related stress with warmth, clarity, and evidence-based care. Serving clients across California through LifeStance Health, she provides a supportive space where individuals and couples can address anxiety, depression, and trauma while building practical skills for lasting change. Her approach balances compassion with clinical insight, helping clients feel understood while moving toward meaningful goals.Katie Mattea helps teens and adults navigate emotional challenges, relationship concerns, and identity-related stress with warmth,
Katie Mattea helps teens and adults navigate emotional challenges, relationship concerns, and identity-related stress with warmth, clarity, and evidence-based care. Serving clients across California through LifeStance Health, she provides a supportive space where individuals and couples can address anxiety, depression, and trauma while building practical skills for lasting change. Her approach balances compassion with clinical insight, helping clients feel understood while moving toward meaningful goals.Katie Mattea helps teens and adults navigate emotional challenges, relationship concerns, and identity-related stress with warmth,
Lana brings both clinical expertise and lived understanding to her work, especially with LGBTQ+ communities, ethically non-monogamous and polyamorous relationships, and individuals in high-stress professions such as the military and first response. She has extensive experience working with trauma and PTSD and is especially passionate about helping clients navigate the impact of trauma on intimacy, sexuality, and their relationship to their own body.
Lana brings both clinical expertise and lived understanding to her work, especially with LGBTQ+ communities, ethically non-monogamous and polyamorous relationships, and individuals in high-stress professions such as the military and first response. She has extensive experience working with trauma and PTSD and is especially passionate about helping clients navigate the impact of trauma on intimacy, sexuality, and their relationship to their own body.
Jillian has worked with a variety of populations, most extensively children and adolescents as well as addictions. With specialized training in Child Parent Relationship Therapy and Play Therapy, Jillian has been able to assist in strengthening child-parent attachments and help families heal from traumatic experiences. Jillian's current area of focus utilizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Psychodynamic Therapy to assist in developing thought reframing techniques and further develop insight.
Jillian has worked with a variety of populations, most extensively children and adolescents as well as addictions. With specialized training in Child Parent Relationship Therapy and Play Therapy, Jillian has been able to assist in strengthening child-parent attachments and help families heal from traumatic experiences. Jillian's current area of focus utilizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Psychodynamic Therapy to assist in developing thought reframing techniques and further develop insight.
My approach focuses on building trust and rapport with my clients. I believe that the client-therapist relationship is paramount to a successful outcome. Over the years, I have worked extensively with individuals from a variety of cultures, backgrounds and lifestyles. I enjoy working collaboratively with my clients to take control of their own healing and transformation process.
I earned undergraduate degrees in Sociology and Art History from Washington State University and my Master's degree in Marital and Family Therapy from the University of San Diego.
At this time I am only treating clients via telehealth.
My approach focuses on building trust and rapport with my clients. I believe that the client-therapist relationship is paramount to a successful outcome. Over the years, I have worked extensively with individuals from a variety of cultures, backgrounds and lifestyles. I enjoy working collaboratively with my clients to take control of their own healing and transformation process.
I earned undergraduate degrees in Sociology and Art History from Washington State University and my Master's degree in Marital and Family Therapy from the University of San Diego.
At this time I am only treating clients via telehealth.
Dr. Christine Calix earned her PhD in Clinical Psychology from the California School of Psychology in 1980. She completed her postdoctoral internship with the U.S. Navy, treating substance abuse and military adjustment issues. With over 40 years of experience, she has worked extensively with adolescents and adults in both private and public settings.
Dr. Calix provides compassionate, culturally sensitive therapy for individuals and couples, fostering growth, self-awareness, and resilience. She has held clinical positions with the U.S. Navy, San Diego County Mental Health Forensic Services, and the State of California.
Dr. Christine Calix earned her PhD in Clinical Psychology from the California School of Psychology in 1980. She completed her postdoctoral internship with the U.S. Navy, treating substance abuse and military adjustment issues. With over 40 years of experience, she has worked extensively with adolescents and adults in both private and public settings.
Dr. Calix provides compassionate, culturally sensitive therapy for individuals and couples, fostering growth, self-awareness, and resilience. She has held clinical positions with the U.S. Navy, San Diego County Mental Health Forensic Services, and the State of California.
Ayuja Dixit helps children, teens, adults, and seniors in California navigate emotional, behavioral, and relationship challenges with care that is both clinically grounded and deeply affirming. Practicing at LifeStance Health, Ayuja provides individual, couples, and family therapy for clients across California, offering support that is collaborative, culturally responsive, and tailored to each person’s lived experience. Ayuja works with children and adolescents, including school-age children and teens, as well as adults and older adults facing concerns such as anxiety, depression, ADHD, and relationship stress.
Ayuja Dixit helps children, teens, adults, and seniors in California navigate emotional, behavioral, and relationship challenges with care that is both clinically grounded and deeply affirming. Practicing at LifeStance Health, Ayuja provides individual, couples, and family therapy for clients across California, offering support that is collaborative, culturally responsive, and tailored to each person’s lived experience. Ayuja works with children and adolescents, including school-age children and teens, as well as adults and older adults facing concerns such as anxiety, depression, ADHD, and relationship stress.
Cynde Perry is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has been practicing over 30 years. In addition to her Master's in Social Work, Cynde graduated from UCSD with a Master's in Leadership of Healthcare Organizations. Cynde's experience in management provides a unique opportunity to help those with workplace issues. Cynde has a long history of working with the foster care system, providing therapy to those who have experienced childhood/family trauma. Cynde is trained in Acceptance and Commitment therapy, (ACT), which is her primary treatment approach.
Cynde Perry is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has been practicing over 30 years. In addition to her Master's in Social Work, Cynde graduated from UCSD with a Master's in Leadership of Healthcare Organizations. Cynde's experience in management provides a unique opportunity to help those with workplace issues. Cynde has a long history of working with the foster care system, providing therapy to those who have experienced childhood/family trauma. Cynde is trained in Acceptance and Commitment therapy, (ACT), which is her primary treatment approach.
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.
Sharna Miller is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in California who has been practicing since 2018. Sharna provides a warm, empathic approach focused on building a healthy therapeutic relationship and working together to empower the client. She additionally is strengths-based and likes to address what is already working well for a client. With her social work background, Sharna is very skilled at finding and helping clients utilize resources in the community. Outside of work, Sharna loves to spend time with her friends and family whether it’s getting lunch, walking the farmers market, going to the beach, or going on a walk.Sharna M
Sharna Miller is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in California who has been practicing since 2018. Sharna provides a warm, empathic approach focused on building a healthy therapeutic relationship and working together to empower the client. She additionally is strengths-based and likes to address what is already working well for a client. With her social work background, Sharna is very skilled at finding and helping clients utilize resources in the community. Outside of work, Sharna loves to spend time with her friends and family whether it’s getting lunch, walking the farmers market, going to the beach, or going on a walk.Sharna M
His clinical experience includes private practice and hospital settings. In the latter, Robin has counseled adults and adolescents struggling with acute mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, bi-polar, psychosis, substance abuse, and PTSD. In the private practice setting, he has assisted couples, families, and individuals with serious but non-acute needs, including children and adolescents on the autism spectrum. Robin employs a variety of treatment approaches, including mindfulness-based practices, tailored to each patient's needs.
His clinical experience includes private practice and hospital settings. In the latter, Robin has counseled adults and adolescents struggling with acute mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, bi-polar, psychosis, substance abuse, and PTSD. In the private practice setting, he has assisted couples, families, and individuals with serious but non-acute needs, including children and adolescents on the autism spectrum. Robin employs a variety of treatment approaches, including mindfulness-based practices, tailored to each patient's needs.
Mike utilizes a Family Systems approach that looks at how we all are affected by and deal with relationships, and how our lives make better sense when we look at ourselves in the context of our experience. He also borrows from the best of Cognitive Behavioral, Narrative, and Strategic therapies to craft customized treatment plans tailored to the uniqueness of each client. Mike is committed to collaboration with his clients to reach their goals in therapy.
Mike utilizes a Family Systems approach that looks at how we all are affected by and deal with relationships, and how our lives make better sense when we look at ourselves in the context of our experience. He also borrows from the best of Cognitive Behavioral, Narrative, and Strategic therapies to craft customized treatment plans tailored to the uniqueness of each client. Mike is committed to collaboration with his clients to reach their goals in therapy.
My name is Dr. Naomi Midura. I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and I have been practicing as a clinician for the past 14 years. During those years I have worked in a variety of settings including: School-Based Mental Health, Inpatient Treatment, Community Based Work, and Private Practice. As a clinician I work collaboratively with clients and families to support whole person and whole system healing and growth. I believe understanding ourselves involves understanding how all the parts of us, affect our experiences.
My name is Dr. Naomi Midura. I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and I have been practicing as a clinician for the past 14 years. During those years I have worked in a variety of settings including: School-Based Mental Health, Inpatient Treatment, Community Based Work, and Private Practice. As a clinician I work collaboratively with clients and families to support whole person and whole system healing and growth. I believe understanding ourselves involves understanding how all the parts of us, affect our experiences.
In the beginning of her career, Che served as Protective Services Worker with Child Welfare Services (CPS) for nine years with the County of San Diego, Health and Human Services Agency. During that time of her career, Che gained a vast amount of professional experience working in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems, as a per diem clinician treating the severely mentally ill population, and as a clinical therapist in a group practice.
In the beginning of her career, Che served as Protective Services Worker with Child Welfare Services (CPS) for nine years with the County of San Diego, Health and Human Services Agency. During that time of her career, Che gained a vast amount of professional experience working in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems, as a per diem clinician treating the severely mentally ill population, and as a clinical therapist in a group practice.
Emma Tecca is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in California who has been practicing for more than six years. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Santa Barbara and a Master’s in Social Work from San Diego State University. Emma helps her clients by building and maintaining a strong therapeutic relationship where the clients are empowered to gain a better understanding of themselves and the issues they are facing. She works with her clients to develop goals of treatment and teach them skills to support their desired changes. In her spare time, Emma enjoys hiking, running, yoga, cooking and crafting.
Emma Tecca is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in California who has been practicing for more than six years. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Santa Barbara and a Master’s in Social Work from San Diego State University. Emma helps her clients by building and maintaining a strong therapeutic relationship where the clients are empowered to gain a better understanding of themselves and the issues they are facing. She works with her clients to develop goals of treatment and teach them skills to support their desired changes. In her spare time, Emma enjoys hiking, running, yoga, cooking and crafting.
Eva's therapeutic approach is grounded by Narrative theory utilizing a respectful, collaborative, supportive and non-pathologizing approach to working with individuals. Her approach is primarily collaborative and relationally based creating opportunities that cultivate awareness, insight and new understandings to restore personal agency and authenticity. As a postmodern therapist, Eva also works from a positive and strength-based approach, and is trauma informed. Her style is humanistic in nature, maintaining a strong client-centered and an open and safe space environment.
Eva's therapeutic approach is grounded by Narrative theory utilizing a respectful, collaborative, supportive and non-pathologizing approach to working with individuals. Her approach is primarily collaborative and relationally based creating opportunities that cultivate awareness, insight and new understandings to restore personal agency and authenticity. As a postmodern therapist, Eva also works from a positive and strength-based approach, and is trauma informed. Her style is humanistic in nature, maintaining a strong client-centered and an open and safe space environment.
Lori uses a family systems therapy approach to working with children, couples and families and also uses cognitive behavior techniques and behavioral interventions when working with children and adolescents. She has worked in a variety of settings including schools, outpatient clinics, hospitals, residential, and day treatment programs, thereby giving her a wealth of experience in diagnosing and treating many kinds of problems.
Lori uses a family systems therapy approach to working with children, couples and families and also uses cognitive behavior techniques and behavioral interventions when working with children and adolescents. She has worked in a variety of settings including schools, outpatient clinics, hospitals, residential, and day treatment programs, thereby giving her a wealth of experience in diagnosing and treating many kinds of problems.
Sharon Boivin is a clinical psychologist who has been practicing since 1996. She graduated from California School of Professional Psychology (CSPP) with a masters and a Ph.D in clinical psychology. Her undergraduate degree from the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) is also in psychology. Dr. Boivin believes in an integrated approach to treatment and working collaboratively with patients to set treatment goals. She often uses individualized homework to help those who feel stuck or overwhelmed.
Sharon Boivin is a clinical psychologist who has been practicing since 1996. She graduated from California School of Professional Psychology (CSPP) with a masters and a Ph.D in clinical psychology. Her undergraduate degree from the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) is also in psychology. Dr. Boivin believes in an integrated approach to treatment and working collaboratively with patients to set treatment goals. She often uses individualized homework to help those who feel stuck or overwhelmed.
Susan Rae Miller is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over 35 years experience working with adults, adolescents, and children in an outpatient setting. She received her master's and doctoral degrees from the School of Education at the University of Houston and has extensive post-graduate training in the managed care model of treating depression and anxiety disorders. Her treatment utilizes a solution-oriented, cognitive/behavioral, time-limited approach intended to provide symptom relief to patients. She encourages homework between sessions to practice coping skill and problem solving techniques.
Susan Rae Miller is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over 35 years experience working with adults, adolescents, and children in an outpatient setting. She received her master's and doctoral degrees from the School of Education at the University of Houston and has extensive post-graduate training in the managed care model of treating depression and anxiety disorders. Her treatment utilizes a solution-oriented, cognitive/behavioral, time-limited approach intended to provide symptom relief to patients. She encourages homework between sessions to practice coping skill and problem solving techniques.
Matthew has over 30 years of experience working with children, adolescents, adults, couples and families dealing with numerous issues such as: oppositional defiance, depression, anxiety, anger, grief/loss, abuse, neglect, domestic violence, relationship conflicts, severe mental illness, personality disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, military family matters, and school related concerns. Matthew is comfortable assisting those with all types of backgrounds and utilizes a client-centered, solution-focused, and cognitive behavioral approach.
Matthew has over 30 years of experience working with children, adolescents, adults, couples and families dealing with numerous issues such as: oppositional defiance, depression, anxiety, anger, grief/loss, abuse, neglect, domestic violence, relationship conflicts, severe mental illness, personality disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, military family matters, and school related concerns. Matthew is comfortable assisting those with all types of backgrounds and utilizes a client-centered, solution-focused, and cognitive behavioral approach.
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Does insurance cover therapy, prescriptions and other behavioral health services?
In general, yes. Laws in the U.S. require insurers to cover essential behavioral health care at the same level as other health care services. Most health plans require a medical diagnosis and treatments that are evidence based and medically essential. This means that life coaching and alternative therapies are not covered, nor is therapy without a diagnosis. Call the number on the back or your insurance card or visit your insurance company's website to review your Summary of Benefits. If you have insurance through your employer, your Human Resources department may also be able to answer questions.
How much does therapy cost with insurance?
The cost of therapy depends on your region, how much training and experience your therapist has, and the type of treatment. The rate for talk therapy generally falls between $100 and $250. For a client seeing an in-network provider, the cost of therapy is often similar to the cost of other health care services. Clients pay co-pays and may need to satisfy a plan’s deductible before benefits kick in.
What is the difference between In-Network and Out-of-Network insurance coverage?
An in-network provider has contracted with an insurer to get paid directly for services, and to accept the insurer’s rate of compensation. Clients are responsible for deductibles and copays. If a therapist is out of network, that means that the client pays the therapist directly for services at the therapist’s regular fee. Out-of-Network providers often give clients a receipt so that they can file for partial reimbursement with their insurance company.
Is it difficult to find an In-Network therapist?
It is not unusual for therapists to limit the number of insurance patients in their practice, so it’s important to check in-network availability when you schedule your first appointment. In regions and times where therapy is in high demand it may take longer to get scheduled with an in-network therapist.
What is the difference between HMO and PPO insurance plans?
HMO health plans only cover in-network services, there is no reimbursement for out-of-network providers. PPO plans often cover both in- and out-of-network services, though the client may pay more for out-of-network services.
What is a Superbill?
A superbill is a receipt for therapy services. It provides all the information required by insurance companies to reimburse you for out-of-network services, including the diagnostic codes for your care, the amount paid, and the dates and duration of care.
Does insurance cover Online therapy?
Many therapists who shifted their practice to online therapy during the pandemic have kept that arrangement. And most insurers continue to cover telehealth services, with a few exceptions. Preventive care (such as an annual depression screening) is often required to be in-person to be covered, and some states require prescribers of controlled substances to see those patients in person.
Does insurance cover Group therapy?
Many insurance plans provide coverage for group therapy provided there is a medical diagnosis for group members, but there are some noteworthy exceptions. For example, Medicare does not always cover group therapy. Group therapy tends to cost less than individual therapy.
Does insurance cover Couples therapy?
Most insurance companies do not cover the cost of couples therapy because there is no medical diagnosis or medically necessary treatment. However, a few plans will offer a limited benefit, so it is still worth checking with your insurance company. Sometimes therapy is covered for a couple when one person has a diagnosis and another family member joins them for joint therapy, but it is considered therapy for the medical condition that includes a family member as a listener or helper, not couples counseling. Without insurance, most clients pay between $100-300 per 60-90 min session for couples therapy. Often clients can find classes or workshops that make it more affordable to work on their relationship. And some employers offer Employee Assistance Plans that help defray the cost of couples therapy.
What is an Employee Assistance Plan (EAP)?
Employee Assistance Plans are purchased by employers for the benefit of their employees. EAPs typically assist employees with referrals and may also provide the first few sessions of therapy free of charge, with the patient's regular health insurance kicking in after those initial sessions. EAP benefits often apply to all types of therapy without the need for a medical diagnosis, making it easier to access couples therapy, therapy for life transitions, and other non-medical counseling. Just as with standard health insurance, clients should always check that a provider accepts their EAP benefits before scheduling. Learn more about Insurance Coverage and Finding Affordable Therapy