Trauma and PTSD Therapists in San Diego, CA

Dr. Michael Villanueva offers an unique approach to traditional counseling with an emphasis on Jungian psychology and two domains: Conditions more rooted in expressed psychological symptoms, and conditions more rooted in neurophysiological symptoms. This is a distinction reflecting years of experience in both counseling and analyzing the human EEG (AKA ‘brainwaves’). He can counsel and treat with various forms of talk therapy as well as analyze and train your neural pathways using neurofeedback. Dr. Villanueva also offers telehealth counseling.

Do you feel like you go through the motions of your life, but lack a sense of satisfaction? Are you doing things that don't help you? Do you want to feel closer to those around you? Do you want a greater sense of control? Most of us don't choose to be unhappy or live in pain, but we need help to overcome the obstacles in life. In order to make life changes, you need someone to help identify the problem, develop a plan, and implement decisions. I can help you to use your strengths to overcome your personal challenges.

Do you feel like you and your partner are stuck in a place where you are misunderstood, out of synch, and angry- no matter how hard and how sincerely you try to connect? Does a part of you want to make positive choices and life improvements while another part of you feels stuck in pursuing activities that make you feel ashamed, lost, or numb? Or do you feel like the ways that you have coped for most of your life are no longer working or are getting in the way of you moving forward, but you aren’t sure how to change? This can feel so frustrating and confusing- you may not even feel like you can describe what it’s like for you!

Whatever has brought you here, welcome. You or a loved one may be emotionally exhausted from feeling “Never Good Enough”, overwhelmed with shame, worry or sadness, hopeless about things getting better…or just need a safe, supportive place to heal. I would be honored to help. My clients tell me they feel “heard”, feel listened to without being judged, and that I "get them." My passion is helping people struggling due to Narcissistic Abuse, Trauma /complex PTSD , Borderline personality traits, ADHD / ASD neurodivergence, relationship problems & their underlying issues, alcohol /drug abuse, bullying, and empath / HSP challenges, .

There are many reasons why someone chooses to explore therapy. Some want support navigating relationships at home, school, or work. Others are interested in gaining confidence in advocating for themselves and their identity. Some may be feeling stuck or want to talk through different options or choices. Others want to have a safe, nonjudgemental space to express themselves while feeling heard, understood, and accepted. Whatever your reason, I would love the opportunity to talk and see if we can discover some ways to help you feel grounded. I’m committed to honoring your unique experiences, hopes, values, expertise, and needs.

If you're looking for extra support and guidance through a challenging time or you're ready to move in a new direction in your life, therapy is a great first step. I have 20+ years of experience working with individuals. We will work together to better understand the issues and resolve the challenges that continue in your life. With compassion, warmth and a safe environment, we will work together identifying issues, gaining insights into unhealthy patterns, setting goals for the future and making the changes you desire for a more fulfilling life.

Haley Adams is an LMFT who earned her Bachelor of Science degree in psychology from the University of La Verne. She went on to graduate from Pacific Oaks College with a Master of Arts degree in Marriage and Family Therapy and a specialization in trauma studies. Haley is certified in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and Managing and Adapting Practice (MAP), and has a strong knowledge of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). Haley’s diverse experience includes working with infants, children, adolescents, adults, and families in a variety of settings, from residential to outpatient care.

If you're ready to put yourself first for a change- call me. I am passionate about supporting black female entrepreneurs and high achievers to release self criticism. If you feel like you have been driven to tackle your goals by being hard on yourself and want that to change- let's work together. Many of my clients notice that the way they relate to themselves is by being critical and judgmental. Sometimes this starts from a trauma , anxiety/ perfectionism or a critical care provider in childhood. Whichever the cause is for you we can get you to a place of being at peace with yourself.

Looking to make meaningful changes in your life or make sense of difficult past experiences? I work to help my diverse clients acquire the tools needed to realize their personal potential and live more satisfying lives. My areas of specialty include anxiety, trauma , and survivors of narcissistic abuse. I primarily use cognitive behavioral and mindfulness-based approaches to therapy but draw from a range of techniques to meet the needs and strengths of each client.

If you are struggling with anxiety, depression, obsessive thoughts and compulsions, and/or trauma I am here to help. I have worked in community clinics and public service settings including UC San Diego and VA San Diego and am experienced in providing evidence based therapies including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), and Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE).

Seeking help can be a vulnerable and overwhelming experience for many people, and it is courageous to take those steps forward. This is why it is important to me to foster a non-judgmental, compassionate, and trauma -informed approach to help guide your journey of growth and healing. As a therapist I aim to create a safe place with unconditional positive regard to empower you to reach your goals.

I tend to think of therapy as tupperware, it’s the container where we can unload what is weighing us down. Our personal backgrounds; ethnicity, race, gender, sexuality, socioeconomic status, religion, (dis)abilities, to name a few, are integral to who we are. These aspects can have a deep impact on the way we view, think of, the world and experience mental health. This is why a multicultural approach lays the foundation for my work with clients. Navigating healing while at the same time still existing within systemic oppression, marginalization, and erasure/assimilation is not easy. This is a safe container to do so.

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.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over ten years of clinical experience. Therapy can be a difficult step to take, but my goal is to create a safe and trusting relationship with all my clients. I want you to feel heard and validated so that you can share your unique story. Together we will discover your strengths, learn from your past, and begin the process of healing.

My mission is to provide therapy to assist individuals to lead an emotionally balance life. I specialize in Issues such as Complex trauma , anxiety, PTSD , grief, depression. I love to work with people that are ready to take the first step to start dealing with their emotional pain, people who want to work on unresolved issues, to discover their potential, and to learn healthy ways to cope. I have 20+ years of experienced working with a adults, couples, families, children and adolescents. I will provide a therapeutic environment that allows you to feel safe and accepted.

:: Freedom from toxic relationships :: I specialize in facilitating recovery from covert malignant narcissistic abuse - insidious emotional abuse from someone who initially presents as loving to you, but is pathologically deceitful, manipulative, verbally abusive & blames you for their repertoire of chronic destructive behaviors, while publicly presenting as charming, helpful & normal. The abuse you endure results in anxiety, depression, neurological damage, body pains/numbness, hyper vigilance, chronic fatigue, skin problems, rapid aging, gastrointestinal issues & other manifestations of trauma . You can heal & I can help.

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who believes we all come with strengths. My approach is genuine, strength based, nontraditional, focused on your individualized needs, full of humor, and drawing from many evidence-based practices to find an effective result for you.

Have you tried talk therapy before and still feel disconnected from your body? What if what’s “wrong” is focusing on what’s wrong even in therapy? There’s another way. I use a nervous system approach to help you get in touch with your body and heal from your past in a way that is gentle, at your pace, and compassionate. The hope is to help you increase presence, pleasure, productivity, inner freedom, and satisfying relationships with others and yourself without retraumatization of the past. As we move toward curiosity, ease, self-compassion, & joy, you may feel empowered to make choices from your deepest, truest, most embodied self.