Therapists in Encinitas, CA

Each and every one of us possess the inherent ability to create positive change within ourselves. Whether you’re looking to alter patterns of behavior, strengthen relationships, or foster healthy development within your children, I would love the opportunity to work with you as you explore, understand, and grow. Therapy is a different journey for each individual and this is why I believe an integrated therapeutic approach tailored to YOU is essential in effective therapy. Based on your strengths, we will work together to create a personal and unique treatment plan, allowing you time to heal, grow, and reach your fullest potential.

I love working with married or dating couples who want to strengthen their relationship. These couples may love each other very much, but struggle with communication and often feel disconnected, frustrated, criticized, rejected, lonely or disappointed. They yearn for more emotional and physical intimacy, yet fall into negative patterns that create more distance. They often want to rekindle their romantic spark and cultivate more playfulness, curiosity, exploration and fun in their sexual relationship. These couples want to heal from past hurts to nurture a safe and secure relationship built on trust, commitment and mutual respect.

I help you assess your relationships and surroundings, to help make life feel more pleasurable, manageable, and fulfilling. Together we'll work to expand your support systems, explore your values, and find your voice. I value your personal histories, cultures, and social environments and prioritize this while we explore your mental, physical, and sexual well-being together.

I specialize in helping couples strengthen their relationship. I also provide therapy to parents and families. Our work together may include enhancing communication skills, overcoming conflict, developing partnership, healing the past, increasing trust, and learning how to navigate difficult moments with compassion and grace. Many of my clients find therapy to be a safe place to communicate about their struggles with marriage, parenting and mental health. I focus on helping my clients create the relationships, family, and personal wellbeing they truly desire.

Life doesn't always go as planned and sometimes it can be a real struggle. If you are experiencing anxiety / depression / overwhelm and unsure where to turn ... I can help! As human beings we naturally go through a wide range of emotions but that doesn't mean we have to suffer... we all have the power of change within us! I can help you believe in yourself, embrace confidence and self-assertion to take back your life. In my practice, I help people struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, loss, food/body issues, dissociation, codependency, and relationship problems.

In life, challenges arise — relationship conflict, life transitions, fertility struggles and complicated pregnancies, postpartum anxiety, depression, anger. What do you do? Even the most supportive and loving relationships face difficulties. Many couples and individuals ignore the issues, assuming “things will work themselves out on their own,” and continue to suffer in silence. But you deserve to feel heard and understood. The ability to turn adversity into strength is an empowering skill available to everyone, with the right tools. I offer teletherapy as well as in-person therapy, for your convenience.

Using an intuitive, strengths-based approach, I guide my clients on their journey of healing and thriving as they manage stress, anxiety, trauma, and/or addictions. I work with adults and children to help calm their nervous systems, turn down distress and anxiety, release the pain and trauma from past experiences, and let go of behaviors they no longer wish to engage in. As a certified EMDR therapist I can help individuals recover from traumatic experiences or relationships, whether recent or from the past, and find the tools to live their best lives today.

I believe the most important component to successful therapy is trust and connection between the client and his or her therapist. It is my intention to build a trusting relationship and to embark on a collaborative journey with each client. My passion is working with people to help them overcome obstacles, to enable them to reach and maintain goals to live a happier, healthier and more fulfilling life. I am an empathetic listener, compassionate and sincere in my desire to be of service by creating a safe environment for clients to explore ideas, to feel empowered and to practice new skills.

I strive to create a safe, empathic and nurturing environment for all my clients. I believe the key to personal growth involves trust and safety within the therapeutic relationship. I specialize in the areas of Depression, Anxiety, Relationship issues, Couples Communication Issues, Trauma, Girl's and Teen Issues, Women's Issues, Parent/Child Issues, Self-Esteem Issues, Grief and Loss Recovery, and Personal Growth. Together we will explore your thoughts and feelings while creating a treatment plan that addresses your specific needs. My therapy style can be described as relaxed and empathic because I offer both therapeutic safety with results.

Do you ever feel like you are repeating the same viscous cycle in your relationship? Do you and your partner feel like you find yourselves arguing over the same issues? Do you feel disconnected from your partner and even at times feel like you do not matter to them? You are not alone. Couples can create rigid patterns that can develop into a blame/withdraw cycle that creates negative emotions that each individual absorbs. The cycle continues to repeat itself in different context (i.e. household duties, parenting responsibilities, intimacy) and then creates an unsafe emotional connection which can feel isolating.

My therapeutic approach is non-judgmental, empathetic, understanding, compassionate, and accepting. I provide therapy that does not shame you, but inspires you to grow into the person you want to become. I specialize in providing therapy for people who want to improve their quality of life, decrease distress, enhance relationships, resolve family conflict, better cope with life, and break free from unhealthy patterns. I've worked with clients who struggle with: depression, anxiety, addiction, grief, relationships, & unresolved conflict from childhood. I also provide affirmative therapy for adults and teens in the LGBTQIA+ community.

Life provides happiness as well as its share of challenges. I believe individuals and couples are capable of navigating life but sometimes need a little extra help and compassion. Therapy can be that place where a person can discuss, learn and work through any past or present challenges that may be getting in the way of living a happy and hopeful life.

Life can be challenging at times, and it can be good to know that someone is on your side. If you are looking for love, but it seems impossible to find, if you are having trouble in your romantic relationship, if you are dealing with a difficult ex-partner, or you are experiencing sexual challenges, my passion is to help you experience your best life.

Are you tired of feeling stuck, lost, anxious or depressed? Have you experienced a recent loss or are you struggling with relationship difficulties? Are you feeling overwhelmed by anxiety or trauma? I provide a safe, non-judgmental, and compassionate environment where a healthy therapeutic relationship is built so that you can work towards overcoming these obstacles and move on with life! I will collaborate with you to help achieve your goals and provide honest feedback and practical, straightforward, and effective interventions. I view each client as unique and adapt my approach to meet your individualized needs.

Seeking a therapist can be a daunting task. Our therapists strive to help our clients achieve the personal growth and healing goals that they are reaching for, and to provide a warm, safe, and supportive atmosphere for that growth and healing to occur. Clarity, centeredness, and happiness are realistic goals to strive for. Our therapists are dedicated to helping people understand the causes of their problems and, to either solve those problems or, to come to peace with them. We work with children, adolescents, adults, and seniors struggling with a wide variety of issues and concerns.

New Moms - I’m happy to talk with you about transitioning to parenthood, growing your family, and how these early days, weeks, months, and even years can bring so many challenges and even emotional pain. Being responsible for a new little human can feel overwhelming. It’s not your fault, you can do this, and you don’t need to go at it alone. There may be other relationships to manage with a partner or other children, a lack of sleep, and lots of self-doubt fed by the opinions of others and contradictory information to untangle. Let’s figure things out in a way that puts you on a path to parenting success that is just right for you.

Dr. Shelli Jackson is a licensed psychologist with experience working in a crisis house and two inpatient hospital settings. She works with adult populations on a wide array of topics, most involving some level of depression, anxiety, and feeling unwanted or unlovable. She has experience working with patients experiencing mood disorders, ADHD, Aspergers, as well as the stigma these populations often experience. She also specializes in how mental health challenges can negatively effect weight loss and fitness goals.

Porta Verum Psychotherapy Services provides comprehensive psychotherapy services for individuals, couples, and families so they can heal through traumas and overcome their mental, emotional, psychological, and interpersonal challenges so that they can experience a life worth living with joy, connection, empowerment, and love. We are a group of experienced, passionate, and dedicated therapists who are committed to an exceptional quality of care, and utilizing a range of best practice modalities to facilitate transformation in people’s lives. We offer psychotherapy services to children of all ages, adults, families, and couples.

Taking the first step to seek support and find healing can be incredibly challenging. I want to validate the fact that you have made it this far! In this space, you belong, and I am here to listen, to guide and support you. Building a healthy and positive relationship with my clients is an important key to therapy. The space that we create is one that will allow for identity exploration, growth and aid in developing a healthy relationship with yourself and those around you. My approach to therapy is through a strength-based, client-centered and trauma-informed lens.