Therapists in San Diego, CA

Lauren treats adults, couples, families, and adolescents, and is especially passionate in providing resources and care to the LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC communities. She works with various clients, and while trained in a range of treatment types, she strives to tailor her therapeutic approach to each person and their unique, individual needs.

My specialty is working with individuals, couples, and families that are impacted by their relationship/marital issues, divorce, blended families, parenting/co-parenting, different- abilities (disability), and chronic pain/illness. Additionally, I apply a trauma-informed lens toward life experiences supporting PTSD/C-PTSD, Generational/Intergenerational Trauma, Cultural/Racial Trauma, and Military-related trauma.

Receiving therapy should no longer be a taboo. Confiding in others and receiving professional help is something we all do in many facets of our life. Most of us see a doctor or go get our car fixed when we have issues with our physical health or a tire is loose, so why not see a therapist to help improve our mental health? Therapy can also be preventative. Why wait before issues feel too far out of reach?

Struggles in your relationship can be overwhelming and confusing where you're constantly arguing over small things and feel a growing distance as a couple. "How did things get to this point and how do I fix it?" I want you to know that I understand because I have been in your shoes. I know the pain and frustration that comes with feeling disconnected in a relationship

You may be experiencing disconnection from yourself, depression, anxiety, confusion, or simply feeling that something is "off" or missing in life. I offer depth-oriented therapy to help you reconnect with yourself and resolve challenges around relationships, self-esteem, family dynamics, or anything else that needs attention and care. In depth psychotherapy, we work together to understand your situation at a deeper level for insight and transformation.

Clients that have experienced trauma, substance abuse and family issues. Struggling with depression and anxiety.

Hello, I'm Karly. I specialize in working with motivated couples and adults aiming to foster deeper connections with themselves and their partners. I take pride in my nonjudgemental and inclusive approach, and have experience working with diverse identities and across cultural backgrounds. I also work one-on-one with adults dealing with anxiety, depression, life transitions, and relationship issues. I believe in customizing my approach for each client, adapting it based on their individual needs, preferences, and desired outcomes. I approach clients with compassion and warmth, while also challenging them when necessary.

Our relationships can provide us feelings of connection and safety, and give our lives meaning and purpose. They can also bring us pain and disappointment. Is your relationship in trouble? I specialize with issues that can result within relationships, from premarital to divorce, as well as blended family concerns. Whether communication issues, unresolvable conflict, infidelity/affair, addiction, abuse or mental health issues have affected your connection and attunement, I can give you the tools to turn things around in the present and the techniques to provide consistent connection in the future.

Feeling stuck or frustrated? Tired of trying so hard with it just not working? I’m here to help you figure out what’s backfiring on you, and how to move forward from unhelpful patterns. If you want to understand and improve your relationships, intimacy, or emotional distress, I can help.

I believe in you. You’ve made it here, which means you’ve already taken action for change. Today you are one step closer to a new you where you feel empowered on your path to well being. You do not need to be on this journey alone. As a therapist, my goal is to understand your goals as deeply as possible. This will mean changing the way you think, feel, and act on a daily basis. Over time you'll develop useful strategies to modify your thoughts and behaviors. We will know our work is done when you are thriving in the life that you envision. You will take our work with you after we end and reap the benefits throughout your life.

I work collaboratively with individuals, couples and families to create a path toward specific goals for therapy. Throughout the years I have worked with people from all different walks of life, and I believe in the importance of individualizing treatment to each person and their experiences. I have extensive knowledge of eating disorders and have assisted people of all ages in better understanding and overcoming their disordered eating behaviors. I understand how alcohol and drug addiction, eating disorders, depression, anxiety, grief and loss, and trauma can leave you feeling disconnected from parts of yourself and others.

The core value of Affirming Therapy Center (ATC) is in our name. “Affirming” is both the nature and the goal of ATC’s work as a dedicated resource supporting Gender, Sexual, and Relationship Diversity (GSRD) in California. This core value is embodied by providing you with professional, open-minded care in a space that acknowledges and celebrates your unique personhood and distinct challenges. You are welcome and valued here.

We, as humans, are wired for relationship and connection. Often challenges in life bring about difficulties that are deeply troubling and painful and get in the way of our relationship with our self and others. My desire is to help you navigate these challenges to help restore hope and healing in your life and relationships with others. I approach our time together as an honor and privilege, and want our time to be safe and transformational.

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who focuses on underlying relationship issues to help my clients experience a deeper sense of connection. If you have struggled with issues of trust, infidelity, constant fighting, family issues, low self-esteem, or feelings of disconnection, my style of therapy can help you discuss the themes that fuel the arguments and stand in-between connection. In a typical session, we can "map out" negative communication patterns and implement tools for some immediate relief so that you don't need to be in therapy long term.

Choosing a therapist can be a daunting task, and I believe that finding that right fit is an essential part of your therapeutic journey. I place great value on the therapeutic relationship and will strive to earn your trust while fostering a relaxed, empathetic and supportive environment. I take a collaborative approach and work at a pace that feels comfortable for you as I appreciate just how challenging this work can be. I have considerable experience in working with military, I specialize in couple therapy using EFT, I'm certified in the model of AEDP and I have experience facilitating DBT, EFT and Codependency groups.

As someone who can understand the hardships of life, I hope to provide support for those who experience relationships struggles, familial tension, or support anyone’s individual growth to find empowerment, ease, and stability. I work from a trauma informed, attachment lens, and use Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Processing (AEDP), Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), and Emotionally Focused Family Therapy (EFFT) as foundations for therapy, yet adapt from person to person and honor you as an individual. Something I am dedicated to providing is affordable and accessible support to those struggling with the current financial climate.

Taking the first step toward transformation is the hardest part, and you just did it! I use an integrative and holistic approach to help you pull out the weeds from the roots. I work from a foundation of attachment theory and I utilize Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT). I believe in the power of vulnerability and connection to ourselves and others. I am trained in Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and also incorporate the body, yoga, mindfulness, meditation, and music all as tools to expand and explore what is happening in your life.

I come from an Emotionally Focused Therapy perspective. I believe that all people need to deeply know and be known by others. I am passionate about working with clients to help them understand their emotional needs for closeness and connection, how unmet needs cause disconnection, and how more helpful ways of relating to one another are possible. My hope for all my clients is that they would experience healing and renewed closeness in their relationships with themselves and others. I believe this begins when you are feeling the safety and freedom to share what is really going on inside.

All couples experience challenges and can get stuck in harmful patterns. However, we can work together to identify those patterns, increase understanding and empathy, and utilize skills to shift communication and improve satisfaction, intimacy, and fun. Your relationship is unique and I will work with you to identify your relationship values and build a relationship that feels safe, supportive, and authentic. Let's create the relationship that works for you and your partner(s).