Spirituality Therapists in La Costa, CA

My approach to working with clients is holistic, creative, and grounded in the specific story of each client. Through empathy, authenticity, and curiosity I help create a new vision for hope as I journey with my clients on their path toward healing. I have experience working with individual adults of all ages, couples, and families.

I take people on a journey of initiation and reclamation to remember their true essence. My own path has involved listening within and following my heart's guidance. This allows me to offer a unique perspective aimed at healing and stepping into your wholeness. I received my master's degree in Counseling Psychology from University of San Francisco and have over ten years of experience working with anxiety, depression, trauma, substance abuse issues, and life transitions.

I believe a lot of us are carrying some degree of self-judgment, shame, or unresolved pain. Until those wounds are neutralized, nothing you do to try and change will work.The combination of therapies that I use are designed to release negative belief systems and painful emotions. To heal them at the core so that you are free from them completely. My years of experience have taught me how to identify the root of the problem and to know what will be most effective in healing what is keeping you stuck.

Whether you are dealing with an unexpected change, trauma, anxiety, health challenge, relationship stress, depression or other mental health issue, having a trusted guide on the path can make all the difference. Over the past 25 years I have found mind body therapies get to the root of where we get stuck and allow for positive change.

Suddenly, it seems like you're not able to talk to your partner anymore. You experience long stretches of time passing where you're avoiding each other, or trying to communicate but ending up on separate pages. Are you frustrated with your relationship, but uninterested in talking about what is NOT working? Couples therapy is not just about discussing the problems, but making things better. It's time to get past the blame, guilt and helplessness that has sucked all of the love out of your relationship. Instead, let us work together to build the partnership skills that will return you to love and intimacy.

Dr. Riser has over 10 years of experience providing Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and various other evidence-based approaches for the treatment of mood, anxiety, and personality disorders with special interest in emotion regulation, self-harm, and suicidality. Dr. Riser is an integrative psychologist, utilizing science-based interventions while also taking a holistic, mind + body, indivualized approach to treatment. Dr. Riser earned her PhD in Clinical Psychology from The Chicago Medical School/RFUMS with a concentration in psychopathology.

I specialize in anxiety, depression, trauma, and adult adhd. I take an integrative and strength-based approach to healing that attends to the mind, body, and spirit. I believe that humans are inherently resilient and what may have worked to help you cope in the past, may not be working for you in the present. This can show up through behaviors such as isolating from others, internalizing other people's behavior as your fault, scanning for threat, addictions, risk taking, over working, perfectionism, etc. I want to help you rediscover your strengths and deepen your sense of hope so you can lead a more vital, exuberant life.

You’re worried about your child. You wonder if they need therapy and it’s weighing on you. You’ve tried talking to them, reasoning why their fear doesn’t make sense, but it never seems to make a difference. I help anxious kids & worried parents feel safe and at ease. I get that you just want your child to feel more carefree and express themselves more confidently. Today, you’re searching for a child therapist because you know if you don’t get help, nothing is going to change for your child. And something has got to change. I understand.

I help those in addiction recovery and couples in dull, difficult, and conflicted relationships. It’s grueling for anyone considering divorce because they have lost their passion for their partner, are eternally conflicted, or feeling weighed down in their relationship. You might be worried about how your kids will take the news, if you can financially recover, or even second-guessing if divorce is the right move. I have completed the Level 3 Practicum Training in Gottman Method Couples Therapy, and I use the Gottman’s relationship research to help couples develop friendship, manage conflict, and create a meaningful relationship.

Whether you are struggling in relationships, going through a season of transition or seeking a greater sense of purpose and meaning in your life, I would be honored to work with you. My intention as a counselor is to be a healing presence in the life of my clients by offering unconditional acceptance and holding the space for you to be your truest self. I believe that every challenge is an invitation to transformation, and together we will seek wisdom and reflect on the growth that longs to occur in your life.