Therapists in Rancho Santa Fe, CA

I work with individuals, couples and families, ranging from middle school age upward. My primary focus, no matter the age or presenting problem, is to provide a nonjudgmental and unconditional space to process whatever difficulties you may be facing. I take a collaborative approach to sessions, meaning we work together each week to determine the best goals for your particular circumstance. I have an extensive background, both personal and professional, in the helping navigate the various challenges that come with substance abuse. I bring a level of understanding to the recovery process that can only be gained by having lived it.

Are you feeling tired, depressed, anxious? Have you ever felt as though you were too depressed to even get out of bed? It’s easy for our negative thoughts to consume us. This is because our brains have a hardwired negativity bias that helped our ancestors survive. For this reason, we are left with brains that often focus on the negative, while minimizing the positive aspects of our lives. It can seem like our brains cut out the positive components of our being, like a deleted scene from a movie.

Feeling lost, overwhelmed, afraid, or alone? Are the waves of life crashing around you? If you or your loved ones are drowning in the suffering caused by relationship conflict, grief, depression, anxiety, trauma, problem gambling, or substance use, look no further. You are not alone and there is hope! Desperation and suffering brought me to the point of reaching out for help many years ago and soon the seas began to calm. As life came into balance and my spirit healed, guiding others out of the storm into peaceful waters became my mission.

Hi, I’m Patti. In this fast paced world, there never seems to be enough time for you. Being pulled in many directions, always feeling rushed, and like life is out of control. Maybe you feel alone even while surrounded by others, Does this sound familiar? I’ve spent over a decade working in the mental health field. My career began working with at-risk children and adolescents struggling with depression, anger, anxiety, substance use, suicidal ideations/attempts, and body image disorders.

I am a psychotherapist who offers a compassionate, thoughtful, and empathetic approach to therapy. I help individuals increase curiosity and understanding about their life experiences, and identify and work through blocks to healthy relationships, balance, and overall well-being.

Working through difficult experiences and emotions can be challenging. It can be even harder to make desired changes in ones life when certain patterns have been established for so long. I work hard to ensure that my clients feel safe and supported throughout this process. By creating a comfortable and lighthearted environment, individuals, families, and couples are able to gain some reprieve from the difficulties they are experiencing. This allows change to begin to occur in the lives of my clients.

Currently accepting new clients - Life is a journey. Along this ride, it may feel like you are stuck in uncertain and dark places longer than you'd like to be. If you're looking for a tune up to help you feel limitless, to regain your stride, I'm here to embark on this healing chapter with you. Whether that be burnout, trauma, anxiety, depression, and relationship stressors, there can be many unexpected barriers along the way.

I applaud your willingness to take this first and courageous step. Making the decision to begin therapy can be extremely difficult but the result can be highly rewarding--and life changing. I provide therapy services for adolescents, adults, couples, and families struggling with depression, anxiety, stress, and many other life or relationship problems. Though I enjoy working with individuals of all ages, I have developed a passion and distinctive skill set for working with the college-aged/young adult population and their unique issues, finding that the work I am doing has not only been highly effective but also rewarding.

I have extensive experience with dual diagnosis, addiction, & complex trauma. I have worked in private practice & residential and primary psychological treatment centers. I work as a drama therapist combining my clinical & performance background. I specialize in family working entire family system. I have direct and empathetic approach. Since becoming a mother I also, work on those areas specifically. In addition, I love working with artists, creative, and those wishing to explore or develop those areas. I know we are all creative and meant to be creating. I have a very intuitive nature with depth psychotherapist training.

I assist individuals build a greater sense of fulfillment, connectedness, and satisfaction to thrive in their personal lives and feel satisfied in their relationships. I help children feel safe, connected, and secure in their relationships so they may grow to their fullest potential. The matters I work with are from depression, anxiety, codependency, conflict resolution, communication skills, substance abuse, domestic violence, child abuse, family conflicts, anger management, and more. It is my goal to help individuals break free from negative thought, create positive bonds, increase awareness, and to achieve empowerment.

We all can use a little help at some point in our lives. Whether it's about getting back on track or making lasting changes. Let's work together to determine what's keeping you from living how you know you are meant to live. I utilize holistic modalities that help you increase a greater sense of self-awareness, mind-body connection and support your personal growth in a compassionate manner.

Understanding ourselves and our lives can be difficult. On the one hand, we may be prone to a sea of critical internal or external voices which make self-examination torturous. On the other, well-meaning people in our lives may be so eager to validate us that we are never quite able to face ourselves honestly. So, counseling is essentially about receiving the support to work creatively with all of this noise long enough to allow change to happen in and through you. The only way to do this to let someone get to know the real you. If we can do that, therapy can be a deeply authentic, radically human, even life-changing encounter!