Therapists in San Diego, CA

Our story affects the way we define our identities and give meaning to our lives. Sometimes our stories become a barrier to living our lives to the fullest and finding fulfillment in our relationships. I focus on empowering you to re-story your experiences so you can move out of limiting interpretations and arrive at, or renew, your preferred identity that is congruent with your values.

If you have arrived here you're looking for a safe place to unpack. Maybe your coping strategies are being tested and your relationships strained. You need and deserve all the support you can get. Here in the safety and peace of my office you will find that you do not have to go through your anxiety, depression, trauma and pain alone. You can make meaning out of suffering. You will see that your sense of hopelessness is an illusion, that your feelings of worthlessness can be unlearned, that your unhealthy habits can be replaced and that you are loved.

Valerie Christian is a licensed Psychologist who earned her Ph.D. from the California School of Professional Psychology in 1997. She completed her post-doctoral fellowship at Scripps Clinic: Division of Mental Health. Dr. Christian has experience in the treatment of childhood abuse and trauma. Having completed a pre-doctoral internship with San Diego Court Child Protective Services' Child Sexual Abuse Treatment Program, she is well versed at treating complex and difficult cases. Dr. Christian also has expertise in treating children, adolescents, teens, and adults who suffer from chronic illness.

It does take courage to set up that first appointment, and the fit between therapist and client is an important one for the success of therapy. I encourage my clients to ask questions and express concerns about therapy and determine whether my approach and style are a good fit for you. Some common reasons people seek therapy have to do with self-exploration, how to communicate better with people, and how to cope with stressful life situations. My approach is a collaborative one and goal oriented. My focus is to support you find healthier coping skills to manage the challenging situations life might bring.

Do you find yourself worried and self conscious? Are you grieving the loss of a loved one or the loss of what you did not get during your upbringing or in your life? Do you find yourself having negative thoughts or jumping to conclusions? Are you experiencing conflict with family members, co-workers or other important relationships in your life? Do you try to push away unwanted thoughts and unpleasant emotions only to have them appear in full force? Do you talk to yourself in a negative way or have a negative view of yourself? You want to feel better and live life to the fullest.

As a psychologist with previous experience working in the financial software industry, I have a unique perspective into balancing professional and personal fulfillment in work and education today. The challenges you are facing may be modern and complex or may be shared throughout human existence. My approach to counseling builds from an exploration and understanding of your personal values and strengths and helps to guide your growth using scientifically validated techniques. With respectful collaboration I hope to contribute towards your healing and flourishing.

Strong emotions can be scary and confusing. Without the right support, it’s easy to fall into a trap of self-blame and criticism. That can damage your relationship with yourself, preventing you from experiencing a full life with all its ups and downs. Disconnection also contributes to mental health struggles such as depression and anxiety. To heal from these issues, you need a safe place and a person who accepts you as you are and where you want to go. I work with people who are ready to make positive changes in their life and are just looking for the support to do so. You can take the next step!

Who you are: Between the ages of 25 and 45. Life is "good" ~ not great. You have a sense that things should be a certain way, but they aren't. There is a gap. The gap may be clear ~ it may not. What is clear is that what has worked up until this point won't get you to where you want to be. You are ready for a change.

Hello, my name is Kim Swain. I strive to be a culturally competent person and clinician. I believe the first step to making progress in therapy, is making sure that we develop a collaborative approach. I gear treatment toward emphasizing your strengths and solutions, beginning with assessing readiness and motivation. My therapy approach is rooted in Family Systems, Narrative and Structural therapies with various interventions to ensure care is tailored to you. To foster a greater self-awareness, self-esteem, growth, independence and the development of new skills that can be practiced between therapy sessions, as well as lifelong.

I know you are an expert on you! I collaborate with you and help you create a happier, healthier life. I am here to learn and understand your own unique lived experiences. My passion is for play, art and mindfulness, and I bring these into the therapeutic space. I also work to reflect on the larger social systems that impact us. I enjoy working with children, teens, young adults, the family system and those struggling with anxiety, low mood, and perfectionism. I also love assisting parents navigate their child's needs to help everyone in the family live a more peaceful and happy life.

As a dually licensed MFT and BCBA with 20 years of experience, I am passionate about working with children, teens, adults and families who are affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, anxiety and other developmental, behavioral, and learning differences. Primarily utilizing a positive and solution-focused approach, I aim to enlighten and empower the strengths already within my clients and their families, so that they can thrive and meet their goals. I have a unique understanding of behavioral, emotional, and developmental disabilities, but also the impact both the symptoms and the treatment itself can have on the family system.

Virtual group or individual therapy. Stuck or unmotivated to take action when you think about becoming a better you. It’s time to challenge those negative thoughts together in a confidential safe environment where you may share your feelings without the fear of judgment. Experiencing symptoms of or at-risk for medical, physical and/mental disorders, stress, anxiety, depression, grief, loss, trauma, relationships or career challenges? Contact me to discuss and define choices that literally work for you in short term, ongoing or occasional individual, family and/or group therapy.

Rich Benfante treats patients starting at 13-year-old. Rich Benfante is a Licensed MFT with over a decade of experience in the mental health field. He has experience working with adolescents, adults, and families providing individual, crisis, and family therapy to clients who come from different socio-economical backgrounds with a vast array of mental health needs. Rich has experience working in schools, residential programs, and in the community. He has also worked with foster youth, persons on probation, victims of violence and abuse, military and law enforcement, clients struggling with substance issues, and persons of faith.

My approach to psychotherapy stems from a desire to create authentic connection in the therapeutic relationship. A good fit with your therapist is key to the healing process. I provide treatment for individuals, couples, and families coping with a wide range of concerns including parenting, anxiety, grief, relational conflicts, and sexual health. I offer a warm and safe interpersonal space to explore your unique needs using culturally competent and evidenced based treatments.

I am hopeful that you perceive me as warm, easy to talk to, and a good listener. I am committed to making it safe for you to express your feelings, explore issues, solve problems, and to pursue personal goals. I believe that I offer a depth of experience along with understanding, empathy and compassion. My goal is to provide you with tools to gain awareness and insight into your issues so that negative feelings and self-limiting behaviors can be confronted and resolved. In learning healthier coping skills, you will ultimately gain a greater sense of personal satisfaction in your relationships and in your life!

I'm passionate about supporting clients navigating the perinatal period, struggling with professional or parenting burnout, or seeking to regain footing during major life transitions. I aim to make therapy feel approachable. I offer trauma-sensitive, attachment/ relationship-focused care. Your identities and cultural background matter as we collaborate to choose approaches that feel meaningful to you. I draw from Mindful-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and the Expressive Arts.

Debra Jedeikin is a psychotherapist with 24 years of experience across two continents.HELPING FAMILIES HEAL: My goal is to heal families through respectful and compassionate communication. My "Changing Family" program helps children adjust in cases of divorce,blended families and bereavement. I specialize in treating children of all ages. INDIVIDUAL PSYCHOTHERAPY: I work collaboratively with you to remove emotional obstacles, make peace with yourself and enrich your Life in every way! Your time is now ! COUPLES: I work with couples to develop conflict resolution skills, respectful communication, physical / emotional intimacy. My goal for you is connection, love and laughter.

I understand that life happens to all of us. You can feel overwhelmed by unexpected situations, unfortunate losses and unendurable psychological pains. Exposure to high levels of prolonged stress can lead to feelings of hopelessness and helplessness. Intense anxiety or panic attacks and social isolation are common experiences. Seeking help means that you are ready to work and bring your life into a healthier balance. Through self-acceptance and care, you can gain more tools to improve your lifestyle and relationships. By listening attentively with non-judgmental empathy, I provide ongoing support with therapeutic insight and expertise in a confidential setting.

Whether you're adjusting to grief and loss, a major change in your life or healing from trauma, I can support you in breaking cycles that are keeping you stuck. I've worked with patients from different backgrounds and have seen that we can not only heal trauma, but THRIVE after it. Post traumatic growth is achievable through therapy and gaining healthy coping skills. Together we can look at things like family of origin and life history patterns that may be impeding your happiness and growth. I offer a warm, safe space for you to process what needs to be resolved and help you learn new ways to cope.