Mental Health Therapy in San Diego

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Therapists in San Diego

Dorothy Pedro

California, California - Clinical Social Worker/therapist
Online

My name is Dorothy: I have been a counselor /therapist for over 40 years. Twenty-Five years of my career has been in acute care hospitals. I dealt daily with, grief trauma, suicide and life changing illnesses. My critical thinking skills are finely tuned to help a patient or client process and take care of their family and selves at the most tragic times in their lives. Within these tragic situations, I have been able to assist and help clients find a path to go forward. In less stressful situations, I have used motivational interviewing to help a client within very chaotic situations not only move forward, but also to create goals for their lives and plans to achieve those goals. I have worked with Military families and children . I have worked for 2 years in a school-based homeless program providing meals, counseling, home visits and resources for families facing many challenges. I have coordinated with schools, courts and child protective services to help families remain together and focused on what they need to do to keep their families together in the most difficult of times. I have provided couples counseling, family counseling and groups. I have taught parenting skills while learning the most useful lessons from the parents themselves. Often my primary tool for family intervention is Systems theory. This theory is based on family and individual strengths. It basically theorizes that if a direct approach to change in a family doesn't work then another less obvious problem solving approach might work. Or that working on a positive change in another part of a client's world, might positively impact what can the desired change through a less direct route. This in turn may cause a ripple effect of other that impacts the entire family in a positive yet productive way. This method of intervention recognizes that families ultimately provide love and care as their roots of growth and nurture in a family. I trust the family process to produce the best results for a family. I work hard to help you or your family in any compassionate way that I can while always keeping in focus the safety and well being of the family and the children. I always expect and realize that families are working even harder at these goals than I am. We are a team . Sometimes only brief supportive interventions are helpful Other times, depending upon where the family is in its process, more intense interventions are appropriate. My intent in any dynamic is to be of service to you and your family. I listen to the verbal, spiritual energy of the family and attempt to participate in the family "flow " and help to continue to guide it in a positive direction. Often these goals are very do-able. If I can't be helpful, I will certainly guide your family to someone who can be helpful. I look forward to working with you as much as you may need. Thank you.

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Pascale Dellefield

California, California - Marriage And Family Therapist
Online

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in California and have been licensed since 2006, with over 23 years of professional experience in the mental health field. I work with adults, couples, and individuals from diverse cultural, ethnic, and life backgrounds who may be struggling with anxiety, depression, grief and loss, emotional overwhelm, relationship difficulties, life transitions, compassion fatigue, trauma, identity concerns, or challenges related to emotional regulation and coping. My clinical background also includes working with crisis situations, homelessness, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, personality disorders, and severe mental illness across a variety of treatment settings. Throughout my career, I have worked with individuals, couples, veterans, military families during deployment, older adults, LGBTQIA+ clients, and group therapy populations. I have experience supporting clients through both emotional crisis and personal growth, helping individuals reconnect with meaning, stability, resilience, and healthier relationship patterns. My approach is warm, compassionate, heart-centered, mindfulness-based, and deeply individualized. I believe therapy should never feel “cookie-cutter.” I strive to truly understand each client’s unique experiences, strengths, personality, cultural background, and goals while tailoring treatment to meet their specific needs. I integrate mindfulness, meditation, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and insight-oriented approaches into my work. I also believe that reading, reflection, skill-building exercises, and practical coping tools can be powerful additions to the therapeutic process. I speak English, French, Lebanese Arabic, and some Spanish, although I conduct therapy sessions exclusively in English. Having lived across multiple countries and experienced war and major life transitions personally, I bring a multicultural perspective and deep respect for resilience, cultural identity, immigration experiences, spirituality, and the many ways people adapt and heal through adversity. In addition to my clinical work, I am also the author and illustrator of Being With Heart: How to Thrive in Life With a Tender Heart, a project that reflects many of the themes of compassion, healing, resilience, mindfulness, and emotional growth that I value in therapy. I believe in treating every client with dignity, sensitivity, compassion, and respect. Taking the first step toward healing and meaningful change takes courage, and I feel honored to support clients throughout that journey. Thank you for reaching out. I look forward to working together.

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Christine Piddington

California, California - Clinical Social Worker/therapist
Online
In Person

Hello! I'm a California-licensed therapist with 11 years of professional experience dedicated to helping individuals navigate life's challenges. My passion and deep expertise lie in coping with grief and loss, profoundly shaped by my background as a hospice social worker. I understand the unique complexities that come with navigating profound loss. For the past 7.5 years, I've worked exclusively via remote sessions, providing comprehensive support to clients across California. I'm here to help you with a wide range of concerns, including: Stress & Anxiety Family Conflicts Trauma & Abuse Grief & Loss (specialty area) Depression Beyond these, I bring a strong background in client advocacy, stemming from my two years in the Peace Corps in Belize advocating for those with HIV/AIDS, and my broader work championing the rights of underprivileged communities. This includes experience with disability leave in the workplace and securing Emotional Support Animals (ESA) in housing. My diverse journey also includes experience in prison and hospital settings, enriching my understanding of varied client needs. I believe you are the expert of your own story and possess immense strengths. Taking the first step towards a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage, and I am here to support you in that process. While I'm currently based in Alaska and pursuing licensure here, I maintain my active California license and am committed to helping you on your healing journey.

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Free Mental Health Resources in California

Connection to local resources and free crisis counseling services for people affected by a disaster, free crisis counseling service providers, and self-help disaster-related educational materials.
Phone warmline line offering non-emergency emotional support for adults with disabilities who are age 60 or older and their caregivers. Languages spoken include English, Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, Vietnamese, Tagalog, and Korean. Call 1-888-670-1360.
Provide Services for
Men Women Seniors
Provides free coaching for children ages 0-12 and their parents for help with social skills, emotional regulation, sleep problems, stress, or other behavioral health issues. Access services via video sessions, phone chat, or through educational materials. A phone app is also available. Register on the website.
Provide Services for
Teens & Students
This agency’s website provides a Mental Health Resources for Youth section with links to numerous supportive organizations specializing in services for young adults and teens including organizations focusing on LGBTQ or trans youth, youth involved in foster care, and youth impacted by crime. Also includes family and school resources.
Provide Services for
Teens & Students LGBTQ Disability
The California Department of Health Care Services website provides an opioid response section where information and links to programs related to opioid-related substance abuse treatments can be found. Programs include harm reduction, overdose prevention, MAT treatment programs, and access to the free California Atlas Treatment Locator directory.
Provide Services for
Depression PTSD Substance Abuse
A free phone app for Gen Z kids ages 13 to 18 to offer support for personal and peer-related emotional issues, social issues, stress, and coping with life difficulties. Download phone app or printed materials online.
Provide Services for
Teens & Students BIPOC LGBTQ
Provides free, 45 to 60 minute online educational webinars on topics of mental health and emotional wellness for teens, parents, and caregivers. Also works with schools and school counselors to provide in-school programs. Access program information and training modules on the website.
Provide Services for
Teens & Students BIPOC LGBTQ
Website offers links to evidence-based educational information in written format and in short video clips. A Q&A section, references, and feedback sections are included. Controversial topics, including pornography and sexting, gender-variant information, and encounters with the criminal justice system, are discussed candidly.
Provide Services for
Teens & Students BIPOC LGBTQ Depression Substance Abuse
Online database links to therapists by name or zip code. Users can also search according to criteria of choice by selecting checkboxes. Options to choose from include therapist’s ethnicity, services offered, treatment styles, ages served, languages offered, methods of treatment, issues to be discussed, and insurances accepted.
Offers a search link to find behavioral health and substance abuse services, as well as medical care and food assistance by zip code in California. A state map with search icons also links to facilities, providing contact information and information on services offered.
Website from the Office of the Dean of Students at the University of San Francisco provides links to free or low-cost counseling providers, such as medical centers, community centers, and others. Specialty providers including marital counselors, LGBTQIA-focused counselors, and Christian counseling centers are on the list.
Provide Services for
Teens & Students BIPOC LGBTQ Men Women
A database of mental health resources is included on this NAMI website. You can search by category of services provided or mental health diagnosis. Contact information including name, address, and phone number of each facility is provided, as well as email address and website. Searches by provider name are also available.
Suicide prevention services including a Suicide Response Team, free follow-up services for patients who survive suicide attempts, and a free phone crisis line, available by dialing 988 or by using the online link. Free or low-cost assessment and mental health services are available to low-income individuals.
Provide Services for
Teens & Students Men Women Veterans First Responders Depression Anxiety Substance Abuse
Counseling services focused on women and trauma offering individual, group, family, marital, and substance abuse counseling. In-person and low-cost online video counseling sessions are available. An equine/horse therapy program is also available as an alternative to talk therapy.
Provide Services for
Depression PTSD Anxiety Grief Substance Abuse
Along with counseling services, links to emergency and non-emergency hotlines, and housing support, THMA connects adults and youth with mental illness and their families to counseling and support services that are available by phone or in-person. Call 805-540-6571 for details and intake.
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