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I. Therapists in San Diego, CA

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There are no therapists currently located in San Diego, CA. The following therapists are located in CA.

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Dr. Karin Celosse

Sponsored by BetterHelp

Languages: English, Swedish

Treatment Approaches: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Trauma and abuse, Grief, LGBT, Older, Eating, Sleeping, Parenting, Anger, Self esteem, Bipolar, Non-religious, Depression, Teens, Liberal counselor

Amy Torn

Sponsored by BetterHelp

Languages: English

Treatment Approaches: Stress, Anxiety, Self esteem, Depression, Coping with life changes, Compassion fatigue, Relationship issues, Grief, Sleeping disorders, Anger management, Career difficulties, Bipolar disorder

Eileen Beirich

  • 20 years of Experience
  • United States
  • Pasadena, California
  • Visit Website

Areas of focus: Adoption, Anxiety, Depression, Marital / Premarital, Relationship Issues

Languages: English

Treatment Approaches: Psychodynamic

State License: California

Steven Garman

  • 30 years of Experience
  • United States
  • Chino, California
  • Visit Website

Areas of focus: ADHD, Anxiety, Bipolar Disorder, Codependency, Divorce, Marital / Premarital, Relationship Issues, Self Esteem, Sexual Abuse, Spirituality

Languages: English

Treatment Approaches: Family / Marital, Jungian, Psychodynamic

State License: California

Maelisa Hall

  • 11 years of Experience
  • United States
  • Irvine, California
  • Visit Website

Languages: English

Treatment Approaches: Coaching, Cognitive Behavioral (CBT), Multicultural, Psychological Testing and Evaluation, Solution Focused Brief (SFBT)

State License: California

Soad Tabrizi

  • 10 years of Experience
  • United States
  • Mission Viejo, California
  • Visit Website

Areas of focus: Addiction, Alcohol Abuse, Anxiety, Behavior Issues, Bipolar Disorder, Borderline Personality, Career Counseling, Codependency, Coping Skills, Depression, Drug Abuse, Dual Diagnosis, End of Life Issues, Faith Transition, Goal Setting, Life Coaching, OCD, Self Esteem, Spirituality

Languages: English, Farsi

Treatment Approaches: Cognitive Behavioral (CBT), Dialectical (DBT), Motivational Interviewing, Narrative, Psychoanalytic, Solution Focused Brief (SFBT)

State Licenses: California, Florida, Idaho, Nevada, Utah, Virginia and West Virginia

Nancy Culhane

  • 40+ years of Experience
  • United States
  • Fairfax, California
  • Visit Website

Areas of focus: Coping Skills, Divorce, Goal Setting, Grief, Infidelity, Interpersonal Relationships, Life Transitions, Marital / Premarital, Parenting, Relationship Issues, Women's Issues

Languages: English, Finnish

Treatment Approaches: Family / Marital, Integrative, Narrative, Relational

State Licenses: California and Nevada

Melissa Jones

  • 11 years of Experience
  • United States
  • Online, California
  • Visit Website

Languages: English

Treatment Approaches: Cognitive Behavioral (CBT), Eclectic, Existential, Family / Marital, Family Systems, Gestalt, Humanistic, Hypnotherapy, Relational

State License: California

Lori Kandels

  • 28 years of Experience
  • United States
  • San Francisco, California
  • Visit Website

Languages: English

Treatment Approaches: Coaching, Cognitive Behavioral (CBT), Culturally Sensitive, EMDR, Family / Marital, Feminist, Mindfulness-based (MBCT), Motivational Interviewing, Multicultural, Narrative, Solution Focused Brief (SFBT)

State License: California

Lisa Larsen

  • 15 years of Experience
  • United States
  • Lancaster, California
  • Visit Website

Languages: English

Treatment Approaches: Cognitive Behavioral (CBT), EMDR, Humanistic, Hypnotherapy

State License: California

II. The Best Therapists in San Diego, CA

best therapists in San Diego badge

Online Therapy selected the 14 best therapists in San Diego based on eight key factors, including professional credentials, accessibility, cost, and specializations. These factors are important for determining if a therapist offers high-quality care that fits your budget and meets your personal needs.

Julie Morell: MFT | Best for EMDR therapy

Image 1233

619-857-1355
Website

Julie Morrell is a San Diego marriage and family therapist with 30 years of experience helping people strengthen their relationships. She is trained in EMDR therapy and has extensive experience using Christian counseling techniques.

What patients say: “She is an expert in many areas and very skilled in what she does and yet she is one of the most down to earth and comfortable people to talk to.  I was impressed with her professionalism and yet felt valued as a client.”

Specializations Insurance Cost Sliding scale Remote services
Relationship Issues
Trauma and PTSD
Anxiety
Aetna
Cigna
TRICARE
Cost per Session:$100 per hour No Yes

Cara Fairfax: MSW, LCSW | Best for parents

Image 1277

619-219-4313
Website

Cara Fairfax focuses on helping people through tough parenting challenges, such as the loss of a child or the trauma of having a baby in the NICU. She also loves working with babies and toddlers, adjusting her therapeutic approach based on each child’s age and specific developmental needs. Cara relies on trauma-informed therapy techniques to help parents and children feel better about themselves. Couples counseling and group counseling are also available.

Specializations Insurance Cost Sliding scale Remote services
Parenting
Trauma and PTSD
Pregnancy, Prenatal, Postpartum
N/A Cost per Session:$175 per 50 minutes No Yes

Jill Maher: LMFT | Best for women

Image 1316

619-363-2976
Website

Jill Maher is a San Diego marriage and family therapist with more than 15 years of experience helping individuals and families recover from trauma. She has worked with many women recovering from domestic violence and sexual assault. She is passionate about supporting clients who have difficulty achieving physical and emotional balance in their lives. Some of the techniques Jill uses to help clients overcome stress and develop better coping skills include trauma-focused CBT, EMDR therapy, and DBT.

Specializations Insurance Cost Sliding scale Remote services
Trauma and PTSD
Domestic Violence
Substance Use
N/A Cost per Session: $175 No Yes

Kimberly Panganiban: M.A., LMFT | Best for couples

Image 1355

858-361-6016
Website

Kimberly Panganiban is a marriage and family therapist who focuses on helping couples address their relationship challenges. She works with couples in all stages of life, from newlyweds to older adults who have been together for decades. Kimberly is a Certified Gottman Therapist, Trainer, Consultant and Art & Science of Love weekend workshop leader.

What patients say: “I cannot recommend Kim enough – she is certified in Gottman couples therapy, is incredibly competent, compassionate and knowledgeable about working with couples and helping rebuild relationships.”

Specializations Insurance Cost Sliding scale Remote services
Marital and Premarital
Relationship Issues
Parenting
N/A Cost per Session:
$225 per 75 minutes
$180 per 60 minutes
$140 per 45 minutes
Yes Yes

Erica Petree: LCSW | Best for families

Image 1399

619-839-9730
Website

Erica Petree is a licensed clinical social worker who focuses on helping families address conflict, overcome problems at work and school, and communicate effectively. She has more than 15 years of experience and offers in-home therapy to help clients feel more comfortable discussing their emotions. Erica specializes in postpartum therapy, trauma therapy, family mediation, and infant mental health and is a member of the Postpartum Health Alliance of San Diego.

Specializations Insurance Cost Sliding scale Remote services
Child or Adolescent
Trauma and PTSD
Family Conflict
N/A Cost per Session:$150 per 45 minutes No Yes

Shelley Wisdom-Lazar: LCSW | Best for help with life transitions

Image 1438

619-540-7811
Website

Shelley Wisdom-Lazar is a licensed clinical social worker who focuses on helping clients overcome the stress associated with job changes, relationship issues, health problems, and other life transitions. She’s known for providing direct support and encouragement to help clients address anxiety, sleep problems, depression, and other symptoms of major life changes. Shelley also helps parents whose children are having trouble launching and teaches divorced couples how to be good co-parents.

Specializations Insurance Cost Sliding scale Remote services
Divorce
Depression
Coping Skills
Cigna
Medicare
Scripps Health Plan Services
Cost per Session: $150 Yes Yes

Donna S. Scott: M.A., LMFT | Best for Christian counseling

Image 1481

619-500-4653
Website

Donna S. Scott is a San Diego therapist who helps clients strengthen their relationships with each other and with God. She has more than 30 years of experience helping individuals and couples improve their communication skills and heal from past trauma, all within the context of their Christian faith.

What patients say: “Donna’s passion for helping marriages be the best they can be shows in her work. Donna is the best, and I would recommend everyone who desires to improve their marriages to see Donna Scott.”

Specializations Insurance Cost Sliding scale Remote services
Relationship Issues
Spirituality
Sexual Abuse
N/A Cost per Session: $200 Yes Yes

Christy A. George: LMFT, SEP | Best for gifted adults and children

Image 1522

760-410-8186
Website

Christy A. George is a marriage and family therapist who concentrates on helping gifted adults and children reduce stress, improve their communication skills, and learn how to build successful relationships. She also offers coaching to help parents better understand the needs of their gifted children.

What patients say: “Christy is a natural therapist with a lot of compassion and she’s an excellent listener. I felt comfortable talking to her about my experiences. She provided wise and helpful counseling and resources.”

Specializations Insurance Cost Sliding scale Remote services
Anxiety
Trauma and PTSD
Relationship Issues
N/A Cost per Session: $165 No Yes

Stephanie Evans: LMFT, CDWF | Best for experiential therapy

Image 1564

858-519-8682
Website

Stephanie Evans is a marriage and family therapist who uses the Daring Way and Rising Strong methods developed by Brené Brown to help people improve their self-esteem and learn to love themselves. Using both methods, she helps clients examine the thoughts and behaviors that have been holding them back in life and identify ways to live more authentically. Stephanie has 15 years of experience providing couples therapy, relationship therapy, and divorce therapy.

Specializations Insurance Cost Sliding scale Remote services
Divorce
Depression
Relationship Therapy
Couple Therapy
N/A Cost per Session: $175 No Yes

Jennifer York: LMFT, CBT | Best for anxiety

Image 1605

760-525-6442
Website

Jennifer York is a San Diego marriage and family therapist with 17 years of experience helping people break down the barriers they’ve put up to shield themselves from trauma. She focuses on helping clients manage the symptoms of depression and anxiety, recover from addiction, and fully realize their strengths. Jennifer uses techniques from a variety of disciplines, including bioenergetic analysis, emotional brain training, art therapy, somatic experiencing, internal family systems, and cognitive behavior therapy.

Specializations Insurance Cost Sliding scale Remote services
Depression
Anxiety
Addiction
TRICARE
TriWest
Cost per Session:$150 per 50 minutes No Yes

Rita Romero: Ph.D. | Best for adolescents

Image 1646

760-846-0361
Website

Dr. Rita Romero is a licensed psychologist who provides individual therapy for adolescents and adults. She uses a variety of techniques to help adolescents feel comfortable discussing their feelings. Dr. Romero works with adolescents who are struggling academically or finding it difficult to form healthy relationships, helping them improve their communication skills and make better decisions.

What patients say: “I highly endorse Dr. Romero. She is extremely qualified and professional and has been very supportive in a variety of therapeutic areas…”

Specializations Insurance Cost Sliding scale Remote services
Anxiety
Depression
Trauma and PTSD
Aetna
MHN
Medicare
TRICARE
TriWest
Not Provided No Yes

Jason Unruh: LMFT | Best for men

Image 1691

858-987-8088
Website

Jason Unruh is a licensed marriage and family therapist with more than nine years of experience helping clients reduce anxiety, cope with depression, and manage life transitions. He helps clients live their best lives by working to identify negative thought patterns, deal with difficult emotions, and teaching people how to overcome their problems. Jason uses mindfulness-based approaches and a holistic perspective to help clients get unstuck and fulfill their potential.

Specializations Insurance Cost Sliding scale Remote services
Anxiety
Depression
Life Transitions
Blue Shield
Cigna
MHN
Magellan
Open Path
Cost per Session:$120 per 50 minutes Yes Yes

Daniel Sharer: LMFT | Best for addiction recovery

Image 1736

619-403-9307
Website

Daniel Sharer is a San Diego marriage and family therapist with nine years of experience helping people see their problems from a different perspective and learn how to overcome negative thoughts and emotions. He provides a wide range of counseling services, but he’s known for offering personal addiction counseling, which helps clients with substance use disorders improve their coping skills and understand their triggers. Clients also have the opportunity to address co-occurring disorders, including depression and PTSD.

Specializations Insurance Cost Sliding scale Remote services
Anxiety
Addiction
Relationship Issues
Healthnet
MHN
Optum
UnitedHealthcare
Cost per Session: $100 per hour
Yes Yes

Jeffrey W. Penner: Ph.D. | Best for improving self-confidence

Image 1780

619-886-3099
Website

Jeffrey W. Penner is a San Diego psychotherapist who concentrates on helping clients develop a positive view of themselves so they have the confidence needed to face life’s challenges head-on. Jeffrey uses several therapeutic approaches, including cognitive behavioral therapy, psychoanalytic therapy, emotionally focused therapy, and attachment-based therapy to help clients address their anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, and relationship issues. As a Qualified Medical Examiner, he’s also qualified to conduct psychological evaluations and administer psychological tests.

Specializations Insurance Cost Sliding scale Remote services
Depression
Anxiety
Behavioral Issues
Cigna
Medicare
Not Provided No Yes

III. What You Should Know About San Diego Therapy

How are San Diego therapists licensed?

In San Diego, licensed professional counselors must meet stringent education and training requirements. The first step is completing a 60-semester-unit master’s degree or doctoral degree in counseling or psychotherapy. After completing the required degree, the LPCC candidate must register as a Professional Clinical Counselor Intern and complete 3,000 supervised hours of training over at least two years. The candidate must also pass the LPCC Law and Ethics Exam and the National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Exam.

How much does therapy cost in San Diego?

A limited number of therapists in San Diego have sliding scales for their fees, but about half the therapists on this list accept private insurance. One way to make therapy more affordable is to schedule an appointment with a therapist who offers a free initial consultation. Once you start paying for services, you can expect to pay an average of $100 to $200 per session, with each session lasting for 50 minutes to one hour.

Start searching for your online counselor now!

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LCSW

Caitlin Kingston is a licensed clinical social worker at Yale New Haven Hospital and has worked in the field since 2013. She earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Penn State University and her Master of Social Work, clinical/medical social work in 2020 from Fordham University. Her licenses and certifications include LCSW, LMSW, and CASAC.

Kingston has always had a passion for helping others and knew early on that she wanted to support others in her profession. During her undergraduate studies at Penn State, she met a social worker who inspired her to pursue a career as a therapist. She’s also trained in psychoanalytic psychotherapy with the New York School for Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy. Kingston completed internships working in an after-school program with underprivileged youth and their families and with inmates in the high-security sector of Rikers Island jail.

Kingston’s career has included work at a drug treatment center, where she became the supervisor of intake and assessment for individuals with alcohol and substance use disorders. Today, she’s a social worker in the Psychiatric Observation Unit of the emergency department. Kingston is also trained in perinatal mental health with a focus on helping new mothers adjust to motherhood, especially in these very difficult times of isolation.

author-img
LCSW

Caitlin Kingston is a licensed clinical social worker at Yale New Haven Hospital and has worked in the field since 2013. She earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Penn State University and her Master of Social Work, clinical/medical social work in 2020 from Fordham University. Her licenses and certifications include LCSW, LMSW, and CASAC.

Kingston has always had a passion for helping others and knew early on that she wanted to support others in her profession. During her undergraduate studies at Penn State, she met a social worker who inspired her to pursue a career as a therapist. She’s also trained in psychoanalytic psychotherapy with the New York School for Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy. Kingston completed internships working in an after-school program with underprivileged youth and their families and with inmates in the high-security sector of Rikers Island jail.

Kingston’s career has included work at a drug treatment center, where she became the supervisor of intake and assessment for individuals with alcohol and substance use disorders. Today, she’s a social worker in the Psychiatric Observation Unit of the emergency department. Kingston is also trained in perinatal mental health with a focus on helping new mothers adjust to motherhood, especially in these very difficult times of isolation.

IV. Sources