Therapists serving clients in Encinitas, CA

For the past twenty five years, I have been a licensed marriage and family therapist, a professor and consultant, serving in many professional arenas including director of a counseling center, clinical supervisor, and therapist for individuals, couples, and families. Working from a Systemic perspective, I treat problems such as relationship issues, family conflicts, depression, ADHD, parenting issues, anxiety/stress, depression, and substance abuse keeping in mind how these stressors impact relationships. My additional expertise is in assisting couples and families to improve their relationships, learn positive coping skills and find the flexibility needed to adapt to family life cycle changes including divorce and blended families. My therapy style is warm, comfortable and inviting providing a safe place to air problems and restore healthy mental and emotional functioning. My personal challenge is to connect with people in collaborative relationships which inspire and support my clients to access their strengths, create possibilities, and attain their goals. This commitment transcends my work as a therapist, educator, and consultant. I am also the founder of Parent University, a grant program created for school districts to help parents and their children resolve educational and relationship challenges. I have strong beliefs in the importance of constructive and productive parenting skills and believe that parents provide the leadership for all family members to grow and thrive. I have been a professor at several Universities and a core faulty member at Capella University since 2001, first serving as the Clinical Director of the Counselor Education Program for several years. I have earned several degrees including both a MS and PhD in Marriage and Family Therapy from Nova Southeastern University as well as a MA in Marketing. As a licensed MFT in California, I have been active in the profession for over 25 years in private practice working with individuals, couples and families. My numerous publications and presentations have focused on clinical practice issues and personal coaching. My book Self Coaching, How to S.O.L.V.E. personal and professional problems, reflects my interest in the Solution Focus Brief Therapy model and its use in working with clients. My most recent book At the End of the Day helps the reader connect with their existing strengths and abilities that have become lost in the midst of being problem drenched. By using a Solution focused approach in their problem solving efforts, my clients become able to “remember” their past successes and how to best use their existing abilities and skills to attain their personal goals. In addition to being a Marriage and Family Therapist, I also have over thirty years of sales, marketing, managerial and motivational experience. My career represents both a clinical and business background working in executive positions of major corporations, owning my own beverage distribution company, and growing a large clinical practice (Counseling Solutions). The blending of these various perspectives and talents has allowed me to become an innovator in developing creative organizational environments. I am also the founder of Solution Focus Consulting which specializes in executive coaching, achieving personal excellence, team building and sales and marketing innovations. I look forward to working with you in resolving your existing problem issues and helping facilitate the successful attainment of your goals. SPECIALTIES • Relationship issues • Family conflicts • Depression • ADHD • Parenting issues • Career difficulties • Stress, Anxiety Clinical approaches: Solution-Focused Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Family Systems, Client Centered Years of Experience: 25 ________________________________________

Choosing a therapist hinges on so many factors! Who you are, what you are looking for in therapy. Then there are the therapists available to you, You look at their education, training, experience, therapeutic approaches, etc. Deciding to seek therapy takes courage and you want a good fit. That fit comes from working together, developing trust and a willingness to be open to hearing what each other says. I have been a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist since 1990. I have worked in the mental health field since 1975, in psychiatric hospitals, outpatient clinics, and then interning in private practice for three years prior to becoming licensed. I was extremely lucky to have worked at a psychiatric hospital early on that provided staff education with some of the most famous people in the field of psychotherapy, so I feel my foundation is outstanding. Life can be hard, overwhelming, frustrating, and exciting. My role as a therapist is to help you help yourself, to identify areas in your life where you might be stuck, understand why you do or feel or act as you do, understand the influences that affect you today. I believe in setting goals in therapy that can be evaluated along the way and changed when needed. Therapy can be short term, very solution oriented. Or can take longer. I draw from the various therapeutic approaches that I have studied and put into practice over the years. And apply what I know to each client individually. Clients have described me as compassionate, that I seek to understand what they need, that I am able to hear them, and that I am respectful. I love the connection between myself and my clients that allows me to stay neutral yet utilizes my ability to be empathetic. I will help you to develop the tools needed to make the changes you identify and to incorporate insights that happen along the way. I have worked with individuals, families, and couples. My speciality has been working with people going through Infertility and I have had specialized training in this unique area as well as being a therapist with a national support organization. All of this experience and training define who I am as a therapist/counselor today. I have a good understanding of how our family of origin affects how we function today and utilize a family systems and a more eclectic approach. But more than what approaches I draw from, that connection I mentioned above is what helps my clients achieve their goals. I wish you all the best in your journey and if I am the therapist you contact, I look forward to our work together.

Congratulations for Prioritizing your Mental/Emotional health! My name is Keturah and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. What that means is I come with a broad scope of educational experience that teaches about how social places and situations can affect individuals in a variety of complex ways. I graduated with a Bachelors Degree in social work, earned a Masters Degree in Social Work and to current, I am licensed by the Board of Behavioral Sciences in California as a Clinical Social Worker. My professional work experience is broad over the past 15 years: I have worked with people who are homeless, in the foster care system, both young and older parents, and have also worked about 10 years as a outpatient clinic medical social worker. I have worked with death and dying, the onset of new medical conditions, caregiver burn out, grief n loss, the onset of new psych diagnosis from mild to moderate ( depression, anxiety) to also the onset of severe psych diagnosis ( schizophrenia and bipolar disorder). I also have experience as a clinical supervisor at an emergency psych unit to where I also provided stabilization clinical services to people who were experiencing acute life adjustments in their life, suffering from suicidal ideations, self harm and extreme anxiety, substance use. I provide a comfortable non judgmental experience. I love working with diverse people from all racial, cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds and ages. I have also worked in a private practice providing direct psychotherapy for seniors, middle aged and young adults around topics such as relationship issues, eating disorders, body dysphoria, transgender topics such as the transition process for opted surgery , LGBTQ clients around family acceptance, and other topics, family conflicts, difficulty with life adjustments new situations, grief n loss, anxiety, toxic relationships. My go to approach is to use Evidenced based modalities such as Cognitive Behavior Therapy. Aspects of Psychodynamic Therapy, Mindfulness, Solution Focused and Narrative Therapy Techniques. I look forward to working with you to listen and see if we can work together to help you reach your Goals!

I am licensed in California with more than 35 years of professional work experience. I have a Master of Arts Degree in Gerontology, a Master of Science Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy and an Ed.D. in Counseling Psychology. I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with grief and loss, intimacy related issues, & sleeping disorders. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. I consider myself to be a Person Centered Therapist. The definition of this theoretical orientation: Person Centered therapy operates on the humanistic belief that the client is inherently driven toward and has the capacity for growth and self-actualization; it relies on this force for therapeutic change. The role of the therapist is to provide a nonjudgmental environment conducive to honest exploration. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

Hi, I am a licensed clinical social worker. I specialize in providing support and care to those struggling with anxiety and depression due to life changes. I use a therapeutic model that helps to assess how internal thoughts trigger your actions. I have extensive work in cancer care and end of life care to include hospice work in supporting patients and families in their journeys. I have a Bachelor’s degree in Social work, a master’s degree in social work and a certificate in interpersonal trauma studies. I believe in whole person care which includes, mind, body and soul. I find it important to recognize that it all connects in forming our thoughts and actions. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

I am licensed in California with 7 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety & depression. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey.

My focus is working with individuals, couples, and teens. I am an experienced Baby Boomer having endured multiple losses and difficult life transitions. I have tremendous empathy for those trying to maneuver life's valleys. My style is attentive, respectful, and non-judgmental. I have earned two Masters degrees and four Post-Masters, all to better help clients. If you desire to change aspects of your life, you can start a journey in therapy and explore the answers you may already hold. Clients often have the answers, but they just need to process them. I was taught to listen 80 percent and reflect 20 percent during a session. This is because a therapy session is all about you. It is your time to explore your fears and dreams and how you hold the key to make meaningful changes. Let's be honest, though, it is not easy to open up to a stranger. But, once you start walking, a new you will be waiting to soar.

I am licensed in California with 3 years of professional work experience. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started! I have a supportive, non-judgmental, open minded approach with clients and it is my goal to make people feel heard and understood while helping them address the concerns that brought them to counseling.

I am licensed in California with 8 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, & parenting issues. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey.

Hi! My name is Suzanne Grace and I am a licensed marriage and family therapist, a married mom of four children, two dogs, a cat, and a few chickens. I have lived in California most of my life and I work part-time with service members, and the remainder of my day I am working in private practice or via betterhelp. I love what I do and I see working with clients as an opportunity for mutual growth - we learn from one another in every aspect of our lives, which is a true blessing. I have experience with a vast range of issues and therapeutic modalities, but have listed the most common - but that does not mean I have not worked with clients with issues not listed or do not have a desire to. My true desire in this helping profession is to aid people in living their fullest and best lives. I have 5 years of professional work experience as a therapist and I have experience in helping clients who are dealing with stress, anxiety, fertility-related issues, loss/grief, couple's and relationship issues, family conflicts, women's and men's issues, and trauma and abuse. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that your many strengths and resiliencies will assist you in overcoming life's challenges. While I determine the therapeutic modality based on your presenting issues, I also coach, work with couples considering divorce, am a collaborative divorce therapist, and a divorce mediator. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy takes courage and I am looking forward to getting started!