Therapists in San Diego, CA and Nearby Locations

Find a therapist in San Diego, California that meets your needs. Browse our comprehensive list of affordable and licensed therapists in San Diego to find a professional specializing in counseling people with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship issues, grief, and more.

We may receive fees from the providers listed below. See our full disclaimer.

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Aleksandra Drecun
Psy.D., MA
In-Person Sessions:

San Diego, California

Teletherapy for Clients In:

California

Dr. Aleksandra Drecun, Psy.D., is the founder of Association for Compassionate Transformation. She is a licensed psychologist who has a profound passion and derives immense gratitude from assisting individuals, couples and families in realizing...
Laura Myers
LMFT, CLC
Teletherapy for Clients In:

California

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Sarah Lawley Chernick
Psychotherapist
In-Person Sessions:

San Diego, California

Therapy in San Diego. Services Include: Eating Disorder Therapy, EMDR Therapy, Anxiety Therapy, Teen Counseling and More https://selfembodytherapy.com Hours: Monday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Tuesday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Wednesday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Thursday:...
Randi Beckman
LCSW, MSW, MA
In-Person Sessions:

Carlsbad, California

Teletherapy for Clients In:

California, Florida

Wanting Support to Help you Feel: Less stressed Grounded and centered More productive Present and engaged Happy in life and in relationships My nurturing and empathic presence creates the space needed to help you identify, understand, and move...
In-Person Sessions:

Encinitas, California

I am Crystal Duncan, LCSW, and my mission is to be at peace with myself, my work and my social and personal relationships.  I strive to live a wholehearted authentic life and I believe it is my purpose to help others find their authentic self and...
In-Person Sessions:

San Diego, California

I provide a safe place to unload and work on a new understanding. We will work collaboratively to understand the underlying issues often hidden from ourselves, that keep you stuck in unhealthy patterns. My approach is respectful, caring, and...
In-Person Sessions:

San Diego, California

Teletherapy for Clients In:

California

I love helping you enjoy life more!
Teletherapy for Clients In:

California, Arizona

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over seven years of experience providing therapy to a wide range of clients, including individuals, couples and families. I have experience working in private practice, community health centers, and...
Jennifer Rickard
LMFT, LMFT-Supervisor, MS
In-Person Sessions:

San Diego, California

Teletherapy for Clients In:

California

Are you seeking support in moving through a life or relational challenge? Sometimes we all need support in finding creative solutions or building strong relationships. I would enjoy supporting you in taking steps to achieve your goals. I will help...
Teletherapy for Clients In:

California, Florida

I care about "what happened to you" and I strive to provide a compassionate, supportive space for you to share your concerns. I have with over 20 years' experience helping people get beyond traumatic experiences and on to their best life. Effective...
Teletherapy for Clients In:

California

Have you been feeling like you aren't reaching your full potential? That you aren't connecting to your true self? Maybe this has been a feeling for most of your life, or it's a recent insight you have discovered. It could have been a trauma, from...
Kim Jones
LMFT, MA
In-Person Sessions:

San Diego, California

Teletherapy for Clients In:

California

Congrats on taking your first step - seeking support is a sign of strength! I work with individuals, couples and adolescents/young adults to help facilitate change and reach goals to achieve more fulfillment and happiness in life and to get through...
In-Person Sessions:

Encinitas, California

Teletherapy for Clients In:

California

I believe we are all wired for connection, and, whether extraverted or introverted, rejection and isolation are incredibly painful experiences. Our brains and bodies are built in such a way that protects us from threats and harm. While these...
Connie Padera
MSW, ASW
In-Person Sessions:

Encinitas, California

Teletherapy for Clients In:

California

Are you experiencing feelings of anxiety or depression? Do you struggle to find balance due to substance use or disordered eating habits? Maybe you need some guidance on self-esteem or relationship issues? It’s okay to not be okay, and I’m here...
In-Person Sessions:

San Diego, California

Teletherapy for Clients In:

California

Dr. Matthew Bruhin is a CEO, Psychotherapist and Addiction Specialist, as well as an entrepreneur and educator. He is a State of California and State of Wyoming, Board Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, and an Addiction Specialist, registered...
In-Person Sessions:

San Diego, California

Teletherapy for Clients In:

California

I am a licensed marriage and family therapist in San Diego, CA who has experience working with clients of all ages struggling with ADD/ADHD, relationships, communication, grief, life transitions, trauma, self esteem and more. I am incredibly...
Janice Gingerich
PsyD, LMFT
In-Person Sessions:

San Diego, California

Life can bring difficult, unexpected, and emotionally daunting challenges to our relationships and personal mental health. I commend you for valuing your own well-being and interpersonal growth by considering therapy. I hope to support and empower...
Dr. Gary Hittle
Ph.D Psychology
In-Person Sessions:

La Mesa, California

I have been in private psychological practice for more than 30 years specializing in individual, marital, and relational therapy, family problem interventions, adolescents, treatment of sexual and substance abuse, and family therapy related to these...
Teletherapy for Clients In:

California, Texas

"You can't stop the waves, but you can learn to surf"-Jon Kabat Zinn- In a time where we are hit with continuous stimuli, the waves of change seem to be moving faster than ever. Whether struggling with your health, the health of a loved one,...
Briana Lefman
LPCC-S 2
Teletherapy for Clients In:

California

I help you connect to the 'why' behind your patterns, your pain, anger, avoidance, and dysfunction. I help you shift from anger to understanding. I'll help make sense of it. I'll teach you how to identify what you've been living without. I'll teach...
In-Person Sessions:

San Diego, California

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 13 years of experience in domestic violence, addiction, severe mental illness, behavioral modification, individual and family therapy, relational conflicts, crisis intervention, advocacy, social...
In-Person Sessions:

San Diego, California

I have been working with families in San Diego since 1997. I have extensive experience with children, the transgender community, families involved with the Child Welfare System, and individuals struggling with addiction, depression, anxiety,...
In-Person Sessions:

San Diego, California

At the beginning of my work, I practiced what is called the ‘eclectic approach’, which uses different techniques depending on the client. Meanwhile, over the last 20 years I discovered cognitive therapy consistently resulted in more effective...
In-Person Sessions:

Oceanside, California

Teletherapy for Clients In:

California, New Jersey

Having you been having trouble managing your emotions? Have negative thoughts about yourself and the world been impacting your behavior? Together it is possible to identify skills to effectively cope with emotional distress, increase compassion...

Mental Health Professionals San Diego

The fifth most populous county in the United States, San Diego County has a population of 3 million people according to the 2009 U.S. Census. As with any large city, addressing the mental health needs of its residents can be a daunting task. According to the San Diego Health and Human Service Agency, between 40,000- 45,000 adults were seen by the county’s mental health providers during the year 2014. The following is a brief profile of the challenges faced by San Diego as well as some of the innovative ways they are meeting those challenges.

The Challenges

Several challenges contribute to a lack of mental health solutions for those who need them in San Diego.

Increased Demand

From 2009 to 2015, the police agencies of San Diego County experienced an 84% spike in calls related to individuals with mental health issues, even though there was only a 5% increase in the county’s population during that same period. 9-11 operators, and other authorities, received 17,300 calls in 2009. By 2015, they had received 31,700 calls. The source of the increase has not yet been determined, though some suspect that it may be partially due to easier access to methamphetamines and changes in sentencing guidelines for jail time.

Access to Service

According to a study, most residents of San Diego County, who seek mental health services, do so in a variety of treatment settings. The conclusion of the study recommended that these consumers of mental health services would benefit if access to services were streamlined. Without such a process, the healthcare of people who have serious mental illness lacks continuity.

Tri-City Medical Center serves the North Coastal portion of San Diego County. It plans to significantly cut back on providing emergency psychiatric services in its two mental health units. Their decision has been met with a great deal of criticism by advocacy groups, law enforcement, and local government as it is the only provider of such services in the North Coastal area. Officials of Tri-City cite changes in federal regulations that would require it to invest $3 million to meet safety standards. They also point to a $5 million operating loss last year and staffing issues due to a shortage of psychiatrists.

Vulnerable Populations

  • It is estimated that 5% of the population of San Diego County has a serious mental illness. This figure is higher for low-income residents where 8% are inflicted with a serious mental illness.
  • Being a military town, San Diego’s veterans are a vulnerable population. The Veterans Administration San Diego Healthcare System indicates that 20,000 veterans have received care for post-traumatic stress disorder since 2010.
  • With the highest recidivism rate for any California city, San Diego’s inmates and ex-offenders constitute another vulnerable population for mental health disorders. It’s estimated that 64% of its inmates have mental health issues. In contrast, it is determined that 56% of state inmates and 45% of federal inmates have mental health disorders.
  • San Diego County expects to see its elderly population double by 2030. Currently, one-fifth of its elderly population experiences depression. Depression is even more frequently found in elderly individuals who have heart disease, Alzheimer’s, or Parkinson’s disease.

The Innovations

San Diego’s Mental Health Resource Center (MHRC) addresses both the educational and mental health needs of dual-diagnosis students in the San Diego Unified School District. From a medical perspective, dual diagnosis refers to individuals who have mental illness with a co-occurring substance abuse problem. From the educational aspect, dual diagnosis applies to students who have an intellectual or developmental disability and a co-occurring mental health problem.

MHRC partners with mental health providers and develops evidence-based programs that are school-based. Both students and their families work with a multi-disciplinary team that is composed of licensed mental health clinicians, school psychologists, school counselors, psychiatrists, and behavioral rehabilitation specialists. Further, the therapeutic team consists of a multicultural staff.

Another innovative approach by San Diego is to extend its outreach to the public. Through a partnership between San Diego County Public Libraries and San Diego County Health & Human Services Agency, library patrons can receive information about no-cost services for mental health, housing, and other social services. The service is available to anyone who is 18 years or older and is particularly popular with the homeless population.

The San Diego Foundation has partnered with the University of California in San Diego to address depression and mood disorders. It is hoped that, through the coordination of services, the County will improve the treatment outcome of its residents.