PCCC Therapists

Positive Change Counseling Center consists of 4 Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists who specialize in Individual, Family and Couples therapy. All therapists are practical, interactive, solution-focused therapists. Our treatment approach is to provide support and feedback to help clients resolve current problems and long-standing patterns. We incorporate a blend of conventional and alternative approaches, drawing upon a variety of styles and techniques to incorporate what will be most helpful for each client. With sensitivity and compassion, we work with each client to help them build on their strengths to identify and achieve life goals and maximize personal growth.

Jodi Ashton, MFT

Jodi has her Masters of Counseling from the University of Phoenix, earned in 1999. Jodi received her B.A. from the University of Arizona in Family Studies in 1995. Jodi has over 20 years of experience working with children, adults and families in Southern California and Arizona. Jodi has worked with children in daycare and pre-school settings prior to entering the mental health field where she continued to work with children and their families, in their homes, schools and psychiatric hospitals. Jodi has also provided services to adults in a residential setting struggling with chronic mental illness and addiction, and has done extensive couples therapy work along with premarital counseling. Jodi has extensive experience conducting mental health assessments and developing treatment plans for at-risk youth and their families. Jodi has been authorized to treat problem gamblers through the Office of Problem Gambling. She has also been trained in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Prolonged exposure Therapy for PTSD. Jodi is a CAMFT member in good standing and has also been a provider for the National Health Services Corps in the past.

Contact Jodi directly:

Email: Jodi@pccounselingcenter.com
Phone: (619) 517-5684

Jennifer Lundy-Aguerre, MFT

Jennifer received her Bachelors degree in Psychology from the University of Iowa in 2000 and a Masters of Arts from the University of San Diego in Marital and Family Therapy in 2002. Jennifer specializes in treating adolescents and adults with a variety of anxiety and depressive disorders. She will work with you to address past trauma, decrease work-related stress and teach you skills to help get "unstuck" with challenges you may be facing. Jennifer also does a great deal of work with couples and families to address common relationship concerns, such as: communication, conflict resolution, trust, intimacy issues and financial concerns. Relationship therapy focuses on providing couples with skills to help increase trust, gain intimacy and strengthen their overall relationship.

Jennifer co-founded Positive Change Counseling Center in 2006 and with over 10 years of experience she continues to provide effective treatment to her clients. In an effort to stay up to date with the most current treatment and techniques, she also works as a Research Therapist at the Veteran's Hospital in La Jolla providing evidence-based Prolonged Exposure therapy to U.S soldiers returning home from combat who are challenged by Post Traumatic Stress Disorder from combat and other traumatic events. Success rates are high in minimizing and eliminating issues such as increased fear, depressed mood, flashbacks, and poor concentration related to traumatic events including physical violence, sexual and combat trauma. Following an intensive training by the Office of Problem Gambling, Jennifer became registered in 2010 with the State of California to provide free treatment to individuals and family members affected by Problem Gambling. Jennifer's background also includes human relations and diversity trainings, supporting victims of domestic violence, providing in-home services for at-risk youth, facilitating an anxiety support group and providing residential treatment for adults with chronic mental illness and addiction.

Contact Jennifer directly:

Email: Jennifer@pccounselingcenter.com
Phone: (619) 733-6414

Krysten Rudy, MFT

Krysten received her Masters of Science in Counseling from San Diego State University in 1999 and received her B.A. from University of San Diego in 1994. Krysten began her experience working in San Diego City Schools with emotionally disturbed children and adolescents. Krysten's experience includes working in in-home services with high risk youth and their families as well as with chronically mentally ill and addicted adults in a crisis house setting. In addition, Krysten has worked in a day treatment and out patient setting with adolescent sex offenders and sexually reactive children. Krysten has received her Family Development Credential and has also provided training in family development to paraeducators and social service workers. Currently, Krysten enjoys working individuals to reach personal goals, reduce stress, stabilize mood symptoms, and increase overall functioning in all aspects of life. She also works with families and couples to improve their relationships and address specific issues such as communication, intimacy, trust, and conflict resolution. Krysten has been authorized to treat problem gamblers through the Office of Problem Gambling. She has also been trained in and Prolonged Exposure Therapy for PTSD. Krysten is a member of CAMFT(State and San Diego Chapter) .

Contact Krysten directly:

Email: krysten@pccounselingcenter.com
Phone: (858) 869-4128

Jennifer L Johnston, MFT

Jennifer received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology in 2006 and her Master of Arts Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy in 2008 both from the University of San Diego. Jennifer has spent the last three and a half years specializing in work with children with learning differences and their families including children with High Functioning Autism, Asperger Syndrome, Learning Disabilities and ADHD. Jennifer also holds a certification in special education advocacy and enjoys working collaboratively with parents and school districts to ensure that children are both successful at home and in school. She is knowledgeable about community resources and will ensure that everyone in the family gets the care they need.

Jennifer’s training and philosophy is grounded in evidence based treatment models for children, adolescents and adults including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, parent training models and skill building strategies. In addition to her experience treating childhood learning differences she has experience in treating child, adolescent and adult anxiety and depression as well as couples and co-parenting issues.

Lastly, Jennifer is a certified yoga instructor bringing aspects of Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction, Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy, relaxation strategies and yoga principles into her work with both children and adults who are interested in this type of work. Outside of her clinical work Jennifer currently teaches at the University of San Diego and works as a consultant for the COMPASS Family Center providing training on family- centered care for pediatricians at UCSD Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine and the Naval Medical Center of San Diego.

Email: Jennifer@pccounselingcenter.com
Phone: (619) 733-6414