Therapists in La Mesa

Matthew is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist who is compassionate and dedicated and who believes in the powerful impact of connection and understanding. He strives to create a safe and supportive environment where you can explore your thoughts and feelings without judgment. Matthew has earned their Bachelors in Psychological
Science from California State University, San Marcos and a Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy from Azusa Pacific University.

 

Matthew has vast experience with different client challenges such as anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, and different personality disorders. Using different approaches ranging from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Psychodynamic, and Gottman will help provide a unique approach to the client's needs. Matthew will help identify and challenge negative thought patterns, enhance communication skills, and explore how your past experiences influence your current behaviors and relationships.

In Matthew’s free time, he enjoys spending quality moments with friends and family, exploring the beach, and indulging in sports. These activities help him recharge and maintain a balanced perspective on life which is what he tries to incorporate into the sessions. Whether you’re facing a specific challenge or seeking personal growth,
Matthew is looking forward to working with you.

Taylor (she/her) is an Associate Professional Clinical Counselor who is dedicated to empowering individuals in creating healthy and authentic lives. Taylor enjoys working with children, teens, families, and adults, while they face various life changes, emotional challenges, and interpersonal difficulties.

 

As a clinician with lived experience, Taylor celebrates differences and provides a nonjudgmental space for anyone seeking support. Embracing a trauma-informed and strengths-based approach, she brings genuine curiosity, humor, and empathy into the therapeutic space to help highligh strengths and nurture resilience. 

 

Taylor earned her Bachelors in Communications from Arizonia State University and her Masters in Clinical Counseling from Alliant University. She has experience in several settings including in-home therapy services, partial hospitalizations, and various outpatient environments. Taylor believes that each therapy journey is unique and deserves an individualized approach. She is experienced in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), mindfulness approaches, psychodynamic theory, and attachment theory

Britta (she/her/hers) is an associate marriage and family therapist passionate about
empowering clients to create positive changes in their lives. She believes in the
transformative power of therapy and is committed to fostering a safe and supportive
environment where clients feel comfortable expressing their feelings.

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Britta earned her Bachelor of Psychology from Arizona State University and her
master’s degree in clinical psychology from Pepperdine University. With experience in
school-based settings and residential treatment centers, she has worked extensively
with children, teens, and families, addressing challenges such as depression, anxiety,
trauma, and grief.

Her therapeutic approach is strength-based and collaborative, focusing on each client’s
unique strengths and experiences. Britta aims to ensure that her clients feel seen,
heard, and validated, helping them navigate their challenges and achieve meaningful
growth.

Faith (she/her/hers) is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor with experience and passion for supporting children, adolescents, and adults through major life stressors and general mental health journeys. As a black queer woman, Faith's special interests are in serving marginalized communities by providing culturally competent and LGBTQ+ affirming care to all ages and walks of life. Faith recognizes the importance of creating a safe therapeutic space where clients feel empowered to show up as their authentic selves every day. She strives to create such a space, by being genuine and utilizing a client-centered and humanistic approach to treatment. Faith practices under the belief that each client has just as much knowledge and expertise to bring to treatment as she does, and therefore works to make her services as collaborative as possible.

 

Faith went to San Francisco State University where she obtained her Bachelors in Psychology and a minor in Critical Social Thought. Her 4 year experience in the city spiked her passion to engage in work that honors the intersectionality of every client, and addresses systemic oppressions that contribute to the state of mental health in our country. Faith then went to San Diego State University, where she received a Masters in Child and Family Development with an emphasis in early childhood mental health. Here she was taught the importance of working with our youth in order to address mental health concerns at a young age and equip children with the understanding and tools they need to cope with their thoughts and feelings through life's changes.

 

Since graduating, Faith has worked in many areas of the mental health field including non-profit organizations, school districts, residential facilities, and community colleges. She has served clients struggling with depression, anxiety, family conflict, identity development, and radical self-acceptance.

Maddie (she/her/hers) is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who feels grateful to
support individuals, partners, and families on their growth journeys. She works with clients to create a space where they can feel comfortable to reflect, cry, laugh, think – be authentically themselves.

Maddie has worked extensively with adolescents and adults facing anxiety and depression,
negative body image and eating disorders, substance use, and other co-occurring struggles. She is passionate about guiding clients through trauma, loss, and grief, because no one should have to navigate it alone. She is experienced in providing care to families during times of crisis and change, helping to improve communication patterns and strengthen connection. Maddie honors each client’s personal background and life experiences to provide therapy that is informed, sensitive, and individualized.

Maddie earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Spanish Language Studies at UC San Diego, and her Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy at the University of San Diego (she is a proud San Diegan!). She practices an integrated therapy approach, and feels a particular connection to the philosophies of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Narrative Therapy, and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT). Maddie believes that each person writes their own story, and has the power to choose the dialogue and direction of that story. Maddie wants clients to feel safe, seen, and compassionately challenged to reach their goals.

Andee is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with experience and passion for working with children, adults, and families with anxiety, depression, ADHD, stress management, trauma, grief/loss, chronic illness, and life transition issues. Andee’s special interest lies in working with young children and their families to address behavioral concerns, anxiety, ADHD, adjusting to stressful life situations, and offering Biofeedback therapy. She uses a strengths-based and collaborative approach to help clients identify realistic goals to make meaningful and positive changes in their lives. Andee brings warmth, empathy, and humor to the therapeutic relationship, and values the connection between client and therapist as an integral factor in healing. 

Andee’s background is in integrated primary care, and she has experienced how a holistic approach focusing on the mind-body connection has benefited her clients’ mental health and healing. Andee believes in the importance of taking into account each facet of an individual’s life, including their mental, emotional, and physical health, as well as the social, environmental, cultural, and societal factors that impact their health. Andee emphasizes collaborating with primary care physicians, psychiatrists, and other supports when appropriate in order to best support clients’ overall health and well-being.

Andee received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology from UCLA and her Master of Arts Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of San Diego. She tailors her therapeutic approach to each individual or family, and draws upon Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Narrative Therapy, Play Therapy, and mindfulness approaches to create personalized treatment plans. Andee is additionally trained in Biofeedback and Neurofeedback, She looks forward to joining you on your path to healing, growth, and fulfillment. 

Sarah is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who believes in helping others to recognize and utilize their strengths to support them in creating positive changes in their lives.  She seeks to empower clients through a client centered approach and works collaboratively with individuals to achieve their personal goals.  She supports clients experiencing anxiety, depression, relationship issues, stress management, self esteem, and those with trauma-related disorders.  

Sarah received her Master of Arts degree in Counseling Psychology from National University in La Jolla, California.  She has been working as a therapist since 2008 in various settings including schools, the police department, and non-profit community based agencies.  She has training in using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Solution Focused Therapy, Play Therapy and EMDR.

Liza is a strengths-based, empathic, client-centered therapist with a passion for working with adolescents, transition-aged youth, and adults on their journey of self discovery and developing ways to cope in the world we live in.  She has 20 years of experience in the field which ranges from treating those with anxiety and mood disorders, as well as victims of various kinds of trauma and their families, to those that struggle with drugs and alcohol to cope with life’s stressors.  Liza’s mission as a therapist is to empower others to create their happiest and most fulfilling lives by confronting any challenges that they face and implementing the healthiest ways to manage their stress.  

Liza earned her undergraduate degree from UCLA in Sociology in 1999 and went on to work in administrative support positions with a law firm, and then for the Veterans Medical Research Foundation before deciding to go back to school to become a therapist in 2004.  

Liza graduated with her Masters in Counseling Psychology from Boston College in 2006 and worked in community settings for ten years, primarily focused on working with children, adolescents, and their families who have system involvement (Child Welfare System or Juvenile Justice System.)   Since 2017, Liza has dedicated her work solely to serving clients at PCCC.  She stepped into the role of Clinical Supervisor and Lead Clinician for the La Mesa office in 2022 providing associates with supervision to become licensed themselves and supporting all of the other clinicians practicing out of our La Mesa office location.

Liza’s therapeutic approach is very individualized to each client, but generally focuses on strengths-based and solution-focused interventions to empower clients toward their own positive changes.  She has a particular interest in serving clients from the LGBTQIA+ community and addressing the myriad of struggles that they encounter in our world today

Jennifer specializes in treating 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. She 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. 

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One of Jennifer's passions includes working with expectant and new parents on their journey as they work toward creating a special space for the newest member of their family.  As an advocate for parents, Jennifer believes in the importance of understanding your rights during pregnancy, childbirth and beyond in providing the care you feel is best for you and your family. Jennifer is a Certified Facilitator for Gottman’s “Bringing Baby Home” curriculum.

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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 founded Positive Change Counseling Center in 2006 and with over 15 years of experience she continues to provide effective treatment to her clients. She has worked as a Research Therapist at the Veteran's Medical Research Foundation 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. Jennifer's background also includes human relations and diversity trainings, supporting survivors of domestic violence, providing in-home services for at-risk youth, facilitating anxiety support groups and providing residential treatment for adults with chronic mental illness and addiction.