Maddie (she/her/hers) is an Associate 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.

Maxine (she/her/hers) is an Associate Professional Clinical Counselor who values working collaboratively to lessen emotional distress and empower clients to enhance their quality of life. Her primary approaches are Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), however, she integrates interventions from multiple modalities depending on the needs of the client. Prior to becoming a therapist, Maxine was a victim advocate and crisis counselor for people impacted by interpersonal violence.  She is passionate about approaching each client with cultural humility and sensitivity and understands that each person’s lived experiences within their cultural context varies. 

Maxine has worked in various settings including outpatient, inpatient, residential, partial hospitalization, and intensive outpatient levels of care. Maxine has a strong background in serving clients coping with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, Depressive Disorders, Anxiety Disorders, Dissociative Disorders, Borderline Personality Disorder, Dual Diagnosis, Substance Use/Abuse/Dependence, and Adjustment Disorders. Maxine enjoys working with adolescents, teenagers, transition age youth, adults, and couples. 

 

Maxine has a Bachelor’s Degree in History (2018) from Arizona State University and a Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (2022) from Adams State University.

Marti Curiel (she/her/hers) is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist who graduated from Alliant International University. Marti's passion is driven by the desire to alter the perception that society has about therapy. She is aware and constantly learning that culture, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, and citizenship status all have an impact on how we choose to present ourselves to the world, she enjoys working with varied populations.

 

Marti has experience working with children ages 5-18, and parents on parent-child relationships. Marti has worked with diagnoses such as anxiety, depression, ADHD, grief, families impacted by severe trauma, self-esteem, life transitions, as well as many other diagnoses and life challenges. Marti practices client-centered approaches utilizing modalities such as Solution Focused Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Trauma- Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Play Therapy as well as integrating a mind-body awareness approach.

Karina is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor with a passion for providing quality services to individuals struggling with mental health concerns. She received a Master’s of Science in Counseling from San Diego State University with an emphasis in Child Development in 2017. Karina’s vision is to ensure a safe therapeutic atmosphere is created for clients and their families to experience their vulnerabilities while sharing the challenges or barriers they may be facing. She is experienced in Dialectical Behavioral, Cognitive Behavioral, Psychodynamic, and Solution Focused Therapy and strives to help individuals understand and overcome their unhealthy thought processes.

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Karina has a broad range of clinical experience working with individuals of all ages in the following areas: Depression, Anxiety, Behavioral Challenges, Self-Harm Behavior, Anger and Stress Management, Trauma and Abuse, and Self-Image and Self-Esteem issues.

Karina’s approach emphasizes the mutual development of goals for therapy and ongoing evaluation throughout the therapeutic process. She continues to seek growth professionally by constantly updating and improving her skills and knowledge base. Karina is invested in an integrative and dynamic approach to mental health and looks forward to supporting you on your journey!

Jenna is a Marriage and Family Therapist who is passionate about helping teens and adults find balance in their lives. This is often done through self-discovery, skill development, and boundary setting. She believes that people are doing the best they can, within their capacity, and there is always room for growth and development. Life brings many stresses and people often struggle to cope. This is the essence of the human condition. Jenna specializes in supporting clients to overcome patterns engrained in early life that are no longer serving them in their present, and working toward a meaningful life they are proud of. She believes in the power of healing in relationships and enjoys working with couples and families to improve communication, overcome past hurt, and adjust to changes in dynamics.

Jenna graduated with a business degree from San Diego State University in 2012 and worked in corporate jobs until going back to school to pursue her passion for helping others. She graduated from National University in 2020 with a Masters in Counseling and has experience in inpatient, outpatient, and school-based mental health settings. She uses Psychodynamic, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and other strength-based approaches to support clients on their journey toward balance and wellness.

Faith (she/her/hers) is an Associate 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.

Keziyah Mack is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist and an Associate Clinical Counselor. She has experience working with children, adolescents and their families working through a wide range of general and extreme life stressors. As a Navy Veteran, Keziyah also has a passion for working with active duty and veterans alike to assist in processing current and previous experiences while serving our country.

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Keziyah attended National University with both her undergraduate in psychology and dual Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy and Clinical Counseling.  With a passion for representation and psychoeducation regarding the importance of mental health and the impact of therapeutic practices, Keziyah has interest in working with BIPOC populations. Navigating the world through the lens as a POC, veteran, and woman, Keziyah would like to be a sense of support for those who lack representation, and who would like to feel seen and heard.

 

Keziyah uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Client Centered Therapeutic practices to help her clients reach their unique goals. She cares deeply about building a connection with her clients through rapport building, her empathic nature, and integrating various modalities catered to each client in regard to healing. Keziyah is committed to her work as a therapist, offering a safe space to explore thoughts and emotions while providing evidence-based practices and support. She dedicates unique therapeutic approaches to each client, because she understands that no one fits into the same mold. Keziyah looks forward to becoming a part of your journey in healing. 

Angel-Lynna (she/her/hers) is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist whose passion is to change the narrative that society has placed on therapy by practicing from a modern lens. She enjoys working with diverse populations, recognizing that culture, sexuality, socioeconomic, and citizenship status all play a role in how we choose to show up in the world. With her experience being a Vietnamese-American and child of immigrants, Angel-Lynna is particularly interested in working with the Asian-American community by exploring cultural identity and intergenerational trauma. She does that by learning more about the unique experiences that have shaped who they are and work with them towards who they want to become. It is important for Angel-Lynna to see the client as they see themselves and provide treatment that aligns with their values and strengths. She prides herself in having a client-centered approach where she will create a safe therapeutic space and allow the client to be the guide while she is there to walk alongside and support the journey towards healing. 

Angel-Lynna graduated from San Diego State University with both her undergraduate in psychology and Masters in Counseling degrees. She has experience working with BIPOC communities, children, adolescents, young adults, parents, and families. Some topics of therapy include but are not limited to: anxiety, depression, stress, trauma, abuse, homelessness, grief, identity exploration, and life transitions.

With that, Angel-Lynna utilizes a variety of different evidence-based approaches that come from Narrative Therapy, Solution-Focused therapy (SFT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing, and mindfulness practices. Each approach will be tailored specifically to the client and their needs, but one thing that remains the same is being trauma-informed and culturally responsive. Angel-Lynna is looking forward to being a part of the positive changes you hope to see in your life

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. 

Liza is a strengths-based, empathic, client-centered therapist with a passion for working with adolescents and transition-aged youth on their journey of self discovery and developing ways to cope in the world we live in.  She has over fifteen 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.)   For the past 5 years, Liza has dedicated her work solely to serving clients at PCCC and recently stepped into the role of Clinical Supervisor for the La Mesa office.  

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.

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.

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.