Paulina Contreras, AMFT

Paulina is a bilingual (English/ Spanish) Associate Marriage and Family Therapist with experience providing individual, family, and group therapy in an outpatient setting. She enjoys working with individuals dealing with a range of challenges, including anxiety, depression, relational issues, life transitions, and more. She is passionate about supporting clients in their mental health journeys and values creating a safe and empowering space where each person’s experience is honored and their path to healing is supported. She believes in a non-judgmental, strength-based, client-centered approach. She is LGBTQIA+ friendly and committed to providing care that is accepting of all identities and backgrounds.

Paulina earned her Bachelor’s degrees in Psychology and Communications from UCLA in 2019. In 2022, she moved to San Diego to attend the University of San Diego’s Master’s program in Marriage and Family Therapy. She has a strong background in conducting biopsychosocial Behavioral Health Assessments, creating personalized treatment plans, and utilizing evidence-based tools to conduct risk assessments. Through her academic and clinical training, she has developed a deep appreciation for cultural competence and the importance of family dynamics in the healing process.

Her therapeutic approach is grounded in a variety of evidence-based modalities, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SF-BT), Motivational Interviewing, Structural Family Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Parent Management Training (PMT), Unstuck and On Target, Play Therapy, Art Therapy, and Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT). Paulina is dedicated to tailoring treatment to the unique needs of each individual and is excited to accompany you on your journey of healing and growth.