Therapists for college students near San Diego, CA
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Chelsea Sterling is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC). She holds a Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of San Diego. Her clinical experiences include providing individual therapy, group therapy, crisis counseling and psychosocial assessments through work in short-term acute residential treatment (START) programs, outpatient mental health clinics and an alcohol treatment facility. She is a certified Domestic Violence Counselor. Chelsea has expertise in the following modalities: cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), motivational interviewing and eye movement desensitization reprocessing (EMDR).
I am a licensed clinical social worker with many years of experience working with adults, adolescents, children, and families. I know that change is hard and seeking support is brave. It is a privilege to be alongside you in your journey towards becoming the person you want to be and living the life you want to live. Our therapy will be a space where it is okay to show up as your authentic self and share your feelings. We will collaborate to identify and work towards the changes you want to see in your life, brainstorm ways to overcome patterns you may feel stuck in, and support you in gaining the insight needed to foster progress. I have experience supporting clients with anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions, perfectionism, school and work stress, self-esteem, attachment, and interpersonal and family relationships. My approach aims to be relational, strength-based, and trauma-informed. I strive to bring empathy, humor, and a nonjudgmental approach to the therapy space to support you in your journey. I use an integrative, holistic approach that pulls from different therapeutic specialties that we will tailor specifically to your identified wants and needs - such as narrative therapy, family systems, mind-body connection, solution-focused, and emotion and person-centered.
I specialize in working with young adults and adults navigating challenges related to addictive processes, substance abuse, relationship and codependency issues, trauma/PTSD, and life transitions. My approach is deeply rooted in guiding you back to yourself — to your innate power and inner radiance. Together, we will explore the external systems and influences that may have caused you to forget your true nature, and uncover the burdens that were never yours to carry. We will also look at how you may have distanced yourself from who you really are. In our sessions, you’ll find a safe, compassionate space to explore your past and unconscious. This process helps you bring the unconscious into awareness, integrating all parts of yourself to create a life of alignment and authenticity. This work not only deepens your self-awareness but enhances your relationships with others. The therapeutic relationship is at the core of our work together. I am here to hold and confront you – while staying consistent and loving – which creates pathways for growth. Over time, you'll carry this connection into your life, building a stronger sense of self. Embracing your wounds with love transforms them, guiding you toward healing and light.
It can be intimidating to share thoughts and emotions with others. I strive to build a strong trusting relationship with my clients so that they can share without fear of judgment and we can better face the challenges going on in their lives. I work with clients to address major life transitions, family or relationship issues, self-harm, and emotion dysregulation such as depression and anxiety. Having worked extensively with ethnically- and gender-diverse populations, I enjoy helping adults explore their sense of identity and find meaningful roles in their communities. Through a culturally-sensitive lens that incorporates understanding past relationships and behavioral patterns, my goal is to help each client become aware of the obstacles hindering their personal growth and find a clear path forward in line with their own values. If you're curious about how we can work together, I invite you to contact me for a free phone consultation to answer any questions.
I am a licensed clinical psychologist in private practice with expertise in treating a broad range of emotional and behavioral problems via individual, couples, family and group psychotherapy. My treatment approach is integrative, most heavily influenced by evidence-based, cognitive behavioral and humanistic-existential theories. I address unique cultural experiences and various psychological systems that may be contributing to your presenting concerns. My style is empathic and non-judgmental and I tailor treatment to meet each individual's unique needs. Most importantly, I am passionate about working collaboratively with patients, to help you optimize your emotional, mental, and physical health. My research, clinical interests, and areas of expertise include: Behavioral Medicine/ Women’s Health/ Chronic Medical Conditions, Impacts of Racism/ Navigating Multiculturalism from an Intersectional lens, Perinatal Mood Disorders, Post-Traumatic Stress and Trauma Recovery, Victims of Destructive Mind Control (Former Cult Members), Grief/ Loss, Couples & Family Therapy, Relationship/ Interpersonal Difficulties, Depression, Anxiety, and Combat Veterans and Active Duty Military. For treatment to be effective, a strong therapeutic relationship is essential. I am dedicated to ensuring we are a good fit, and offer a brief, complimentary phone consultation. Your sense of safety and comfort are my top priorities. If after meeting, we determine I am not the best fit for your needs, I will provide other referrals. I am bilingual and available to treat patients speaking English or Spanish. In light of COVID-19: I have immediate openings for tele-therapy (video or phone sessions) and would be honored to support you during this time of uncertainty.
Our society teaches us to value independence, confidence and productivity – sometimes to the detriment of personal relationships and our own sense of self-worth. Almost daily we are bombarded with narrowly defined gender roles, and ‘rules’ around how we should look, act, think and feel. I enjoy collaborating with clients to reconsider the boundaries of their lives, how they create meaningful relationships, and in doing so, identify their preferred ways of engaging with the world around them. My therapy approach is client-centered, compassionate, honoring of your values and lived experiences, and focused on the changes you would like to make in your life. I draw from Narrative Therapy practices and Solution-Focused principles to support you in re-writing your personal story and overcoming the challenges that keep you feeling stuck. I also recognize that many of the hardships that clients face are the result of systemic racism, injustice and inequity. These can manifest in a host of mental health concerns including anxiety, depression and intimate partner violence, to name a few. Additionally, I supervise Associate MFTs working to obtain their clinical license. They provide tele-therapy appointments at a reduced fee. See more details on my web site.
Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.
Welcome! There are numerous reasons to seek out therapy. Whether it is a life transition or a life with trauma, therapy can augment your overall wellness. Our practice is based on having a relationship with you to collaborate and identify what goals you are working toward. Congratulations on taking the first courageous step to move in the direction toward what is meaningful to you. We work with diverse populations and can specifically tailor treatment to your needs utilizing evidence-based treatments. Flexible scheduling is provided, including evening and weekend sessions. We limit the number of patients we take; therefore, we are able to meet your needs more readily.
Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.