Find a Therapist In San Diego (Copy)
Finding the right therapist can be easy
The Complete Guide to Finding the Right Therapist for Women in San Diego and All of California
Looking for a therapist for women in San Diego or anywhere in California?
This guide explains how to choose the right therapist, understand therapy approaches like EMDR and DBT, and confidently start your healing journey.
California is perhaps the most diverse state of all. The geography moves us from sunny Southern California beaches lined with palm trees to the soaring Sierra mountains. We encompass the desert, plains, and valleys. We can choose to live in the urban environments of San Diego or the Bay Area, or in a tourist destination such as South Lake Tahoe, Santa Barbara, or Palm Springs. California has its share of suburbs and small towns.
Even with living in such a vibrant state, life can be overwhelming. If you’ve decided to search for a therapist in California, you could easily read thousands of profiles—and possibly still not have an answer as to who to choose. My goal is to help you in your search, so you will feel more confident about finding the support you are looking for.
Choosing a therapist is about more than finding someone in your location who has an opening. It is about a feeling state in which you can be yourself, and feel confident that your therapist is compassionate, understands you, and has the experience and tools to help you in your healing journey. Finding a therapist in California isn’t just about logistics—it’s about heart. Let’s get started!
Why Finding the Right Therapist Matters
There are many options available when it comes to dealing with anxiety and trauma. Perhaps you’ve found ideas on social media, such as breathing and grounding exercises. You may have talked to friends, journaled, and practiced self-care, all in the hopes that the anxiety would ease and the flashbacks would stop. You may have even tried therapy in the past but didn’t find a lasting solution.
You are finally at a point where you know that effective therapy is what you need. This may be a very big step for you, because trauma makes it difficult to trust, and trust is what therapy is built upon. I like to say that you only have to be a little willing to start, and that over time, you can experience what a trusting therapeutic relationship is like.
Therapy doesn’t always leave you on top of cloud nine at the end of an appointment. However, you should leave your session feeling that you were heard, believed, and given something you can take forward into the week. Just as in starting an exercise program, it is the consistent practice of new skills (including new thoughts and beliefs) that eventually makes big changes in your life.
Take a few moments to think about—and even jot down—what you would like to find in your therapist. You may or may not know the specifics (e.g., EMDR or Brainspotting). But you do know how you would like your life to feel and look once you graduate from therapy.
Getting through the day without the racing heart and thoughts that anxiety causes?
No longer getting trapped in flashbacks of trauma?
The ability to form and keep deep, caring, trustworthy relationships?
As you consider possible therapists, think about your goals, and see if what a particular therapist offers speaks to these.
Healing will take some time. The time and energy you put into finding the therapist who will be best for you will pay off over the rest of your life.
In Person or Online for Therapy in San Diego?
It used to be that in order to work with a therapist, you would need to leave your home or workplace, drive to their office, and wait in a waiting room for your appointment. In today’s world, we have the option of online therapy.
Online therapy is a secure and convenient way of connecting with a therapist. Instead of trying to fit not only your therapy time but also your commute into a busy day, you can simply open your computer or tablet from the comfort of your home.
I have provided supportive and skilled online therapy since the first week of the pandemic lockdown. I have found it to be not only as effective, but that my clients tend to show up much more regularly. As long as you are physically in the state of California, I can provide your therapy.
On a business trip? We can still connect.
Your child is home sick? We can still have our session.
Feeling a bit under the weather yourself? You don’t need to leave home—we can still meet.
What Therapy Approaches Are Available?
Therapy comes in many forms. You might imagine a traditional conversation, with the therapist giving you feedback. But many other evidence-based approaches exist:
CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) – helps identify and change ineffective thinking patterns.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) – highly effective for trauma, anxiety, and stressors.
IFS (Internal Family Systems) – helps you connect with the various “parts” within yourself, such as your inner child, or a part that carries anger.
DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy) – teaches essential skills for regulating emotions and communicating clearly.
What Next for Therapy in San Diego?
Now that you have some of your questions answered, what comes next?
1. Write down your goals for life after therapy.
Instead of “I don’t want to feel anxious all the time,” write:
“I feel hopeful and positive. I can attend social functions and enjoy them. I don’t have excessive worry about the future. When I do feel anxious, I can ask myself if the anxiety is based in reality, and if so, make a plan to deal with the situation.”
2. Read therapist profiles with your goals in mind.
Does the therapist speak to what you want to accomplish?
Do they provide skills for emotional regulation?
Do they work with grief?
Do they have specialized training in trauma?
3. Narrow down your list by your intuitive sense.
Many therapists will meet your needs. At this point, listen to your gut. Which profiles feel most resonant? Human connection is more than just logic.
4. Reach out for free consultations.
Share a brief summary of what’s happening in your life and your hopes for therapy. The therapist will help you determine whether it’s a good fit.
5. Trust yourself and trust the process.
Maybe your first-choice therapist is full or your schedules don’t align. Trust that there is more than one therapist who can support you. If a door closes, knock on the next one. Remember—you only need a little willingness to begin, and the right path will open.
Facts About Starting Therapy
You’ve taken your first steps: you’ve decided to start therapy, explored therapists, spoken with one or more, and now you’re scheduled for your first session. Congratulations!
Your therapist will guide you through the initial paperwork. They may ask that you complete it before your session so they can review it. Your first appointment will likely include an assessment to help create a treatment plan—similar to how a doctor begins by asking about your symptoms.
When I meet with a client, I ask:
What is troubling you right now?
What symptoms are you experiencing, and how often do they occur?
How do you want your life to be different when you graduate from therapy?
How will you know things are improving?
I also talk about EMDR and answer any questions. Some clients are ready for EMDR early on; others benefit from first learning emotional regulation or crisis-management skills.
Taking the First Step Toward Therapy in San Diego
This guide is intended to answer questions you might have as you consider beginning therapy. If you are looking for an online therapist in San Diego or anywhere in California, know that support is available—and healing can happen.
Author Bio
Moirhian (more-ee-ahn) Martin, LMFT #A154758, is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in San Diego and throughout California, providing online therapy. I specialize in working with women whose anxiety causes significant problems in their lives. I use EMDR, DBT, and inner child work to target the traumas and attachment wounds underlying anxiety. I combine science and compassion to create a pathway to healing.
Learn more at www.returntopeacecounseling.com.