Our counselors in San Diego, CA offer child therapy

Alan Okamoto is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over 10 years of experience. He provides counseling to individuals ages 18 and older and also to families and couples. Alan’s clients may be facing mental health concerns including anxiety and depression. His approach to therapy gets to the heart of the matter to help create significant changes in self, behavior, and perspective. Alan’s goal is to offer you the support you need and help build the skills to sustain change. Outside of work, Alan loves spending time with his family, trying new recipes, and being outdoors.

Alan has a Master’s in Counseling from San Diego State University. His most often used approaches are cognitive behavioral therapy, solution-focused therapy, and mindfulness-based techniques.

Alan was drawn to the field of therapy to serve others and help individuals, families, and couples create significant changes and life-changing impacts. If you’re ready to begin working on a brighter future, Alan looks forward to meeting you!

Melissa Dobson is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor with over 20 years of experience in the behavioral health field. She has worked with all ages in both inpatient and outpatient settings to address various mental health concerns, as well as substance use issues. Melissa specializes in anxiety, depression, and trauma.

Melissa completed her Master's in Mental Health Counseling at the University of North Florida. Melissa utilizes treatment approaches that include motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy, and solution-focused therapy.

Melissa is passionate about supporting and empowering you with tools and techniques to help you face life’s challenges. If you are ready to do the work, schedule an appointment with her today.

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with 6 years of experience helping individuals, couples, and families navigate life’s challenges. My background includes providing support in outpatient settings and community-based programs, where I have guided clients through struggles with relationships, life transitions, and emotional well-being. I take a collaborative, compassionate approach, working alongside clients to help them feel empowered and supported in their journey toward healing.

I earned my Master’s in Counseling, Marriage, Family, and Child Therapy from the University of Phoenix. I integrate family systems and client-centered approaches to create a safe, balanced space for healing. My goal is to support clients in strengthening relationships, improving communication, and building resilience.

Starting therapy can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to face it alone. I strive to create an environment where you feel safe, respected, and heard. Whether you’re seeking support for yourself, your relationship, or your family, I welcome you to reach out. Together, we can work toward the growth and balance you’re looking for.

Carina Demanigold is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 5 years of experience supporting individuals and couples through life’s most difficult transitions. She draws from both physical and mental healthcare backgrounds, including hospice care. Carina is passionate about providing emotional support to those facing grief, trauma, and other forms of suffering. She works with mild to moderate mental health symptoms and fosters healing through a compassionate, client-centered approach.

Carina holds a Master’s in Social Work from the University of Southern California. Her integrative approach combines mindfulness, self-compassion, and emotional balance using cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, and the Gottman method. She meets clients where they are and promotes authentic healing.

Carina offers evidence-based psychotherapy tailored to the needs of each client, helping them manage anxiety, depression, grief, and life transitions. Her calm, non-judgmental presence empowers individuals and couples to navigate emotional waves with clarity and resilience. She believes therapy is a path toward understanding the logic behind our behaviors.

Selene Alvarado is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 10 years of experience. Her ideal client is someone who is struggling with depressive symptoms and needs to learn new coping skills in order to manage their depression. Their goal would be to be able to implement a variety of techniques to better help them get through their problems.

Selene has a Master of Science in Social Work San from Jose State University. She focuses on self-reflection and looking at ways clients can build their self-confidence. Through your relationship, you and her will focus on what is the most important thing for the client to improve.

As a Hispanic woman, Selene understands what the stigma is in Hispanic culture related to mental health. However, there is no shame in needing support and guidance. Mental health is just as important as our physical health. We all need someone at some point to help guide us through difficult periods of our lives.

Mia Velarde is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over 10 years of experience. She specializes in helping individuals ages 16 and older with concerns including depression, anxiety, chronic stress, PTSD, and LGBTQIA+-related issues. Mia creates a safe, non-judgmental space where clients can show up exactly as they are while they focus on strengths and evolve goals. In her free time, Mia enjoys running, spending time with family, visiting museums, and listening to records.

Mia received her Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of LaVerne. She uses family systems, attachment and commitment therapy, and mindfulness-based techniques depending on their needs.

Life isn’t about toughing it out alone. There are so many people around to learn from and grow with. Mia would be humbled and honored to support you and encourages you to schedule your first appointment today! 

Mauricette Mancini is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over 18 years of experience. She specializes in supporting adolescents, adults, and seniors who are struggling with depression, anxiety, stress, relationship conflict, trauma, and ADHD. Mauricette was inspired to become a therapist because of the positive effect helping others has on her personal and professional journey. When she isn’t at work, Mauricette likes to read, hike, paint, and meditate.

Mauricette has a Master’s in Marital and Family Therapy from Loyola Marymount University. She treats all clients with respect and compassion and utilizes approaches including cognitive behavioral therapy, solution-focused therapy, motivational interviewing, and mindfulness techniques. 

It takes courage to seek a more meaningful and happier life, and Mauricette is honored to support and empower you to reach your goals.If you are ready to get started, schedule an appointment with Mauricette today!

I enjoy reading, learning, hiking in nature, health, cooking raw, meditation, self inquiry, drawing and painting.

Alissa Myatt is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with near 40 years of experience working with children, adolescents, young adults, couples, and families. Specializing in grief, bereavement, substance use, anxiety, depression, and more, Alissa is dedicated to helping clients navigate life’s challenges.

Holding a Master’s in Social Work from California State University, Alissa uses a cognitive behavioral and strengths-based approach to guide clients in gaining focus and developing new strategies for growth and healing. She believes in the power of perspective-taking to help individuals better understand their life situations.

Alissa brings integrity, compassion, humor, and wisdom to each session. She is committed to supporting clients through their journey and invites you to reach out to schedule a session today.

Faviola Diaz is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with 4 years of experience working with individuals, families, and groups of all ages. She specializes in treating depression, anxiety, family issues, life transitions, and relationship concerns. Faviola has spent time as a social worker in the legal system and enjoys empowering others to better understand their thoughts and feelings.

Faviola received her Master’s in Marriage, Family, and Child Therapy from the University of Phoenix. She uses cognitive behavioral therapy to help clients facing intrusive thoughts and behaviors. Faviola also uses trauma-focused therapy and other evidence-based methods.

We all experience life differently, which is what makes us unique. You do not need to give up on who you are. Seek support from someone who will help you understand your thoughts, behaviors, and emotions. Schedule an appointment with Faviola today!