Therapists in San Clemente, CA

Change is possible and we DO get better! I have experienced this personally and have witnessed it again and again in my 30 years as a psychotherapist. I have been privileged to accompany countless individuals, couples and families on their journey to health and wholeness. Healing the past, relating to others with greater intimacy and authenticity, communicating more effectively and creating meaning as we grow and change are just some of the possibilities positive, compassionate and effective therapy can offer. If your problems could be solved by good advice alone, you would have figured them out long ago. Problems that are difficult confound your efforts to move forward leaving you stuck. Let's have a DIFFERENT KIND OF CONVERSATION one that moves you towards clarity, changes behaviors and results in your feeling and doing better. I provide a confidential environment for you to come as you are and discover the internal resources that you already possess. I offer the patience for you to work through the difficulties that constrict you and I'll give the wisdom, empathy and support you deserve for the willingness it takes to begin this journey. *If you have questions about the benefits of psychotherapy watch this short animated clip called "Psychotherapy" on Vimeo. https://vimeo.com/134193131

My name is Allyson Klein, and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and have over 20 years of experience working as a therapist in the mental health field. I earned my BA degree in Psychology and Sociology from Brandeis University and my MSW degree from the University of California Berkeley, and I have worked in many different settings, providing care to people in need. My passion is to connect with people who may be struggling in their lives and help them work towards achieving their goals. I approach my clients with compassion and a non-judgmental stance. In my work as a therapist I know that creating a safe space for my clients is the key to helping them change. I have worked with a diverse range of individuals from different cultural and ethnic backgrounds, age groups, and sexual orientations. I am well versed in working with people who struggle with depression, anxiety and panic, history of trauma, emotional and binge eating, addiction, family and relationship issues, work stress, and a multitude of life problems. My approach to treatment draws heavily on Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). Both modalities examine how our thoughts and behaviors influence our emotions and mood. DBT balances change strategies with acceptance strategies and is centered in the practice of mindfulness. Together we can identify ways of thinking and behavioral patterns that are leading to emotional pain and problems in living. Awareness is the first step; the next is beginning to make small changes that eventually lead to big changes. Change takes time, and it takes determination and courage. I am excited to walk that path with you.

Hello! Welcome to my profile. I am glad you are here- it takes a lot of strength to reach out for support. My name is Kristyn Nishimoto and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of California with 6 years of experience in providing therapy. I have my BA in Psychology and Social Behavior from UC Irvine and my Master of Social Work from California State University, Northridge. I have worked in crisis and community mental health settings throughout my career, and have experience providing crisis de-escalation and stabilization services, solution-focused therapy, mindfulness strategies to manage depressive and anxiety symptoms, and trauma focused treatment. I have experience working with adults, older adults, children, families, and diverse cultural groups. I believe in a strengths-based approach to therapy. My role as a therapist is to support you in identifying and working towards meaningful goals, identifying strengths within yourself, and to introduce strategies that you can utilize to build on those strengths in order to meet your goals. I believe that you are the expert on your life and experiences, so I look forward to learning more about you in order to support you in the best way possible.

Hello! I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker licensed in California with 10 years experience working with grief and loss. I have worked with many families who have experienced a peaceful acceptance of death and those that felt it was simply too soon. My bereavement experience allows those experience death and dying to identify that stages are not linear and do not occur in one particular order. My counseling techniques include cognitive behavior therapy, where I assist families and individuals with identifying their thoughts, feelings and behaviors in any given situation. I'm compassionate and display patience. My goal is to have a dialog and atmosphere that meets you were you are at in this journey of life and healing. The goal is to obtain a balance of your ultimate survival and strength. It takes courage to seek support and move towards healing. If you are ready to take that step I am here to support and empower you. My areas of focus include, but are not limited to: grief counseling, depression, relationship issues , caregiver stress and family discord.

Hello my name is Amy Shafer, I hold degrees in Psychology and Human Development from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo 1989, a Master of Social Work from San Diego State University specializing in Clinical work 1991, and I'm a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of California since 1994. I have worked extensively over the past 30 years with all age groups. I have most recently specialized in adult and geriatric individuals and families with a number of different issues including depression, anxiety, stress, family conflict, trauma/abuse, adjusting to stages of life and grief and loss issues. I consider it a privilege to be apart of a support system for individuals and families who are competently seeking professional help to address challenges in their lives. My contemporary work focuses on family systems, relationships, interpersonal recovery, trauma loss, and problem solving life's stressors. Decades of experience with all age groups and in many settings has provided me with an ability to have an open mind and an ability to provide many tools to assist you with.

Hello! My name is Jennifer Merva and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Long Beach, California. I have 5 years of experience providing direct therapy to children, youth and families with a variety of presenting issues including stress, anxiety and depression, low motivation and self-esteem, grief and loss and relationship and family issues. We live in such a fast-paced society it can be difficult to prioritize our mental health. It’s easy to distract ourselves and bury our issues instead of facing them head-on. I will provide a safe, empathic space for you. I believe relationships and attachments are crucial for healing. Our connections matter. Your environment and relationships are interconnected and can have a huge impact on your thoughts and behaviors. My therapeutic approach is strengths-based. You are already coming in with so many strengths! I am here to help you identify them and use them as skills. You will develop a more positive outlook and improve your resiliency. I am here to help you work though conflict in healthier ways. You will learn skills and strategies to manage the stressors of life. We can work on strengthening your relationships; both with yourself and others. Together we can help you find the joy and happiness of life again. Our therapeutic relationship will be a collaborative one. I will work with you to help reach your goals. I want to thank you for taking the time to tend to your needs. I look forward to meeting you and helping you along this journey. Education • The University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA Master of Social Work May 2019 • The University of San Francisco San Francisco, CA Bachelor of Arts, Psychology; Department: Children, Youth & Families Minor: Child & Youth Studies May 2012 Certificates • Understanding Male's Psychology in Community Mental Health November 2023 • Changing the ADHD Brain: Moving Beyond Medication October 2023 • Art and Play in Therapy February 2023 • The Faraway-Nearby of Loss: How We Mourn October 2022 • Trauma Informed Strategies: Working with Individuals with ID/DD/ASD for Clinical Staff April 2022 • Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Clinical Guide for General Practitioners April 2021 • Providing Clinical Services to African American Men/Youth Experiencing Trauma Grief April 2021 • Providing Care for Clients who Identify as Trans, Nonbinary and/or Gender Nonconforming March 2021 • Domestic Violence in the Lives of Children March 2021 Trainings • Motivational Interviewing (MI) • Problem Solving Therapy (PST) • Compassion Focused Therapy • Trauma-Focused CBT, Bullying • Eating Disorders 101 • Effective Parenting Strategies • Grief and Loss • Suicide Risk Management and Assessment NASW (National Association of Social Workers) Member ID: 886753466

I am licensed in California with 19 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with relationship issues, family conflicts, coping with grief and loss, & intimacy related issues. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

I am licensed in California with 25 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, & coping with grief and loss. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

I am licensed in California with 5 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, trauma, abuse, motivation, self esteem, confidence, & depression. I also have experience working with coping with life changes. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. There is a focus on empowerment and personal responsibility to diminish feeling helpless or out of control. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am excited for you to get started! Due to the limitations of my schedule, I will only be meeting for 5 sessions total.

I am licensed in California with 5 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, trauma, abuse, parenting issues, motivation, self esteem, & confidence. I also have experience working with depression. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey.