Therapists in Chula Vista, CA and Nearby Locations

Find a therapist in Chula Vista, California  that meets your needs. Browse our comprehensive list of affordable and licensed therapists in Chula Vista, to find a professional specializing in counseling people with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship issues, grief and more.

We may receive fees from the providers listed below. See our full disclaimer.

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Aleksandra Drecun
Psy.D., MA
In-Person Sessions:

San Diego, California

Teletherapy for Clients In:

California

Dr. Aleksandra Drecun, Psy.D., is the founder of Association for Compassionate Transformation. She is a licensed psychologist who has a profound passion and derives immense gratitude from assisting individuals, couples and families in realizing...
In-Person Sessions:

San Diego, California

Teletherapy for Clients In:

California

Dr. Candice Seti, Psy.D., known in the community as “The Weight Loss Therapist.” Dr. Seti is a California-licensed Clinical Psychologist, Certified Nutrition Coach, and Certified Personal Trainer. Dr. Seti received her Doctorate of Psychology...
In-Person Sessions:

San Diego, California

I have been working with families in San Diego since 1997. I have extensive experience with children, the transgender community, families involved with the Child Welfare System, and individuals struggling with addiction, depression, anxiety,...
In-Person Sessions:

San Diego, California

Teletherapy for Clients In:

California

Dr. Matthew Bruhin is a CEO, Psychotherapist and Addiction Specialist, as well as an entrepreneur and educator. He is a State of California and State of Wyoming, Board Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, and an Addiction Specialist, registered...
In-Person Sessions:

San Diego, California

Teletherapy for Clients In:

California

HM Psychological Services (HMPS) is a small group practice located in San Diego, CA. Every therapist and staff member strives to provide the best therapeutic services to adults, adolescents, and children in individual, family, and couples therapy....
Teletherapy for Clients In:

California, Florida

I care about "what happened to you" and I strive to provide a compassionate, supportive space for you to share your concerns. I have with over 20 years' experience helping people get beyond traumatic experiences and on to their best life. Effective...
Teletherapy for Clients In:

California

Have you been feeling like you aren't reaching your full potential? That you aren't connecting to your true self? Maybe this has been a feeling for most of your life, or it's a recent insight you have discovered. It could have been a trauma, from...
In-Person Sessions:

San Diego, California

I provide a safe place to unload and work on a new understanding. We will work collaboratively to understand the underlying issues often hidden from ourselves, that keep you stuck in unhealthy patterns. My approach is respectful, caring, and...
Teletherapy for Clients In:

California

Kaye has been in private practice for over 30 years. Due to the Covid crisis, she has moved her practice to entirely Virtual. This enables her to work with clients throughout the state of California. Kaye has seen science and psychology find common...
In-Person Sessions:

San Diego, California

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 13 years of experience in domestic violence, addiction, severe mental illness, behavioral modification, individual and family therapy, relational conflicts, crisis intervention, advocacy, social...
In-Person Sessions:

San Diego, California

Teletherapy for Clients In:

California

I am a licensed marriage and family therapist in San Diego, CA who has experience working with clients of all ages struggling with ADD/ADHD, relationships, communication, grief, life transitions, trauma, self esteem and more. I am incredibly...
Jennifer Rickard
LMFT, LMFT-Supervisor, MS
In-Person Sessions:

San Diego, California

Teletherapy for Clients In:

California

Are you seeking support in moving through a life or relational challenge? Sometimes we all need support in finding creative solutions or building strong relationships. I would enjoy supporting you in taking steps to achieve your goals. I will help...
Briana Lefman
LPCC-S 2
Teletherapy for Clients In:

California

I help you connect to the 'why' behind your patterns, your pain, anger, avoidance, and dysfunction. I help you shift from anger to understanding. I'll help make sense of it. I'll teach you how to identify what you've been living without. I'll teach...
Dr. Gary Hittle
Ph.D Psychology
In-Person Sessions:

La Mesa, California

I have been in private psychological practice for more than 30 years specializing in individual, marital, and relational therapy, family problem interventions, adolescents, treatment of sexual and substance abuse, and family therapy related to these...
Laura Myers
LMFT, CLC
Teletherapy for Clients In:

California

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Teletherapy for Clients In:

California

Parenting challenges you in ways you could have never imagined. When you add in all of life’s demands sometimes it can just feel too much. Whether you are a new parent or a seasoned parent, you’ve been struggling for awhile or feeling like...
Janice Gingerich
PsyD, LMFT
In-Person Sessions:

San Diego, California

Life can bring difficult, unexpected, and emotionally daunting challenges to our relationships and personal mental health. I commend you for valuing your own well-being and interpersonal growth by considering therapy. I hope to support and empower...
In-Person Sessions:

San Diego, California

At the beginning of my work, I practiced what is called the ‘eclectic approach’, which uses different techniques depending on the client. Meanwhile, over the last 20 years I discovered cognitive therapy consistently resulted in more effective...
Sarah Lawley Chernick
Psychotherapist
In-Person Sessions:

San Diego, California

Therapy in San Diego. Services Include: Eating Disorder Therapy, EMDR Therapy, Anxiety Therapy, Teen Counseling and More https://selfembodytherapy.com Hours: Monday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Tuesday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Wednesday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Thursday:...
In-Person Sessions:

Oceanside, California

Teletherapy for Clients In:

California, New Jersey

Having you been having trouble managing your emotions? Have negative thoughts about yourself and the world been impacting your behavior? Together it is possible to identify skills to effectively cope with emotional distress, increase compassion...
In-Person Sessions:

Encinitas, California

Teletherapy for Clients In:

California

I believe we are all wired for connection, and, whether extraverted or introverted, rejection and isolation are incredibly painful experiences. Our brains and bodies are built in such a way that protects us from threats and harm. While these...
Teletherapy for Clients In:

California, Arizona

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over seven years of experience providing therapy to a wide range of clients, including individuals, couples and families. I have experience working in private practice, community health centers, and...
Randi Beckman
LCSW, MSW, MA
In-Person Sessions:

Carlsbad, California

Teletherapy for Clients In:

California, Florida

Wanting Support to Help you Feel: Less stressed Grounded and centered More productive Present and engaged Happy in life and in relationships My nurturing and empathic presence creates the space needed to help you identify, understand, and move...
In-Person Sessions:

La Mesa, California

Teletherapy for Clients In:

California

Mary Nelsen Tamborski, wife and mother of three young boys, is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Downtown La Mesa, San Diego. She is also a Certified Positive Discipline Trainer and Parenting Coach. 
Mary is co-author of the "Positive...

Guide to Finding Mental Health Professionals

The fetching coastal city of Chula Vista is one of Southern California’s largest. In fact, Chula Vista is the second largest city in the San Diego metropolitan area. The temperate town is known for its dense, ever-growing population. As of 2017, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, Chula Vista’s population stands at 270,471 residents and is increasing at a rapid rate. Beautiful seaside properties, conveniently located neighborhoods, and accessible shopping areas all make the city of Chula Vista very appealing to prospective transplants looking at the area.

However, the area still has its share of problems. Experts have dubbed the situation in Chula Vista a “mental health crisis.” How did the status quo regarding mental health get to such a poor standing? The issue is more complex than a look at the surface might indicate. Factors such as high rates of divorce, homelessness, and poverty all actively contribute to the poor state of mental health in the city and the state of California as a whole. Let’s take a detailed look at why mental illness among Chula Vista residents is so prevalent compared to the rest of the nation, and how to seek out and get in contact with a therapist that can help you if you are in need.

An Overview of Mental Health in Chula Vista, California

Mental illness, in this context, can refer to a bevy of mental health problems. These include disorders that range from schizophrenia to obsessive-compulsive disorder. As mentioned previously, the issue of high rates of mental illness is not contained to the Chula Vista area, but California in its entirety. As of 2017, the state of California was ranked in the top 50 percent of states regarding the prevalence of mental illness; significantly higher than the national average. So, what are the primary causes behind this troubling statistic?

There is an unfortunate link between divorce and mental health. All parties involved in spousal separation, including children, are far more vulnerable to mental illness compared to those who did not deal with divorce, according to a multinational psychiatric study published in 2011. Chula Vista is part of San Diego County, an area with a notoriously high rate of divorce. The rate of divorce in the state of California is ten percent higher than the national average, coming in at 60 percent. This makes the rate of spousal separation in the city of Chula Vista one of the highest in the nation. The impact of the increasing divorce rate is profound. Many families are experiencing economic turmoil because of divorce. A county-wide study found that 22 percent of divorced women are living below the poverty level.

Undoubtedly, this alarming statistic is responsible for inflating the rate of mental illness in Chula Vista. If you feel your relationship with your significant other is in jeopardy, it’s heavily recommended to attend counseling before making any permanent decisions. The best combatant to divorce is avoidance; take the future of both your children’s and partner’s mental health into account before separation.

Another demographic that is exceedingly vulnerable to mental illness is homeless individuals. As per a study commissioned by the National Coalition for the Homeless, approximately 25 percent of the homeless population in the U.S. suffer from a severe mental illness. To compare, the national average is roughly six percent. For homeless people, accessibility to required care is extremely limited. This lack of care only serves to exacerbate both problems, causing chronic homelessness. According to that same study, mental illness was one of the three primary causes of homelessness.

In Chula Vista, the rate of homeless individuals has slowly decreased over the past few years, however, the national statistic is still holding steady. The city is implementing measures that are meant to address the homeless crisis in the area, but no significant changes have been made.

Low-income residents of Chula Vista are also at risk of being diagnosed with a mental illness. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the median income per capita in Chula Vista is only $25,750. That’s around $4,000 less than the national average, despite 36 percent higher cost of living. Additionally, the cost of housing in Chula Vista is 95 percent higher than the national average, making it hard for those earning low wages to find a place to live.

The Trouble of Finding a Suitable Therapist in Chula Vista, California

There are significant barriers to finding a mental health professional in Chula Vista. Low-income individuals are far more likely to be diagnosed with a mental illness. However, they are also less likely to receive the necessary treatment. The lack of care is often blamed on three things: stigma, poverty, and absence of insurance.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the rate of persons without health insurance under the age of 65 is 13.2 percent. For reference, the national average is only 8.8 percent. Without insurance, people must find other ways to pay for treatment, likely coming out of their own pockets. However, for low-income earners, this option simply is not feasible. The result is a distinct lack of care.

For many, the stigma of seeing a therapist is enough to dissuade them from seeking out care. Unfortunately, some people wrongly perceive those with mental illnesses as being weak. The stigma coupled with the often-complicated search for a therapist can limit the care one receives. It’s important to recognize the falsity of the stigma, as well as come up with a set of reasonable goals you wish to achieve through your time in counseling.

Mental Health Resources in Chula Vista, California

Thankfully, there are several renowned psychiatric institutions in Chula Vista that offer a variety of services to those suffering from mental illness. The Bayview Behavioral Health Hospital, for example, specializes in treating those individuals. Additionally, hospitals such as the Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center regularly services Chula Vista residents with mental issues.