Find Therapists, Counselors and Psychologists in San Marcos, California
Find a therapist in San Marcos, California that meets your needs. Browse our comprehensive list of affordable and licensed therapists in San Marcos to find a professional specializing in counseling people with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship issues, grief and more.
Chai Benson
MS, LMFT
14 years experience
I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the state of California. My focus for the last 14 years has been to help people with their relationships and communicate better. I have led numerous anger management groups and worked with couples and families to meet their goals. Primarily, my experience has been with LGBT couples and individuals, African American families and women, single dads and Latino grandparents. Individually, I have helped those... Read More
I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the state of California. My focus for the last 14 years has been to help people with their relationships and communicate better. I have led numerous anger management groups and worked... Read More
I am glad that you are reaching out for help; that is the first step and shows a tremendous amount of strength and courage on your part. I am a licensed marriage and family therapist in the state of California with over 25 years of counseling experience. I have worked with clients with many different struggles including addiction, relational issues, depression, anxiety, empowerment and self-esteem issues. I use many different therapeutic... Read More
I am glad that you are reaching out for help; that is the first step and shows a tremendous amount of strength and courage on your part. I am a licensed marriage and family therapist in the state... Read More
Welcome! I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist through the Board of Behavioral Sciences for the state of California #99355 and the Counselor, Social Worker & Marriage and Family Therapist Board in Ohio #F.1800080. Providing therapy and helping others is my passion and purpose! I work best with those who are ready for and motivated towards a pivotal change. I use a down to earth and open minded approach as I partner with... Read More
Welcome! I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist through the Board of Behavioral Sciences for the state of California #99355 and the Counselor, Social Worker & Marriage and Family Therapist Board in Ohio #F.1800080. Providing therapy and helping... Read More
Welcome and thank you for visiting my BetterHelp profile! Seeking therapy takes a great deal of courage and I commend you for exploring therapy as a tool for self-exploration and growth. Many people find that building a supportive and collaborative relationship with their therapist contributes to the overall effectiveness and success of therapy. I strive to offer a safe and non-judgmental environment with a commitment to placing the highest priority on your care. We will... Read More
Welcome and thank you for visiting my BetterHelp profile! Seeking therapy takes a great deal of courage and I commend you for exploring therapy as a tool for self-exploration and growth. Many people find that building a supportive and collaborative... Read More
Hi, I'm Kelli and I'm a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in California. I have provided therapy services in Utah and California, and have been doing so for the last 4 years. I am passionate about the work I do and truly find it rewarding to be able to help someone through a challenging time in their life. I value the opportunity to empower my clients and help them to be their best selves.It is so... Read More
Hi, I'm Kelli and I'm a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in California. I have provided therapy services in Utah and California, and have been doing so for the last 4 years. I am passionate about the work I do and... Read More
I am a licensed Marriage Family Therapist in California. This includes the treatment of individuals. I have experience as a practicing psychotherapist and Life Coach. I treat anxiety, depression,post traumatic stress, sexuality, marriage/ relationship issues, stress, addictions, self esteem, career issues and a desire to increase your sense of happiness,well being and personal growth. I have expertise in Anger Management.. My approach is a combination of a humanistic strength based approach as well as... Read More
I am a licensed Marriage Family Therapist in California. This includes the treatment of individuals. I have experience as a practicing psychotherapist and Life Coach. I treat anxiety, depression,post traumatic stress, sexuality, marriage/ relationship issues, stress, addictions,... Read More
I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. I earned my Masters in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University in 2011, and I have been working as a therapist since that time. I work with clients who are dealing with anxiety, depression, career concerns, substance abuse, LGBT issues, family and relationship issues, and coping with chronic illnesses. I utilize various types of therapy in my practice, such as, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT),... Read More
I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. I earned my Masters in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University in 2011, and I have been working as a therapist since that time. I work with clients who are... Read More
During the past nineteen years, I have worked as an integral member of a multidisciplinary treatment team providing therapeutic intervention, case management and chemical dependency counseling for a large diverse patient population in an acute psychiatric hospital setting.
As a Licensed Marriage Family Therapist, I have consistently demonstrated a high level of professionalism, therapeutic innovation and ethically responsible approach with resolving the critical issues encountered by our patients. I believe that this quote by Emmett Fox... Read More
During the past nineteen years, I have worked as an integral member of a multidisciplinary treatment team providing therapeutic intervention, case management and chemical dependency counseling for a large diverse patient population in an acute psychiatric hospital setting.
As a Licensed... Read More
Welcome, I’m Jessica, and my goal is to provide a supportive environment as well as to equip you with the tools you need to empower yourself and maintain positive changes in your life. I enjoy the work I do and find the therapeutic relationship to be a powerful component of this long-lasting change. I have my Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Communication from the University of California, Santa Barbara. My Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology... Read More
Welcome, I’m Jessica, and my goal is to provide a supportive environment as well as to equip you with the tools you need to empower yourself and maintain positive changes in your life. I enjoy the work I do and... Read More
Hello, and congratulations for taking that important first step toward feeling better. My name is Deborah Corey and I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist specializing in managing depression and anxiety, ADHD, relationship counseling, career counseling, grief and loss, conflict resolution, and social/communication skill building. I have been counseling people from all walks of life for over 15 years and I love what I do. My clients have told... Read More
Hello, and congratulations for taking that important first step toward feeling better. My name is Deborah Corey and I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist specializing in managing depression and anxiety, ADHD, relationship counseling, career counseling, grief and... Read More
An Overview of Mental Health in San Marcos, California
Like most of the nation, California is struggling with a high rate of mental illness, as well as a lack of resources for treating it. Mental Health America created a list to rank each state (plus Washington DC) on a variety of mental health factors. California’s ratings were average to below average.
MHA lists California at 25 for its overall ranking. Its ranking for adult mental health is 22, and it comes in at 23 in terms of overall prevalence.
On the other hand, California ranks poorly in terms of youth mental health at 34, and 31 in overall access to mental health care.
In a state as large as California, there’s no doubt that the factors contributing to the issue of mental health vary widely by region. However, by looking into local factors, it’s easier to understand the state statistics.
Mental Health in San Marcos
San Marcos is located in San Diego County, which is the second most populous county in California. A suburb of the city of San Diego, it has a population of over 96,000 people. With an unemployment rate of 6.4 percent and a poverty rate of 14.85 percent, there do appear to be some economical issues in the city.
Poverty
This observation seems to be further supported by the city’s income estimates. In 2017, the median annual income was estimated at over $70,000. However, the per capita annual income the same year was just over $30,000.
Poverty and financial woes are a common risk factor for mental illness. Whether being in poverty is the result of debilitating mental illness, or poor mental health is brought on by the stress of financial issues, it can be a troubling cycle for many individuals.
Minorities are also disproportionately affected by poverty. The population of San Marcos is almost 50 percent white, with a large Hispanic population of almost 36 percent. The poverty rate among white individuals is just over 12 percent, while the rate among Hispanics is almost double at over 20 percent. This disparity is also reflected in education rates. The graduation rate among the white population is over 96 percent. Meanwhile, the graduation rate among Hispanics is just under 58 percent.
While the Hispanic population is used as an example, other minorities in San Marcos experience just as much or more of a disparity in poverty levels. Poverty rates among Native Americans, Pacific Islanders and individuals identifying as “other race” are approximately 29 percent, 26 percent and 23 percent, respectively.
Youth
The status of youth mental health in California is relatively poor, as referenced earlier in regards to the MHA rating of 34 out of 51. California Health Care Foundation states that in 2014 to 2015, one in every eight adolescents reported experiencing major depression, but almost two-thirds of these individuals went without any treatment. It also reports that in 2015, one in every twelve high school students attempted suicide. That rate was even higher in females, at one in nine.
Substance abuse also plays an important role in youth mental health. In general, substance abuse and mental illness tend to go hand-in-hand. In the case of adolescents, the teen years are generally the time when most substance abuse and mental illnesses manifest. The Foundation report states that the earlier an individual begins substance use, the more likely he or she is to develop a substance use disorder.
Lack of Care
Like almost every other state, California is seeing a shortage of mental health professionals. To make things worse, a state law disallows professionals of some psychiatric disciplines to provide treatment to Medicare patients unless certain specifications are met.
Resources in San Marcos
While the city is facing some struggles, there are mental health resources available.
North County Health Services (NCHS) provides behavioral health care at multiple locations, including one in San Marcos.
Palomar Outpatient Behavioral Health in nearby Escondido offers a day program for adults that includes a variety of services.
Teen Recovery Center, also in San Marcos, is an outpatient substance abuse treatment facility with a multitude of programs designed especially for adolescents and their families.
You can use the E-Counseling online directory of mental health professionals to find care in your area. Mental illness can be a difficult obstacle, but know that you are not alone and there is help available.
