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.
Joy Nussen
MA, LMFT
25 years experience
I am a marriage & family therapist licensed in California with over 25 years of experience working primarily with adult men and women of various cultures. I have worked with clients that have experienced a wide range of challenges including depression, anxiety, relationship issues, addiction, and trauma. (including multi-generational trauma). My style is warm and collaborative and I utilize humor when it is appropriate to do so. I integrate the body, mind &... Read More
I am a marriage & family therapist licensed in California with over 25 years of experience working primarily with adult men and women of various cultures. I have worked with clients that have experienced a wide range of... Read More
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has avidly worked with children and families for over 20 years. I received my Masters in Social Work from the University of Southern California in 1996, with a concentration in mental health practice with individuals, families, and groups. ). I do a lot of work with families and individuals who are struggling with anxiety, depression, and numerous other life situations and mental conditions. My type of... Read More
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has avidly worked with children and families for over 20 years. I received my Masters in Social Work from the University of Southern California in 1996, with a concentration in mental health... Read More
Hi, I am a licensed family therapist with the state of California. I have six years of experience. I am also a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional which means I am trained to help those who have experienced trauma, grief and/or loss. Along with trauma, I have experience with anxiety, depression, relationship struggles, self-esteem problems and those road bumps in life we all face. Sometimes we feel stuck, not sure which direction we should... Read More
Hi, I am a licensed family therapist with the state of California. I have six years of experience. I am also a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional which means I am trained to help those who have experienced trauma,... 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
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
Hi, I'm Ayana and I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with an M.S in Counseling Psychology and an EMDR practitioner. Some of my specialties include: strengthening relationships, assisting clients through difficult life transitions, supporting mothers and mothers-to be, teens, adolescents and working with those suffering from anxiety, parenting issues and PTSD. Some of my valuable experience includes working as a clinician with teen girls in a group home... Read More
Hi, I'm Ayana and I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with an M.S in Counseling Psychology and an EMDR practitioner. Some of my specialties include: strengthening relationships, assisting clients through difficult life transitions, supporting mothers and... Read More
Are you ready for help with your personal life challenges that may feel overwhelming and hopeless? Do you want to acquire skills and gain insights that will move you forward to a healthier and brighter future? In a compassionate and supportive environment I will assist you in evaluating core beliefs, feelings and behavior. Together we will develop effective and efficient solutions to problems you are facing. I work with my clients to alleviate their symptoms as... Read More
Are you ready for help with your personal life challenges that may feel overwhelming and hopeless? Do you want to acquire skills and gain insights that will move you forward to a healthier and brighter future? In a compassionate and supportive... Read More
I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with seven years experience providing psychotherapy at a community mental health agency. I worked with diverse populations in Orange County and Long Beach, proving individual, group, and family psychotherapy. As a humanistic therapist, I maintain a positive approach to psychotherapy by focusing on strengths and positive attributes. I assist my clients with developing a stronger, healthier sense of self, and with making rational choices towards achieving their maximum potential. My... Read More
I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with seven years experience providing psychotherapy at a community mental health agency. I worked with diverse populations in Orange County and Long Beach, proving individual, group, and family psychotherapy. As a humanistic therapist,... Read More
I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with more than 15 years experience working with children, adults, couples, and families in various settings. I am a military veteran and have worked with individuals from various backgrounds and varying acculturation levels as well as provided supervision of interns. I graduated in 2011 with a Masters in Psychology with Marriage and Family Therapy and completed a certification training to supervise the Functional Family Therapy team... Read More
I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with more than 15 years experience working with children, adults, couples, and families in various settings. I am a military veteran and have worked with individuals from various backgrounds and varying acculturation... Read More
Hello, I’m Mitchica Smith, LCSW. Having used therapeutic services myself, I never felt the therapists personalized my sessions. They felt like basic customer service. I decided to become a therapist at 15-yrs-old. I opened my own clinic, Total Commitment Consulting Services, in 2001 and I received my Licensed Clinical Social Worker license in 2006 while I was employed at Child Protective Services. I offer personal individualized attention to my clients. My approach to helping... Read More
Hello, I’m Mitchica Smith, LCSW. Having used therapeutic services myself, I never felt the therapists personalized my sessions. They felt like basic customer service. I decided to become a therapist at 15-yrs-old. I opened my own clinic, Total Commitment Consulting... 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.
