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!

Do you feel pulled in a million directions, unable to fit it all in? Are you struggling to keep up with your relationships, work and health? Is it hard to be kind to yourself? I help high performers manage anxiety and avoid burnout. Together, we can identify what's not working and get you back to balance. 

We'll use a whole self approach, addressing the needs of your mind, body and spirit. I also integrate mindfulness and somatic movement to help you develop a stronger relationship with yourself. Whether you're dealing with overwhelm, relationship issues or cycles of anxiety and depression, I'm here to help. 

Seeking therapy can feel scary but you're making the right choice. You deserve a safe space to heal and grow. In our sessions together, I'll meet you with compassion and evidence-based techniques so you can overcome the hangups and habits holding you back.Let's work together!

Nona Kelly is a Licensed Marriage and Family therapist (LMFT) with over 20 years of experience in both the public and private sector. Nona enjoys working with individuals, couples, and families who are wanting a healthier life. She has extensive experience treating many issues and diagnoses, including depression and anxiety, women’s issues, family issues, addiction, and life transitions. 

Nona completed her master’s degree at Loma Linda University and is licensed both in California and Tennessee. Nona has contributed to publications in Women’s Health, HealthScope Magazine and The Tennessean Publication. She brings an energetic and flexible approach to her work with clients, while also offering a supportive, empathic, and safe place to process client concerns. Nona appreciates the whole person and utilizes cognitive-behavioral and person-centered techniques in her approach to therapy. 

Nona seeks to journey alongside you, encouraging self-growth by active listening and giving feedback that will assist you in meeting your established therapeutic goals. Let’s get started working towards your best life!

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.

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.

I am a board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) with 10 years of experience supporting adults navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, bipolar disorder, and substance use concerns. Many of the individuals I work with feel overwhelmed, stuck, or uncertain about their next steps and are seeking emotional stability, symptom relief, and greater self-understanding.

I earned my master's degree in nursing from Walden University. My approach is collaborative, compassionate, and culturally responsive. I combine thoughtful medication management with supportive, evidence-based strategies, psychoeducation, and practical coping skills to help clients build resilience and create meaningful progress.

Seeking support can feel like a big step, and you don’t have to do it alone. I strive to create a safe, nonjudgmental space where you feel heard and supported while we work together toward balance, stability, and lasting emotional well-being.

Aurelio is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 10 years of experience. Aurelio’s specialties include adults experiencing difficulties with depression, anxiety, trauma, self-esteem, loss of a loved one, relationships, and stress. Aurelio has a wealth of experience with overcoming life traumas, the loss of loved ones, and improving personal communications.

Aurelio draws upon his 26 years of military service and nine overseas deployments, along with his passion for serving others, to provide a meaningful therapeutic experience. He enjoys providing psycho-education and using cognitive behavioral therapy.

In your first session, Aurelio will explore the process of therapy, identify what brings you to therapy, and together, develop some goals of what you want to accomplish in therapy. Aurelio also thinks it is important to work together to help you better understand the "what" and "why" of what you are experiencing.

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.

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.