Our counselors offer grief counseling in San Diego, CA

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!

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.

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.

I’m a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with 6 years of experience supporting individuals on their journey toward emotional well-being and stability. I’m passionate about helping clients navigate challenges such as depression, anxiety, mood instability, trauma, and relationship stressors. My goal is to create a safe, collaborative space where healing and self-discovery can take place. I believe in meeting clients where they are and working together to help them regain a sense of balance and control in their daily lives.

I earned my Master’s in Nursing from Western University of Health Sciences. My approach blends evidence-based psychiatric care with empathy and empowerment, focusing on each person’s unique story. I integrate medication management, education, and lifestyle strategies to support both symptom relief and long-term growth.

Taking the first step toward care is a powerful act of courage. My goal is to make you feel understood, valued, and supported as we work toward greater peace and stability. I’m here to listen without judgment and help you uncover your strength, purpose, and clarity. When you’re ready, I invite you to begin your journey toward healing with me.

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.

Carina Demanigold is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 5 years of experience supporting individuals and couples through life’s most difficult transitions. She draws from both physical and mental healthcare backgrounds, including hospice care. Carina is passionate about providing emotional support to those facing grief, trauma, and other forms of suffering. She works with mild to moderate mental health symptoms and fosters healing through a compassionate, client-centered approach.

Carina holds a Master’s in Social Work from the University of Southern California. Her integrative approach combines mindfulness, self-compassion, and emotional balance using cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, and the Gottman method. She meets clients where they are and promotes authentic healing.

Carina offers evidence-based psychotherapy tailored to the needs of each client, helping them manage anxiety, depression, grief, and life transitions. Her calm, non-judgmental presence empowers individuals and couples to navigate emotional waves with clarity and resilience. She believes therapy is a path toward understanding the logic behind our behaviors.

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! 

Elizabeth Janca is a Licensed Professional Counselor with 9 years of experience who specializes in depression, stress and anxiety, child therapy and parenting, self-esteem, and coping with life changes. She also works with those with concerns around autism, LGBTQ+-related issues, polyamory/ENM, trauma, grief, chronic pain, and ADHD. Elizabeth offers play therapy for children, activity and group therapy for adolescents, and talk therapy for adults. Before becoming a counselor, she spent 5 years in middle school education as an Academic Counselor and Assistant Principal.

Elizabeth holds a Master’s in Counseling and Development from Texas Woman's University. She supports a person-centered approach with techniques and psychoeducation from cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy to challenge and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, improve emotional regulation, and develop coping strategies.

Elizabeth believes counseling is a collaborative process to support and guide individuals to reach their goals. She lets clients set the focus of sessions and encourages them to take an active role in treatment planning. If you are ready to begin, book an appointment with Elizabeth 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.

Mark is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, who works out of an office in Philadelphia, and holds licenses in both Pennsylvania and California. He has 20 years of experience helping children, adults, and families work through challenges that impact their health and happiness. He spent much of his career working at a nonprofit agency that continues to serve trauma impacted children and families in the San Francisco Bay Area. It was through this work that Mark grew to understand both the grave impact of trauma and the healing power of psychotherapy. Mark works from a variety of therapies to best match an individual's needs. Some of these include cognitive behavioral therapy, narrative therapy, and gestalt therapy. He also has subspecialties in parent training, behavioral intervention instruction, and play therapies. Regardless of the therapeutic orientation, he believes enriching an individual’s personal story is the key to change. When people can author strength based personal narratives, they are able to find the strength to overcome their doubts, fears, and worry. Mark believes every person carries within them the power to change and heal. He seeks to help individuals access this power through a safe, comforting, and expressive experience.