Find a Therapist near San Juan Capistrano, CA

There’s constant tension with the people who matter most – your partner, your child, your family– and it’s wearing you down. Conflict keeps resurfacing, no matter how hard you try to fix it. Conversations escalate, good intentions get misunderstood, and family dynamics pull everyone back into the same arguments. You try to stay calm and patient, but you find yourself reacting in ways you promised you wouldn’t – then wondering why it’s so hard to change. Much of this strain is shaped by how you learned to manage stress and closeness growing up, even when those patterns no longer serve you. You need a different path forward. I work with families and couples using a generational patterns lens. Together, we slow interactions down, examine how stress travels through relationships, and reduce reactivity that fuels conflict. This work helps untangle unhelpful dynamics and strengthen communication so you can respond thoughtfully instead of getting pulled into old cycles. Over time, relationships feel calmer and more balanced. You stay grounded in stressful moments, communication becomes more direct and effective, and tension relaxes. As you gain confidence, you respond in ways that reflect who you are, not just what you were taught. It’s time to make a change for you and your family. Call now for a free consultation.

Reaching out to speak with a therapist can feel vulnerable, maybe even anxiety-provoking. My goal is to put you at ease. With nearly 20 years of clinical experience, my style is kind, empathic, curious, and collaborative. Initial sessions ensure you feel safe, heard, seen, and understood. I believe therapy works best when there is a balance between immediate gratification (quick, effective interventions) tethered to long-term satisfaction (overall goal achievement). Understanding the cultural, relational, and emotional contexts by which therapeutic change occurs is incredibly important. Whether short-term or longer-term goals, the results include improved insight, increased awareness, better moods, emotional regulation, stress relief, new behavior patterns, and more satisfying relationships. Trained in narrative therapy, mindfulness-based cognitive behavioral therapy, and psychoanalysis, I hold a certification in sex therapy through an AASECT-certified program. Additional modalities integrate evidence-based best practices tailored to the needs of each client. I am honored to work on behalf of a diverse group of individuals, couples, and their families from a myriad of different cultural backgrounds, religious beliefs, sexual orientations, gender identities, relational affiliations, and socio-economic classifications.

At New Beginnings Christian Counseling, we are committed to facilitating healing, renewal, and restoration in your relationships, emotional well-being, and spiritual growth. Life can be overwhelming, and many people struggle with negative or intrusive thoughts that impact their emotions, relationships, and sense of purpose. As Christian therapists, we believe lasting change happens when we learn to identify unhelpful thought patterns, replace lies with truth, and align our minds with God’s Word. Using evidence-based approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), we help clients recognize and challenge distorted thoughts, beliefs, and attitudes so they can improve emotional regulation, strengthen relationships, and experience lasting growth. We serve teens, young adults, adults, couples, and families in both English and Spanish. We offer in-person sessions in Yorba Linda, California, as well as telehealth services throughout California. Our clinicians provide support for anxiety, depression, trauma, grief and loss, relationship challenges, life transitions, and stress management. We also offer specialized services, including eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), couples counseling, parenting support, care for new moms, men’s support for technology and gaming addiction, and counseling for first responders. Our desire is to provide a safe, compassionate space where you can experience healing, discover hope, and move toward the restoration God has for your life.

If you are feeling sad, frustrated, depressed or fearful I can help you to start to releive the feelings right away. And then we can start to change the way you perceive your world. This is the only way to change what you are creating in your life. I do things that seem like "changing the movies in your mind". Once this is done, you see things differently and life gets much easier. One of my favorite teachers says, "Memories buried alive never die, they just come back in a different pair of shoes, a different job, boss, partner... So we have to go in and repair how we perceive those memories which are running your life. I use EMDR combines with IFS (Internal Family Systems) therapies to get a shift in how you perceive yourself and the world at large. Knowing how to change what we hold inside our heads is the key to freedom and happiness. In the 25 years I have been in private practice I have learned many ways to bing this about in an efficient way. My other specialty is in resolving the effects of emotional trauma from: loss of a relationship, spouse , child or any other loved one trauma, emotional or physical fears and phobias, obsessive compulsive disorder anxiety depression , and any traumatic event or events in your life. PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder serious illnesses

I’m Desiree Gonzalez, and I believe deeply in your capacity to heal, grow, and move through life’s challenges with strength. My passion for therapy comes from witnessing the resilience people carry—even when they don’t always feel it themselves. I’m here to help you tap into that strength and create meaningful, lasting change. I earned my Master’s degree in clinical psychology from Vanguard University of Southern California, specializing in marriage and family therapy. Over the past decade, I’ve had the privilege of supporting individuals and couples through a wide range of experiences. These years have shaped me into a therapist who is not only clinically trained, but genuinely devoted to your well-being. In therapy, I prioritize warmth, empathy, and true understanding. I value meeting clients exactly where they are, creating a space where you can feel safe, supported, and seen. My goal is to help you navigate what feels overwhelming, discover new ways of coping, and reconnect with the parts of yourself that feel steady and strong. My work is grounded in evidence-based approaches like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), giving you practical tools to shift unhelpful patterns and care for yourself more fully. With couples, I use the Gottman Method to strengthen communication, rebuild connection, and honor each partner’s needs with compassion and clarity. I’m committed—not just to your growth, but to my own. Continually learning and evolving allows me to show up fully for you and offer therapy that feels meaningful, effective, and human. My ideal client is someone who is ready for change, open to reflection, and willing to try new ways of thinking and relating. If you’re ready to take that next step toward healing or reconnection, I’m here to walk with you and support you every step of the way.

I am an expert in treating sexual addiction and couples struggling with betrayal trauma. Are you overwhelmed by infidelity, betrayal, or sex addiction? I am a licensed marriage and family therapist and have over 15 years of experience helping individuals and couples impacted by betrayal and sex addiction. I help couples, and individuals overcome the devastating impact of betrayal trauma to help them heal their relationship, restore trust and thrive in connection. I am the Host of the top-rated podcast The Addicted Mind podcast, which focuses exclusively on the impact of addiction. I will collaborate with you to reach toward healing from the impact of betrayal, and if you are the betrayer, I can help restore your integrity and help your partner heal from the effects of betrayal trauma.

In my 25 years of practice, I have experience with a wide range of therapeutic modalities. I have an eclectic therapeutic style, but primarily I utilize the method known as client-centered therapy. This approach was developed by Carl Rogers, who was one of the originators of the humanistic therapy approach. Emphasis is on the importance of being your true self in order to lead the most fulfilling life. The core belief is that people are innately good at heart and capable of making the right choices for themselves. Like Rogers, I believe that you are capable of change and possess the ability to find the solutions to your own problems. My role is to support and guide you as you face the obstacles that are causing disruptions in your life. I will help you identify obstacles that you don't have control over, and help you with acceptance of this. I will also assist you in identifying what you do have control over, such as how you react and respond to events in your life. I will use the technique of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to help you recognize dysfunctional thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in response to events in your life. You will learn that you have been engaging in this process for many years, having created an automatic pattern, causing you to feel stuck. Originally developed by Aaron Beck, and then later expanded on by David Burns, this is primarily a psychoeducational technique. Written exercises are used to reveal these dysfunctional patterns, as well as learning healthier ways to respond. Over the years, I have used these, and a multitude of other techniques to help clients in their growth process. But human beings are complex, and there is not one catch-all approach to therapy. There are so many variables, such as culture, family of origin history, traumas and losses, physical and other mental health challenges. I believe that the key to successful therapy is the therapist-client relationship. I think it's important to demonstrate to you, the client, that I am a human being first. This helps to promote trust, and allows you to feel safe enough to share your vulnerability with me. So, as I get to know you, you can become confident that my training and clinical experience will direct me to the best approaches to help compassionately guide you through your journey.

Imagine waking up and realizing anxiety is no longer controlling your day. The constant worry has quieted. The emotional pain feels lighter. The memories that once triggered overwhelming fear no longer have the same hold on you. Imagine feeling more confident in your relationships, more connected to yourself, and finally experiencing a sense of peace you’ve been searching for. If you’re struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, relationship difficulties, or simply feeling overwhelmed by life’s challenges, you may feel exhausted from carrying the weight of it all on your own. Perhaps you’ve spent years trying to push through the pain, wondering why things haven’t gotten better despite your best efforts. You don’t have to keep facing these struggles alone. I believe healing is possible, and my goal is to help you move from surviving to truly thriving. I provide a safe, supportive, and nonjudgmental space where you can openly share your experiences, process difficult emotions, and begin creating the life you want for yourself. As a bilingual therapist fluent in both English and Spanish, I’m passionate about helping people from diverse backgrounds feel understood, supported, and empowered throughout their healing journey. Whether you’re struggling with the effects of childhood trauma, navigating a difficult life transition, coping with loss, managing anxiety, or feeling stuck in patterns that no longer serve you, I’m here to walk alongside you every step of the way. My approach is warm, compassionate, and collaborative. I believe therapy works best when you feel genuinely seen and heard. Together, we’ll identify your goals, uncover the underlying factors contributing to your distress, and develop practical tools to help you create meaningful, lasting change. I integrate evidence-based approaches, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), trauma-informed care, mindfulness practices, and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)-informed interventions, to help you process difficult experiences, strengthen resilience, and build healthier ways of coping. My focus is not only on helping you reduce symptoms, but also on helping you understand yourself more deeply and create lasting emotional wellness. In our work together, you can expect compassion, authenticity, encouragement, and a therapist who truly cares about your growth and healing. No matter how overwhelming things may feel right now, change is possible. You deserve support, healing, and the opportunity to build a life that feels more peaceful, fulfilling, and aligned with who you want to be. I would be honored to be part of that journey with you.

Finding the right care for your teen can feel like a big step, but I’m here to walk alongside you. Hi, I’m Jane! With my Master of Social Work (MSW) degree and licensure as an Associate Clinical Social Worker (ACSW), I bring years of experience in adolescent behavioral health. I support teens and families through emotional, behavioral, and relationship challenges. My specialties include helping teens facing suicidal thoughts, self-harm, depression, anxiety, or substance use. Every teen in my care receives individualized care unique to their needs. My style of therapy blends evidence-based approaches like dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing, and family systems therapy into a warm, open, authentic style that fosters self-awareness, emotional regulation, and stronger family connections. Together, your teen and I will meet tough moments with empathy, creativity, and a deep sense of hope and healing. I love working with teens and watching them discover their own strength and spark for change! As part of the Evolve Adolescent Behavioral Health network, I’ve seen beautiful transformations unfold in teens and their loved ones. Let’s take this journey together toward lasting healing and hope.

If you’re here, you may be carrying more than you let on. On the outside, you function well — you meet expectations, manage responsibilities, and hold things together. Internally, anxiety, overthinking, or burnout may feel constant. You might struggle to relax, set boundaries, or quiet the pressure you place on yourself. I work with high-functioning adults and couples in Los Angeles, and online across California, Nevada and Oregon, who want more than quick fixes. Together, we slow down enough to understand the patterns beneath persistent anxiety and relational strain. I integrate insight-oriented therapy with practical structure, helping you regulate your nervous system, clarify your needs, and make decisions from a steadier place. Working with me is collaborative and intentional. I will ask thoughtful questions, notice patterns, and gently challenge what no longer serves you. Our work is focused, grounded, and aimed at lasting change — not just temporary relief. If you’re ready for therapy that is both reflective and practical, I invite you to reach out and explore whether this feels like the right fit.