Obsessive-compulsive disorder therapists & psychiatrists in Costa Mesa, CA

Life is full of ups and downs, and I have learned from both personal and professional experience that 'suffering in silence' is not really sustainable or healthy for anyone. You deserve to feel heard and to function at your best level. I have 6 years' experience post-graduation from the University of Texas with helping folks do just that. From nonprofits, to medical clinics, to correctional facilities, to teletherapy, I have connected deeply and partnered with many clients and families to trudge through some of their darkest hours and find more validation, calmness, and acceptance. My fluency in Spanish has given me opportunities to break down walls and connect with hundreds of clients whose cultural background is different than mine. I would be honored to have the chance to see if working together is a good fit for your healing journey.

I am a dedicated mental health professional who supports children and adults through life’s challenges. I currently provide individual therapy only and do not offer couples counseling. My background in behavioral health and social services, along with hands-on community experience, has shaped my practical, compassionate, and solution-focused approach.

I have worked with individuals involved in the justice system, people living with serious mental illness, children in foster care, and families navigating behavioral or developmental concerns. My experience includes case management, crisis support, employment readiness, behavioral coaching, and coordinating care with medical providers, mental health facilities, and community programs to ensure consistent, long-term support.

I help clients facing depression, anxiety, trauma, life transitions, behavioral challenges in children and teens, parenting and co-parenting concerns, and reintegration after legal involvement. My approach is strengths-based, trauma-informed, and client-centered. I believe everyone has resilience and the ability to grow with the right support.

My style is warm, honest, and structured. I value accountability while always leading with empathy and respect. I focus on building coping skills, improving communication, setting clear goals, and developing practical strategies that support emotional balance and independence.

I support teens, adults, and families who are navigating life transitions, emotional overwhelm, relationship challenges, grief, identity exploration, anxiety, depression, and the lasting impact of difficult or traumatic experiences. Whether you are feeling disconnected from yourself, struggling to break painful relational patterns, or simply trying to find steadiness during a difficult season of life, therapy can become a space where healing and clarity begin to emerge.

I'm Candice Jeffers, a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with an unusual background—I spent nearly a decade in cardiovascular critical care before dedicating myself to mental health. That ICU experience taught me something crucial: psychiatric crises deserve the same urgency, expertise, and unwavering support as any cardiac emergency.

For nine years at Ascension Seton Medical Center's Cardiovascular ICU, I supervised teams through impossible situations. I learned to stay steady when everything felt uncertain, to read the subtle signs others might miss, and to offer hope when families needed it most. Those years shaped how I practice psychiatry today—with precision, presence, and profound respect for what you're facing.

I completed my Master of Science in Nursing at University of South Alabama in 2024, immersing myself in over 600 clinical hours spanning outpatient clinics, inpatient psychiatry, and crisis intervention. My pediatric nursing background adds another layer—I understand how early experiences shape us and how differently mental health shows up across ages.

My practice centers on thorough psychiatric evaluations, personalized medication management, and crisis intervention for all ages. I specialize in suicide risk assessment, trauma-informed approaches, and evidence-based treatments that actually fit into real lives. I'm MOUD-trained and licensed for telehealth in Texas, California, Arizona, and Florida.

Here's what matters most: I approach mental health as someone who's held space for both miracles and heartbreak. I know seeking help requires tremendous courage. I know healing rarely follows a straight line. And I know you need a provider who won't flinch, no matter what you share. My work blends critical care decisiveness with deep compassion—because you deserve both.