Obsessive-compulsive disorder therapists & psychiatrists in El Cajon, CA

I work with individuals and families across the spectrum, as well as professionals navigating major life transitions. As a Psychology Professor and Senior Lecturer, I provide a high-level clinical space for those who feel "stuck" in their current narrative. Whether you are exploring your identity, navigating a career shift, or seeking LGBTQ+ affirming care, my ideal clients are those ready to build a life that feels authentic, sustainable, and truly yours.

My goal is to create a space where you feel seen, understood, and supported. I believe mental wellness is an essential part of overall health, and that healing begins by moving from survival to thriving through nervous system regulation, processing past experiences, and strengthening the mind-body connection. Meaningful change and healing happens within a strong therapeutic relationship built on trust, authenticity, and collaboration. Whether you're navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship challenges, addiction, performance anxiety, work-related stress... or simply feeling overwhelmed by life's demands, we'll work together to build insight, process difficult experiences when appropriate, develop practical coping skills, and create meaningful, lasting change.

What patterns keep repeating in your life, even when part of you wants something different? I work with infants, children, adolescents, adults, and seniors, with a particular focus on experiences that are hard to put into words: the quiet accumulation of feeling disconnected or unseen, questions around adoption and family origins, infertility, the emotional weight of becoming a parent, and the grief that comes when life takes an unexpected shape. A lot of what brings people to therapy is not a single event. It builds. I trained at UCLA and bring both clinical depth and genuine warmth to this work.

As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, I specialize in anxiety, depression, addiction, and OCD. I work with adults, children, and couples. I utilize a client-centered approach with my clients, focusing in on my clients’ strengths to help them achieve success. I like to tailor my interventions and strategies around each client’s needs. Providing therapy is not just a job for me, it is my passion.

I can understand first-hand how difficult it can be to reach out for help for the first time. I believe in the importance of "practicing what you preach" and I have been the client in the room who needs extra support. I invite you to give yourself a chance, try something new, and gain a healthy perspective on how to address complicated moments in your life.

I am a board certified, doctoral prepared PMHNP. I completed my post graduate at National University in Adult, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. I earned my DNP from Azusa Pacific University and graduated from CSUSB MSN program. I have been a faculty at CSUSB since 2014. Extensively trained and a certified Trauma-Informed specialist. I diagnose and treat mental disorders including medication-assisted treatment along with counseling for chemical dependency and substance use disorders.

I work with teens, young adults, and families navigating ADHD, anxiety, depression, substance use, identity exploration, family conflict, relationship challenges, life transitions, and emotional overwhelm. Whether you're feeling stuck, disconnected, overwhelmed, or uncertain about what comes next, therapy can provide a space to better understand yourself and move toward meaningful change.

My approach is warm, collaborative, and nonjudgmental. I believe therapy works best when clients feel genuinely understood, supported, and accepted for who they are. Together, we build on strengths, develop practical coping skills, and explore the patterns that may be getting in the way of living a more fulfilling life.

I strive to create a safe and supportive environment where clients can be honest, reflective, and fully themselves without fear of judgment. My goal is not only to help clients navigate current challenges but also to foster greater resilience, self-awareness, confidence, and connection.

I take a warm, empathetic, and direct approach to working my clients. I believe that people can be incredibly resilient when they put their minds to it. Together, we can tap into your potential to strengthen your competence and tackle your goals. I will fight for you to rid yourself of unhelpful patterns and narrow the gap to the life you desire.

I’m Michele Ellis, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker passionate about helping individuals improve their mental health and overall well-being. With over a decade of experience, I’ve developed a deep understanding of the social, emotional, and psychological challenges people face. My approach is warm, compassionate, and tailored to your unique needs—meeting you exactly where you are in your journey. Together, we’ll explore what’s holding you back, build on your strengths, and create a path toward meaningful, lasting change.