

Seeking mental health care in Encinitas? Our 8,301 licensed providers serve communities including Leucadia, Olivenhain, and Cardiff-by-the-Sea. Sessions are available within two weeks, with most patients saving 75% on care through insurance coverage.
Sometimes a thoughtful conversation with the right person can make all the difference. As an experienced therapist, husband, and father, I bring both professional training and real-life wisdom to help people navigate life’s challenges. Over many years of both life and clinical work, I’ve had the privilege of helping people move through difficult seasons, gain clarity, and reconnect with their strengths. Whether this is your first time seeking therapy or you’re returning after time away, it’s normal to feel uncertain. Our first conversation is simply a starting point. I often work with people facing life transitions, relationship challenges, or feeling stuck, seeking clarity and a practical path forward. Together, we’ll slow things down, understand what’s happening, and identify steps that help move you forward. If you are going through a difficult season, you don't have to navigate it alone.
Hello! My name is Sharon Chan and I've have over 14 years of experience. I work with clients struggling with anxiety, depression and trauma. I also have experience working with the highly sensitive person.
I have over 20 years of experience helping clients explore and navigate challenges related to relationships, anxiety, depression, trauma, and addiction. My approach is client-centered, meaning therapy is tailored to each individual’s unique needs and goals. I integrate techniques from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness, Narrative Therapy, and Attachment Theory, with particular attention to how early life experiences shape our relationships with ourselves and others.
Living with anxiety, depression, or trauma can create deep feelings of isolation and hopelessness. Relationship struggles and low self-esteem often fuel fear, self-doubt, and emotional overwhelm. Breaking cycles of overthinking, managing intense emotions, and facing uncomfortable people or situations can feel exhausting. When emotions feel unstable and life feels heavy, recognizing the need for change is an important first step. While change can be intimidating, having a supportive therapist can make the process feel more manageable and less isolating.
I genuinely care about my clients and strive to meet them with empathy, compassion, and respect. I have helped many individuals navigate difficult life circumstances by increasing self-awareness, strengthening emotional regulation, and reflecting on personal experiences. Together, we work to better understand the patterns that may be keeping you feeling stuck or distressed.
Finding the right therapist can feel overwhelming. Feeling safe and supported is essential for healing and growth. I provide a nonjudgmental, supportive space where you can speak openly and work toward meaningful change at your own pace.
Life can feel overwhelming when you’re dealing with trauma, anxiety, depression, or relationship challenges. You may feel stuck in patterns that are hard to break or unsure how to move forward. Therapy can be a space where you begin to understand what’s been holding you back and start creating meaningful change.
I’m a licensed marriage and family therapist with experience supporting individuals, couples, and families through a wide range of emotional and relational challenges. My work focuses on helping you build emotional awareness, improve communication, and develop healthier patterns so you can feel more balanced and fulfilled in your life. Clients should expect to feel heard and supported throughout our time together. I want my clients to feel safe and empowered during their time with me, and I feel privileged to help my clients achieve their goals and improve their lives.
I specialize in supporting women through major life transitions and personal shifts, as well as challenges related to boundaries, self-trust, self-worth, and emotional resilience. I also work with women who find themselves repeating unhelpful relational patterns or struggling with overwhelm, stress, and uncertainty. In my trauma work, I incorporate Brainspotting, a brain-body modality that helps process trauma, emotional stress, and experiences that may feel difficult to access through talk therapy alone. I also support clients navigating grief and loss in its many forms. My goal is to help you better understand yourself, strengthen your ability to cope, and move toward healing and meaningful change in a way that feels sustainable.











Headway makes it easy to find support for your mental health — from finding the right provider, to understanding costs, to scheduling with ease.
Searching for therapists in Encinitas starts with finding someone whose training matches what you want support with. Therapists may work with concerns like anxiety, depression, grief, relationship challenges, trauma, and life transitions. As you compare Encinitas therapists, look for listed specialties, therapy approaches, and experience with your specific needs. A therapist’s bio can help you understand how they structure sessions, what concerns they often support, and whether their style feels like a good fit.
Encinitas is a smaller coastal city, so local in-person appointment options may vary by neighborhood and schedule. Virtual therapy can expand your search across licensed therapists in California while still letting you filter for someone who fits your preferences. Consider practical factors like appointment availability, whether a therapist is accepting new patients, session format, and whether a free phone consultation is offered. Reading profiles before booking can help you compare communication style, therapeutic approach, and what to expect in a first session.
Therapy in Encinitas can be a significant investment without insurance. Using in-network insurance is one of the most reliable ways to reduce session costs and see your estimated out-of-pocket cost before you book. Headway helps you find many therapists who accept insurance, are accepting new patients, and offer virtual or in-person care. You can browse therapists, review bios, check your insurance, and book directly when you’re ready.
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