Trauma and PTSD therapists & psychiatrists in Escondido, CA

Greetings! I am a licensed psychotherapist (LMFT and LPCC) with a background in community mental health. I engage my clients in a warm, compassionate, philosophical, and non-judgmental way. Using a collaborative approach and evidence-based modalities to address a range of mental health issues, I help clients reach their therapeutic goals and achieve a greater sense of wholeness, personal agency, and lasting positive change.

I provide psychotherapy to adults, young adults, children, women, and families in which I specialize in anxiety. As a therapist I diagnose and treat depression, anxiety, trauma, ADHD and other mental health disorders.

I believe that getting better from a mental health disorder is not only possible, but realistic. I am here to guide you on that journey of healing. So that you can gain peace and continue to pursue your dreams and goals. When working with children I work with parents to provide play therapy, art therapy, and pet therapy

Shara Ally, DNP, PMHNP-BC, is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner providing evidence-based medication management for adults (18+) via telehealth. As an author and TEDx speaker, she translates complex research into clear, practical care plans that help patients feel informed and supported.

Shara specializes in mood and anxiety disorders, trauma-related conditions (PTSD), adult ADHD, OCD, bipolar spectrum disorders, and women's mental health across the reproductive lifespan—including perinatal and postpartum mood disorders, PMDD, and menopausal transitions. Her practice is medication-focused and highly collaborative, with education, skills coaching, and supportive check-ins integrated into visits. She coordinates closely with therapists, primary care providers, OB-GYNs, and other clinicians to ensure cohesive treatment.

Patients can expect a comprehensive evaluation reviewing history, symptoms, prior treatments, and goals. Shara practices thoughtful prescribing with transparent discussion of options, benefits, and side effects so decisions are truly shared. She uses measurement-based care—structured symptom tracking—to guide adjustments and reduce trial-and-error. Her whole-person approach integrates sleep, nutrition, movement, and stress management when relevant, with streamlined access through secure telehealth and clear after-visit summaries.

Shara's style is warm, direct, and person-centered, grounded in shared decision-making. Her care is trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and rooted in current clinical evidence. Beyond clinical practice, she serves as a nurse educator and academic mentor, shaping future psychiatric clinicians through evidence-based teaching. An international fellowship in India enriched her global perspective through research and teaching in hospital and university settings.

For up-to-date availability, please visit us or call/text us at 415-968-6515.

We all carry a unique story, and part of my role is to help uncover the threads of your past in order to create new, meaningful chapters. I believe in addressing the whole person – not just the symptoms – by considering your physical, emotional, and mental health as interconnected. Together, we’ll explore the tools and coping mechanisms that work best for you, while also reflecting on the deeper patterns that may be at play. I approach our work together with curiosity, compassion, and respect for your experiences. Therapy is not about me giving you answers- it's a collaborative process of understanding, growth, and change.

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.

My name is Joseph Burton, LCSW. I am a trauma-informed and culturally responsive therapist who specializes in supporting individuals living with blindness, low vision, and other disabilities. I understand that adjusting to changes in vision, identity, and independence can bring up complex emotions—grief, anxiety, frustration, or feeling misunderstood or isolated. You deserve a space where your lived experience is honored, and where healing can happen at your pace.

Welcome! I'm Karen Jasso, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, with over 5 years of experience in helping individuals navigate life's challenges. I received my masters degree in Clinical Psychology, California State University, Bakersfield.

I work with anxiety, depression, trauma, grief and loss, relationships, and self-worth and self-esteem. I am passionate about supporting my clients' journeys toward healing and personal growth I provide a culturally sensitive, bilingual space where we work to reduce symptoms, build self-esteem, and create lasting change through healthy coping, boundaries, and routines. Outside of my professional life, I enjoy hiking, reading, painting, and running (for fun!). I believe in the importance of self-care and strive to bring balance and mindfulness into my own life. These interests not only rejuvenate me but also help guide me in my practice.

Hello,

I'm a licensed marriage and family therapist in California. My goal as a therapist is to support you in your journey to regain trust in your unique strengths and overcome life's challenging situations, and help you make your life happier and more meaningful. My style is warm, collaborative, and culturally sensitive.

I have been in practice for over a decade, and work with a wide range of conditions including trauma, depression and complex life transitions.

Hello, my name is Sherri Crespin, a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner passionate about providing integrated care for complex mental health challenges, including personality disorders, PTSD and trauma, substance use disorders, ADHD, depression, anxiety, panic disorders, mood disorders, and bipolar conditions. My practice recognizes these conditions are interconnected in ways requiring specialized understanding.

I chose these specializations because I understand how trauma influences personality development, how ADHD complicates substance use recovery, how symptoms emerge during extreme stress, and how these complex interactions require providers who see the complete picture. Whether you're in recovery while managing other conditions, dealing with personality patterns that developed as survival mechanisms, or navigating multiple diagnoses, I bring the expertise needed for comprehensive care.

My approach emphasizes evidence-based treatments and the healing power of being truly understood. I recognize that seeking help for stigmatized conditions like personality disorders takes tremendous courage, especially after negative experiences with providers. I create a therapeutic space where you can explore your experiences without judgment or shame.

You can expect a thorough assessment, personalized treatment planning, and consistent support throughout our work together. My goal is to help you build resilience, develop effective coping strategies, and thrive in your daily life.

IMPORTANT: For current availability, visit https://mentalhealthpractitioners.com/ or call or text us anytime at 415-968-6515—we make it super easy! Intake forms are required before your first appointment. You can text us your info or email us at [email protected]. Please send us a picture of your insurance information and photo ID!

I specialize in trauma-informed, integrative, holistic modalities for anxiety, ADHD, stress/burn-out, life transitions, relationships, grief, and depression with adults, couples, LGBTQ+, BIPOC, and alternative lifestyles

Vanessa Diaz is a board-certified, licensed provider who offers expert mental health care for anxiety, depression, ADHD, PTSD, bipolar disorder, stressful life events, and many more conditions. Her goal is to help her clients live their best lives using modern, evidence-based solutions.