Trauma and PTSD therapists & psychiatrists in La Jolla, CA

My name is Rene and I’m a down-to-earth therapist who specializes in substance use and trauma, and I love helping people feel hopeful again during some of the hardest and most confusing chapters of their lives. I also support clients navigating anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, PTSD, family and relationship struggles, stress, and women’s issues. I especially enjoy working with women rebuilding identity and confidence after difficult life experiences.

People often tell me they feel comfortable with me quickly. My goal is simple: to meet you exactly where you are — whether that’s overwhelmed, stuck, healing, hopeful, or unsure — and help you find freedom, opportunity, and solid ground again. If faith or Christian counseling is meaningful to you, I’m happy to incorporate spirituality into our work together. And if not — that’s perfectly okay too. Therapy with me is about your values and your journey.

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.

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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 and will be emailed to you when you book online. You can text us your info or email us at [email protected]. Please be sure to send us a picture of your insurance information and photo ID!

I'm Christina Stelly, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC — a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner based in Martinez, CA. With over 15 years of clinical experience across inpatient psychiatry, maternal health, and advanced practice, I am deeply committed to delivering compassionate, evidence-based mental health care to every person I serve.

I specialize in treating schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, PTSD, depression, anxiety, and etc.

My academic background includes a Post-Certificate DNP in Psychiatric Mental Health from the University of Illinois Chicago, a Doctorate of Nurse Practice from Texas Tech University, and a Master of Science in Nursing from Touro University. I also completed an intensive NP residency focused on advanced psychiatric care, crisis stabilization, and forensic psychiatry, which further strengthened my clinical expertise.

Earlier in my career, I specialized in maternal mental health, serving as a Patient Care Director for high-risk obstetric populations and contributing to perinatal mental health policy at the state and national levels. This background gives me a uniquely broad, whole-person perspective on psychiatric care across the lifespan.

My approach is grounded in trauma-informed, individualized care. I take time to fully understand your history, concerns, and goals before collaboratively building a treatment plan tailored to you. I have also served on health policy committees and presented at national nursing conferences, reflecting my commitment to psychiatric care.

I am a bilingual Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based in California. I received my masters degree in Social Work from CSU Bakersfield. I have been working with children and adolescents for the past five years. My work is person-centered, who are struggling with depression, anxiety, relationships, and life transitions.

Ollie Maggi works with individuals and couples to help navigate life and relationship stressors. As an LMFT and school psychologist, she specializes in neurodivergence and ADHD. She also has four years of specialized sex therapy training. Ollie assigns homework, so be ready for check-ins and an accountability partner.

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.

IMPORTANT: All clients must complete our intake form and sign our policies before their appointment. Please complete these documents at https://intakeq.com/new/6oakjo/lusjbb or contact us at 602-800-4699 (call or text). Please also email or text us a copy of your photo ID/driver's license at [email protected]

For the most current schedule and openings, please book directly on our website at https://mentalhealthpractitioners.com/book-appointment/ or call us at 415-968-6515.

As a PMHNP-BC who specializes in autism, complex cases, OCD, personality disorders, PTSD/trauma, schizophrenia/psychosis disorders, and substance use, I've built my practice around understanding that every person's mental health journey is unique—especially when multiple conditions interact or when traditional approaches haven't worked.

I also provide comprehensive treatment for depression, anxiety, panic disorders, mood disorders, and bipolar disorder, always with an understanding that these conditions often overlap and influence each other in complex ways. What I want you to know is this: your experiences are valid, your struggles make sense in the context of your life, and there's no such thing as being "too much" for treatment.

Whether you're masking autistic traits, battling compulsive behaviors, managing intense emotions, processing trauma, questioning reality, or struggling with substances, I meet you exactly where you are without trying to force you into a predetermined mold. My approach combines evidence-based treatments with deep respect for your individual needs and experiences.

You deserve a provider who doesn't see complexity as a problem to solve, but as a roadmap to understanding how to best support your unique path to wellness.