ADHD therapists and psychiatrists in La Mesa, CA

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.

I believe effective solutions are as diverse as the people seeking them. I specialize in working with neurodiverse folks looking for support with overwhelm, executive functioning, and stress management. I also have training in Exposure and Response Prevention therapy for OCD.

Seeking support is a courageous step. As an LMFT, I am dedicated to guiding individuals through challenging experiences including: trauma, grief/loss, academic stress, bullying, and supporting neurodivergent individuals (ADHD & Autism Spectrum Disorder).

I have worked as a mental health therapist at schools for students with emotional disturbance, grief issues & trauma from kindergarten-12th grade. My therapeutic orientation includes Psychodynamic, Solution-Focussed & Trauma-Focused CBT.

I use an integrative, holistic, trauma-informed, and culturally aware approach. My style is warm, empathetic, and thoughtful, as well as active, pragmatic, and concrete. I foster a safe environment for deep reflection and for developing and implementing the necessary tools to encourage desired change.

I provide a warm, supportive space where you can feel heard, understood, and begin to understand what may be holding you back. My approach focuses on helping you recognize patterns, build insight, and create meaningful change. I work with individuals and couples and strive to create a space where you feel safe, supported, and not alone in what you are going through