Anxiety and depression therapists and psychiatrists in La Mesa, CA

I am a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, and Lead Clinician. I received my Master of Arts from Western Kentucky University have been a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist since 1996 and provided services in child welfare settings involving abused and neglected children and parents who experienced addiction, trauma, PTSD, depression, and anxiety. I also have years of experience working in a private practice setting, working with teens, adults, couples and active duty military. I also specialize in treating trauma and PTSD using EMDR.

I am Shaliss Padilla MA, LMFT, the Founder, CEO and Clinical Supervisor of group private practice MindbodyologyTM. I am also a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist with a Masters degree in Counseling Psychology. In addition, I am a Holistic Psychotherapist, (or what I have coined a MindbodyologistTM), also a Narcissistic Abuse Recovery Specialist. I offer live and online support groups and workshops for survivors of narcissitic abuse and toxic relationships.

Hey there—I'm Mika, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) who's here for real talk and real support for adults and teens right here in Southern California. I've spent years helping people work through tough life events like trauma, addictions, ADHD, burnout from high-pressure jobs, anxiety, depression, and rocky relationships. What I love most is seeing folks step into their strength and build the life they want—I'm here to walk that path with you, no judgment, just genuine care.

Marsi specializes in working with children, teens, young adults, and women who are struggling with anxiety, trauma, life transitions, relationship challenges, and the lingering effects of difficult life experiences. She is passionate about helping clients understand not only what they're experiencing, but why—because insight creates the foundation for lasting healing.

Her approach is warm, collaborative, and grounded in the latest research in neuroscience and trauma treatment. Marsi integrates evidence-based therapies including EMDR, attachment-based therapy, Polyvagal Theory, somatic interventions, cognitive and behavioral approaches, and play therapy to help clients regulate their nervous systems, process painful experiences, strengthen relationships, and develop greater resilience.

Whether someone is healing from childhood wounds or abuse, breaking generational patterns, navigating a major life transition, or simply feeling overwhelmed by the demands of everyday life, Marsi believes lasting change is possible. She considers it a privilege to walk alongside each client as they rediscover hope, deepen self-understanding, and create meaningful, lasting change.

Hello! I'm Kris and I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in California and the founder of Village Wellness Center, a thriving group psychotherapy practice based in San Juan Capistrano. I have over 25 years of experience in the mental health field, and I specialize in maternal mental health, depression, anxiety, life transitions, relationship challenges, and the unique needs of women and mothers.

I earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Sacramento State University and returned to school 15 years later to earn my Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology from the American School of Professional Psychology.

The beginning of my career in mental health started in residential care helping at-risk youth, and over the course of 20 years, my work and experience evolved into leading and developing clinical programs for outpatient and court-mandated facilities while also building my specialty in perinatal mood disorders and maternal mental health in my private practice. Additionally over the past two decades, I was raising my family and actively contributing to the Dana Point and San Juan Capistrano communities.

Through my own struggles with postpartum depression and anxiety, I became a passionate advocate for maternal wellness and thriving families. This became the catalyst to opening Village Wellness Center, where the ability to serve entire families and promote holistic mental wellness with a team of therapists can be achieved.

I work with adolescents and adults and offer individual, couples, and family therapy. I help individuals identify their goals and make the changes necessary to help them lead more productive and fulfilling lives. I am directive, and I provide a warm, caring and non-judgmental environment to explore the issues and life-events with which you may be struggling.

My orientation is cognitive behavioral therapy influenced by philosophy. The foundation of therapy is acceptance, unconditional positive regard and emotional support. The therapist partners with the client to clarify their thoughts to provide new skills and insights which increase the client coping skills and resiliency He educates and teaches about psychiatric disorders as depression and anxiety and the skills to overcome tthm.

My clients tell me I am extremely non judgemental, empathic and very safe to talk to. I also work directly WITH you to set your desired goals and what you want from your therapy. One of my joys is to help my clients learn how to be their individual authentic selves complete with confidence, clarity and calm.