Grief counselors and therapists in La Mesa, CA

Hi, I'm Brian! I'm a licensed counselor with a background in holistic medicine as well. I've worked with a variety of mental health concerns, with my primary specialty being treating trauma.

I am very honest, caring, real and genuine. Encouragement and support for their future journey.

Are you are experiencing verbal and/or mental abuse from a romantic partner, a parent, sibling, friend, co-worker? Do you struggle with your own internal thoughts (e.g. "you’re not good enough”, "it's all your fault", “you are not a priority”). Maybe you’ve lost someone and you’re grieving. You are emotionally exhausted because of the pain you hide and the inability to say "no". You tell yourself the good is good but the bad is bad. You're scared and confused on what to do or how to "fix" things. These experiences create rumination, avoidance, trauma, anxiety, and more.

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.

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.

Growing up in Los Angeles most of my life therapy, social work, and mental health were taboo subjects. Similarly, within my Mexican culture being a Male I was expected to be strong and persevere through the trauma. However, the world doesn’t make it easy for today’s youth to succeed. But if I can do it, so can you! As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker I aim to reinforce your youth’s resilience to face their anxiety, depression, process their traumas, and more to help reach their goals.

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.

www.marielrtherapy.com

You are the one everyone relies on - the strong one. Even when you’re running on empty, you keep showing up, holding it together, and pushing through. On the outside, you look composed. Inside, you might feel exhausted, unseen, or detached from yourself. I work with adults break free from patterns that keep them stuck in survival mode. We will work on reconnecting with your needs, rebuilding self trust, and creating a balanced, authentic relationship with yourself. I bring a compassionate, steady presence to therapy; no cold stares or awkward silences. Just a real human connection, where you can feel safe enough to show up. As a therapist for the past 9 years and someone who has navigated my own share of life’s complexities, I understand the invisible weight we often carry; anxiety, depression, expectations, and the pressure to hold everything together.

Choosing the right therapist is important, so I offer a free 15-20 minute phone or video consultation to discuss your needs and ensure we’re a good fit. There’s no pressure; this call is simply an opportunity for you to learn more and decide if you’d like to move forward with therapy. You may take your time after the call to decide whether to move forward.

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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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.