Find a therapist in San Marcos, CA — covered by insurance
Top therapists in San Marcos, CA accepting new patients
Find mental healthcare in San Marcos across neighborhoods like Downtown, Palomar Park, and Craven Road. Headway connects you with 8,367 licensed providers offering flexible in-person and virtual sessions. Many clients pay as little as $0 per session with insurance coverage.
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.
I am a licensed clinical psychologist in California and Washington and provide outpatient psychotherapy services in-person and via telehealth. Although I have been licensed for approximately 1.5 years, I have 7 years of supervised clinical experience across rehabilitation clinics, community mental health, and the Department of Veterans Affairs, where I trained under licensed psychologists before becoming licensed myself.
I primarily work with first responders, active-duty military personnel, and veterans. These professions often involve repeated exposure to stress, uncertainty, trauma, and significant personal sacrifice, which can affect well-being, relationships, and life outside of work. My goal is to help clients navigate these challenges while also building lives that feel meaningful, fulfilling, and aligned with what matters most to them.
My clinical training and professional experience include working with veterans within the Veterans Health Administration and providing trauma-focused treatment for first responders in intensive outpatient settings. Through this work, I have gained an appreciation for the unique demands associated with careers that require individuals to perform under pressure, respond to critical incidents, and regularly place the needs of others before their own. This perspective continues to inform my work with clients as they navigate challenges both on and off the job.
Hi I'm Natalie and I want to help you build a life that feels authentic and purposeful. Do you feel like you’re navigating life on autopilot, and have difficulty showing up for your work, your relationships, or yourself? You may find yourself caught in cycles of people-pleasing or seeking external validation, only to end up feeling drained and unfulfilled. If you feel stuck in patterns that no longer serve you, know that you don’t have to navigate this alone. In our sessions, we’ll move beyond the 'what' to understand the roots of your struggle while building practical, compassionate strategies to help you reclaim your confidence and advocate for your needs.
I see therapy as a collaborative process. Together, we identify patterns that may be keeping you stuck, develop healthier coping strategies, and build on your existing strengths to foster lasting change. Whether you’re struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship difficulties, or major life transitions, I aim to help you feel more grounded, empowered, and capable of creating the life you want.
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 very honest, caring, real and genuine. Encouragement and support for their future journey.
About our therapists located within 20 miles of San Marcos, CA
- 100%Anxiety
- 91%Stress management
- 91%Relationship issues
- 91%Depression
- 80%Family issues
- 98%Aetna
- 76%Carelon Behavioral Health
- 67%Anthem Blue Cross California
- 52%Cigna
- 46%Blue Shield of California
- 98%English
- 17%Spanish
- 2%Cantonese
- 2%Farsi
- 2%French
- 96%In-person or online
- 4%In-person only
- 80%Woman
- 20%Man
- 43%Licensed Marriage/Family Therapist
- 24%Licensed Clinical Social Worker
- 17%Clinical Psychologist
- 11%Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor
- 2%Medical Doctor
- 100%Individual therapy
- 50%Family therapy
- 43%Couples therapy
- 30%Child or adolescent therapy
Frequently asked questions
Find the right therapist for you
Headway makes it easy to find support for your mental health — from finding the right provider, to understanding costs, to scheduling with ease.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Mental Health Therapist in San Marcos
Searching for therapists in San Marcos starts with finding someone whose background fits what you want support with. Therapists may focus on concerns like anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, grief, trauma, or life transitions. As you compare options, look for training and listed specialties that match your needs, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, couples counseling, or family therapy. A therapist’s profile can also show how they describe their approach, what sessions may involve, and which concerns they commonly support.
In a smaller city like San Marcos, local in-person openings may vary by neighborhood, schedule, and specialty. Virtual therapy can expand your options while still letting you work with a therapist licensed in California. When narrowing your search, consider appointment availability, whether a therapist is accepting new patients, and whether they offer a free phone consultation. Reading bios before booking can help you compare communication style, therapy approach, and experience with concerns that matter to you.
Therapy in San Marcos can be a significant investment without insurance. Using in-network insurance is one of the most reliable ways to reduce session costs and understand what you may pay before you begin. Headway helps you search for therapists who accept insurance, see estimated out-of-pocket costs before booking, and choose between in-person and virtual care. You can browse therapists in San Marcos, review bios, and book directly when you’re ready.
If anyone in your family is experiencing or worried about abuse, threats, or coercion, joint family or couples therapy usually isn't the right starting point — individual support is safer. The Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline (1-800-422-4453) and National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-7233, or text START to 88788\) can help you think through next steps.
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