Chula Vista Counseling

12/17/2025

12/04/2025

Grief and faith often meet in the same breath. All Saints’ Day reminds us that remembering is holy work — a way of honoring those who have gone before us with love, gratitude, and hope. My latest blog explores how faith can hold us gently when our hearts feel heavy.
Read more at the link in my bio.

11/25/2025

What if grief wasn’t something we carried alone? Día de los Mu***os shows us how powerful it can be to gather, share memories, and honor our loved ones openly. My latest blog reflects on this beautiful tradition and what it teaches us about healing.
Read the full post through the link in my bio.

11/15/2025

In my latest blog (part 2 of the series on “Grief Across Traditions”) I explore how Scandinavian remembrance traditions - and the life of my 103-year-old grandmother - taught me what it means to grieve well. Through grief counseling in San Diego, I help clients discover that grief is not the end of love, but its transformation. When we remember with faith and compassion, healing begins.

11/11/2025

Grief has a way of touching every corner of our lives—it slows us down, softens us, and reminds us that love doesn’t end when someone is gone.

In my newest post, “Honoring Loss & Remembering Well,” I share what it means to move through grief with compassion and faith. Whether you’re missing someone this season or learning to hold both sorrow and gratitude in the same breath, you’re not alone. 💛

Read the full reflection at the link in my bio to learn how grief counseling in San Diego can help you remember with peace, not pressure.

✨ Healing starts with remembering well.

11/02/2025

🌿 All Saints’ Remembrance 🌿
Today, we pause to honor the lives and legacies of those who came before us—those who shaped our hearts, our faith, and our stories. Grief and remembrance often come hand in hand, and both are sacred parts of our healing journey.

Whether your heart is heavy or grateful—or both—may you find gentle peace in remembering that love never truly ends. 🌤️

09/29/2025

Today is World Heart Day, where we honor those suffering from heart disease. Did you know that congenital heart defects are the number 1 birth defect, occurring in 1 out of 100 people?

I am one of those "1 in 100" people, having been born with a congenital heart condition called "Tetralogy of Fallot."

As an adult with congenital heart disease, I personally know how this condition can affect your mental health across the lifespan. That's why I'm excited to announce that I have partnered with Ollie's Branch, through the Ollie Hinkle Heart Foundation, to offer trauma-informed care for fellow "heart warriors" and their families suffering from trauma related to their condition.

Check out the blog post I wrote (in bio) about the medical trauma associated with this condition, along with some helpful coping strategies to manage panic attacks or anxiety when going to the doctor for annual check-ups or medical procedures.

08/04/2025

✨ Just wrapped up a powerful session this morning.
This light bar 💡 is one of the tools I use in session to support bilateral stimulation, a key element in EMDR therapy that helps the brain process and integrate trauma in a safe, structured way. 🧠💫

It may look simple—but this gentle movement of light can lead to some profound breakthroughs. 🌀

If you’ve ever been curious about EMDR or are exploring new ways to heal from trauma, you’re not alone—and you don’t have to go it alone. 💛

📍Offering EMDR therapy in person at my office in Chula Vista and online throughout California.

08/04/2025

Struggling with anxiety, trauma, or faith-based shame? You're not alone—and you don’t have to keep carrying it on your own. As a Chula Vista therapist, I help adults make peace with their past and reconnect with their faith in a way that feels healing and empowering.
In therapy, we gently explore the emotional, physical, and spiritual layers of your pain—without judgment. Using tools like EMDR, mindfulness, and optional Christian counseling, I’ll support you in finding calm, clarity, and confidence again.
Whether you’re navigating anxiety, panic attacks, or feeling stuck in your healing, I’m here to help.
💬 Book your free 15-minute phone consultation today
📍 Therapy in-person in Chula Vista, CA or virtually across California
🔗 www.ChulaVistaCounseling.com

08/02/2025

🌿 Thinking about starting trauma therapy in Chula Vista but aren't sure how to find the right therapist?

Finding a therapist that's right for you is an important process—especially when you're working through trauma. 🧠💔

You may not realize it, but not all therapists are trained in treating trauma. When looking for a trauma therapist, ask about their background and experience working with clients who have experienced traumatic events.

💬 Questions to consider:
👉 Are they trained in EMDR?
👉 Do they have experience with somatic-based interventions?

These are essential elements of effective trauma work. ⚖️

✨ But therapist fit matters just as much as their trainings, certifications, and credentials. If someone has all the “right stuff” but doesn’t feel like the right fit for you — therapy might not be as helpful. Trust your gut. 🧭

🔎 Here are some questions you can ask during a free phone consultation:
📌 What's your training in providing trauma therapy?
📌 How do you provide trauma-informed care?
📌 How do you structure the first few sessions?
📌 Have you worked with clients like me before?

💫 Ready to take the first step?
As a trauma-informed therapist in Chula Vista, I’m here to help you move from just getting by to feeling restored and empowered in your life. 💛

📍 In-person therapy in Chula Vista
💻 Online counseling for California residents

06/13/2025

EXCITING NEWS: I'm adding another day for in-person therapy at my office in Chula Vista. I will now be seeing clients for in person on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. I currently have 3 open slots for in-person sessions on Thursdays at 11 am, 2 pm and 3 pm. Additionally, I have 2 open slots for online therapy for California residents on Wednesdays at 1 pm or 3 pm. Book an appointment today!

05/15/2025

I am excited to announce that I have just partnered with [](https://www.instagram.com/joinmentaya/) to help clients use their out-of-network benefits for potential reimbursement on therapy!

**What are out-of-network benefits?** Here's a breakdown:

✨ If your insurance plan offers out-of-network benefits, it means they will cover a portion of the cost when you see a therapist who doesn't have a direct contract with your insurance company.

✨ Unlike in-network providers, who bill your insurance company directly, with out-of-network therapists, you typically pay for the session upfront and then submit a claim to your insurance for reimbursement.

✨ Insurance companies often reimburse a percentage of the therapist's fee, usually after you meet an out-of-network deductible. For example, after you meet a $1,000 deductible, your insurance may reimburse 50-80% of the session cost.

✨ Out-of-network benefits give you the flexibility to choose a therapist based on your needs and preferences, not just those in-network.

Check out the link in my bio to see if you have out-of-network benefits!