Cognitive Behavioral (CBT) Therapists in La Costa, CA

Whether you are dealing with an unexpected change, trauma, anxiety, health challenge, relationship stress, depression or other mental health issue, having a trusted guide on the path can make all the difference. Over the past 25 years I have found mind body therapies get to the root of where we get stuck and allow for positive change.

I take people on a journey of initiation and reclamation to remember their true essence. My own path has involved listening within and following my heart's guidance. This allows me to offer a unique perspective aimed at healing and stepping into your wholeness. I received my master's degree in Counseling Psychology from University of San Francisco and have over ten years of experience working with anxiety, depression, trauma, substance abuse issues, and life transitions.

My clients are individuals who often carry with them unresolved feelings from either their past or present challenges. Viewing those issues from an objective and trusted practitioner is vital to the change process. Always viewing my clients with unconditional positive regard is essential to us being successful. Therapy can often be the first time someone gets to step out of the day to day of their lives. My hope is during this introspection, I can coach you in the direction you need to go, not where my training thinks you should go. While I may illuminate potential paths, you're taking the steps with me right behind you!

Taking the first step towards therapy can feel daunting, but know that you're not alone in this journey. As an EMDR-trained therapist who prioritizes the mind-body connection, I understand the complexities of your experiences and the profound impact they can have on your well-being. I want you to feel seen, heard and understood in our sessions. Together, we'll explore your thoughts, emotions, physical sensations, recognizing the interconnectedness between your mind and body. My experiences include working with individuals, families and couples with anxiety, trauma, life transitions, poor self-esteem and relational concerns.

Dr. Riser has over 10 years of experience providing Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and various other evidence-based approaches for the treatment of mood, anxiety, and personality disorders with special interest in emotion regulation, self-harm, and suicidality. Dr. Riser is an integrative psychologist, utilizing science-based interventions while also taking a holistic, mind + body, indivualized approach to treatment. Dr. Riser earned her PhD in Clinical Psychology from The Chicago Medical School/RFUMS with a concentration in psychopathology.

Taking the steps to explore therapy can be vulnerable and intimidating. Finding a therapist you connect with is key. I am an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist in the Carlsbad area. My goal is to foster an open, trusting, non-judgmental, and collaborative environment in which clients can feel comfortable to express themselves. My passion is rooted in assisting clients through their journey to achieve goals, find fulfillment, and explore themselves in a safe and caring space. I have a client-centered and integrative approach to therapy, utilizing therapeutic modalities which best fit a client and their needs.

I am now accepting NEW clients! I offer counseling to individuals and couples, providing assistance in navigating difficult life events, relationship challenges, mood-related disorders, and postpartum depression or anxiety. My background includes working with a diverse client population who present with wide-ranging diagnosis and clinical complexities. In addition to providing therapy to both adults and children, I have extensive experience working with co-occurring disorders in both outpatient and inpatient settings. I am dedicated to working with my clients on identifying and achieving their goals, whatever those may be!

I believe a lot of us are carrying some degree of self-judgment, shame, or unresolved pain. Until those wounds are neutralized, nothing you do to try and change will work.The combination of therapies that I use are designed to release negative belief systems and painful emotions. To heal them at the core so that you are free from them completely. My years of experience have taught me how to identify the root of the problem and to know what will be most effective in healing what is keeping you stuck.

Suddenly, it seems like you are not able to talk to your partner anymore. You experience long stretches of time passing where you're avoiding each other, or trying to communicate but keep ending up on separate pages. Are you frustrated with your relationship, but uninterested in talking about what is NOT working? Couples therapy is not just about discussing the problems, but making things better. It's time to get past the blame, guilt and helplessness that has sucked all of the love out of your relationship. Instead, let us work together to build the partnership skills that will return you to love and intimacy.

How's it going lately? Maybe not so well. I can imagine you're feeling a bit overwhelmed and you're trying to decide where to begin and how this all works. I would like to invite you to a safe haven for self-discovery and the opportunity to address the issues that have you seeking support. I provide a warm, welcoming and supportive environment for clients. I enjoy working collaboratively with individuals and families. Together we'll address the issues that brought you here, learn coping skills, identify and utilize resources to help you better manage the situation and reach your therapeutic goals.

You’re worried about your child. You wonder if they need therapy and it’s weighing on you. You’ve tried talking to them, reasoning why their fear doesn’t make sense, but it never seems to make a difference. I help anxious kids & worried parents feel safe and at ease. I get that you just want your child to feel more carefree and express themselves more confidently. Today, you’re searching for a child therapist because you know if you don’t get help, nothing is going to change for your child. And something has got to change. I understand.

I am a clinical psychologist originally from Argentina. I work with adults of all backgrounds who look for support and strategies to create lasting changes in their lives and in their relationships. Many of my patients report symptoms of depression and anxiety related to relationship issues, life transitions, traumatic events, personal crisis or medical trauma. People who enjoy collaborative work grounded in dialogue, moments of insight and encouragement to experiment with new intentions and behaviors, typically tell me they find our sessions meaningful.

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in California and Colorado. I specialize in working with individuals with anxiety and Body-Focused-Repetitive Behaviors (BFRBs), such as hair-pulling and skin-picking. I help individuals through a variety of life transitions, depression, work/school stress, and relationships. I have experience providing psychotherapy to children, utilizing play therapy approaches, as well as parent skills training.

Are you feeling sad, anxious, or just not yourself? Do you overthink the past? Worry too much about the future? Reach for quick fixes that don’t work, or do you ignore the problem and tell yourself that, eventually, things will change? Your sad thoughts and anxious feelings zap your energy, and the quick fixes only cause more painful struggles; distancing yourself from the problem only worsens things. There is a reason for your sadness, worry, dependency, and detachment. Reaching out for help is the courageous first step toward finding relief and a solution.