Therapists near me in San Diego, CA

I am a psychotherapist with over 15 years of clinical experience in a variety of settings. I received my psychotherapy training at the San Francisco State University and graduated in 2012. After working at a private counseling center for 6 years, I opened my private practice in 2018 as a licensed marriage and family therapist. I specialize in working with LGBTQ+ adults and Asian adults. My areas of interests include gay/lesbian and gender issues, sexuality, psychotherapy education, and psychotherapeutic technique.

I’m a relational therapist who works with adults seeking a more intentional, connected, and fulfilling way of living. Many of the people I work with feel caught in patterns of people-pleasing, perfectionism, overfunctioning, or burnout—often finding it difficult to relax, be present, or feel truly connected to themselves or others. I am in-network with Aetna and Kaiser. Out-Of-Network only with couples through my private practice. My approach is warm, collaborative, and culturally attuned, integrating insight-oriented and experiential work with practical tools. I support clients in understanding the patterns shaping how they think, feel, and relate—including the impact of upbringing, culture, and expectations—so they can reconnect with their internal compass. My goal is to help you align with your values and feel more grounded, authentic, and at ease in your life and relationships.

I am honored to have the opportunity to meet you and explore areas of the heart, mind, and soul with you. I have fallen in love with studying "love" since a young age. It occurred to me that life gives us many paradoxes/contradictions such as: "Go through pain in order to heal". Since my awareness opened up to the vast internal world of the human mind, I strive to find the answer. In the combination of my teaching career (online Professor - Psychology, health/human services/Philosophy) and psychotherapy, I was given the gift of a special journey in revealing the invisible components in life - especially our internal world. I have personal and professional experience in diverse areas (gangs, addiction, violence, mood disorders, relationship dynamics, family connection, and many areas within the interpersonal/intrapersonal realm). In addition, I hold a special awareness for cultural sensitivity as well, and the assimilation process onto areas of adaptation and acculturation. I began viewing life with analytical, philosophical, and emotional perception at an early age as life became difficult since I could remember. When I had finally turned my life around and attended college, I was inspired by many individuals. From this, I earned a position with my previous professor as his T.A in stress management. From there, I moved onto graduate school after attaining my Psychology degree. During my Marriage and Family therapy program, I continued to teach. The last year of my studies I was honored to work as an intern at non-profit agency where I delivered therapeutic services to a vast array of different populations: Onsite therapist for a middle school and high school (pre-teens and teens). I also worked with couple's, anger management, domestic violence, family/individual therapy at the main facility. I was then given the chance to work as an online professor at Ashford University after completing my Master's degree, where I continued to do so until this day. After graduation I moved onto working with children with Autism Spectrum disorder (minority population) for over a year. Finally, I traveled into the work on dual diagnosis/addiction, where I started as a part-time therapist and moved towards becoming the primary therapist, and then the clinical director for the whole facility. From my journey, I have been given the privilege to uphold a vast array of experiences, even to the extent of online gaming addiction. My main focus now lies in areas of emotional conn

I wholeheartedly believe it’s my role as a therapist to assist you in realizing, accessing and cultivating the internal and external resources that you already possess. Stress, conflict, and pain are those given aspects of life. I'll support you in healing, reconnecting and making empowering choices to achieve peace and feel more joy on a daily basis. Together, we will create a safe space for vulnerability and strength; both are needed for change. Our sessions will allow you to move through stuck points in your mind, relationships and environment. My approach is empathic, direct, emotionally supportive and solutions focused.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 10 years of experience providing psychotherapy to adults from diverse backgrounds and life experiences. I am also a U.S. Army Combat Veteran, and my professional experience includes serving in the Veterans Health Administration, where I supported Veterans navigating mental health concerns, life transitions, relationships, housing instability, and other complex challenges. My experiences as both a clinician and Veteran have strengthened my appreciation for resilience, identity, service, and the many ways our experiences shape how we understand ourselves and relate to others. I earned my Master’s degree in Social Work with an academic focus on Critical Race Theory and Intersectionality. This training informs my commitment to culturally responsive care and helps me recognize how identity, family, relationships, culture, socioeconomic circumstances, and broader systems can influence mental health and well-being. I approach these conversations with cultural humility, curiosity, and respect for each client’s individual experience. My therapeutic style is person-centered, collaborative, and solution-focused. I believe clients are experts on their own lives, and therapy should provide a supportive space to understand patterns better, identify barriers, build on existing strengths, and develop practical strategies for meaningful change. Rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach, I work collaboratively with each client to establish realistic short- and long-term goals that reflect their individual needs, values, and priorities. My goal is to help clients gain greater insight while also developing tools they can apply outside of therapy. Together, we work toward creating meaningful, sustainable change that supports greater resilience, healthier relationships, improved emotional well-being, and a life that feels more aligned with who they are and where they want to go.

Hi there, my name’s Ephraim Tokar. I'm a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with 20+ years of experience. My specialties consist of relationships, men’s issues, career counseling, and psychosomatic illnesses. I received my Bachelors degree in Child Psychology, working initially with the adolescent population before transitioning over to adults. I then received my Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy. Whether it's individuals or couples, I'm happy to get to work with whomever comes my way. I do my best to facilitate a warm, trusting environment. Looking forward to meeting with you soon!

My career has enabled me to work with a variety of populations in the mental health field. My work is rewarding and feels more like a calling than a job. My goal is to provide my clients support and provide a safe space for them to express themselves. I listen and I care. Together we collaborate to create an individualized treatment plan to address your specific concerns. I make myself available, I’m flexible, and I am invested in your growth.