Addiction therapists & psychiatrists in Chula Vista, CA

Hello and welcome! My name is Shannon Merritt and I am a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT). I am based in Southern California and offer telehealth services to clients across the state. My expertise includes supporting individuals through life transitions, managing depression and anxiety, coping with loss, and addressing various mental health challenges. I am also passionate about helping people recover from addiction and/or trauma.

I draw from various modalities and tailor my approach to each individual and their specific needs. I aim to create a safe and supportive environment where clients feel at ease, can build resilience, and ultimately thrive. My communication style is straightforward, calm, and approachable. I offer clear and honest feedback in order to foster clients' wellbeing while developing hope for their future.

In our first session together, we'll start with brief introductions, then dive into the specific challenges you're facing. This will help me create a tailored plan for us to work through in follow-up sessions. Clients can expect to develop valuable insight and gain the tools needed to make meaningful changes in their lives.

I believe therapy should feel like a space where you can finally exhale. I strive to create an environment that is supportive, honest, and free of judgment; a place where you feel truly seen and emotionally safe. My approach is collaborative and practical. I don’t just help you understand why you feel the way you do; I help you build real tools to navigate it.

I earned my degree from Cal State Fullerton and have extensive experience working in addiction treatment, eating disorder recovery, and women’s issues. Supporting women is especially meaningful to me. I am deeply passionate about helping women navigate challenges related to self-worth, body image, relationships, boundaries, life transitions, and identity. I understand how trauma, societal expectations, and relational dynamics can shape how women see themselves, and I approach this work with both compassion and clarity.

Together, we focus on strengthening mindfulness, emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and communication skills in ways that feel realistic and sustainable. I blend insight-oriented exploration with concrete strategies, because meaningful change happens when insight meets action. My goal is to help you better understand your patterns, feel more confident managing your emotions, and move forward with greater clarity, self-trust, and resilience.

I believe anyone can live a meaningful and fulfilling life and that we all can change and grow even in the most challenging times. For over twenty years, I have worked with Adults, Couples, Teens/Children, and families from a diverse population, helping clients change problematic behaviors and thinking patterns to achieve wellness and growth.

My approach to clients is to see them both as individuals and also within the systems they operate in: familial, community, work-related, societal, or other. I help clients address personal issues in the context of their interpersonal relationships. I strive to support my clients in bringing to light their impact on others, and others’ impact on them while giving clients the skills to heal relational wounds and build healthier, meaningful connections. I work to help her clients connect with their values and find joy.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 10 years of social work experience and 5 years of experience as a psychotherapist. My experience ranges from treating children ages 5 and older to treating geriatric individuals aged 70+. I am a bilingual, Latina therapist and I conduct therapy in both English and Spanish. I have worked in a variety of settings including community mental health and private practice treating a range of mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, co-occurring disorders, and more. Much of my work has been focused on working with the Latino community in Southern California as well as disadvantaged communities of color.

Hello, I’m Kjersti, and I offer telehealth therapy for adults and older adults struggling with the inevitabilities of our human condition. A diagnosis. A loss. Or perhaps the subtle erosion of a chronic condition that moves slowly enough that you don’t notice until the weight becomes undeniable. If you are carrying anxiety, depression, grief, substance use, or the uncertainty of a serious illness or life transition, I want you to know that your story isn't over. These experiences often invite deeper questions about identity, values, and purpose. What still matters to you is a great place to begin therapy.

My graduate training in sociomedical sciences and career in public health influence my perspective on the effectiveness of behavioral approaches favored by the health care community, as well as their limitation when addressing existential concerns. Clinical work with adults in chronic care, substance use treatment and community health settings has evolved my practice of integrating evidence-based methods within an Existential-Humanistic framework. I am inspired by Viktor Frankl's logotherapy, which affirms the will to find meaning in any circumstance. On a more personal level, partnering with my mother during her journey with dementia profoundly deepened my understanding of aging, existential anxiety, loss, resilience, and the enduring human freedom to live a meaningful life.

I work with all ages and I'm trained in trauma based therapies such as CBT, DBT, and EMDR. I offer individual therapy using attachment based therapies, solution-focused brief therapy, and Gestalt self-compassion techniques. I'm not currently offering couples counseling except through private pay. I have worked with foster youth, caregivers, families, LGBTQ, and veterans. I have found my work to be professionally rewarding by assisting people in reaching their goals. I’m committed to meeting your needs and learning.

I bring 14 + years of experience providing thrrapy in both private and clinical settings. My work is grounded in a client centered strengths-based approach, rooted in unconditional, positive regard and a commitment to providing a safe, non-judgmental space where client can openly share their stories.

I identify as neurodivergent and have personally and professionally navigated ADHD. This experience allows me to bring both clinical knowledge lived understanding to my work, helping clients recognize their strengths, develop effective strategies, and move toward meaningful growth and stability.

I have been working in private practice for a few years and before that I worked in non-profits with a variety of individuals and groups. I am the parent of two adult sons and have three grandchildren that I thoroughly enjoy spending time with. I have an educational background in the study of philosophy, spirituality and counseling psychology. I have experience with helping people with histories of trauma, severe mental illness, as well as, symptoms of anxiety and depression. I also have experience and some expertise with clients struggling with substance use.

Hi! My name is Terri Carsley and I have been practicing as a Marriage and Family therapist for the last 16 years. I am a transplant from the East Coast, but have lived in Los Angeles for over 30 years. I have a background in treating addiction and trauma. I am an advanced level somatic practitioner, using both my talk therapy and trauma therapy to help individuals, couples and families achieve healthy communication and heal emotional wounds.

I’m a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over a decade of experience working with adults navigating life transitions, anxiety, depression, and stress.

I specialize in helping people who feel stuck at a crossroads—whether due to career changes, relationship shifts, or unexpected challenges. Many of my clients come to therapy looking for clarity, better coping skills, and a way to move forward with confidence.

My approach is direct, collaborative, and grounded in evidence-based practices, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Therapy, and strengths-based approaches. We focus on understanding patterns, building insight, and developing practical tools that create real change.

I primarily work with adults, with a focus on those navigating major life transitions and redefining what’s next.

Therapy doesn’t have to last forever. It’s a space to gain clarity, make intentional changes, and move forward at your own pace.

Hi, I’m a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. I offer a supportive and judgment-free space to help you manage anxiety, depression, ADHD, eating disorders, and mood disorders. I work with children, adolescents, and adults using evidence-based care that’s tailored to your needs. My goal is to help you feel seen, heard, and empowered within the family. Let’s walk this journey together, one step at a time.

Hello, I'm Arch Jungers, PMHNP-BC, and I came to psychiatric care more than seven years as a psychiatric charge RN, leading care teams and sitting with patients in their most difficult moments, before becoming a Nurse Practitioner. I truly believe that together, we can solve any mental health problem. When I'm not here, I'm loving on my dogs, playing tennis, or bowling in my weekly league. I am looking forward to meeting you and seeing how I can be of service to you.

I'm not here to just listen while you talk — I'm here to work with you. I show up warm, engaged, and genuinely invested in your growth. I'll ask thoughtful questions, offer honest feedback, and, when the moment feels right, gently challenge the beliefs or behaviors that may be keeping you stuck. You'll always feel heard and respected here, never judged.