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Addiction therapists & psychiatrists in El Cajon, CA


Top addiction and substance use disorder therapists and psychiatrists in El Cajon, CA
Headway connects El Cajon residents with 2,768 licensed providers experienced in evidence-based addiction treatment approaches including CBT, motivational interviewing, and harm reduction strategies. Access virtual or in-person sessions with flexible scheduling, and many clients save 75% on care through insurance coverage.
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 am a seasoned behavioral health and forensic psychology leader with over 20 years of experience in county, correctional, and community settings. I hold a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, two master’s degrees, and I am a licensed Marriage & Family Therapist as of 2019. My work centers on trauma‐informed care, substance use, sexual abuse victims and offenders, crisis intervention, and forensic experiences.
I'm Mary, and I want you to know that whatever's bringing you here — anxiety that won't quiet down, a relationship that's fraying, grief you can't shake, or patterns you keep repeating despite your best efforts — you don't have to figure it out alone. I've worked with individuals, couples, families, and teens facing some of life's hardest chapters, and I genuinely believe that the right support at the right time changes everything.
I'm California-licensed and offer telehealth sessions statewide, which means flexible, private care from wherever you're most comfortable. I accept Aetna, Blue Shield of California, Cigna, and Carelon Behavioral Health, and I'm happy to help you understand your benefits before your first session.
Hi, I’m Amaris, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who believes healing happens best in a space where you feel safe, understood, and never judged.
I work with children, teens, adults, and older adults navigating anxiety, ADHD, emotional overwhelm, grief, and major life transitions. Whether your child is having big feelings they don’t know how to manage, you’re feeling stuck in patterns that don’t serve you, or your family is walking through the heartbreak of dementia or loss, you don’t have to figure it out alone.
My style is supportive, down-to-earth, and collaborative. Therapy with me isn’t about “fixing” you, it’s about helping you understand yourself, build practical tools, and feel more confident handling life’s challenges. I blend evidence-based approaches with compassion, creativity, and sometimes even humor, because growth doesn’t have to feel heavy all the time.
Parents appreciate that I help kids build emotional regulation skills in ways that make sense to them, and I make sure caregivers feel supported too. Adults often come to me when anxiety, emotional ups and downs, or grief feel overwhelming. I also have a special place in my heart for working with older adults and families facing Alzheimer’s, dementia, and end-of-life changes.
At the core of my work is this belief:
You are not broken, you’re human, and you’re capable of growth.
If you’re ready for a space where you can show up exactly as you are, we’ll work at your pace, together.
Growing up near a national park, I am consistently reminded of and influenced by the importance of nature on our physical, mental, and emotional health in my mental health practice. As an LMFT, I've worked with a variety of populations, most of whom experienced major trauma or complex trauma, and aid them in reconnecting to their sense of self and safety. I received my MS from California Lutheran University with a specialization in trauma and BA from CSU Chico. I have been licensed for 4 years and have provided therapy for the last 8 years including an associate and traineeship.
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.
I’m a therapist who understands how difficult it can be to open up—and how meaningful the right support can be. I care deeply about creating a space grounded in honesty, trust, and genuine connection. My approach is warm, compassionate, and straightforward, and I shape each session around your unique needs rather than a one-size-fits-all model. Above all, I see therapy as a collaborative process, and I’m here to help you feel heard, supported, and empowered as you grow.
About our therapists who can help with addiction and substance use located within 20 miles of El Cajon, CA



- 100%Substance use / addiction
- 100%Depression
- 96%Anxiety
- 91%Trauma
- 87%Stress management

- 100%Aetna
- 74%Anthem Blue Cross California
- 70%Carelon Behavioral Health
- 61%Providence Health Plan
- 57%Blue Shield of California

- 87%English
- 17%Spanish
- 4%Korean

- 96%In-person or online
- 4%In-person only

- 57%Woman
- 43%Man

- 35%Licensed Clinical Social Worker
- 35%Licensed Marriage/Family Therapist
- 22%Clinical Psychologist
- 4%Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor
- 4%Nurse Practitioner

- 100%Individual therapy
- 30%Family therapy
- 26%Child or adolescent therapy
- 22%Couples therapy
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