Obsessive-compulsive disorder therapists & psychiatrists in El Cajon, CA

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.I specialize in working with adolescents and adults who are struggling with anxiety disorders, OCD, phobias, and trauma.

You can visit my website for more information: https://www.thiwlodarskilmft.com

Hello and welcome! There is so much I want to share with you!

I acknowledge that finding a therapist can sometimes feel overwhelming because you want to find a good fit, someone who “gets” you, so I thank you for being here.

I identify as a Latinx, cis gender woman, feminist, BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ ally, and spiritual. I am the granddaughter of immigrants from Mexico and the daughter of working class parents. Before coming to Marriage and Family Therapy, I earned a Master’s degree in Women’s Studies, and wrote my thesis on the jurisprudence of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. I am aware of the dominant societal structures, narratives, expectations and pressures that can impact your story and how you live it. I look forward to being alongside you as you write a preferred story – one that is fully authored by you.

Prior to focusing on Marriage and Family Therapy, I worked for close to nineteen years in higher education leadership, advising and mentoring college students at a public university in Southern California. The relationships I fostered with students and the stories they shared with me inspired me to move into Marriage and Family Therapy. Like my work with the students, my therapy work is filled with compassion, empathy and understanding. And while there may sometimes be difficult conversations and tears in our work, I also invite in laughter, lightness and joy.

I am currently scheduling online and in-person appointments. I am available Mondays- Thursdays, and Saturdays.

If you're here, chances are you've been carrying more than you were ever meant to carry alone. Whether you're struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship challenges or feeling stuck- I can help. I'm a licensed therapist with nearly 20 years of experience in the field helping individuals and couples create lasting, meaningful change.

Together, we’ll identify what brings you to therapy, we'll gently look at where you're feeling stuck and examine the patterns that are no longer serving you. Then, with evidence-based interventions we'll modify these patterns leading to lasting meaningful change.

My formal clinical training was received through the Department of Veterans Affairs, where I gained extensive experience providing evidence-based psychotherapy to military veterans and their partners. I specialize in treating PTSD (combat and sexual trauma), Depression, Anxiety, Panic, Grief and Couples. My clinical training leans heavily on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with emphasis on trauma informed and attachment focused perspectives.

I am Shaliss Padilla MA, LMFT, the Founder, CEO and Clinical Supervisor of group private practice MindbodyologyTM. I am also a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist with a Masters degree in Counseling Psychology. In addition, I am a Holistic Psychotherapist, (or what I have coined a MindbodyologistTM), also a Narcissistic Abuse Recovery Specialist. I offer live and online support groups and workshops for survivors of narcissitic abuse and toxic relationships.

I’m here to make this journey feel gentle, welcoming, and human. I keep things clear and simple so you can focus on what matters, not the overwhelm. My style is warm, encouraging, and a little poetic—because softness helps us breathe. Let’s take this step together, one calm moment at a time.

Life can feel overwhelming when you’re dealing with trauma, anxiety, depression, or relationship challenges. You may feel stuck in patterns that are hard to break or unsure how to move forward. Therapy can be a space where you begin to understand what’s been holding you back and start creating meaningful change.

I’m a licensed marriage and family therapist with experience supporting individuals, couples, and families through a wide range of emotional and relational challenges. My work focuses on helping you build emotional awareness, improve communication, and develop healthier patterns so you can feel more balanced and fulfilled in your life. Clients should expect to feel heard and supported throughout our time together. I want my clients to feel safe and empowered during their time with me, and I feel privileged to help my clients achieve their goals and improve their lives.