Prenatal and postpartum therapists & psychiatrists in El Cajon, CA

I work with adults who want to better understand themselves, strengthen emotional resilience, and create meaningful, lasting change. My style is warm, collaborative, and empowering — I believe you are the expert on your own life.

As a graduate of the University of Southern California, my training emphasized both clinical excellence and authentic human connection. I integrate CBT and DBT-informed approaches to help clients develop practical skills for managing emotions, navigating relationships, setting healthy boundaries, and shifting unhelpful thought patterns.

I was drawn to this work because I’ve seen how powerful self-awareness and skill-building can be in transforming not only how we cope, but how we experience ourselves and our relationships. I understand that seeking therapy can feel vulnerable, and I strive to create a grounded, supportive space where you feel truly seen — while also gently challenged to grow in ways that build confidence, clarity, and lasting self-trust.

Marquetta McCleod is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over 17 years of experience serving children, families, and individuals through a trauma-informed and culturally responsive lens. Her professional journey spans more than 15 years in social services, including extensive work with Child Protective Services (CPS) in both emergency response and ongoing support. She has also provided guidance to diverse populations through county health and social service programs, including CalWORKs recipients, families experiencing homelessness, and individuals with disabilities.

Licensed since 2019, Marquetta brings a compassionate and practical approach to therapy, leadership, and community outreach. As the Founder and Executive Director of MNM Project HOPE, a nonprofit she has successfully led for the past four years, she has built a haven of healing that offers low-to-no-cost mental health services, outreach, and training for emerging clinicians.

Grounded in her values of spirituality, leadership, and reliability, Marquetta is dedicated to empowering underserved communities and nurturing the next generation of culturally competent therapists. Her vision is to make holistic, heart-centered care accessible to all, while inspiring hope, growth, and lasting change in every life she touches.

Hello! My name is Melanie Lapeyrolerie, and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based in Los Angeles, California. I offer in-person therapy in West Los Angeles and telehealth services to clients throughout the state. I work with a diverse range of individuals, from young adults to seniors aged 18 to 71. My specialties include treating anxiety, depression, stress, trauma, and alcohol and substance use disorders. To support my clients in enhancing their daily lives and overall well-being, I utilize a variety of therapeutic approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Trauma Focused CBT, Psychodynamic Therapy, and Mindfulness, among others.

I'm Virginia Rubio, a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. I earned my Master of Science in Nursing from Wilkes University and my Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Texas at Arlington.

Before becoming a nurse practitioner, I spent more than a decade as a registered nurse in settings that shaped how I practice today. I worked telemetry and medical-surgical units at a community hospital, cared for patients at a state psychiatric hospital, and provided care in correctional and juvenile health settings. Those environments put me alongside people at some of the hardest points in their lives, often people who had been dismissed or overlooked elsewhere. That's where I learned that being genuinely listened to is itself part of treatment.

I work with adults experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma and PTSD, mood disorders, and sleep difficulties. I have a particular interest in women's mental health — perinatal concerns, hormonal and life transitions, and the specific pressures women often carry without naming them. I'm bilingual in English and Spanish, and I see patients throughout California by secure video.

Outside of work, I recharge with my family, time outdoors and on my feet, and a mindfulness practice I've kept up for years. Those things aren't separate from how I practice; they're a large part of why I believe daily habits and emotional health can't be pulled apart.

Are you feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or weighed down by anxiety, depression, self-doubt, or past experiences? Moving forward can feel difficult when emotional pain, relationship struggles, or life stress leave you feeling trapped or uncertain.You do not have to face these challenges alone. I provide a compassionate, supportive, and nonjudgmental space where we can work together to help you heal, grow, and regain confidence. I believe your worth is not defined by your past or your struggles. Together, we will explore practical tools and strategies to help you create meaningful change and move toward a healthier, more fulfilling life.

You've done meaningful therapeutic work and you're ready to go deeper. You're successful in the external markers of your life, but you know there's more—greater depth, connection, and purpose waiting for you. You've addressed foundational trauma, and now you want to explore subtler patterns: how you hold back in intimacy, the meanings you're searching for, the fuller expression of yourself you sense is possible. You may be curious about psychedelic-assisted therapy as a tool for profound insight. You're not dealing with crisis, but are looking for a guide who can support you in moving from survival to fully living in your wholeness.

I'm a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a PhD and 34 years of experience, offering telehealth therapy to clients in California. I'm most in my element with people who are learning their needs, what's getting in their way and feel ready to meet their challenges. My clients come from all walks of life. I help those who are too hard on themselves to become their own best friend.