Prenatal and postpartum therapists & psychiatrists in Encinitas, CA

I’m a licensed therapist with a background in supporting adults and teens through anxiety, trauma, life transitions, and relationship stress. I earned my graduate degree in counseling and have worked in both community-based and private practice settings, which has helped me understand the real-life pressures people carry—work, family, finances, identity, and burnout.

My style is practical and compassionate: we look at patterns, the stories you’ve learned to live by, and what it would feel like to respond differently—more grounded, more empowered, and more like “you.” I often integrate inner child work, trauma-informed care, and skills for emotional regulation and ADHD/executive functioning.

I primarily work with adults who want to improve communication, rebuild trust, and create more secure connection.

Hello,

I am Dr. Jaeger and I welcome you to my practice. I look forward to sitting with you, hearing your story, and developing a plan to help you with your concerns and needs.

I’m Linh Tran, a psychiatric nurse practitioner with over 10 years in healthcare and 5 years in advanced practice. I hold both a Master’s and Doctor of Nursing Practice from Columbia University. My work focuses on anxiety, ADHD, depression, trauma, and eating disorders. I’m especially passionate about supporting adolescents, adults, and those navigating the immigrant or bicultural experience.

You know those moments of feeling truly authentic with another person, when you are real, not hiding, and seen with eyes of love and non judgement? It can be a rare moment. As a therapist what I love most is the authentic and honest connection with my clients. I have loved connecting with others since childhood. This led me on a path of becoming a high school teacher, a social worker, to opening my own therapy private practice.

I hold a Master’s in Social Work from the University of Southern California, a Master’s in Special Education from Loyola Marymount University, and a Bachelor’s Degree from Brown University. Since 2008, I’ve maintained a private therapy practice in Los Angeles, working with adults, teens, and parents, and facilitating support groups for families and youth, and leading educational workshops for parents.

My professional training includes certification as an Insight Mindfulness Teacher, completion of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction and specialized programs in family and adolescent psychology through organizations such as Spirit Rock, The Gottman Institute, and the Maple Counseling Center. I have also worked as a Special Education teacher in LAUSD.

I continue to learn and evolve through my wonderful clients and the myriad of life experiences they bring into the room.

My passion lies in working with clients who need assistance with personal empowerment and identity development. My goal is to instill hope by identifying areas of strength, resilience, and capacity for positive change. Effective therapy takes effort and commitment from both the therapist and the client.

My practice is dedicated to supporting women and couples. Practice specializations include:

Relationship Issues

Couples

Stress Management

Finding Meaning & Purpose

Mid-life Support

Adult ADHD

My specific knowledge and experience is essential, and provides you with the relief and practical support you need to heal, allowing you to use a difficult time in your life to grow in ways that will make your life better than ever.

avigating emotional distress or long-standing conflict can feel like being fractured, but healing often begins with finding a reliable and experienced partner. I am Dr. Julie Cohen, a Clinical Psychologist with over 45 years of experience. I have spent my career helping individuals, couples, and families resolve conflict—whether it’s occurring in the living room or the workplace. I specialize in treating depression, anxiety, and stress, particularly for those who are ready to dive into their inner experience to improve how they feel about themselves and their relationships. I feel privileged to help my clients achieve their goals and improve their lives by providing the expert, seasoned care necessary to handle even the most complex challenges with precision and kindness.

I believe that the foundation of our work is a relationship of absolute trust and safety. My extensive training allows me to look at your life through a wide lens, understanding how your past experiences and upbringing shape your current personality and challenges. I encourage an honest and direct dialogue, as that is where true mutual understanding begins. When I am not working with clients, I value the perspective that comes from a long career dedicated to human behavior, often finding restoration in the very principles of balance and growth that I share in my sessions. I want my clients to feel safe and empowered during their time with me, knowing they have a safety net of four decades of clinical expertise behind them.

Hi, I'm Jamie Plaxco, a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with a passion for helping individuals find healing and balance in their mental health journey. I earned my Master of Science in Nursing from Vanderbilt University, graduating summa cum laude, and have dedicated my career to providing compassionate, evidence-based psychiatric care.

My areas of expertise include treating OCD, eating disorders, depression, PTSD, and substance use disorders. This breadth of experience has taught me to meet people where they are and tailor treatment to their unique needs.

Throughout my career, I've had the privilege of working with individuals facing serious mental illness, those in crisis situations, and people seeking preventive care and wellness optimization. My training at UCLA's Department of Neurology and Riverside County Department of Mental Health provided me with a strong foundation in both the neurological and psychological aspects of mental health. I understand that mental health challenges often have complex origins, and I explore all aspects of your wellbeing.

I believe in treating the whole person, not just symptoms, and I value building therapeutic relationships with my clients. I work with clients across the lifespan and take pride in creating a safe, non-judgmental space where we can collaborate on your path to wellness. My approach combines traditional psychiatric medication management with innovative, integrative treatments. Whether you're struggling with a long-standing condition, navigating a difficult transition, or facing new challenges, I'm here to support you with expertise, empathy, and evidence-based solutions. I stay current with the latest research and treatment modalities to provide you with the highest quality care. My practice is grounded in mutual respect and shared decision-making, ensuring your voice remains central throughout treatment. Together, we'll work toward lasting wellness.

I am a dedicated mental health professional who supports children and adults through life’s challenges. I currently provide individual therapy only and do not offer couples counseling. My background in behavioral health and social services, along with hands-on community experience, has shaped my practical, compassionate, and solution-focused approach.

I have worked with individuals involved in the justice system, people living with serious mental illness, children in foster care, and families navigating behavioral or developmental concerns. My experience includes case management, crisis support, employment readiness, behavioral coaching, and coordinating care with medical providers, mental health facilities, and community programs to ensure consistent, long-term support.

I help clients facing depression, anxiety, trauma, life transitions, behavioral challenges in children and teens, parenting and co-parenting concerns, and reintegration after legal involvement. My approach is strengths-based, trauma-informed, and client-centered. I believe everyone has resilience and the ability to grow with the right support.

My style is warm, honest, and structured. I value accountability while always leading with empathy and respect. I focus on building coping skills, improving communication, setting clear goals, and developing practical strategies that support emotional balance and independence.

With over 20 years of experience in the mental health field, I am passionate about guiding individuals on their journey to balance, mindfulness and joy. Throughout my career, I've had the privilege of working with diverse populations and addressing a wide range of mental health challenges. This journey has reinforced my belief that each person's path to well-being is unique and deserves a personalized approach.

Hello, my name is Alexander Valenzuela PMHNP. I specialize in psychiatric medication management and cognitive behavioral talk therapy. If you're struggling with your mental health and realize you want help, you don't have to do it alone. I am looking forward to starting the journey with you to help achieve your best self.

As a Nurse Practitioner, I believe healthcare should be a partnership, not a prescription. My approach combines advanced clinical skills with a deep commitment to patient advocacy, ensuring every individual has the tools and confidence to take charge of their health. I specialize in creating personalized treatment plans that honor the whole person — mind, body, and spirit. Whether I’m diagnosing, prescribing, or simply listening, my mission is to make every patient feel seen, heard, and cared for. I strive to turn sessions into moments of trust, learning, and hope."

I am board certified in Family Practice as well as Psychiatry and have been in practice for 25 year. I work with mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, bipolar disorder, as well as address physical symptoms or issues that may affect mental health. I hold a Doctorate degree in education and Master Degrees in Advance Practice Nursing and education.