Trauma and PTSD therapists & psychiatrists in Escondido, CA

I believe that in order for therapy to be effective, the client has to participate in the process. I am not a magician. I don't have a magic wand. Changing old behaviors and patterns can be difficult and painful but i am willing to be there to support you on your journey to better health.

I am a board certified, doctoral prepared PMHNP. I completed my post graduate at National University in Adult, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. I earned my DNP from Azusa Pacific University and graduated from CSUSB MSN program. I have been a faculty at CSUSB since 2014. Extensively trained and a certified Trauma-Informed specialist. I diagnose and treat mental disorders including medication-assisted treatment along with counseling for chemical dependency and substance use disorders.

Hi there! My name is Gina, and I'm a therapist dedicated to supporting individuals through life's most challenging transitions. I have 6+ years of experience helping clients navigate depression, anxiety, stress, grief, and relationship concerns, helping them build greater self-esteem and discover their authentic sense of self-worth.

I support clients who want to better understand attachment patterns, communication difficulties, and recurring relationship dynamics, as well as individuals coping with chronic illness, pain, disability, cancer-related concerns, and questions of meaning and life purpose.

My patients can expect me to be warm, empathetic, and genuinely interested in their story. I take time to understand not just current struggles, but also personal history and experiences that have shaped who they are. I believe that mental health is deeply connected to overall health, and treating psychiatric conditions can positively impact all areas of life. I work with all patients and conditions, and I always meet people where they are. If someone isn’t ready for medications, I fully support their choice and will be there to provide guidance, education, and care until the time feels right for them. Above all, I listen, I value each person’s perspective, and I aim to create a safe space where patients feel truly heard.

I specialize in helping clients navigate depression, anxiety, anger, trauma, and the thought patterns that keep them feeling stuck. Since 2003, I’ve used CBT informed, trauma informed, and solution focused techniques to help clients understand cognitive distortions, reframe challenges, and build practical tools for lasting change. My approach is warm, nonjudgmental, and centered on your goals, strengths, and the skills you already have.

What patterns keep repeating in your life, even when part of you wants something different? I work with infants, children, adolescents, adults, and seniors, with a particular focus on experiences that are hard to put into words: the quiet accumulation of feeling disconnected or unseen, questions around adoption and family origins, infertility, the emotional weight of becoming a parent, and the grief that comes when life takes an unexpected shape. A lot of what brings people to therapy is not a single event. It builds. I trained at UCLA and bring both clinical depth and genuine warmth to this work.