Book a therapist or psychiatrist in Garden Grove, CA covered by Cigna

I have been working in private practice for a few years and before that I worked in non-profits with a variety of individuals and groups. I am the parent of two adult sons and have three grandchildren that I thoroughly enjoy spending time with. I have an educational background in the study of philosophy, spirituality and counseling psychology. I have experience with helping people with histories of trauma, severe mental illness, as well as, symptoms of anxiety and depression. I also have experience and some expertise with clients struggling with substance use.

My Ph.D. is from Biola University, and I completed my clinical internship and post-doctoral training at Aurora San Diego, a psychiatric facility where I worked with civilian and active-duty military adults. That training grounded me in CBT, ACT, DBT, and trauma-focused therapy, including CPT (Cognitive Processing Therapy) for trauma, with extensive experience treating anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation. I have been working with clients since 2019 and became a licensed psychologist in California in 2026.

Outside of work, I'm usually training for my next Spartan race, swing dancing, deep in a Lego build, or out exploring a trail. I'm also an avid reader and always on the hunt for a good new coffee shop.

Some seasons of life ask more of you than you ever expected, and somewhere along the way you stopped feeling like yourself. I work with teens, parents, and adults who are moving through anxiety, depression, grief, relationship strain, and the heavy stretches that come with big life transitions. I care deeply about supporting LGBTQIA+ and transgender clients, and families who want to understand and show up for one another a little better. So much of this work is simply remembering that you do not have to carry any of it alone.

I have been described as a “down to earth” and “real” therapist. I like to believe these are accurate descriptors. I bring a plethora of experience to my therapy room; however, I recognize, acknowledge, and celebrate the client being the expert on their life. I provide a safe environment which allows my clients to be transparent without judgment. It takes a lot of courage to reach out for help and it is definitely a risk. We need to remember there is no growth without risk!

I have been a psychologist for 44 years and worn many hats: schools, private practice, clinics and agencies. Experience counts for a lot! I am dedicated to my patients reducing their suffering.

I'm John, a licensed psychologist practicing in Utah and California. I started out in information technology because I loved computers and making sense of data, but over time I found I enjoyed working with people more than working with machines, so I went back to school and earned my doctorate in clinical psychology (PsyD). Since then I have worked in counseling centers, outpatient clinics, hospitals, and schools, and I have really enjoyed applying the science of psychology to help people understand themselves and navigate the challenges of everyday life. I see teens, young adults, adults, and older adults for concerns including depression, anxiety, grief and loss, trauma, life transitions, relationships, men's mental health, and questions of religion and spirituality.

There are things you have learned to work around instead of talk about, and after a while that starts to feel normal. I work with children, adolescents, adults, and seniors across California, and often with whole families who are trying to get through something together. A lot of my work is with people carrying trauma they have never fully unpacked, parents navigating the emotional weight of pregnancy and new parenthood, and people trying to change a pattern of substance use that has already cost them more than they meant to lose. My goal is to meet you where you are, not where a treatment plan says you should be.

I am currently accepting patients and next day appointments are available. I provide evidence-based psychiatric medication management for ADHD, anxiety, depression, and related concerns for adults, adolescents, and children (age 6+). Many of my patients are students, professionals, and parents seeking practical solutions that improve concentration, mood, and daily functioning. My approach is collaborative, structured, and goal-oriented. I also provide objective psychological testing (Pearson) for ADHD, mood, autism, and personality concerns including Connors, Brown, BASC, ASRS, Vineland, and Millon.

With over 12 years of psychiatric experience across inpatient and outpatient settings, I aim to provide care that is both clinically thorough and practical for real life. My goal is to help you experience meaningful symptom improvement, better daily functioning, and greater confidence in managing your mental health.

If mutually decided to prescribe controlled substances such as stimulants, then a controlled substances agreement will need to be signed.