Grief counselors and therapists in La Jolla, CA

Hola, Soy Christina Zapata, mi pronombre es ella. Hello, I'm Christina Zapata, my pronouns are she and her. I am bilingual (English/Spanish), bi-and pan cultural. My professional training is in clinical social work. I started out in depth-oriented psychotherapy in 2012, moved to family work with foster and adoptive families in the middle part of my career and have returned to psychodynamic, systems-oriented psychotherapy with individuals and families since 2017. I have experience working with Transgender individuals, those in current or former relationships where intimate partner violence is present, foster and adopted youth, and Spanish speaking political and economic refugees and immigrants. I am trained in EMDR. I have undertaken a three year grief training to help people stay connected to, sit with and move through pain. More recently, I am adding to my practice work around supporting individuals who are experiencing stress and confusion in their workplace.

Hello! My approach is centered in the belief that authentic connection with ourselves and others heals. Therapy is an opportunity to dive deep, to develop greater self knowledge, to come into wholeness, accepting and integrating all of our parts and aligning our lives with our Truth and the fullness of who we are. I look forward to the opportunity to support you.

I have vast experience with a wide variety of clients. My professional history includes children living in abusive environments, teenagers who are struggling to access their education due to mental health concerns, families navigating dysfunction and adults dealing with a variety of life difficulties.

I currently work, primarily, in corrections with inmates struggling to adjust to the custody environment. I offer crisis intervention in addition to ongoing support.

I approach the therapeutic space with compassion and openness. I meet my clients right where they are emotionally and in their healing journey.

I am passionate of all things mental health! I enjoy working in crisis situations, and supporting individuals going through the ups and lows of life. My goal is to sprinkle confidence and joy into life

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.

I’m a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in stress and anxiety disorders, mood concerns, and LGBT-issues.

Being a teenager can feel overwhelming. You might be juggling school, work, relationships, family expectations, and trying to understand who you are—all at the same time. Some days, it can feel like too much. Whether you’re dealing with anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, life transitions, or feeling lost or disconnected, we can work through it together at your pace. I also help with things like setting boundaries, building self-confidence, navigating identity, and improving your relationship with food and your body.

That inner pressure to be perfect or “have it all together” can be exhausting. Maybe your inner critic is loud, or you feel like you’re constantly falling short. Therapy is a space where you can take a break from that pressure, feel heard without judgment, and start to make sense of what’s going on inside.

I specialize in working with individuals, couples, and families to navigate the challenges related to anxiety, depression, communication, and relationship dynamics. Mental health influences every part of our lives—how we think, feel, and connect with others. When something feels off, it can ripple through our well-being and relationships. Therapy offers the space to identify what’s not working and develop tools for balance, clarity, and lasting change through an engaging and supportive process.