Book a therapist or psychiatrist in San Clemente, CA covered by Cigna

Hey there—I'm Mika, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) who's here for real talk and real support for adults and teens right here in Southern California. I've spent years helping people work through tough life events like trauma, addictions, ADHD, burnout from high-pressure jobs, anxiety, depression, and rocky relationships. What I love most is seeing folks step into their strength and build the life they want—I'm here to walk that path with you, no judgment, just genuine care.

Hi, I’m Vimal Patel, a Board-Certified Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner with over 10 years of experience in healthcare. I earned my Master of Science in Nursing and have a background in both psychiatric and intensive care nursing. I specialize in treating depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders using a combination of medication management and supportive therapy. My approach is compassionate, culturally sensitive, and centered around your unique needs and goals. I'm here to help you feel heard, supported, and empowered on your mental health journey.

For nearly 13 years, I worked as a psychotherapist at a mens' long term substance abuse treatment program, The Fellowship Center, Inc. in Escondido California. I obtained several certifications as a drug and alcohol counselor, but I relied primarily on my training as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist to perform individual psychotherapy for residents in the treatment program.

I also have obtained training in Eye Movement Desentitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) which I believe provides a robust treatment intervention for trauma. I now have 10 years experience using EMDR both in person and by telehealth with more than one hundred fifty clients.

I also have a strong interest in mindfulness and somatic interventions which I believe are essential in the integration of the treatment of both substance abuse and trauma.

In addition to trauma and substance abuse, I most frequently work with clients suffering from anxiety, depression, or complex grief.

Finally, I enjoy working with clients who are struggling in the midst of major life transitions.

As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, I see the world through the lens of relationships. I treat adults dealing with anxiety, depression, relationships, perinatal mental health, childhood trauma, and religious wounds. I believe the work of therapy is in undoing aloneness. I became a therapist because I believe it’s in relationships we are injured and paradoxically, it must be through relationships that we heal.

I believe some of the strongest people are the ones carrying burdens that nobody else can see.

As an Army veteran, husband, father, and therapist, I understand that life can ask a lot of us. Many of the people I work with have spent years being the dependable one, the problem solver, or the person everyone else leans on. From the outside, they may appear to be doing fine. On the inside, they are exhausted, overwhelmed, or struggling to make sense of experiences that continue to affect them long after they happened.

My role is not to tell you how to live your life. It is to help you better understand yourself, identify what is getting in the way, and build practical tools for moving forward.

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and EMDR-trained trauma therapist who works with adults navigating trauma, anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, life transitions, and personal growth. I provide therapy in both English and Spanish and strive to create a space where clients feel respected, supported, and challenged in ways that promote meaningful change.

I am very honest, caring, real and genuine. Encouragement and support for their future journey.