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Addiction therapists & psychiatrists in San Diego, CA


Top addiction and substance use disorder therapists and psychiatrists in San Diego, CA
Whether you're navigating recovery from drug addiction, alcohol use disorder, or behavioral addictions in San Diego, Headway's network of compassionate providers offers personalized treatment plans including harm reduction, SMART recovery, and 12-step facilitation therapy. With 70+ insurance plans accepted and average savings of 75% on sessions, support for your sobriety journey is accessible.
I am a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) with a DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice) degree from the University of Massachusetts Global. I have experience working with adolescents and adults in multiple settings facing various complex mental health issues, including OCD, depression, anxiety, ADHD and mood disorders.
I can understand first-hand how difficult it can be to reach out for help for the first time. I believe in the importance of "practicing what you preach" and I have been the client in the room who needs extra support. I invite you to give yourself a chance, try something new, and gain a healthy perspective on how to address complicated moments in your life.
I am a licensed therapist who specializes in anxiety depression and behavioral addictions such as gambling, gaming, shopping, and technology use. I became an LCSW because, quite simply, I love people and have the deepest respect for all living things. I have a masters in Social work and background in Psychology, Sociology and Education. I believe that every individual has innate strengths and my goal is to help you tap into yours. Whether you are in a difficult life transition, navigating healthy relationships, or looking to understand yourself more deeply, I am here to empower you so that you can move from feeling "stuck" to feeling capable.
Outside of the therapy room, I am a proud mom and dedicated reader. As someone who identifies as a lifelong learner, I will bring curiosity and warmth to every session. In addition to my private practice, I am a crisis clinician. This background has sharpened my ability to remain grounded, and provide a safe, stable space even when a situation may feel the most chaotic.
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in California since 2008. My work is grounded in compassion, collaboration, and respect for each client’s unique life story.
I support clients navigating anxiety, depression, stress, health issues, and interpersonal relationship challenges, trauma, grief, aging, and end-of-life concerns. I strive to create a safe, nonjudgmental space where clients can explore challenges, build resilience, and reconnect with their strengths while moving toward greater clarity, healing, and emotional balance.
Hi there, my name is Robert and I'm a bilingual marriage and family therapist with over 40+ years specializing in depression, anxiety and relationship issues. Let's schedule a consultation to see if we're a good fit!
I've also been a Registered Nurse for 15 years and my experience and training covers chronic medical and psychiatric conditions and its impact on the individual and family.
Melinda Fay is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a specialty in Art Therapy. I received my MA in Psychology from Phillips Graduate Institute in 2002 and I have been licensed since 2008.
Making the decision to start therapy is a profound investment of your time, energy, and vulnerability. If you are looking for a blank-slate clinician who simply nods and listens, we might not be the best fit. I offer a highly engaged, malleable, and unflinching partnership.
My approach is rooted in the belief that while the work of untangling our lives is deeply structural, the room itself doesn't always have to feel heavy. I bring a grounded warmth to my practice—which means knowing how to sit quietly in the gravity of a difficult truth, but also knowing when to break the tension, exhale, and find the light in the sheer complexity of being human. I won’t just sit in silence while you do all the heavy lifting; I am an active collaborator who adapts to exactly where you are.
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with 28 years of experience in the mental health field. I earned my Master of Social Work (MSW) from the Hunter School of Social Work and have lived and practiced in California for over three decades. My professional background includes extensive work with older adults, individuals experiencing homelessness, and adults living with severe and persistent mental illness. I am known for my patient, compassionate, and attentive approach, and I strive to be fully engaged and present with every client I serve. My goal is to provide thoughtful, individualized support that helps clients feel understood and empowered in their therapeutic journey.
You have probably been carrying something for a while without saying it out loud: anxiety that will not switch off, grief that still ambushes you, drinking that stopped feeling like a choice, or trauma your body has not put down. Helping people find their way through that feels like my sacred calling. Ever since I was young, I've been the person who deeply listens, and I've always sensed the healing that happens when we finally have a trusted, compassionate witness to our story. The story you carry about your past can be the source of your suffering or the key to your freedom, and together we can gently begin to shift it. Whatever pain you're holding, you don't have to hold it alone. I work with individuals, and with couples and families who want to find their way back to each other.
I have a Masters Degree in Clinical Social Work, and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), working in private practice as a Psychotherapist. I live in Los Angeles, and work in-person or hybrid, with adults, teens, couples and the aging population. I specialize in anxiety, life transitions, relationship issues, work stress/dissatisfaction, career goals, sleep disorders, substance use, trauma (ptsd/complex/acute), obsessive compulsive disorders (OCD/OCPD), attention deficit disorders (ADD/ADHD). In addition I deal with grief, isolation, and breaking creative blocks.
About our therapists who can help with addiction and substance use located within 20 miles of San Diego, CA



- 100%Substance use / addiction
- 100%Depression
- 95%Anxiety
- 91%Stress management
- 91%Trauma

- 100%Aetna
- 68%Anthem Blue Cross California
- 68%Carelon Behavioral Health
- 55%Providence Health Plan
- 50%Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts

- 86%English
- 18%Spanish
- 5%Korean

- 95%In-person or online
- 5%In-person only

- 55%Woman
- 45%Man

- 36%Licensed Clinical Social Worker
- 36%Licensed Marriage/Family Therapist
- 18%Clinical Psychologist
- 5%Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor
- 5%Nurse Practitioner

- 100%Individual therapy
- 36%Family therapy
- 23%Child or adolescent therapy
- 23%Couples therapy
Frequently asked questions


Find the right addiction counselor for you
Headway makes it easier to find support for overcoming addiction — from finding the right provider, to understanding costs, to scheduling with ease.
Factors to Consider When Choosing an Addiction Therapist in San Diego
Finding addiction therapists in San Diego starts with knowing what kind of support fits your needs. Addiction care can include support for alcohol use, drug use, prescription substance concerns, gambling, compulsive behaviors, and co-occurring concerns like anxiety, depression, or trauma. As you compare therapists, look for training that matches your goals, such as motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy for substance use, harm reduction, or coordination with a prescriber when medication management may be part of your care team.
San Diego has many therapists across neighborhoods like Hillcrest, North Park, La Jolla, and Chula Vista, which can make the search feel broad. Location matters, especially if you prefer in-person sessions near work, school, transit, or home. Virtual appointments can also expand your options if schedule, commute, or privacy matters most. As you narrow your search, review whether each therapist is accepting new patients, offers appointment times that fit your calendar, and has experience with addiction recovery. Reading bios can help you understand how a therapist talks about relapse, harm reduction, accountability, and long-term support.
Therapy in San Diego can be a significant investment without insurance. Using in-network insurance is one of the most reliable ways to reduce session costs and make ongoing support easier to plan. Headway helps you find addiction therapists, see estimated costs before you book, compare available appointment times, and confirm coverage for your specific plan on Headway. You can browse therapists, review bios, and book directly when you’re ready.
If you or someone you know is experiencing severe withdrawal symptoms — especially from alcohol or benzodiazepines — talk to a medical provider or seek emergency care before starting outpatient therapy. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction or substance use and is in a crisis, immediately reach out to:
* 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — call or text 988 * SAMHSA National Helpline — 1-800-662-HELP (4357), free, confidential, 24/7 * Crisis Text Line — text HOME to 741741
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