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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 see therapy as a collaborative journey, where I walk alongside you rather than ahead of you. For nearly a decade, I’ve had the privilege of working with children, adolescents, and adults facing challenges such as anxiety, depression, trauma, ADHD, autism, substance use, chronic pain, and life transitions. My background in clinical psychology, along with board certification in biofeedback and neurofeedback, allows me to integrate both psychological and physiological approaches to healing. Most importantly, I deeply respect the uniqueness of your lived experience and strive to create a space where you feel understood, supported, and empowered.
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 10 years of social work experience and 5 years of experience as a psychotherapist. My experience ranges from treating children ages 5 and older to treating geriatric individuals aged 70+. I am a bilingual, Latina therapist and I conduct therapy in both English and Spanish. I have worked in a variety of settings including community mental health and private practice treating a range of mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, co-occurring disorders, and more. Much of my work has been focused on working with the Latino community in Southern California as well as disadvantaged communities of color.
Dr. Fidelis Azeke is a University of the Pacific, Sacramento graduate and a board certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner who specializes in treating patients of all ages. He has 13 years of nursing experience, and over 6 years of specialization in the practice of psychiatry, overseeing the care of patients - infants, children, adults, through the lifespan. Dr. Azeke is a licensed psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner in California, Utah, Washington State and New York State.
Book knowledge is helpful, but life experience is invaluable. I spent over 30 years in sales and management in the airline industry before becoming a therapist and this real-world experience helps me to better understand the challenges people face. Since embarking on my career as a therapist, I have completed over 12,000 therapy sessions, working with individuals and couples from various cultures and unique challenges. I have been blessed to be in an endeavor that I don't consider to be work.
My name is Gillermina Alvarado and I go by Mina. I'm a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist based in Riverside, CA, working with clients statewide via telehealth. I received my Master's from the University of Phoenix and have been practicing for 9 years.
I work with young children, adolescents, young adults, and adults who are navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, stress, grief and loss, behavioral challenges, and life changes. My communication style is calm, accommodating, and personable — I want my clients to feel comfortable speaking with me about anything and feeling safe, and I pride myself on my ability to listen without judgment.
Above all, I believe that you are the expert of your own story, and that you have many strengths that will help you overcome what's challenging you. It takes courage to take the first steps toward change, and I'm here to support and empower you in that journey.
As a therapist, my goal is to help you live a happier and more fulfilling life. It can be difficult to know if you are on the right path, have healthy relationships, and are satisfied with your life's direction. How do you feel about where you are headed? I can support your self discovery in a compassionate and understanding way. I work towards identifying one's strengths and empowering clients struggling with anxiety, depression, substance abuse, relationship problems and life transitions. I specialize in working with young women, new moms and couples navigating the transitional stages of family life.
I'm not here to just listen while you talk — I'm here to work with you. I show up warm, engaged, and genuinely invested in your growth. I'll ask thoughtful questions, offer honest feedback, and, when the moment feels right, gently challenge the beliefs or behaviors that may be keeping you stuck. You'll always feel heard and respected here, never judged.
Seeking help can be the first step to acquire greater understanding and insight into our lives and relationships.
I bring 14 + years of experience providing thrrapy in both private and clinical settings. My work is grounded in a client centered strengths-based approach, rooted in unconditional, positive regard and a commitment to providing a safe, non-judgmental space where client can openly share their stories.
I identify as neurodivergent and have personally and professionally navigated ADHD. This experience allows me to bring both clinical knowledge lived understanding to my work, helping clients recognize their strengths, develop effective strategies, and move toward meaningful growth and stability.
I believe therapy should feel like a space where you can finally exhale. I strive to create an environment that is supportive, honest, and free of judgment; a place where you feel truly seen and emotionally safe. My approach is collaborative and practical. I don’t just help you understand why you feel the way you do; I help you build real tools to navigate it.
I earned my degree from Cal State Fullerton and have extensive experience working in addiction treatment, eating disorder recovery, and women’s issues. Supporting women is especially meaningful to me. I am deeply passionate about helping women navigate challenges related to self-worth, body image, relationships, boundaries, life transitions, and identity. I understand how trauma, societal expectations, and relational dynamics can shape how women see themselves, and I approach this work with both compassion and clarity.
Together, we focus on strengthening mindfulness, emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and communication skills in ways that feel realistic and sustainable. I blend insight-oriented exploration with concrete strategies, because meaningful change happens when insight meets action. My goal is to help you better understand your patterns, feel more confident managing your emotions, and move forward with greater clarity, self-trust, and resilience.
My goal is to create a space where you feel seen, understood, and supported. I believe mental wellness is an essential part of overall health, and that healing begins by moving from survival to thriving through nervous system regulation, processing past experiences, and strengthening the mind-body connection. Meaningful change and healing happens within a strong therapeutic relationship built on trust, authenticity, and collaboration. Whether you're navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship challenges, addiction, performance anxiety, work-related stress... or simply feeling overwhelmed by life's demands, we'll work together to build insight, process difficult experiences when appropriate, develop practical coping skills, and create meaningful, lasting change.
Hi,
I’m Megan , an LMFT , licensed in California. I am an easy going , kind and compassionate psychotherapist who provides a safe and non-judgmental space for clients to process life’s challenges and grow in self awareness . I empower clients to find their peace and restore balance.
I specialize in helping clients navigating trauma, anxiety, panic disorder, depression, LGBTQ+ issues, grief, & much more. I earned my MSW from New York University in 2011 and have worked as a forensic social worker in NYC at The Legal Aid Society & have also worked with Gay Men's Health Crisis, Services for the Underserved, Footsteps & Office of the Appellate Defender. I moved to Los Angeles in 2017 and have been in private practice since 2018.
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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