Services
Individual Counseling
I offer psychotherapy in San Diego for wide range of issues. Among them:
- Addiction
- Adjustment
- Anxiety and Depression
- Anger management
- Grief/loss
- Communication problems
- Academic/social issues
- Trauma/abuse
- Gender and LGBTQ-Affirming support
Relationship Counseling
Couples counseling, or relationship counseling, can be helpful for all kinds of couples, married, unmarried, same-sex, trans/pan, etc…
Clinical Supervision
Since 2008, Abby has enjoyed supervising newer therapists, including pre-license Clinical Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapy Registered Interns, and graduate students of Masters of Social Work, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, and Marriage and Family Therapy programs. Abby is trained by and approved by the University of Southern California, San Diego State University and the University of San Diego as a clinical supervisor. She is qualified by the BBS to supervise the hours of ASW’s, PCI’s and AMFT’s.
Counseling for Specific Populations
Although Abby has experience working with people from all walks of life, she specializes in providing therapy for the following:
- College and graduate students
- Pregnant and postpartum women
- Other professionals in the “helping” fields
- Parents
Over the years we have helped people with just about everything. A few of our specialties include:
Addiction
Are you thinking about breaking out of the cycle of addiction but not sure? We believe in helping you build up other, healthier coping skills to manage anxiety, depression and stress. Many clients then feel empowered to cut back or stop unhealthy habits. Therapy should be respectful and collaborative and we will help you increase your motivation for YOUR goals, as you define them.
Anxiety and Depression
We have helped people from all walks of life learn to manage and overcome the limitations and suffering caused by anxiety, depression, and many other forms of mental distress. We prefer to focus on the person versus a diagnosis. We will look at what is working in your life and what may no longer be serving you. Together we will find solutions for you to live more of the life you want. Initial sessions will focus on finding some immediate relief from symptoms. We want you to feel better as quickly as possible! If you choose to stay longer, we can work on underlying issues to find longer lasting resolution.
College Students and Graduate Students
Abby specializes in the mental health and wellness of college students, community college students and graduate students. She works part-time as therapists and supervisor in a college mental health counseling center. The stressors on students and adult learners are unique, and we can help students feel less overwhelmed and better able to be successful in school.
Helping Professionals
Therapists, social workers, drug/alcohol counselors and nurses all need help, too! Abby frequently provide therapy to other mental health professionals, as well as teachers, coaches, parents and other people who have dedicated themselves to helping others. We shift the balance back towards a healthy level of self-care so that you can continue to help and support others, and prioritize your own health and well-being. If you are flying on a plane with an individual needing assistance, the flight attendant will tell you to put your own oxygen mask on first.
Maternal Mental Health
Abby specializes in maternal mental health, including the anxiety and emotional challenges of pregnancy and new parenthood, infertility, and pregnancy loss. She integrates her professional expertise with her passion for empowering new and expecting parents to survive –and enjoy– this transition.
Becoming a parent is a time of adjustment, not just for new moms but for dads and partners, too. Couples’ therapy can also be helpful during this transition. Two thirds of couples experience decreased relationship satisfaction after the birth of a child. Let’s make it better!
Parenting
Many otherwise healthy, competent, adults find that the role of being a parent is harder than they imagined. Newborn children require all of our focus just to survive. Many parents find it harder to shift the focus back onto themselves. If you are flying on a plane with an individual needing assistance, the flight attendant will tell you to put your own oxygen mask on first! We can work on “mothering the mother” and make sure all of you and your family’s needs are being met.
Other Topics?
We have had the opportunity to gain experience and specialized training in many other areas. Please consult with us to see if we can meet your needs. If not we are happy to make referrals.