Stress, PTSD and Anxiety Therapists in El Cajon, CA.

Licensed professional counseling for anxiety, stress, phobias, and panic in El Cajon, California.


Stephanie Knatz Peck, Ph.D, BCIAA
Anxiety Counselor

Stephanie Knatz Peck, Ph.D, BCIAA

Licensed Clinical Psychologist

In 92109 - Nearby to El Cajon.

Dr. Peck is trained in evidence-based models of treatment for anxiety and stress disorders. The good news about anxiety and stress is that there are treatments that have been rigorously studied and are proven to be effective! Unfortunately, not all providers treating these common issues are using the most effective treatments. Dr. Peck can provide education on how anxiety develops, and equip you with a toolbox of coping strategies that are proven to reduce anxiety and stress disorders. Treatments include: Biofeedback, Cognitive behavioral therapy, Exposure and response prevention (a component of cognitive-behavioral therapy), and Coping Cat (children and teens).

Paul Santero, Psy. D.
Anxiety Counselor

Paul Santero, Psy. D.

Licensed Psychologist

In 92037 - Nearby to El Cajon.

Like most issues that people experience today, anxiety and stress can be caused by un-resolved trauma in one's past. Trauma can leave a wound when it has not been processed and resolved. This wound, when not delt with, can lead to other issues including anxiety and stress. An effective way to treat anxiety and stress is to look at and deal with unresolved trauma in the individuals past and present. An effective way to deal with trauma is through the technique called EMDR. I am trained through the EMDR Institute and have helped individuals heal the wounds left by their trauma experiences. When this occurs, the stress and anxiety can subside and the individual feels better.

Philip Starkman, MSW, RSW
Anxiety Counselor

Philip Starkman, MSW, RSW

Registered Psychotherapist

Available for Online Therapy

Anxiety falls along a continuum from acceptable to crippling, debilitating anxiety requiring professional intervention. The major forms that anxiety takes are: Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Panic Disorder, Phobic Disorders, Social Anxiety Disorders and Obsessive Compulsive Disorders (OCD). A variety of proven therapeutic interventions are well established now, eg., Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), Yoga, Tai Chi, Breathwork. By diving into therapy clients regain a sense of optimism, courage and confidence in relationships, workplace and career, driving, aging, life transitions and more.

Philip Kolba, MA LCPC NCC
Anxiety Counselor

Philip Kolba, MA LCPC NCC

Psychotherapist

In 92105 - Nearby to El Cajon.

Everyone experiences anxiety at some point, but for some the anxiety is so frequent or intense that it interferes with their lives or even triggers panic attacks. I use Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to help my clients get a sense of control over their own anxiety. We collaborate to learn skills to reduce the frequency or intensity of the anxious feelings, to tolerate the anxiety when it does occur so they can still function through it, and to practice habits that reduce stress and improve general mental health.

Roxanne Strauss, M.A., LMFT
Anxiety Counselor

Roxanne Strauss, M.A., LMFT

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

In 92020 - Nearby to El Cajon.

A little anxiety or stress can be good for us. It motivates us to get to our work done, to study for an exam, or to help us recognize we are overwhelmed and need to slow down. When anxiety is problematic, it creates an unhealthy sense of well-being and it interferes with daily living. Because there are different forms of anxiety, and because often anxiety can occur with depression, I work with individuals to assess what kind of anxiety they may be experiencing, and then focus holistically on not only managing the symptoms of anxiety, but also gaining a better awareness of the biological, psychological, social, and spiritual aspects of anxiety.

Ronald Reichard, MA, MFT
Anxiety Counselor

Ronald Reichard, MA, MFT

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

In 91910 - Nearby to El Cajon.

Anxiety as often been referred to as worry gone out of control. When anxiety gets to high levels it can be very debilitating making it very difficult to function at home, work and interpersonal relationships. Anxiety can also result in panic attacks in which a person may feel like they are going to shut down. I assist clients in identifying triggers to their anxiety and developing strategies to successfully cope. I help the client understand how their thought patterns directly influcence their feelings of anxiety. I than assist the client in learning how to better manage thought patterns and adopt thought patterns that lead to increased feelings of calmness and self-control.

Preston Lavin, AMFT
Anxiety Counselor

Preston Lavin, AMFT

Associate Marriage and Family Therapist

In 92107 - Nearby to El Cajon.

Anxiety and stress can feel overwhelming, but with the right tools and support, it is possible to regain control and find balance. In anxiety and stress treatment, I use a combination of evidence-based approaches such as mindfulness, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help clients understand the root causes of their anxiety and stress. Together, we’ll work on recognizing and challenging negative thought patterns, building emotional resilience, and developing coping strategies that help manage daily stressors. My goal is to empower clients to respond to anxiety and stress with greater calm, clarity, and confidence, leading to improved well-being

Madeleine Foster, MA, AMFT, APCC
Anxiety Counselor

Madeleine Foster, MA, AMFT, APCC

Registered Associate Professional Clinical Counselor, Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist

Available for Online Therapy

I am a psychoanalytic therapist with a focus on anxiety and stress. Through my practice, I strive to create an empathetic, non-judgmental space where you can express your thoughts and feelings. I take a unique approach to therapy, exploring the underlying causes of your concerns and developing personalized solutions to help you move forward. My goal is to help my patients gain insight into their struggles and find inner peace.

David Peters, MS, MFT
Anxiety Counselor

David Peters, MS, MFT

Marriage and Family Therapist

In 92108 - Nearby to El Cajon.

While mild anxiety is a normal part of our everyday lives, it can sometimes be paralyzing, and undermine your work, your relationships, and your ability to interact in the world. That's when you need help. Psychotherapy for anxiety can take a variety of forms: Psychodynamic Therapy - to vent, release, and understand the highly charged emotions that cause your suffering. Cognitive Therapy - to change irrational thoughts to calming ones. Mindful Awareness - to train you to hold calm while observing uncomfortable feelings. Physiological Interventions - to release stress by increasing serotonin levels in your body. Working together, we will choose the best approach for your situation.

Rika Tanaka, Ph.D.
Anxiety Counselor

Rika Tanaka, Ph.D.

Licensed Psychologist

In 92118 - Nearby to El Cajon.

I provide personalized, accessible, and effective evidence-based psychotherapy to clients struggling to cope with anxiety and stress. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) with the right therapist has been found to be effective in relieving a variety of symptoms of anxiety, including excessive worry, nervousness, restlessness, sleep difficulty, muscle tension, and more. Although CBT cannot erase stress from happening, when tailored to your unique needs and goals, it can improve confidence in your ability to cope with a wide range of stressors as they come about.

Cynthia Valentine, MA
Anxiety Counselor

Cynthia Valentine, MA

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

In 92116 - Nearby to El Cajon.

Learn effective ways to observe and manage your anxious thoughts, feelings and behaviors. If you are struggling with overwhelm in your daily life, overthinking seemingly small decisions or have underlying anxious feelings that you're sick of being there, ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) can help. I'm unique from others who practice ACT because I don't treat it as simply "learning coping skills." ACT is an approach to living your fullest life and walking, proudly, with your values leading the way.

Sue Cates, MA, LMFT
Anxiety Counselor

Sue Cates, MA, LMFT

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

In 92014 - Nearby to El Cajon.

Anxiety and stress are part of living in our busy world. When your anxious thoughts and fears seem overwhelming and are impacting your life in negative ways, therapy can help. I create a warm, engaged, and supportive atmosphere where your experiences can be understood and accepted. Using a holistic approach that includes body-based mindfulness and stress reduction strategies, we can work together to help you get back to living a life that brings joy and meaning.

Suzanne Greene, JD, MA, LMFT
Anxiety Counselor

Suzanne Greene, JD, MA, LMFT

Psychotherapist, LMFT

Available for Online Therapy

Experiencing occasional anxiety is a normal part of life. However, anxiety disorders and ongoing chronic stress can appear as repeated episodes of worry & fear, or develop into sudden feelings of intense anxiety with physical sensations, known as panic attacks. Your anxiety may feel related to an event or thought, and other times appear to occur randomly and without cause. Anxiety can develop at any age, when left untreated it may develop into depression. In therapy we will explore how anxiety is affecting your life. You will learn how your physical, emotional and mental health are connected and together create an effective treatment plan specific to your goals to improve your well-being.



You have Found the Top Therapists for Stress, Anxiety, and PTSD in El Cajon, CA.

Thank you for visiting our California page of stress therapists in El Cajon, California who are skilled and experienced in dealing with anxiety, worry, and panic in all its forms.  Worry and stress can cause a myriad of physical symptoms and wreck havoc on both our personal life and our relationships. Counseling for stress and PTSD in El Cajon, CA will give you healthy tools and help you move forward. Let's get started. Reach out to us today, our contact forms are "open" 24/7.

El Cajon is located in San Diego County, California. It has a land area of 14.48 square miles and a water area of 0.00 square miles.  The population of El Cajon is 103,679 people with 32,564 households and a median annual income of $45,925. .


Therapy Affordability Meter for El Cajon, CA

Some budgeting needed

While counseling can certainly be an expense for individuals and families in El Cajon, with proper budgeting, it is entirely do-able and the risk/reward is worth it. For some families, it may be difficult to sustain a commitment to therapy without proper insurance coverage. If this is you, ask your therapist about low cost options as practitoners in and around El Cajon may have flexibility or sliding scales. Low cost counseling and affordable therapy are also sometimes offered by listed city and university level clinics, check with your local El Cajon public health department.