Our counselors in San Diego, CA offer child therapy

Nona Kelly is a Licensed Marriage and Family therapist (LMFT) with over 20 years of experience in both the public and private sector. Nona enjoys working with individuals, couples, and families who are wanting a healthier life. She has extensive experience treating many issues and diagnoses, including depression and anxiety, women’s issues, family issues, addiction, and life transitions. 

Nona completed her master’s degree at Loma Linda University and is licensed both in California and Tennessee. Nona has contributed to publications in Women’s Health, HealthScope Magazine and The Tennessean Publication. She brings an energetic and flexible approach to her work with clients, while also offering a supportive, empathic, and safe place to process client concerns. Nona appreciates the whole person and utilizes cognitive-behavioral and person-centered techniques in her approach to therapy. 

Nona seeks to journey alongside you, encouraging self-growth by active listening and giving feedback that will assist you in meeting your established therapeutic goals. Let’s get started working towards your best life!

Do you feel pulled in a million directions, unable to fit it all in? Are you struggling to keep up with your relationships, work and health? Is it hard to be kind to yourself? I help high performers manage anxiety and avoid burnout. Together, we can identify what's not working and get you back to balance. 

We'll use a whole self approach, addressing the needs of your mind, body and spirit. I also integrate mindfulness and somatic movement to help you develop a stronger relationship with yourself. Whether you're dealing with overwhelm, relationship issues or cycles of anxiety and depression, I'm here to help. 

Seeking therapy can feel scary but you're making the right choice. You deserve a safe space to heal and grow. In our sessions together, I'll meet you with compassion and evidence-based techniques so you can overcome the hangups and habits holding you back.Let's work together!

Aurelio is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 10 years of experience. Aurelio’s specialties include adults experiencing difficulties with depression, anxiety, trauma, self-esteem, loss of a loved one, relationships, and stress. Aurelio has a wealth of experience with overcoming life traumas, the loss of loved ones, and improving personal communications.

Aurelio draws upon his 26 years of military service and nine overseas deployments, along with his passion for serving others, to provide a meaningful therapeutic experience. He enjoys providing psycho-education and using cognitive behavioral therapy.

In your first session, Aurelio will explore the process of therapy, identify what brings you to therapy, and together, develop some goals of what you want to accomplish in therapy. Aurelio also thinks it is important to work together to help you better understand the "what" and "why" of what you are experiencing.

Melissa Dobson is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor with over 20 years of experience in the behavioral health field. She has worked with all ages in both inpatient and outpatient settings to address various mental health concerns, as well as substance use issues. Melissa specializes in anxiety, depression, and trauma.

Melissa completed her Master's in Mental Health Counseling at the University of North Florida. Melissa utilizes treatment approaches that include motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy, and solution-focused therapy.

Melissa is passionate about supporting and empowering you with tools and techniques to help you face life’s challenges. If you are ready to do the work, schedule an appointment with her today.

I am a board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) with 10 years of experience supporting adults navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, bipolar disorder, and substance use concerns. Many of the individuals I work with feel overwhelmed, stuck, or uncertain about their next steps and are seeking emotional stability, symptom relief, and greater self-understanding.

I earned my master's degree in nursing from Walden University. My approach is collaborative, compassionate, and culturally responsive. I combine thoughtful medication management with supportive, evidence-based strategies, psychoeducation, and practical coping skills to help clients build resilience and create meaningful progress.

Seeking support can feel like a big step, and you don’t have to do it alone. I strive to create a safe, nonjudgmental space where you feel heard and supported while we work together toward balance, stability, and lasting emotional well-being.

Mauricette Mancini is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over 18 years of experience. She specializes in supporting adolescents, adults, and seniors who are struggling with depression, anxiety, stress, relationship conflict, trauma, and ADHD. Mauricette was inspired to become a therapist because of the positive effect helping others has on her personal and professional journey. When she isn’t at work, Mauricette likes to read, hike, paint, and meditate.

Mauricette has a Master’s in Marital and Family Therapy from Loyola Marymount University. She treats all clients with respect and compassion and utilizes approaches including cognitive behavioral therapy, solution-focused therapy, motivational interviewing, and mindfulness techniques. 

It takes courage to seek a more meaningful and happier life, and Mauricette is honored to support and empower you to reach your goals.If you are ready to get started, schedule an appointment with Mauricette today!

I enjoy reading, learning, hiking in nature, health, cooking raw, meditation, self inquiry, drawing and painting.

Carina Demanigold is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 5 years of experience supporting individuals and couples through life’s most difficult transitions. She draws from both physical and mental healthcare backgrounds, including hospice care. Carina is passionate about providing emotional support to those facing grief, trauma, and other forms of suffering. She works with mild to moderate mental health symptoms and fosters healing through a compassionate, client-centered approach.

Carina holds a Master’s in Social Work from the University of Southern California. Her integrative approach combines mindfulness, self-compassion, and emotional balance using cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, and the Gottman method. She meets clients where they are and promotes authentic healing.

Carina offers evidence-based psychotherapy tailored to the needs of each client, helping them manage anxiety, depression, grief, and life transitions. Her calm, non-judgmental presence empowers individuals and couples to navigate emotional waves with clarity and resilience. She believes therapy is a path toward understanding the logic behind our behaviors.

Mia Velarde is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over 10 years of experience. She specializes in helping individuals ages 16 and older with concerns including depression, anxiety, chronic stress, PTSD, and LGBTQIA+-related issues. Mia creates a safe, non-judgmental space where clients can show up exactly as they are while they focus on strengths and evolve goals. In her free time, Mia enjoys running, spending time with family, visiting museums, and listening to records.

Mia received her Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of LaVerne. She uses family systems, attachment and commitment therapy, and mindfulness-based techniques depending on their needs.

Life isn’t about toughing it out alone. There are so many people around to learn from and grow with. Mia would be humbled and honored to support you and encourages you to schedule your first appointment today! 

Mark is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, who works out of an office in Philadelphia, and holds licenses in both Pennsylvania and California. He has 20 years of experience helping children, adults, and families work through challenges that impact their health and happiness. He spent much of his career working at a nonprofit agency that continues to serve trauma impacted children and families in the San Francisco Bay Area. It was through this work that Mark grew to understand both the grave impact of trauma and the healing power of psychotherapy. Mark works from a variety of therapies to best match an individual's needs. Some of these include cognitive behavioral therapy, narrative therapy, and gestalt therapy. He also has subspecialties in parent training, behavioral intervention instruction, and play therapies. Regardless of the therapeutic orientation, he believes enriching an individual’s personal story is the key to change. When people can author strength based personal narratives, they are able to find the strength to overcome their doubts, fears, and worry. Mark believes every person carries within them the power to change and heal. He seeks to help individuals access this power through a safe, comforting, and expressive experience.