Therapeutic Philosophy
The word psychotherapy comes from the Greek psyche (soul, inner life) and therapeia (care or tending), and I hold this meaning close in my work.
Therapy, for me, isn’t about “fixing” you; it’s about tending to what hurts, reconnecting with your wholeness, and exploring what healing means for you. I approach therapy as a collaborative, relational process that honors both your lived experience and the systems that shape it.
My work is rooted in a holistic understanding of care, one that holds space for the nervous system, identity, culture, spirit, and collective struggle. You won’t be asked to shrink, over-explain, or disconnect from yourself here.
You deserve care that is attuned to your lived experience, your healing, and your sovereignty.
This practice is guided by anti-capitalist, anti-racist, anti-oppressive, and intersectional feminist values. I offer LGBTQIA+ and neurodivergent-affirming care and stand firmly against white supremacy, genocide, and systemic violence.
Therapeutic Modalities
I center collaboration, curiosity, and cultural humility in my sessions. I don’t use therapy models in a one-size-fits-all way; instead, I bring a mix of approaches that we adapt together based on your needs, values, and lived experience. I welcome the use of these tools as long as they’re working for you, and I’ll never push approaches that don’t feel aligned.
Some of the approaches I integrate include:
Liberation Psychology & Systems-Based Approaches
These approaches consider the interconnected roles of mind, body, identity, relationships, culture, ancestry, environment, and lived experience, while acknowledging the impact of systemic oppression on mental health and well-being.
Feminist Family Therapy (for individuals and families)
Explores how power, identity, gender, relationships, and social context shape our experiences within families, communities, and larger systems, with attention to intersectionality, equity, and social justice.
Mindfulness-Based Practices
Practices that support present-moment awareness, grounding, and self-compassion, offered with cultural humility and focused on connection rather than productivity.
Nature-Informed Perspectives
Nature-informed therapy and ecological frameworks recognize that humans are part of larger living systems. When relevant, we may explore themes of place, belonging, seasonal rhythms, connection to the natural world, ecological grief, and the ways our environments shape well-being.
Somatic & Sensory Regulation Tools
Body-based practices that support nervous system regulation, grounding, embodiment, and awareness of sensory needs.
Narrative & Strengths-Based Approaches
Helps us explore and re-author internalized stories, while naming and building upon existing strengths.
Habit Reversal Training (HRT) (for BFRBs)
A structured approach for interrupting and replacing repetitive behaviors through increased awareness and supportive alternatives. Also, commonly used with BFRBs.
Comprehensive Behavioral (ComB) Model (for BFRBs)
A flexible, research-based model that identifies patterns and supports behavior change for hair-pulling, skin-picking, and related behaviors.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) (aspects, not full model)
Practical skills for emotion regulation, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, and mindfulness, integrated in a way that supports autonomy and self-trust.
Beyond the Therapy Room
I also recognize that therapy is just one part of the healing ecosystem. Community, rest, nature, art, spirituality, movement, protest, and ancestral connection can all be deeply therapeutic. These forms of care are welcome here, and I honor whatever else supports your wholeness.
Hours
Mon – Thurs: By appointment only
Fri – Sun: Closed
Office
3065 Rosecrans Place, Suite 202 San Diego, CA 92110
Contact
(619) 839-9397
info@therapywithmicaela.com