San Diego PTSD Therapy

Hope for when your past overwhelms your present

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WHERE ARE YOU NOW?

You’re safe now, but your body isn’t convinced. Maybe it’s nightmares, anxiety, or sudden panic that comes out of nowhere. Maybe you avoid certain places, people, or memories—but they still find their way in. Or maybe you feel nothing at all, like you’re cut off from yourself and everyone else.

Trauma doesn’t just live in the mind—it lives in your body and your nervous system. And PTSD can make everyday life feel unpredictable and exhausting, even if the traumatic event happened years ago.

You’re not weak for being affected. You’re human. And what happened to you matters.

WHERE WILL YOU GO?

You want to feel grounded, whole, and in control again.

Healing from trauma doesn’t mean forgetting—it means the past no longer owns your present. It means your body starts to relax. Your thoughts feel less hijacked. You start trusting your instincts, your relationships, and your sense of self again.

The goal is resilience, not erasing what’s happened. It’s finding the strength to feel safe in your own life—and eventually, maybe even joy.

That future isn’t out of reach. Trauma therapy in San Diego can make a difference.

HOW WILL YOU GET THERE?

Trauma can be untangled from your present

At Pathways Family Therapy we specialize in trauma-informed care that helps your mind and body recover at their own pace. Treatment options may include:

  • Trauma-focused talk therapy to process painful experiences safely
  • Somatic approaches to calm the nervous system and reprocess trauma
  • Cognitive strategies to rebuild your sense of agency and trust
  • Mind-body work like mindfulness or yoga to restore a mind-body connection

Whether your trauma was a single event or a long chapter of your life, you deserve support. We’ll help you reclaim your strength—gently, consistently, and without judgment.

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Meet our San Diego PTSD counselors

Connor Seidler, LMFT

Good fit for couples impacted by trauma

I’m Connor, an LMFT specializing in PTSD therapy in San Diego for couples navigating the impact of trauma on their relationship. What sets my work apart is a strong focus on how the effects of trauma show up in your closest relationships, not just in your personal symptoms. I use Internal Family Systems, Emotion-Focused Therapy, DBT, and CBT to help partners understand how past experiences are shaping present dynamics, so you can move toward more clarity, connection, and stability together.

  • Credentials: Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist #146060
  • Specialty Areas: Trauma and PTSD, relational distress, low self-esteem, anxiety, personality disorders

 

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Jennifer Phelps, LMFT

Good fit for co-occurring trauma & substance use

I’m Jennifer, an LMFT and Registered Art Therapist offering PTSD therapy in San Diego for clients navigating both trauma and substance use. My work centers on creative expression, using art, mindfulness, and DBT to help you safely externalize and process trauma. Clients often choose me when traditional talk therapy hasn’t clicked or feels overwhelming. I offer a more accessible, hands-on approach that helps you move through experiences at your own pace.

  • Credentials: Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist #138186; Registered Art Therapist #21-224
  • Specialty Areas: PTSD and trauma, anxiety, depression, identity work, addiction

 

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Jeff Williams, LCSW

Good fit for intergenerational or family trauma

I’m Jeff, an LCSW with over 20 years of experience providing PTSD therapy in San Diego for individuals and families working through personal or intergenerational trauma. I help identify how patterns get passed down and how to interrupt the transmission process, introducing healthier alternatives. With advanced training in Structural Family Therapy, I draw on SFT, CBT, DBT, Emotion-Focused, and Bowen Systems work to help you understand your role within the system and shift long-standing family dynamics in a meaningful, lasting way.

  • Credentials: Licensed Clinical Social Worker #28894
  • Specialty Areas: Trauma and PTSD, family systems, substance abuse, existential and identity work, depression, bipolar

 

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Victoria Perez, LCSW

Good fit for trauma therapy for kids and teens

I’m Victoria, an LCSW offering PTSD therapy in San Diego for kids, teens, and young adults, with services available in both English and Spanish. I specialize in helping young people process trauma in a way that feels safe and age-appropriate, whether it’s connected to family changes, school stress, social needs, or identity development. Using CBT, Motivational Interviewing, and strengths-based approaches, I focus on building positive decision-making, confidence, and emotional safety.

  • Credentials: Licensed Clinical Social Worker #137980
  • Specialty Areas: Childhood and adolescent trauma, family transitions, anxiety, school stress, parent-divorce adjustment

 

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Breanne Dargon, LMFT

Good fit for complex trauma

I’m Breanne, an LMFT with over 15 years of experience providing PTSD therapy in San Diego for clients with more complex, overlapping mental health needs. I specialize in trauma that coexists with complex conditions like bipolar disorder, personality disorders, or schizophrenia; areas that many providers don’t focus on. My background in long-term residential care shapes a steady, adaptable approach, using Systems Theory alongside CBT, DBT, and attachment-based work to support both individuals and families with trauma-informed change.

 

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What sets our practice apart from other San Diego PTSD providers

  • Whole-systems approach. We look at trauma in the context of your relationships, family, and environment.
  • Experienced with higher-acuity needs. We often support clients transitioning from inpatient, residential, or long-term care.
  • Family IOP option. A 2-day program for families navigating trauma and addiction together.
  • Personalized, evidence-based care. CBT, DBT, EFT, IFS, Structural Family Therapy, art therapy, and more, tailored to you.
  • Accessible care options. In-person sessions in Chula Vista and Sorrento Valley, plus virtual therapy across California and Arizona.
  • Bilingual support. Therapy is available in both English and Spanish.

 

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FAQs about PTSD therapy

What's the most effective therapy for PTSD?

There isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer. Approaches like CBT, EMDR, Prolonged Exposure, and Internal Family Systems are all effective, but what matters most is the right fit for you. At Pathways Family Therapy, we tailor PTSD therapy to your needs so the work feels relevant to your specific needs and goals.

What kind of therapist is best for PTSD?

The best PTSD therapist is someone trained in trauma-informed care who helps you feel safe, understood, and not rushed. Some people need structure and skills, while others need a more relational or creative approach. We focus on matching you with a therapist who fits how you process and heal.

What are 5 signs of PTSD?

Common signs include intrusive memories or flashbacks, avoiding reminders, panic symptoms, hypervigilance, and changes in mood or self-perception. If these are affecting your sleep, focus, work, or relationships, it’s time to consider reaching out for support.

How do I know if I have PTSD or just stress?

PTSD symptoms typically include intrusive memories, flashbacks or nightmares, fear/worry, avoidance of reminders, hypervigilance, and shifts in mood or sense of self that persist beyond a month after a traumatic event. If these are interfering with work, sleep, or relationships, an evaluation is a worthwhile next step.

How long does PTSD therapy usually take?

It depends. Some people notice meaningful changes in a few months, while others, especially with more complex trauma, benefit from longer-term support. We’ll talk openly about pacing so it feels sustainable for your life.

Is PTSD therapy covered by insurance?

Many insurance plans do cover PTSD therapy, especially if you have a PPO with out-of-network benefits. Pathways Family Therapy is an out-of-network provider, which means we don’t bill or accept insurance directly. We do provide a monthly superbill that you can submit to your PPO insurance provider for partial reimbursement. Coverage varies, so it’s a good idea to check with your insurance provider about your specific benefits.

How do I know if your practice is right for me?

If you’re looking for PTSD therapy in San Diego that’s warm, flexible, and tailored to you, not one-size-fits-all, you will feel at home here. We offer a free intro call so you can get a sense of the fit before committing.

Start working with a San Diego PTSD therapist today

 

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Pathways Family Therapy

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Call Us: 619-541-5036
It only takes 2 minutes to get started on a lifetime of change!
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*Pathways is a private-pay, non-insurance-based practice.

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Locations

Central San Diego
5755 Oberlin Dr, Suite 108
San Diego CA 92121

Chula Vista
1415 Ridgeback Rd, Suite 2
Chula Vista, CA 91910

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