Therapist in Chula Vista, CA Katerina Echegaray, Therapist

Katerina Echegaray, LMFT (formerly known as Silvia Karen Flores Uribe) is a licensed marriage and family therapist with a strong foundation in clinical psychology. She graduated from Universidad Franco Mexicana’s Clinical Psychology program in Mexico City and began her career as a licensed clinical psychologist in 1999. In 2000, Katerina moved to the United States, where she later earned a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from JFK University in California, becoming a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT).

Katerina specializes in diagnosing and treating mental illnesses across the lifespan, working with individuals, couples, and families. Her areas of expertise include developmental disabilities, severe mental disorders such as psychotic and personality disorders, anxiety, mood disorders, and dual diagnoses involving addiction. She is also skilled in infant and toddler mental health, and offers therapy modalities including psychoanalysis, humanism, DBT, CBT, and family systems therapy.

In addition to traditional therapeutic approaches, Katerina is experienced in animal-assisted psychotherapy, working with horses and cats, as well as art therapy. She believes in the continuous mental, emotional, social, and spiritual growth of individuals, and is dedicated to helping her clients achieve mental health, optimal functioning, and a deep sense of fulfillment.

Outside of her professional life, Katerina enjoys spending time with her husband and their 11 pets. She has a passion for the arts, including painting, sculpture, and music, and loves to travel. Katerina is inspired by the philosophy of Jean-Jacques Rousseau, who believed that every person is born good and is only later influenced by society.

Katerina emphasizes that true therapy is not just about temporary relief—it is a journey toward genuine healing and wellness. While the process may be challenging at times, Katerina is committed to guiding her clients toward becoming stronger, wiser, more resilient, and ultimately, happier.