Therapist in La Jolla, California Contessa Strother, Therapist

There are times in our lives when we need a place to process past experiences, find clarity in our current circumstances, learn new ways of coping and have the opportunity to find meaning in the midst of difficult situations that perhaps have you questioning what the next steps of life are.

I have a passion for guiding individuals and couples through difficult life transitions as well as those striving to identify their personal potential for growth. I am looking forward to understanding your story and help you have a deeper insight into the mental health symptoms you may experience, to explore ways to rewrite your perspective on the past and work through cognitive blocks to creatively improve your life. My desire is to give you a space where you feel understood, safe and empowered to make changes as you work through any fears, concerns or insecurities that you are currently facing. I am a Marriage and Family therapist and a Professional Clinical counselor who has been licensed since 2010. I received my Master’s degree at California Baptist University in Riverside and my Bachelor’s degree at Biola University in La Mirada.

I specialize in working with clients who struggle with anxiety, depression, grief, various mood disorders, self-esteem issues, interpersonal problems in relationships and stress management skills. The evidence-based modalities that I utilize are Cognitive Behavioral therapy (CBT), Solution-focused therapy, Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT), Mindfulness skills, Positive psychology and with an emphasis on a strength-based perspective. Within these treatment frameworks it will increase your insight into the thoughts that affect your mood, help you gain specific strategies to interrupt patterns of thinking that no longer serve you and learn new ways to be in the here-and-now to feel connected to who you are and the life you desire to have. These modalities also make room for you to align your choices to what your truest values are and work beyond the limiting beliefs that have you feeling frustrated or overwhelmed. Furthermore, the therapeutic skills will also enhance your ability to expand your hope towards healing, growing into the life you want and allowing you to release old thought patterns or behaviors.

If you are seeking Couples therapy I have specialized training in Emotion-focused therapy which uniquely has over 20 years of empirical research indicating a high success rate with couples. I have helped marriages find their way back to each other by supporting the couple in identifying new ways of relating to each other by understanding the maladaptive cycles in their marriage and by creating new emotional connections. Your relationship with your spouse can have an impact on your mental health and level of satisfaction in life. Giving time to evaluate your contribution to your marriage in therapy can give you more awareness into how to experience meaningful changes and guidance in how to fight for your marriage proactively.

I am hoping we can work together for you to experience how the therapeutic process can be a sacred time to heal, have more self-awareness, help you draw in a higher perspective and provide a new mindset that can actually be used to build your confidence in your life or in your relationships.