Susana Villalpando, MS, LMFT, Therapist in Poway, California

Susana Villalpando helps adults across California navigate emotional challenges and life transitions with compassionate, evidence-based therapy. As a Marriage and Family Therapist at LifeStance Health, she provides individual therapy for adults and older adults seeking support for concerns such as anxiety, depression, and trauma. Susana creates a collaborative and supportive environment where clients can explore difficult emotions, develop practical coping strategies, and work toward meaningful personal growth and emotional balance. Susana has a strong clinical interest in helping individuals manage anxiety, depression, and trauma-related concerns that can affect relationships, daily functioning, and overall well-being. She works closely with each client to understand their personal story and treatment goals, helping them build healthier thought patterns, emotional regulation skills, and resilience. Her therapeutic approach blends evidence-based practices such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and mindfulness techniques to support lasting change. In addition to these focus areas, she also supports individuals facing challenges related to grief, life transitions, substance use, and other mental health concerns. Susana values providing culturally responsive care and has experience working with diverse communities, including members of the LGBTQ+ community, military service members and veterans, and first responders. She offers therapy in Spanish, helping broaden access to mental health care for individuals who prefer to receive services in their native language. Through thoughtful listening and personalized treatment planning, she aims to help clients strengthen self-awareness, improve emotional wellness, and build healthier relationships. Outside of her clinical work, Susana enjoys activities that help her stay connected to creativity and balance. She spends her time watching baseball, reading thrillers, drawing, painting, and swimming. She believes that maintaining creativity, movement, and strong connections with community helps her show up authentically and fully present for the people she supports.