Bilingual Counseling Services in San Diego for Adults and Teens
In-Person in San Diego | Online Therapy throughout California
Welcome!
As a licensed clinical psychologist, I have been a San Diego therapist for over 20 years. I provide therapy services in both English and Spanish to our diverse San Diego community.
I use evidence-based techniques like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and HeartMath to create a supportive space where you can learn practical tools to manage stress, build better relationships, and find more joy in your daily life.
My approach offers genuine compassion combined with proven therapeutic techniques to help you in your personal life and find your path to well-being.
Dr. Madeline Polonia
If you're struggling let's connect for a free 15-minute phone call to see if I'm the right therapist for you.
Together, we can explore how therapy might help you find more peace and balance in your life.
Accepting new clients
If it feels like you're a passenger in your own life, reacting to stress and anxiety rather than moving forward with purpose, you're not alone.
Whether you're struggling personally or watching your teen face these challenges, counseling can help you move from simply surviving to truly thriving.
Through therapy, you'll learn to better understand the connection between heart and mind, gaining practical tools to navigate life's challenges with more confidence and peace.
Discover the Benefits of Counseling and Therapy
Dr Madeline Polonia Welcome Video
Gain practical tools to manage stress, anxiety, and difficult emotions with confidence
Develop deeper self-awareness and understanding of your thoughts and behaviors
Learn effective communication skills to build stronger, healthier relationships
Create lasting positive changes by breaking free from unhelpful patterns and behaviors
MY THERAPY SERVICES
Teen Counseling
Counseling for teens who are overwhelmed, anxious and stressed, so they can learn effective coping and communication strategies.
Some issues I commonly help teens with include:
Overcoming Perfectionism
Setting Realistic Goals
Anxiety Management Strategies
Healthy Sleep Habits
Self-Care Techniques
Managing Negative Thought Patterns
Building Healthy Personal Boundaries
Adult Individual Counseling
Counseling for adults to help you manage your anxiety, better cope with depression, and effectively deal with daily stressors.
Here are some issues I can help you with:
Anxiety Management
Relationship Issues
Work / Life Balance
Stress Management
Depression
Setting Realistic Expectations for Yourself
Emotional Distress / Managing Intense Emotions
My Evidence-Based Approaches
Understanding the different therapy types is an important first step in your mental health journey. I combine proven therapeutic methods with practical, real-world tools to help you create lasting positive change. Through these evidence-based approaches, you'll learn specific techniques you can use both in and outside of our sessions.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a practical, skills-based approach that helps you understand how your thoughts influence your emotions and behaviors. Through a collaborative process of guided exercises and personalized strategies, you'll learn to identify and change unhelpful thought patterns, leading to lasting positive changes.
Benefits of CBT:
Break free from negative thinking patterns
Develop healthier responses to stress
Build stronger relationships with others
Gain tools for managing difficult emotions
Create positive changes that last
HeartMath
HeartMath is an innovative approach that combines breathing techniques with heart rhythm monitoring to help you manage stress and anxiety in real time. Using scientifically validated tools, you'll gain insight to your body's response to stress and develop practical techniques to regulate your emotions effectively.
Benefits of HeartMath:
Reduce anxiety and stress in real time
Build emotional resilience for life's challenges
Improve focus during stressful situations
Recognize your body's stress signals quickly
Create daily balance and lasting calm
Meet Your San Diego Therapist
As a licensed clinical psychologist with over two decades of experience serving the San Diego community, I've dedicated my career to helping teens and adults navigate life's challenges in a supportive environment.
After completing my doctoral studies in clinical psychology at Wright State University School of Professional Psychology, I chose San Diego as my home and have been practicing here for over 24 years.
What sets my practice apart from other therapists in San Diego is my commitment to creating a collaborative, bilingual space where you feel heard and respected, whether you're dealing with anxiety, depression, stress, or grief.
Having established my private practice in 2015, I understand our community's unique pressures and challenges, and I'm passionate about providing practical, easy-to-implement strategies that help my clients achieve meaningful personal growth, lasting positive change, and living a fulfilling life.
Dr. Madeline Polonia
In-Person in San Diego and Online Throughout California
I offer flexible therapy options to fit your schedule and lifestyle, with both in-person sessions in San Diego and secure online Telehealth services throughout California.
In-Person Therapy in San Diego
Meeting in my welcoming San Diego office provides a dedicated space for your personal growth and healing. Located in Sorrento Mesa, my office offers a calm, private environment where we can work together to help you reach your goals.
Benefits of In-Person Therapy:
Experience a dedicated space away from daily stressors
Build connection through face-to-face interaction
Maintain boundaries between therapy and home life
Centrally located San Diego office in Sorrento Mesa, with easy access from neighborhoods like Miro Mesa, Carmel Valley, Rancho Penasquitos, Scripps Ranch, Torrey Pines, and Del Mar Heights
Online Therapy for California
Online therapy provides the same quality of care and personal attention as in-person sessions, all from the comfort and convenience of your chosen location. Using a secure video connection, we can work together effectively whether you're at home, your office, or anywhere else.
Benefits of Online Therapy:
Save time with no commute or traffic
Access care from anywhere in California
Fit therapy easily into your busy schedule
I provide online therapy throughout California—from the coastal communities of Malibu and San Diego, to the state capital of Sacramento, from the mountain regions of Mount Shasta to the desert landscapes of the Mojave. No matter where you call home in the Golden State, quality mental health care is within reach.
Bilingual Therapy Services in English and Spanish
Living in San Diego means being part of a vibrant, diverse population that bridges two cultures.
Whether you feel more comfortable expressing your feelings in English or Spanish, you'll find a welcoming space where your cultural experiences and identity are deeply understood and respected. As a San Diego border city resident, you might navigate between cultures daily - at work, with family, or in your community - and your mental health journey should reflect and honor that unique experience.
You'll have access to therapy in whichever language feels most natural to you, with someone who understands the nuances of bicultural life in San Diego. From managing family dynamics to workplace stress, or the unique pressures of living in our cross-cultural region, you'll develop practical coping strategies that work within your cultural context and daily life.
Whether you're from the local San Diego community, recently arrived from a Spanish speaking country and seeking mental health services, or anywhere in between, you'll find a space where your experiences are validated and your mental health needs are addressed with cultural understanding and sensitivity.
Find Meaningtul and Lasting Change
If you’re seeking therapy, taking the first step shows courage and commitment to your well-being. I offer a free 15-minute phone consultation to discuss your needs and ensure we're a good fit for working together.
When you're ready to create lasting positive changes in your life, finding the right therapist in San Diego can be your first step toward a more fulfilling future. In our therapy sessions, you'll discover practical tools that help you move beyond just coping to truly thriving, with strategies tailored to your unique journey toward mental well-being.
Whether you're dealing with daily stress, relationship challenges, or deeper emotional concerns, you'll learn how to build resilience and create meaningful changes that enhance every aspect of your life – from your relationships and career to your daily sense of peace and purpose.
Self-Compassion
Learn to navigate the present moment with greater understanding and kindness towards yourself.
Practical Skills
Develop effective coping strategies using evidence-based approaches like CBT and HeartMath.
Lasting Growth
Create sustainable change by understanding the connection between your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.
Frequently Asked Questions
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If you're asking this question, that's often a sign in itself. You don't need to be in crisis to benefit from therapy. Whether you're dealing with overwhelming anxiety, feeling stuck in old patterns, or just wanting to understand yourself better – therapy can help.
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Therapy is a priceless investment into your mental well being.
My pricing is as follows:Session Fee: $200 per 45-minute session, due at time of service. Payment via Ivy Pay (HIPAA-secure credit/debit card system).
Location & Availability: In-person in San Diego or telehealth for California residents.
Appointments Monday-Thursday.Insurance: Provider for Lyra Health (employer-sponsored benefit). Out-of-network for all PPO plans - payment required upfront, reimbursement not guaranteed.
Cancellation Policy: 24-hour notice required or full session fee charged.
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While these terms are often used interchangeably, there is a subtle difference. Counseling typically focuses on working through specific current challenges to find immediate solutions. Therapy tends to go deeper, helping you understand patterns in your thoughts and behaviors, and exploring how past experiences might be influencing your present situations. In my practice, I integrate both approaches based on what will be most helpful for your specific needs.Therapy will mostly be one-on-one to build trust and create a safe space for open discussion.
“If you don’t like something change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.”
