Individual Therapy for Adults
It’s time to focus on your well-being.
Now accepting new clients for in-person sessions in San Diego.
Online throughout California.
The signs you might need support can be subtle...
You might not even realize your mental health is affecting your daily life right now. The changes are so gradual that they even feel "normal".
Your heart is beating faster in the evenings lately
You keep saying "yes" when you really want to say "no"
You're lying awake at night, unable to quiet your racing thoughts
Work stress is following you home every day
Your usual ways of coping aren't giving you relief anymore
And sometimes, it feels like just one more thing will overwhelm you.
Your mental health is suffering right now--you can feel it. You're living with that feeling where everything is too much.
You’re so paralyzed by anxiety that getting out of bed feels impossible today
You’re experiencing depression that's keeping you isolated from everyone you love
You’re having panic attacks that leave you gasping for air
You’re drowning in grief that's consuming every moment of your day
You’re caught in the same destructive relationship patterns that keep repeating
The key message is this:
you don't need to wait until you're in crisis to seek support.
Whether you're noticing those first subtle shifts in your well-being or facing overwhelming challenges, your mental health matters at every stage.
Therapy can provide valuable support and tools to help you understand and address what you're experiencing, preventing those early warning signs from escalating into more severe struggles.
How Therapy Can Help
I want you to be the best version of yourself, for yourself. As your therapist, I'll help you practice new ways of thinking and being. Once you connect with yourself and gain insight into the root of your challenges, you will:
Understand the connection between your thoughts, feelings, and physical symptoms
Identify destructive patterns that negatively impact your relationships
Identify how your self-talk can help or hurt you in almost every situation
Overcome habits that hold you back
Learn to set healthy boundaries that stick
Build a toolkit for managing stress and anxiety
Reconnect with the person you want to be
Through therapy, we'll work together to achieve the outcomes you desire, always mindful of your individual needs.
Dr. Madeline Polonia
I’m Dr. Madeline Polonia
With over 20 years of experience as a licensed clinical psychologist in San Diego, I bring warmth, expertise, and proven therapeutic approaches to help you navigate life's challenges.
I believe therapy works best when it combines evidence-based techniques with a supportive, non-judgmental environment. That's why I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and HeartMath—approaches backed by research—to help you understand the connection between your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Together, we'll develop practical strategies that work for your unique situation.
What sets my approach apart:
Bilingual: English and Spanish therapy sessions available
A focus on practical, easy-to-implement coping skills
Integration of mind-body techniques for managing stress
Experience working in diverse settings, from hospitals to schools
A collaborative style that empowers you to make lasting changes
My journey to becoming a therapist started with a simple desire: to help others find their way through difficult times. Now, after two decades of practice, I've helped hundreds of people in San Diego move from feeling overwhelmed to feeling empowered. Whether you're dealing with anxiety, navigating relationships, or facing life transitions, I'm here to help you find your path forward.
Prioritize your own mental health care and reach out today.
What you can expect from individual therapy
Therapy is a conversation where you'll share what's troubling you, and I'll ask questions to help us both better understand your experiences and challenges. Through that process of questioning and exploration, we can dive deeper into the real issues at play and, after we understand what the root issue is, we can develop practical strategies to help you feel better and cope more effectively.
Here's how we can begin
CONSULTATION CALL
First, let's connect for a 15-minute call to make sure I'm the right therapist for you.
SET THERAPY GOALS
Next, we'll schedule your first session and make some goals for your treatment.
ONGOING SUPPORT
After our initial session, we'll determine the right frequency of sessions to support your progress.
Find Your Balance.
Let's work together to help you develop the tools you need to manage anxiety, stress, and all the other challenges daily life brings.
Two convenient counseling options.
In-Person Therapy in San Diego: You can experience face-to-face connection in a warm, welcoming environment designed to help you feel comfortable and safe.
Online Therapy Throughout California: You can access support from the comfort of home, making it easier to fit therapy into your busy schedule.
Both formats provide the same high-quality care and evidence-based approaches to help you develop the tools needed to thrive. Sessions are available Monday through Thursday, including evening hours, to accommodate your schedule.
Counseling available in English and Spanish.
Servicios de terapia disponibles en inglés y español.
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.
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 conversation where you'll share what's troubling you, and I'll ask questions to help us both better understand your experiences and challenges. Through that process of questioning and exploration, we can dive deeper into the real issues at play and, after we understand what the root issue is, we can develop practical strategies to help you feel better and cope more effectively.
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The answer is...it depends! No two people are the same. While one person may only need a few months of therapy, another person may need therapy for several months. The frequency and duration of sessions really depends on your individual goals and the complexity of your issues and concerns. I recommend starting with weekly sessions if possible and then deciding together when bi-monthly sessions are appropriate. We'll regularly check in on your progress and adjust our approach to ensure you're getting what you need from therapy.
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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.
