Coastal Therapy Group

We specialize in offering Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT), a highly effective approach tailored for couples seeking to enhance their relationship dynamics. What sets EFT apart is its emphasis on the profound impact of shared emotional experiences in fostering meaningful change.

We understand that bridging emotional gaps and navigating through relational challenges requires more than just intellectual understanding—it demands an immersive exploration of emotions alongside your partner. Through EFT, couples embark on a transformative journey where they not only comprehend but deeply feel and address each other's emotions, paving the way for profound healing and growth.

In our therapy sessions, we create a safe and supportive environment for you and your partner to engage in open conversations, where both of you feel truly heard and understood. This process of extending dialogue allows for the exploration of underlying emotions and the development of new strategies for repairing relational ruptures.

We recognize that each individual brings their own unique attachment history into the relationship, shaping their expectations and experiences of love. By delving into these attachment needs, both partners gain valuable insights into themselves and each other, fostering empathy and understanding, especially during times of conflict.

Through a collaborative effort of recognizing, articulating, and processing these needs, couples not only break free from destructive patterns but also forge deeper connections with one another. Our aim is to guide you towards a relationship characterized by greater intimacy, resilience, and mutual fulfillment.
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Group therapy can provide you with the opportunity to share a space with others who may be struggling with some of the same things you are—like depression, anxiety, grief, or relationship difficulties. For many, it is easier to feel compassionate toward others who are hurting than themselves. The power of learning to be present with others has a powerful impact on how you relate to your own suffering.

We are currently enrolling in various group therapy options including an interpersonal process group, a grief therapy group, and a mindful self-compassion group.
Whether you are looking to process issues from your life, grieve a loss, or learn new skills, group therapy can be an incredibly helpful part of your healing and growth.

In a society that often glorifies self-improvement and personal growth, it's valuable to earnestly consider when even the ways you are trying to grow are worth letting go of.

A recent article by Slate, titled "When to Stop Therapy After a Divorce," delves into the complexities of navigating therapy during and after divorce. Authored by the writer , the piece offers valuable insights from her own recognition of when therapy has served its purpose and when it might be time to transition towards acceptance.

Our own Dr. Reid Kessler is featured in the article, stating, "It’s always worth considering whether your dissatisfaction is therapist-specific. I don’t think people shop around enough for their therapists,” says Kessler. “I think it’s helpful for people to go on more ‘first dates’ before they commit.” Heaney expand on this by writing, "Rather than move forward with the better fit between just two candidates, I probably should have kept looking … if I wanted to be in therapy at all. Which, as it turned out, I didn’t."

The decision to end therapy after divorce is a deeply personal one. It is another relationship ending. And yet, the reasons why someone starts, continues, or stops therapy, are meaningful to consider and ideally done for the benefit of the patient.

Your needs are important.
You deserve to be seen.
It's okay to want to be known and seen.

For those of you who have learned to subjugate your needs for others, I understand that this is a message that can be difficult to internalize. Just because it's hard to internalize right now, does not mean it can't be true for you.

Explore how therapy can help you identify, accept, and advocate for your needs by following the link in our bio.
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Caption written by Jean Jho, PsyD
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You may be familiar with the Rorschach inkblot test- the test where you are given inkblots and asked to share what you see.

The Rorschach Performance Assessment System (R-PAS) was created in 2011 as an extension to the work from Exner's Comprehensive System (CS) and serves as a standardized measure of interpretation of the Rorschach inkblot test.

The ultimate goal of the R-PAS is to have behavioral assessment that is clinically rich, evidence based, logical, and user friendly for clinicians.
Meaningful interpretations can be made of an individual's personality, perception, and cognitive functioning through the use of the R-PAS.

Learn more about our assessment process here: https://coastaltherapygroup.com/testing/
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Caption written by Chelsea Dudley, PsyD
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With a host of new research and more people sharing their stories of being on a neurodivergent spectrum, it can sometimes be difficult to diagnose what is going on, even for professionals. On top of wading through all the data and entertaining different hypotheses, it can be discouraging or invalidating to have other people downplay your symptoms and not take your experience seriously.

While other mental health disorders can have symptoms that overlap with ADHD, such as anxiety or depression, ADHD is distinct in several key ways. ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder which means that the brain of someone who has ADHD develops in ways that are physiologically different from people who don't have ADHD. One study done in 2021 suggests that ADHD does not typically go away, but rather fluctuates over the course of a person's lifetime.

As a therapist who works with individuals who have ADHD, I do not need to have my diagnosis perfect to start working on the symptoms. Of course, the more clarity the better. But what I have found is that when we start working on addressing the presenting concerns, if the ADHD is there, it will reveal itself eventually. ADHD is far too pervasive to be ignored

If you would like to explore more about ADHD and how therapy can help, reach out to our Care Coordinator at (760) 334-6262 or check us out on our website. https://coastaltherapygroup.com/counseling-for-adhd/
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Quote and Caption written by: Gabriel Lowe, PhD
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In a world that often encourages us to be our harshest critics, cultivating mindful self-compassion becomes an empowering act of self-love. By embracing our imperfections with kindness and recognizing our shared humanity, we create a nurturing inner sanctuary that allows us to thrive and face life's challenges with resilience and grace.

Consider joining our Mindful Self-Compassion Group, led by Taryn Gammon, PhD. To learn more, check out the group page https://coastaltherapygroup.com/mscgroup/.

Happy Holidays to you and yours! Our offices are closed on the 25th as well as New Year's Day.

May your celebrations be merry and bright ✨
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Self-compassion is about learning to approach yourself and your life with warmth and caring attention. It is rooted in a deep, genuine desire to tend to your own needs and values, especially during life’s challenges.

Research has shown that self-compassion greatly enhances emotional well-being. It boosts happiness, reduces anxiety and depression, strengthens the quality of our relationships, and can help us engage in the behaviors that matter to us. All that’s required is a shift in the direction of your attention–recognizing that as a human being, you too are a worthy recipient of compassion.

Dr. Gammon's Mindful Self-Compassion group (starting January, 2024) is structured on an empirically-supported program based on the groundbreaking work and research of Dr. Kristin Neff and Dr. Chris Germer.

For more information and to reserve your spot, follow the link in our bio.
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Our goal is to help you work with the grain of who you are to do the things you love.

People often seek counseling for ADHD because the way their brain processes information is causing challenges at home, at work, or in school. ADHD can also affect relationships, self-esteem, s*x life, spirituality, athletic performance, or daily routines. It may also mean confronting other people’s misunderstandings of who you are and what you are capable of.

Psychotherapy and counseling for ADHD (and other learning disorders or neurodiverse experience) is not just about coaching and coping skills. It’s about understanding yourself, being understood, and learning how to relate to yourself in ways that allow you to live more fully. It involves growing in compassion and exercising strengths. It nurtures confidence, wisdom, and belonging. And it looks like achieving your goals without sacrificing yourself.

Whatever challenges or questions you are facing, psychotherapy and counseling for ADHD can provide help and support.
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Clinical competence is a lifelong process. Our group of psychologists learn with and from each other every week. Our post-doctoral fellows participate in the same presentations, discussions, and case consultations as our licensed staff and supervisors.

We aren’t reinventing the wheel, our model is based off of the Communitarian Training Culture (Johnson, et al., 2014), but it is part of what sets us apart from other practices. Coastal Therapy Group is not simply a collection of psychologists sharing offices, we are actively learning together. Most recently we have had a focus on topics including psychoanalytic structural personality diagnosis, religious trauma, and current research and intervention trends in treatment for eating disorders.

Growing cannot stop when you finish training in your clinical hours. The field of mental health allows for every licensed clinician to oversee their own continuing professional development. At Coastal we value being able to grow in community -- to learn with and from people who know us and the places where we are growing clinically.
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Do you want to better understand your mind, emotions, and/or academic performance? Psychological testing can help. People especially like testing for how quickly it can help them gain meaningful information to make changes in their lives and relationships.

We offer testing for ADHD, psychoeducational functioning, and psychodiagnostic clarification to provide insight and resources to support your overall well-being and treatment. The process is tailored to your (or your child's) needs, frustrations, and goals; ultimately giving you a path forward.

Curious to learn more? Follow the link in our bio!

Office Spotlight: Encinitas
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Encinitas has been home to us for over 5 years and we are so grateful to be part of this community. We love our almost ocean view where we can see Scripps Memorial Hosp Encinitas and the 5; and walks to lunch at In-N-Out Burger and The Crack Shack ; or walking to the YMCA of San Diego County. Big thank you to Ironsmith Coffee Roasters for always keeping us caffeinated!
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For any clients coming to us for the first time - welcome! We are right off of Saxony and there is plenty of vistor parking around our building. Use the elevator or stairs (depending on your level of excitement!) to the 2nd floor. We are on the south side (to the right when you exit the elevators). When you arrive, please flip up the switch beneath the your clinician's name, this notifies us that you have arrived. Then make yourself at home in the waiting room and your clinician will be with you.
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Our very own Dr. Chelsea Dudley was recently interviewed by for the to get her insights on why Gen Z and younger Millennials are facing so much stress. She offered this piece of advice that can be applicable to us all:

“We are talking about an age group where 18- and 19-year-olds had to finish high school online and start college or their careers during so much uncertainty. No wonder they feel that people don’t understand what that kind of stress is like,” Dudley said. “For individuals on the upper end of this age group, they had to learn how to manage starting families and helping their young children through the pandemic, while also functioning themselves.”

For younger people lacking such optimism, Dudley suggested turning to proven stress management tactics, such as calling a friend or deep breathing. “Look for what is meaningful in your life that you want to invest more time in, and start small,” she said. “Little by little, the small steps will turn into meaningful change.”

Hi, I’m Dr. Taryn Gammon. I work with adults of all ages to develop a compassionate understanding of their experiences and foster a sense of vitality, connection, and meaning in their lives.

I am passionate about supporting people in uncovering the well of strengths, capacities, and wisdom that exists within them. These inner resources can be invaluable allies for navigating life’s challenges, and deepening our connection with what matters most.

My style is warm and inclusive, and I aim to provide a brave and caring space that welcomes all parts of my clients into the room. I’m particularly drawn to working with women and mothers, grief and loss, questions of identity and belonging, and people experiencing life transitions.

I am currently accepting group members for a new Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) group that will take place in our office in Carlsbad Village in January. The group will focus on learning how a compassionate shift in attitude and attention can help us to face life’s challenges with greater confidence, kindness, clarity, and connection. I’m a Certified Teacher of MSC and have been leading groups like this for over a decade; I continue to be amazed by how transformative the practice of self-compassion can be – for others, as well as myself.
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There are options when it comes to therapy. There is so much healing that can come from individual work, but sometimes group therapy is exactly what the doctor ordered.
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Learn more about our group therapy offerings: https://coastaltherapygroup.com/group-therapy/
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Just a reminder! Our offices are closed on Thursday and Friday for the Thanksgiving holiday. Wishing you some delicious time with your loved ones from everyone here at Coastal Therapy Group. We'll be here for you next week!
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Coastal Therapy Group is *not* a solo practice.
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We are a cohort of Clinical psychologists and postdocs committed to supporting each other, learning from one another, gaining new insights and perspectives. As a client you're not just getting the expertise of one, but of many. Link in bio to learn more.
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You don't have to grieve alone. There are still a few slots left in our Grief Therapy Group (ages 18+).
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Sometimes grief is sharp, overwhelming, and disruptive. Sometimes it is dull, distant, and saps you of your energy. Often, it goes beyond words. If you are feeling the weight of grief, you know how disorienting it can be. Loss leaves us with unpredictable emotions, distressing memories, difficult decisions, and a domino effect of change that impacts all areas of life. Navigating these ups and downs can be hard and lonely. In that process, grief therapy provides relief, support, understanding, and guidance.
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Visit https://coastaltherapygroup.com/grief-therapy-group/ to sign up and learn more
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You don't have to cope alone. We still have slots available in our Connections Group (ages 18+).
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Technically speaking, this is an Interpersonal Process Group. What it really does is provide a confidential space that can offer you with the unique opportunity to connect with others who may be struggling with some of the same things you are. Maybe you have difficulty advocating for yourself. Or maybe you notice yourself engaging in the same patterns over and over again and want support in finding new ways to form relationships and interact with others. Expand your understanding of yourself while giving and receiving honest support and feedback.
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Visit https://coastaltherapygroup.com/connections/ to sign up and learn more.
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Someone can tell you a million times that you aren’t alone and it can be difficult to believe them. Group therapy offers so many benefits including:
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1. Group therapy is often more affordable than individual therapy
2. You are not alone. Group therapy provides the opportunity for individuals to build connection with others sharing similar struggles
3. Group therapy can be a place for people to practice the skills they’ve learned in individual therapy in a safe space
4. Hear different perspectives
5. Find new ways to relate to yourself and others

Curious to know more? Head over to https://coastaltherapygroup.com/ to learn more.

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Hi! I’m Dr. Rebecca Murphy, a postdoctoral fellow here at CTG. I support people of all ages in discovering more about themselves and finding new ways to navigate their relationships with themselves and others. Starting therapy for the first time can be nerve-racking, and I seek to create a warm space where you can feel both empowered and encouraged to be yourself.
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There can be so much pressure to know who you are at a young age, but most people don’t! I’m passionate about working with clients who are on journeys of identity exploration. I especially enjoy supporting teens, young adults, LGBTQIA+ individuals, people navigating challenging transitions, and those who have been negatively impacted by religious experiences.
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I am currently accepting group members for a new, in-person interpersonal process group for adults that will take place at our office in Carlsbad Village on Tuesdays, 5:30-7:00 PM. I have led and co-led a number of groups throughout my time as a therapist and have seen firsthand the positive impact that groups—and process groups in particular—can have on individuals.
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