Straus Therapy

I’m a licensed therapist based in San Diego, CA, with a passion for supporting individuals, couples, and families through life’s transitions and challenges. I offer therapy to individuals and couples facing relationship difficulties, anxiety, depression, substance use recovery, trauma, and co-occurring disorders. I am particularly drawn to working with: couples rebuilding during difficult times, military families, and individuals in drug and alcohol recovery. My Pre-Doc Internship is focused on diagnosing autism spectrum disorders and ADHD, enhancing my expertise in supporting neurodiverse individuals and their families. Having worked in residential recovery settings and completed a dissertation on transitional-aged youth exposed to fentanyl, I also have extensive experience with recovery and co-occurring complex trauma. My methodologies include the Gottman Method, Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Humanistic therapy, client-centered approaches, and trauma-informed care. I believe that each client deserves a personalized approach, and I collaborate to create a treatment plan that fosters growth, resilience, and healing. My work is grounded in the values of integrity, intuition, and partnership. Integrity means holding a safe, ethical space where your well-being is the priority, while intuition and creativity guide my approach to meet your unique needs. Therapy is a partnership, and I’m here to help you navigate the path to healing, resilience, and personal growth. In addition to my clinical practice, I am an adjunct professor in the Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) department at The Chicago School, San Diego campus, and a doctoral candidate in Applied Clinical Psychology. As a Navy spouse and mother of two teenagers, I’ve lived around the world in Japan, Italy, Greece, the East Coast, the Midwest, and California. I bring a global perspective and a deep respect for the complexities of personal and family journeys. My own experience with the Gottman Method has been invaluable in my marriage of 24 years, especially during times of transition and separation due to military life. Outside of therapy, I enjoy art, dance, mountain biking and walking our family dog. I invite you to reach out and take the first step toward healing. Together, we can explore how therapy can support your journey toward growth and meaningful change.