Gaëlle Carey

Gaëlle Carey was born in Brussels, Belgium, and moved to the United States as a child. Growing up in Texas, Gaëlle quickly developed a passion for helping others. She became a medical assistant soon after she finished high school and soon after became a Licensed Vocational Nurse for many years. Gaëlle relocated to San Diego and discovered her true love: mental health. There, she became licensed as a Marriage and Family Therapist and now helps individuals, couples, and families work through their personal issues. Gaëlle is a published author of the book, "Cognitive Distortions: How To Catch the 10 Most Dangerous Thinking Villains." With over 20 years of experience working in diverse clinical settings, Gaëlle brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her current role as a clinician. She has worked in emergency inpatient care, outpatient mental health clinics, substance abuse treatment and eating disorder residential facilities, hospice, and school and county-funded programs that provide support to children and their families who struggle.

My approach

Gaëlle has experience providing clinical assessment and therapeutic care to adolescents and adults seeking help with depression, anxiety, trauma, substance use disorders, anger management, post-traumatic stress disorder, personality disorders, ADHD management, and LGBTQ+ issues. In her current work as a therapist at an outpatient clinic in San Diego County, she specializes in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Gaëlle is certified in the Incredible Years Program, Complex PTSD, Clinical Trauma Specialist, Sex Trafficking & Sex Industry Exploitation Clinical Trauma Specialist (CCTS-S).

My focus

I have worked with all types of people, from CEOs to stay-at-home parents. My ideal client is anyone who is interested in empowering their lives. I am a direct person and like to get right down to business, but I also genuinely care about my clients' success.

My communication style

I am a therapist who is assertive in my communication style. I work to provide a safe and supportive environment for my clients, where they can explore their thoughts and feelings. I have experience working with people from all walks of life, and I strive to create an open and honest relationship with each person that I work with.

My journey to mental healthcare

I always knew that I wanted to help people in some capacity. Originally, I thought that I would become a doctor, but I soon realized that I was more interested in the psychological aspects of health. I became fascinated by the way that our thoughts and feelings can have such a profound impact on our physical well-being. This led me to pursue a career in therapy. I received my undergraduate degree in psychology and criminal justice from National University and then went on to obtain my master's degree in counseling from the University of Phoenix. I have also completed extensive training in trauma therapy modality. I am now a licensed therapist, and I could not be more thrilled with my chosen profession. Every day, I have the opportunity to help people improve their lives, and there is nothing more rewarding than that.

My goals for you

As a therapist, one of my primary goals is to help clients gain a greater sense of self-awareness. Through therapy, I hope to provide clients with a safe and supportive space to explore their thoughts and feelings. I also aim to help clients develop healthier coping mechanisms for dealing with stress and managing difficult emotions. Ultimately, my goal is to help clients build more fulfilling and satisfying lives. To this end, I work with clients to set realistic goals and create custom treatment plans that address their unique needs and circumstances. By working together, we can identify areas of growth and progress and build on existing strengths to help clients achieve their full potential.

My first session with you

The initial session intake is an opportunity for both the client and the therapist to get to know one another and decide if they are a good fit. I typically begin by asking the client about their background and why they are seeking therapy. This gives me a chance to understand their unique situation and what kinds of issues they are dealing with. I also use this time to explain my therapeutic approach and how I work with clients. This helps the client to know what to expect from our sessions and gives them a chance to ask any questions they may have. Ultimately, the goal of the first session is to begin building rapport and trust so that we can work together effectively.