Best Anxiety Psychologist San Diego Near Me

4worldlovers:
At The Center for Stress and Anxiety Management, our psychologists have years of experience. Unlike more generalist providers, our clinicians truly specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of anxiety and related problems. Our mission is to apply only the most effective short-term psychological treatments supported by extensive scientific research, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).

4worldlovers:
Many people visit this website as an introduction to my concierge psychiatry and psychotherapy practice. I encourage you to explore the resources and videos provided here regarding my practice philosophy, mental health, using ketamine for treatment-resistant depression, and other topics.

My psychiatric practice is based on two fundamentals: a personal relationship and state-of-the art, full-service care. If you want personalized care, if your time is at a premium, or if your situation is complex, we may be a good fit.

1. Relationship First. First and foremost, I believe that a healthy, caring relationship with a doctor that knows you-as a person-is the most important aspect of care. As such, I make our relationship a priority in your treatment, and pride myself on having a “first-name practice”. I know all my patients, schedule our appointments myself, and will recognize you when you call.

For more information about how a “concierge” practice is unique, look under the “About” tab.

2. State-Of-The-Art, Whole-Person Treatment: A second fundamental aspect of my practice is evidence-based, whole-person psychiatric treatment, including both medication (such as addiction medicine and ketamine for severe depression) and non-medication treatments (including alternative treatments, psychotherapy and lifestyle interventions). I have a number of areas of unique expertise (see “About Dr. MacDonald and “Dr. MacDonald’s Publications“), and find many many patients appreciate the consistency and simplicity of the “single treater” approach. I work hard to stay abreast of the latest scientific research, medical information, and therapies to help you to be your best, and have been recognized for this expertise and zeal, both by the community and the university training program. If you need treatment I do not offer (i.e. Transcranial magnetic stimulation or TMS, specialized relationship therapy, intensive addiction treatment), my long experience in the community ensures we will partner with San Diego’s best in these areas.

I lean toward an emotion-focused, attachment-based, and relational form of therapy effective in helping change the brain.

This rapid, effective, and powerful treatment is considered by many to be revolutionary to the understanding and treatment of depression and other disabling psychiatric conditions.

4worldlovers: Please note: We are currently offering therapy via video telehealth and in person. Please inquire for more information.


We all have the capacity to engage with wisdom from within to move in a deeply meaningful direction through life’s transitions. Whether it be a career or relationship challenge, anxiety over the future, regret about the past, loneliness, confusion, fear, stress, grief, or sadness, pausing and gaining a deeper understanding is key to emerging with wisdom, balance, clarity, and purpose.


We work collaboratively with a wide range of clients from diverse backgrounds, age ranges, and with various clinical issues, primarily utilizing mindfulness and cognitive behavioral based practices. Our focus is on helping people to create more life balance, facilitate self-growth, enhance their self-esteem and live according to their values. Pain, at times, can feel all-encompassing, like being submerged under a giant wave. Therapy can help with learning the necessary tools to navigate those circumstances.

With over 25 years of combined experience at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), at the Veteran’s Administration hospitals, in research, as an Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at UCSD, and in private practice, we specialize in:

Treating stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, weight, eating, body image, and substance use disorders

Discussing challenges related to relationships, family, career, academic, parenting, and life transitions

Managing painful emotions; understanding and overcoming uncomfortable behaviors involved in self-regulation of those emotions

4worldlovers: If you're looking for extra support and guidance through a challenging situation or you're just ready to move in a new direction in your life, we look forward to working with you to achieve your goals.

Our experience enables us to offer effective outpatient, individualized, psychological care. We treat numerous mental health disorders, and provide a neutral ground to individuals, families, and couples.

Our focus is to help individuals heal, energize, and become aware of their inner strengths. By applying Cognitive-Behavior therapy approaches and techniques, we will unearth long-standing behavior patterns or negative perceptions that may be holding you back from experiencing a more fulfilling and meaningful life.

We strive to be there for you every step of your journey. Our goal is to help you grow from your struggles, heal from your pain, and move forward to where you want to be in your life. We strive to create a warm, supportive, and collaborative environment that encourages people to explore the patterns that play out in their lives.

4worldlovers: It’s our mission to help you feel empowered to make positive change in your life, no matter what you’re going through. We’ll teach you valuable tools, techniques and resources to provide guidance and partner with you in developing realistic goals and create a plan to achieve them.

We practice Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which focuses on balanced thinking and living. This is facilitated by our team of emotionally supportive, licensed Clinical Psychologists who have extensive training and are committed to your comfort and success.

We’re passionate about supporting you through any of life’s transitions and offer many services including: individual therapy, family therapy, specialized trauma services, couples and marital therapy, LGBTQ+ services, perinatal services, and young adults.

At Therapy Changes, we provide therapy for every stage of life including premarital and divorce counseling, relationship therapy, parenting challenges, working with blended and non-binary families, grief and trauma therapy, guidance through life transitions including gender identity-related issues. We also have specialized experience with the complex emotions of adolescence and childhood.