NOÉ AVILA
THERAPY
Manuel Noé Avila, LMFT
2801 Camino del Rio South
suite 304
San Diego, CA 92108
Services
Individual & Couples Therapy
The goals of individual therapy may include gaining insight into oneself, developing coping skills, managing stress, improving self-esteem, and addressing specific mental health issues. Individual therapy can be beneficial for a wide range of concerns, including anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, relationship issues, and personal development. As your therapist, I provide support, guidance, and tools to help the individual navigate and overcome difficulties.
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The primary goals of couples therapy include fostering better understanding between partners, improving communication skills, addressing specific relationship challenges, and enhancing overall relationship satisfaction. Both partners attend therapy sessions together, where they discuss concerns, learn effective communication strategies, and work collaboratively on resolving issues. As your therapist, I facilitate constructive conversations and helps the couple build a healthier relationship.
Family Therapy, Child & Adolescent Therapy
Family therapy includes enhancing communication, resolving conflicts, improving problem-solving skills, and strengthening the overall functioning of the family unit. Family members participate in therapy sessions together, and as your family therapist I facilitate discussions, helps identify patterns of interaction, and guides the family toward healthier ways of relating to each other. Family therapy is effective for addressing a wide range of issues, including communication breakdowns, conflict resolution, parenting challenges, major life transitions, and behavioral problems among family members.
Child therapy is often sought for issues such as anxiety, depression, trauma, behavioral problems, academic struggles, and adjustment to life changes. Depending on the child's age, therapy may involve play, art, or talk therapy using developmentally appropriate techniques to engage with the child and address their specific needs.​​
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Adolescent therapy includes promoting self-discovery, improving communication skills, addressing peer relationships, managing stress, and supporting the adolescent through the transitional phase to adulthood. Therapy sessions may involve talk therapy, expressive arts, or other approaches that resonate with the teenager.
Trauma & Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Therapy
Trauma therapy is to help individuals process and make sense of their traumatic experiences, alleviate distressing symptoms, and foster healing and resilience. Trauma therapy often involves creating a safe and supportive therapeutic environment. Various approaches can be used such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), or somatic experiencing to address the impact of trauma on thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.
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Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) therapy includes reducing and managing symptoms such as flashbacks, nightmares, hypervigilance, and avoidance behaviors. Additionally, therapy aims to help individuals regain a sense of safety and control in their lives.
General Mental Health, Personal Growth & LGBTQIA+
General mental health therapy, often referred to as psychotherapy or counseling, aims to support individuals in addressing a wide range of mental health concerns, emotional challenges, and life difficulties. Various therapeutic approaches, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), psychodynamic therapy, and humanistic therapy, may be utilized based on the individual's needs and preferences.
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Therapy focused on LGBTQIA+ issues aims to provide support and understanding for individuals within the LGBTQIA+ community. The goals of LGBTQIA+ affirming therapy include creating a safe and accepting space, addressing concerns related to identity, navigating coming-out processes, managing discrimination, and promoting mental health and well-being.
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Affirmative therapy involves therapists who are knowledgeable and sensitive to LGBTQIA+ issues, ensuring that individuals feel understood and supported. It may incorporate elements of general mental health therapy with a focus on the specific challenges faced by LGBTQIA+ individuals.
CBT, DBT & Gottman Method
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) involves structured sessions where individuals work with me to identify and challenge negative thought patterns (cognitive restructuring) and develop more adaptive ways of thinking. It often includes homework assignments to practice new skills between sessions.
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Dialectal behavioral therapy (DBT) incorporates individual therapy, group skills training, phone coaching between sessions, and therapist consultation teams. It teaches specific skills in four modules: mindfulness, interpersonal effectiveness, emotion regulation, and distress tolerance.
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The Gottman Method utilizes various exercises and interventions, such as the "Sound Relationship House" model, which includes components like love maps, fondness and admiration, and turning towards each other.
EMDR, Somatic Therapy & Ketamine-Assisted Therapy
​Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy includes a structured eight-phase approach. In the processing phases, individuals recall distressing memories while engaging in bilateral stimulation, often through rapid eye movements. This is believed to facilitate the brain's processing of traumatic experiences. *EMDR certification training completion 2024.
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Somatic therapy incorporates techniques such as breathwork, movement, and mindfulness to help individuals become more aware of bodily sensations and emotions. My goal is to guide clients in connecting with and expressing emotions through the body.
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Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) with the guidance of your therapist, can be used to treat depression, anxiety, PTSD, chronic pain, and drug/alcohol substance abuse. Psychotherapy and ketamine has shown to optimize responsiveness and sustain long-term benefits with patients suffering from these conditions.