Behavioral and Mental Health Resources in San Diego County

Access and Crisis Line

The San Diego Access and Crisis Line (ACL) is a free, confidential service that provides support, referrals and crisis intervention. If you or someone you know needs help with a behavioral health crisis, call 9-8-8.

ACES, Inc.

Behavioral and educational support for children with Autism and Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Advanced Neurobehavioral Health of Southern CA

Assessments aid in formulating diagnoses and in generating recommendations for interventions in home, school, vocational and alternative residential settings.

Alternative Teaching Strategy Center

Evidence-based teaching services for individuals with Autism. Visual Communication Analysis (VCA) for visual learners.

Ascent Psychological Services

Lauren Elder Ph.D. offers behavioral and cognitive assessment to treat behavioral and developmental concerns and anxiety through play therapy, parent coaching and a variety of therapies.

Aspiring Families Center for Mental Health and Wellness

Provides holistic telehealth, in-person and outpatient mental health assessments and therapy for all ages. Offers neurofeedback, equine, psychiatric, academic, vocational and in-home behavioral support. 

Aurora Behavioral Healthcare San Diego Hospital 

A 101-bed private behavioral healthcare hospital providing individualized treatment programs for a variety of conditions. Includes inpatient and outpatient programs with a pool for water therapy.

Autism Spectrum Consultants

Behavioral and educational plans and implementation.

Autistically Inclined

Family support from a relationship-based team addressing individual expressions in all things sensory, behavioral and communicative, while inspiring kids to connect. Trains parents and professionals to implement Natural Play Therapy.

Bayview Crisis Stabilization Unit

Provides quality mental health services and emergency behavioral health services 24/7 for ages 18 & up. No appointment needed.

BloomChild Developmental Specialists

Early intervention services, developmental and environmental assessments, parent/caregiver coaching, referrals, resources and professional development for early childhood educators. 

Brain Learning Diagnostic Center & Educational Assessments

Educational and mental health professionals, led by Dr. Rienzi Haytasingh, provide neuropsychological evaluations and diagnostics for Dyslexia, ADHD, Autism, Anxiety, Depression, reading, writing and math.

Brain Treatment Center

Through the use of MeRT, a pain-free and non-invasive system of electromagnetics pulses, communication improves and brain functionality strengthens in individuals with Autism and ASD, Depression and PTSD.

Builders of Eloquence and Engagement, LLC (BEE, LLC)

Non-public RPM provider offers behavioral intervention plans and supervision to improve education, communication and quality of life. Provider is a parent of a child who communicates with RPM and is an AAC expert.

Center for Thoughtful Lasting Change, Inc. Sherry Casper Ph.D.

Helps students achieve successful outcomes through psychological assessments, educational consultation and interventions for behavior management.

Child Mind Institute

Online resources for behavioral disorders, mental health diagnoses and learning disorders.

Cognitive Assessment and Risk Evaluation (CARE) at UC San Diego

Helps identify, assess and treat youth and young adults experiencing thoughts, behavior or emotions that might develop into serious mental health problems.

Cornerstone Behavioral Health Specialists

Developmental and behavioral services for families of children with special needs. Training for educators and service providers to enhance programming and develop teams for inclusive schools.

Cortica

The Cortica Care Model applies the most effective techniques from ABA with a blend of cognitive, behavioral and relationship-based approaches that apply key insights from neuroscientific research.
Carlsbad: 760-539-5818; Sorrento Valley: 858-304-6440

 

Dana Fillmore, Psy.D.

Provides counseling and therapy services for children with special needs and their families.

Dr. Clarence Perry, MD

Clinical psychiatrist specializing in learning disorders, and the psychiatric needs of those with disabilities and developmental delay.

Dr. Joshua Feder, MD

Specializes in DIR/floortime interactive play/behavioral therapy.

East County Prevention and Early Intervention (PEI)

Comprehensive team works with children and their families to improve adult-child relationships at school and at home, using The Incredible Years evidence-based model to prevent behavioral problems and serious mental illness.

Exodus Recovery, Inc. 

Crisis prevention and response for San Diego Regional Center START clients ages 6+ with IDD and co-occurring behavioral health needs, and for the people who support them. Two walk-in mental health assessment centers.

Vista 760-305-4850

San Diego 619-321-5400

Family Connections Therapy

Parent and child therapy with specialties in Anxiety, Depression, foster care and adoption, and parent education.

Family Guidance and Therapy Center

Provides ABA, individual, couples and group therapy, art therapy, school-based consultation and educational testing. Licensed SDRC vendor of RDI (Relationship Development Intervention). Variety of insurance accepted.

Fred Finch CARES

Provides psychological and neuropsychological assessment, early intervention, ABA therapy, parent education and therapy for those impacted by ASD and other neurodevelopmental disorders. Services offered in school, in-home and clinic.

Fred Finch Youth & Family Services

Specialized treatment center, residential care and private school program serving ages 12–22 who have an intellectual disability and suffer from significant mental health challenges.

Fred Finch, Specialized Wraparound Program

Offers assessment and intervention, individual and family counseling, case management, caregiver/parent coaching, and access to psychiatric support and medication utilizing a strengths-based approach.

Get Safe

Crisis intervention, de-escalation and risk-reduction training. 

Healthy Within

Provides neurofeedback, a non-invasive treatment involving recording, studying and improving brain activity to “re-start” the brain and increase self-regulation, relaxation and learning.

Hope Comprehensive Center for Development

In-Home ABA Therapy & Parent Training in North San Diego County/Camp Pendleton area, delivered in a naturalistic, play-based environment.

In STEPPS

Support, Treatment and Education for Parents, Professionals and Students. Creates meaningful connections and builds adaptive social skills using ABA and play-based Pivotal Response Treatment.

Innovative Therapy 4-Kids, Inc.

Therapeutic services using a unique approach based on symptoms and the whole child, versus a diagnosis or label. Offers speech, occupational, physical therapies, social skills groups and child psychology. SDRC or fee for service.

International Bipolar Foundation

Advances research to eliminate Bipolar Disorder, provides and enhances care, resources and support services and works to erase the stigma associated with mental illness through education.

Intricate Mind Institute, LLC

Cognitive behavioral therapy and social skills training for young adults to increase self-awareness, executive functioning skills, self-regulation and coping skills to manage life and prepare for college.

Invo Companies

Comprehensive provider of ABA, behavioral health and related therapy services. Empowers school-based professionals to unlock the full potential of their students and drive positive outcomes.

Kickstart

Serves ages 10–25 who are at risk for mental illness and experiencing symptoms. Provides confidential assessments, individualized treatments for participants and families, and awareness campaigns for early detection.

Kyo Care

Provides behavioral and educational plans for children with Autism or ASD.

Laura Fish Therapy

Evidence-based practices in the principles of Positive Discipline, AWARE Parenting and Interpersonal Neurobiology to teach parents of challenging children to promote desired behaviors and loving relationships. 

Learning Development Services

Neuropsychological assessment, counseling and consultation.

LifeStance Health

Private behavioral healthcare providing high quality psychiatric, psychological, counseling, and chemical dependency assessment and treatment services for children and adolescents, as well as parents.

Linda Collins, Ph.D., Clinical Psychologist

Experienced in social skills training, writing goals for children with Autism/ASD and providing parent support. Provides consultation and training to school districts and programs for kids with Autism.

Lovaas Institute

Behavioral intervention for children diagnosed with Autism or a

Mental Health America of San Diego County

Brings together clients, families, professionals, providers and communities to ensure affordable care to everyone. Offers programs on advocacy, education, services and research.

Mindpath Health + PCSD

Offers in-office and telehealth appointments for psychiatry and psychotherapy. Now partnering with Psychiatric Centers at San Diego.

Mobile Crisis Response Teams (MCRT)

Call 24/7 for a mental health crisis (all ages) to assess, de-escalate and transport. Team of three (clinician, case manager and peer support specialist) connect individuals to care and support.

MotiFa Behavioral Care and Health Services

Offers support for children with Autism and developmental delays, specializing in ABA health consultations, social skills groups and family support in Arabic, Aramaic, Spanish and Dutch.

Motiva Associates

Comprehensive therapy for special needs, behavioral issues, grief and bereavement.

Mountain Shadows Support Group

Dedicated to supporting a secure environment for individuals with intellectual disabilities, through enriching relationships, fostering independence and skill building.

My Colors Speak, ABA Art Program

Creative treatment programs for individuals of all ages and abilities, including Autism, Down Syndrome and ADHD. Offers inclusive ABA art program.

N. Jennifer Oke, Ph.D.

Clinical child psychologist specializing in the treatment of children with ASD. Offers evaluations, early intervention, individual therapy, parent training and sibling support groups.

NAMI Family-to-Family

Free programs for families of persons with serious and persistent mental illnesses. Classes and skills training with emotional support, self-care and empowerment for individuals who may be isolated or struggling.

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) San Diego

Offers support and information for family members, consumers and people affected by mental illness.

National Association for the Dually Diagnosed (NADD) 

For people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and co-occurring mental health conditions. Provides information, training and advocacy for mental health practices that promote a quality life for people with IDD.

National Institute of Mental Health

NIMH is the lead federal agency for research on mental disorders. Resources available through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 

PERT: Psychiatric Emergency Response Team

Provides emergency assessment and referral for individuals in behavioral health crises. Pairs licensed mental health clinicians with uniformed law enforcement officers/deputies.

Carlsbad Police Department (PD): 760-931-2100

Chula Vista PD: 619-691-5151

Coronado PD: 619-522-7350

El Cajon PD: 619-579-3311

Escondido PD: 760-839-4722

Harbor PD: 619-686-6272

La Mesa PD: 619-667-1400

National City PD: 619-336-4411

Oceanside PD: 760-435-4900

San Diego PD: 619-531-2000

Pioneer Learning Center

Program for children with disabilities providing site-based and in-home ABA, speech and occupational therapies, and tutoring.

Positive Development

Offers a Developmental Relationship-Based Intervention (DRBI) model while accepting most major insurance providers. Treats the whole person, not just single behaviors. 

Positive Discipline

Web-based resources and books with parenting tools, coaching tips, classroom management centered and around positive discipline.

Problematic Pineapple

Inclusive health and wellness coaching for kids and adults with disabilities by a certified health and life coach, author and disability advocate with Muscular Dystrophy. 

Psychiatric Centers at San Diego (PCSD)

Child and adolescent center.

Psychology 360

Collaborative psychoeducational assessment, diagnostics, recommendations and therapy for ages 5 and up for ADHD, Autism, Learning Disorders, behavior issues, memory, processing and more. Forensic evaluations available.

Ramona Community Resource Center 

A one-stop location that provides access to area services like mental health, nutrition and healthcare. 

San Diego Center for Children

Serves children and families struggling with mental, emotional or behavioral health challenges. Offers assessments, therapy and psychiatry, Autism services, and an intensive outpatient program for ages 13–18.

San Diego Psychiatric Hospital

Offers treatment, rehab and recovery services to people who experiencepersistent and severe mental illness or crisis.

San Diego Psychological Association

Professional association that provides resources and tools to find a local psychologist.

San Diego Psychotherapist Pete McClintock M.A., LMFT

Provides individual and group therapy for all ages and families. Specializes in ADD, depression, anxiety, anger management, and parenting, including anger management groups for children and teens.

SD Kids First

Pediatric psychologist Dr. Deborah Pontillo specializes in kids with disabilities.

Specialized Therapy Services: The OAS Center

Specialists offer assistive technology, speech pathology, occupational, physical and music therapy, mental health and behavioral services, and educational resources to create an individualized program to support children with varying needs.

Sunny Days Sunshine Center

Therapy center offering North County kids ages 0–18 with ASD or developmental delay ABA services, OT, PT, SLP, counseling and social skills programs. 

Take Action for Mental Health

Get support for your own mental health or for someone you care about. For urgent matters, call the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 for English and Spanish support.

TERI Behavior Support Services

Board-certified behavioral analysts design positive interventions for those who have not benefited from conventional approaches to solving behavioral challenges. Specializes in Autism and severe behavior problems; provides in-home, insurance-funded ABA services.

Tesserae Family Therapy, APC

Individual, family and group therapy to address anxiety, depression, ADHD, ASD and other emotional or behavioral related issues. Offers the PEERS social skills program for teens and young adults in the Rancho Bernardo office. 

Therapeutic Approach to Growth

Offers assessment, treatment and support for individuals with ASD and other disabilities. Art therapy, speech/language pathology, occupational therapy, educational supports and the Sage Learning Center.

2035 Corte Del Nogal #165
Carlsbad, CA 92011
858-689-2027

TURN Behavioral Health Services

Family service programs identify and address mental health needs and substance abuse issues, and assist clients with creating healthy interpersonal relationships. Multiple SD County locations

Vista Hill

Mental/behavioral health, educational and social services for children, teens and adults, including early intervention, preventive care, and long-term support for those with IDD, along with comprehensive private psychiatric services.

WishWell

A new kind of mental health solution with a holistic approach to children’s well-being. Offers traditional and alternative experiences through empowerment coaching. 

YMCA Tides

Collaboration between YMCA Youth & Family Services and SDUSD to provide free individual, family and group counseling, case management, parent education, and teacher support to students ages 5–21 with Medi-Cal who attend schools in central San Diego. Available on a sliding scale for others.

Youth Behavioral Health Services Family Health Centers of San Diego

Team of psychiatrists and therapists tackle mood disorders, Anxiety, Depression, ADHD, sexual and gender identity issues, and treatment for trauma related to abuse, neglect or divorce. Accepts Medi-Cal, Covered California and uninsured patients with payments on a sliding scale.