About Us

Kristyn Beckstrom, M.A, LMFT #128484 Founder, Clinical Director, Psychotherapist

I most closely identify with the humanistic approach to therapy in that I believe that you must be understood within the context of your own life, your own value system and that you yourself possess the answers and the agency to change. I believe that my role as a therapist is to walk with you, to support you, to help you to identify faulty thoughts and beliefs and to encourage you to look within for the answers.

I have a very strong belief that most humans have been greatly affected by trying to fit into societies roles and the roles that were imposed on them by their families and belief systems. What I think happens in therapy is that a person begins to question and shed what is not theirs, with the help of a therapist and a safe environment and through this shedding the true self is allowed and encouraged to emerge.

I believe that humans do have the freedom of choice and that it is our duty to embrace responsibility for the choices that we do and do not make. This particular belief reminds a client that they are actually in control of their destiny and not victims of circumstances. Empowering a client to believe this and to act accordingly is part of what I see in the process of healing and change.

My most salient understanding of what I am doing as a therapist is best said by Ram Dass when he states that “after all, we’re all just walking each other home”. My meaning that I make from this statement may be slightly different in that I view my role as a therapist as walking my client home to herself or himself. I don’t think we’re all walking to the same place, I think we are all walking to our own homes, our own souls, and our own selves whoever and whatever that may be. My role as a therapist is to facilitate the walk, to walk with the client. My role as a therapist is also to continue my own walk and in this way I am always learning and growing and improving on my skill set to act as a therapist and helper to others.

I am passionate about helping people heal trauma and PTSD, which often contributes to depression and anxiety. I work with trauma arising from all forms of abuse (emotional/physical/sexual) as well as trauma related to major life events (e.g. divorce, loss of a loved one) or job exposure (e.g. EMT, fire fighter). I love to work with people to improve self-worth, self-concept, and confidence in all realms such as body image, sexual challenges, or performance anxiety (e.g. work, sports). If something is an obstacle to your peace and happiness, we will use the tools of talk and EMDR therapy to move it out of the way.

Reach out to me directly or through the website. I'm currently accepting new clients and my rate is $200/50 minute session (I do not take insurance). If you need to use insurance we have 4 great therapists listed below who accept Anthem, BCBS, Aetna, United and Cigna (all billing under my license). We are ready to help!

I see people in person and virtually

kristynbeckstrom@gmail.com

858.692.8234

She/(Her)

Additional Certifications

EMDRIA Certified EMDR Therapist

Certified Expressive Arts Therapist (CEAT)

Certificate from TRI EFT Alliant

Leslie Weinstein, AMFT #141483 & APCC #14452 Supervised by Kristyn Beckstrom

Prior to being an Associate therapist, I spent 20 years in the beauty industry creating and maintaining relationships. Helping people realize their full potential is my greatest joy. I believe the core of who we are is often misguided by our thoughts, then our thoughts guide our behavior, and we are left feeling unsatisfied, lost, or perhaps even that the world is against us. My strengths-based, gender affirming approach will help you reprioritize and highlight your values, so they may become the foundation in which you live by. I believe the more we stray from our values, the more confused we are. Together, we can navigate the challenges and work to realign your head and heart, so they are on the same team. I call this authenticity and believe an authentic life is where the magic and beauty of your life lies.

Reach out to me directly or through the website for a free consultation today

I see people in person and virtually

Leslie.mft.expand@gmail.com

619.432.7717

(She/Her)

Additional Training/Certifications

EMDR Trained

Deeana Epstein, AMFT #145240 Supervised by Kristyn Beckstrom

Life can be hard. Relationships can be challenging. If you’re struggling with a spouse, significant other, your kid, parent, or even your own relationship with yourself, I can help. If you’re feeling lost and not sure which direction you’re going, I’ll work with you to get clarity.

I offer a compassionate, down-to-earth, and no BS perspective. I want to know all about you, your story, and how you got here. Most importantly, I want to help you feel better. I’ll help you identify changes to make in your life, encourage you to step outside your comfort zone, and support you in the process.

With couples, I specialize in addressing communication issues, conflict, and disconnection in the relationship. With individuals, I specialize in treating depression, anxiety, ADHD, stress, women’s and men’s issues.

Together we’ll approach problems from a place of compassion and curiosity. My goal is to empower you to take control of your own life and happiness. I hope you take the next step and reach out to me. I would love to hear from you.

Email: Depstein.mft@gmail.com

Phone: 818.522.7021

(She/Her)

Additional Training/Certifications

EMDR Trained

Darbie Lastra, AMFT #158948 Supervised by Kristyn Beckstrom

     Every person arrives at therapy carrying a unique story. One shaped by lived experiences, relationships, and the parts of life that have felt overwhelming, confusing, or painful. Perhaps you’re moving through a big change in your life, feeling disconnected from yourself or others, or trying to make sense of old wounds that still echo in the present. Whatever brings you here, you don’t have to face it alone.
   Guided by attachment and humanistic theories, I focus on creating a secure, compassionate environment where you can explore your story and experience the healing that emerges through connection. Together, we’ll explore how your experiences and past relationships have shaped the patterns you carry today, and work toward discovering new, more fulfilling ways of relating to yourself and the people around you.
   I have experience supporting individuals facing substance use disorders, co-occurring mental health challenges, and trauma. The therapeutic space we create together is shaped by warmth, curiosity, and compassion. Within that space, therapy becomes a place where you can uncover parts of yourself that may have felt lost, heal what’s been hurting, reconnect with your inner strengths, and move toward a life that feels more aligned with who you truly are.

Please feel free to reach out directly or through the website to schedule an appointment. I currently see clients virtually and in person.
Email: dlastra.mft@gmail.com
Phone: (760) 410-6957
(She/Her)

Additional Training/Certifications
Chemical Dependence Certificate

Karen Laugesen Russell, AMFT #158889 Supervised by Kristyn Beckstrom

I offer support to individuals, couples and families, centered in a narrative perspective and informed by how experience lives in the body (Somatics), parts work (IFS or Internal Family Systems), and mindfulness. Another way of saying that is, I care about the stories told and held at the exclusion of others (those stories that grip us and whisper, you are only this). I also pay attention to how we know, understand, choose, and make meaning. These actions and

processes are informed by so much; the people and politics and places around us, who we were at different ages, how experiences live in our bodies, our relationships and the awareness of our capacity to witness and re-author our lives, AKA agency.

Helping people take an active role in their lives and relationships, our meetings will look like a combination of us deeply understanding the dilemma that brings you to therapy, at the same time we will cast a curious mind to the effects of the world you inhabit, the behaviors and words of people close to you, and the effects of the multiple systems at play and—perhaps most important—the many, many ways you have responded over your lifetime.

Together we will question what makes a good life—and this exploration will likely expand your recognition of possibilities and sense of agency. Know I am attuned to many factors that guide our conversation while being aware of my influence and at the same time acknowledging the many other influences in the room.

Raised in New Zealand, I have lived in many places—from Brazil to Scotland, and for the past 21 years, the United States. Steeped in a profound respect and appreciation for all beings, I am an immigrant, a parent to two teenagers, and part of the LGBTQIA community. People describe me as deeply curious, fun, open-minded, and a damn good listener.

I have worked on nearly every continent, on farms, in kitchens, restaurants and bars, sold ceremonial dishes and fudge, chauffeured the world’s wealthiest and hiked mountains with monks. I have also worked in communications for governments and airlines, and it feels like I have written more words than I have spoken. I say this to say, although I have not walked in your shoes, there’s a good chance I’ve walked alongside someone a little bit like you, and also uniquely themselves. I welcome the chance to sit around an imaginary fire with you and seek to understand with my entire being what makes you peculiarly you.