About Us

Company History

Grow Through Life Counseling was founded in 2012 to provide high-quality mental health support to families in the Eastlake area of Chula Vista, CA. Kara Kohnen, LMFT, Director of Growth and Founder, established the practice with a passion for offering exceptional care to younger populations. From the beginning, our clinicians have shared this vision—dedicated to improving the lives of children, teens, and families.

In our first five years, we helped thousands of clients in the Eastlake community. In 2017, we expanded to Carmel Valley to better serve families traveling long distances for care. This growth allowed us to reach more families seeking expert support for children and teens.

In 2019, we added locations in Scripps Ranch and Oceanside. In 2020, we opened a Murrieta office and moved to a larger Sorrento Valley space to meet demand. That same year, we launched Telehealth services across California, making care more accessible than ever. In late 2021, we opened in La Mesa.

In 2023, we expanded our Scripps Ranch office to double its size and added Santee as our seventh in-person location. By 2024, we had opened two more: Mission Valley (#8) and Temecula (#9).

We continue to grow thanks to our incredible team of clinicians and the trust of thousands of families who choose us for their care. We are truly grateful for your continued support.

What Sets Us Apart

Real Connection from the Start
- When you call our intake line, you’ll speak with a real human. We take the time to ensure we’re a good fit and answer your questions before your first appointment.
Direct Access to Your Therapist
- Every patient receives a dedicated voicemail extension and email address for their therapist.
No Surprise Fees
- Need a school absence note? We provide them free of charge—just ask. We don’t charge extra for routine administrative tasks.
Warm, Family-Friendly Spaces
- Our therapy rooms are welcoming and spacious enough to include the whole family—even extended relatives when appropriate.
In-Person and Telehealth Options
- We know Telehealth isn’t for everyone. That’s why we offer in-person care throughout San Diego County and Murrieta, making it easy to build therapy into your routine.
Responsive and Reliable
- We return all calls within 24 hours or the next business day. If your clinician is unavailable, a team member will reach out to you instead.
Insurance-Friendly
- We are in-network with Anthem Blue Corss, Blue Shield of California, Magellan, Sharp Health Plan, Aetna, Cigna/Evernorth, Tricare, Scripps, and Optum/United Healthcare.
- We’ll verify your benefits and let you know your out-of-pocket costs. Out-of-network? We provide superbills once per month at no cost and accept most HSA cards directly.
Convenient Scheduling
- Patients receive a secure portal link to request, reschedule, or view appointments—up to 3 months in advance.
Evening and Weekend Availability
- We offer after-school and weekend sessions to fit your family’s schedule.
Smart Technology
- We use electronic records, patient portals, and a virtual receptionist so your provider knows when you arrive.
Multiple Locations for In-Person Care
- We currently offer in-person services at: Mission Valley, Santee, Eastlake (Chula Vista), Sorrento Valley, La Mesa, Oceanside, Scripps Ranch, Murrieta, Temecula, & Telehealth Available Across California
- (Per BBS of CA, you must be physically located in California at the time of service.)
Relationship-Driven Care
- We believe the therapeutic relationship is central to your success and welcome feedback at any time.
Ethics & Integrity
- We operate with the highest ethical and legal standards—always putting your well-being first.
Locally Owned, Clinically Led
- We’re a small business led by an expert team of local therapists, committed to community care and creating meaningful employment opportunities.

Mission

The mission of Grow Through Life Counseling is to provide quality counseling for all ages throughout life. We offer culturally sensitive and inclusive care for all children, teens, adults, couples, and families in California. We respect each family member's unique identities, perspectives, and life experiences. Through effective and creative psychotherapeutic interventions, we support emotional growth and development during the various stages of life to build healthy relationships and foster collaboration within the community.

Core Values

Passionate About Our Work

We exist to care for our patients and provide high-quality counseling services.

Positive and Hardworking

We foster a culture of “yes” and contribute consistently.
Continuous Growth Mindset

We believe in growing at all stages of life. There is always more to learn, and we remain open to those opportunities.
Integrity and Honesty

We do what we say we will and speak the truth. These are the pillars of trust within our team values.
Collaboration and Support

We enjoy sharing ideas and are open and available to support one another.

Vision

The vision of Grow Through Life Counseling is to inspire individuals of all ages to overcome challenges and live healthier, happier lives equipped with positive coping skills. Our team is highly skilled and innovative, continuously learning and supporting one another to provide high-quality care.

We take a client-centered approach, fostering open dialogue, respect, and collaboration. Our work creates a meaningful, long-term impact on individuals and families—improving quality of life, relationships, and the well-being of our communities for generations to come.

Philosophy

We believe that happy, well-trained, and supported therapists working in a positive and healthy community provide higher-quality care to children, teens, adults, couples, and families throughout life. Our team brings the skills, expertise, compassion, empathy, and creativity needed to help individuals of all ages.

We are committed to reducing mental health stigma, recognizing that everyone faces challenges and can benefit from support. Our strengths include a wide range of prior work experiences, inclusive and safe environments for learning and growth, and a supportive, creative team culture.

We work collaboratively to share resources and ensure that every Grow Through Life patient receives culturally sensitive and inclusive care—embracing diversity, reducing barriers, and supporting growth and development at every stage of life.