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Eastlake, Chula Vista Team ~

 Both In office & Telehealth Available

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Takako Udell, LPCC

Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor 

Takako has experience providing therapy to children and adolescents who are diagnosed with disorders such as ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, anxiety, depression, and PTSD, and experience in integrating families into the treatment. She enjoys assisting children in building their self-esteem and self-worth. She utilizes a variety of evidence-based therapies including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, mindfulness, Solution Focused Therapy, and play therapy. Recognizing the wide diversity of clients she serves, she shapes treatment to fit the individual needs of each client. She provides clients with a warm and non-judgmental environment so that they can safely explore what’s most impacting their lives. Her passion is to help clients make healthy, life enriching changes.She is English and Japanese bilingual and also a Navy spouse. She welcomes the opportunity to work alongside military families in their journey. Takako is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in the States of California and Illinois (LCPC), and a National Certified Counselor. Takako earned her BA in Psychology from The State University of New York and an MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Argosy University in Schaumburg, Illinois.

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Mark Jacobs, AMFT 

Associate Marriage and Family Therapists Supervised by Ian Saward, LMFT

I help to find the courage to explore difficult and painful experiences in a safe and validating environment, and recognize readiness for growth and healing. I am here to support you. I use humor and communication skills to foster a connection with clients and families. My experience includes providing mental health support to diverse populations: children, teens, couples and families. I am very comfortable treating a variety of diagnoses and issues, including: anxiety, panic attacks, depression, crisis, addiction, trauma, dual diagnosis and relational problems. My experience also includes helping clients navigate through the process of grief and loss related to issues of death of loved ones, illness, divorce, and job loss. I have 4 years of previous clinical experience in inpatient, partial hospitalization, and community settings. My approach to therapy includes, Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), Solution-focused therapy, mindfulness, Motivational Interviewing (MI), Person Centered therapy. I  utilize the connection that exists in the mind and body to promote grounding and self-regulation. Together, we will work to create a personalized plan to help you reach your goals and lead an authentic and more fulfilling life.I obtained my Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology from Argosy University in 2018. Prior to that I served 20+ years in the United States Navy and retired honorably. I joined the Grow Through Life Counseling Team in 2023. I am accepting new patients in Chula Vista in person care and in California via telehealth. 

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Eva Rios, APCC

Associate Professional Clinical Counselor Supervised by Ian Saward, LMFT

Eva is passionate in helping and supporting individuals of all ages from young children to adults and families through mental health services. She sees her role as a therapist as an honor and privilege in coming alongside her clients and supporting them in gaining insight,  new skills, achieving goals, healing, and growth. Eva believes we are designed for connection and one can gain change and healing in the context of relationships. Eva strives to connect and build a safe, trusting therapeutic relationship with her clients. Clients will find a genuine, warm, and inviting presence seeking to provide compassionate, accepting, and non judgemental care. Clients have the freedom to connect and share their desires, disappointments, hurts, traumas, joys, and accomplishments. Eva tailors her work to the needs of clients. She takes an eclectic approach often utilizing Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT),  Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT), Attachment Theory, and mind and body interventions. Eva’s professional experience ranges from working with adults with occurring mental illness to children, teens, and families experiencing mental and emotional issues and challenging trying times in outpatient, school-based, and residential treatment settings. Eva has experience providing mental health services  to individuals experiencing anxiety, trauma, addictions, co-occurring disorders, crisis, depression, parenting, adjustment issues, self-esteem issues, psychosis, self-harm, suicidality, obsessive-compulsive disorder, borderline personality disorder, and codependency. Eva has a Master in Professional Clinical Counseling. She is an Associate Professional Clinical Counselor. Eva is a bilingual therapist who speaks Spanish fluently. 

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Ian Saward, LMFT

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist & Clinical Leader and Supervisor 

My specialities include trauma, anxiety, depression, and ADHD.  I take an eclectic approach to therapy that includes Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), Solution-focused therapy, mindfulness, and using the connections between the mind and body for grounding and self-regulation.  Mostly, recently, I have provided outpatient care both in person and via Telehealth. I have a wide range of prior work experiences: non profit agencies with foster youth, domestic violence survivors, children and adolescents in a school based program, adolescents on probation, residential programs, crisis intervention for youth, and with children removed from their families by Child Welfare Services. Prior to becoming a therapist, I was a professional soccer player in England, professional soccer coach and ran a family construction business for many years. In 2011, I obtained my Master’s degree in Counseling and have been providing mental health care for the last 13 years and counting. I joined Grow Through Life Counseling in 2023 as the Clinical Leader of the Chula Vista location providing direct care and supervisor associate therapists. I am excited to work with Tricare families and appreciate the sacrifices of our military service members, their families and our veterans.

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Denelle Lucido, AMFT

Associate Marriage and Family Therapist Supervised by Ian Saward, LMFT

Through an authentic and trusted relationship over time, I hope to ease your emotional burdens and provide a safe space for you to be yourself, free from judgment. I am a Person-Centered Therapist that uses different techniques and approaches catered towards your goals in order to unlock your true potential and innate strength. I am a bilingual, second generation Filipino who loves to connect with people in positive, sincere, and meaningful ways. My clinical background includes working extensively with adolescent teens and adults that experienced anxiety, depression, addiction, stressful life transitions, and problematic relationship issues. I also have experience working with survivors of domestic violence and children with special needs. I will listen to you attentively and wholeheartedly, free of any judgment. I hope to provide you with a space where you will feel both the intensity and joys of therapy. If you are ready to take that first step with me, I will strive to collaborate with you towards a positive and progressive path that fills you with energy, encourages hope, and provides you with beneficial tools to deal with the stressors in your journey through life.

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Veronica Villalobos, APCC

Associate Professional Clinical Counselor Supervised by Matti Millman, LMFT

I believe that every person has the potential to achieve their dreams, and I am dedicated to helping them get there. I am a caring, passionate, and solution-focused therapist that has helped countless individuals overcome challenges that drive their well-being. My compassionate and understanding nature allows me to create a safe and supportive environment for my clients to open up and explore their feelings and experiences. I have a particular passion for working with kids and teens with disabilities, the LGBTQ+ community, and transition-aged young adults, and have extensive experience with these populations. In addition to my experience, I have also completed advanced courses in a variety of areas, such as play therapy, multicultural competence, and lifespan development. I use a combination of techniques and approaches, including cognitive-behavioral therapy, mindfulness, and goal-oriented therapy, to help my clients make lasting changes and achieve their goals. Whether you are struggling with mental or behavioral issues, looking to improve your relationships, or trying to achieve personal growth, I am here to support you. Together, we will work to create a personalized plan to help you reach your goals and lead an authentic and more fulfilling life.

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Rachael Fitz, AMFT

Associate Marriage and Family Therapist Supervised by Ian Saward, LMFT

Rachael is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist, who received her Master of Science from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. She has worked with children in the mental health field for several years in both inpatient and outpatient settings. She utilizes a person-centered approach when working with children in order to meet them developmentally where they are at. Rachael is passionate about working with youth and their caregivers and utilizing mental health treatment to help them thrive. She has several areas of clinical interest, including depression, anxiety, ADHD, and reactions to traumatic stress. Rachael utilizes both Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy approaches to therapy. Rachael joined Grow Through Life Counseling in 2023. 

Leadership Teams

Chula Vista Clinical Manager: Ian Saward, LMFT 
                            

Chula Vista Clinical Supervisor: Ian Saward, LMFT

Eastlake Location

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