Faq's

Why do people go to therapy?

People seek therapy for many reasons. Some are navigating big life changes—like divorce, unemployment, or a new job. Others are experiencing emotional struggles such as anxiety, depression, grief, or low self-esteem.

Children and teens often come to us when they’re facing academic, social, or developmental challenges. Others are simply looking to grow, explore their identity, or live with more intention and balance.

Therapy offers encouragement, accountability, and practical skills to support personal growth.

Do I really need therapy?

It’s normal to feel unsure—but seeking support is a sign of strength, not weakness. Even if you’ve managed well on your own before, therapy can provide new tools and perspectives to help you through current or future challenges.

Therapy can be especially helpful during life transitions, parenting struggles, or periods of emotional overwhelm. If you’re considering it, chances are it could benefit you.

What is therapy like?

Therapy looks different for everyone, but generally, you'll meet regularly with your therapist to:

Talk about current concerns
Explore relevant past experiences
Reflect on progress and insights
Set and work toward goals

Your therapist may suggest activities between sessions like journaling, reading, or practicing new skills. Therapy can be short-term (focused on a specific issue) or longer-term (to support deeper personal growth).

The more engaged you are, the more you’ll benefit. Our goal is to help you bring what you learn in session into your everyday life.

How can counseling help me?

Therapy offers a wide range of benefits depending on your goals and needs. Whether you're navigating life transitions, managing mental health symptoms, or seeking personal growth, counseling can help.

Some common benefits of therapy include:
Understanding yourself, your goals, and your values
Coping with stress, anxiety, grief, or depression
Improving communication and relationships
Developing healthier habits and behavior patterns
Strengthening self-esteem and confidence
Managing family changes (e.g., divorce, blended families, moving)
Supporting children and teens through developmental challenges

Therapy is a collaborative process, and the more actively you participate, the more you’ll gain from it.

What is the difference between medication and psychotherapy?

While medication can be helpful in reducing symptoms, it typically doesn't address the underlying causes of emotional distress or behavioral patterns. Psychotherapy focuses on identifying and working through those deeper issues to support long-term growth and healing.

At Grow Through Life Counseling, we create a personalized treatment plan after your initial assessment. In some cases (but not all), this may include a referral to a physician to explore medication options as part of an integrative approach to wellness.

Does Telehealth work?

Yes, in most cases! Telehealth can be an effective and convenient way to receive therapy—especially for individual counseling. Research supports its effectiveness for treating issues like anxiety, depression, and relationship struggles. While there is less data on Telehealth for couples and families, we believe some support is better than none.

Benefits of Telehealth therapy include:

Comfort and privacy in your own home
No travel time—convenient for busy schedules
Easier involvement of parents or family members
Most insurance plans cover Telehealth services
Sliding scale and discounted rates available
Greater flexibility in scheduling

Our team offers Telehealth across California, with therapists based in San Diego and Riverside counties. We are mindful of privacy, technology access, and confidentiality—please let us know if you have concerns.

What languages are therapy services offered in at Grow Through Life Counseling?

Our diverse clinical team is proud to offer services in multiple languages, including Spanish, Portuguese, Japanese, Farsi, and Tagalog. We strive to make therapy accessible and culturally sensitive for the communities we serve.

Abel Pena, LMFT, Ava Kharrazian, LPCC, Christine Vargas, AMFT, Denelle Lucido, AMFT, APCC, Esther De La Cruz, LMFT, RPT-S, Eva Rios, APCC, Francisca “Fran” Verduzco Moreno, APCC, Isabel Reyes, LMFT, APCC, Karen De Jesus, AMFT, Lanelle Teran, ACSW, Leticia Castillo Velasquez, LCSW, Marylynn Nieves, LPCC, Nadia Zamani, LMFT, Natalia Esparza-Bugarin, AMFT, Nazanin "Naz" Nikoukary, APCC, AMFT, Stephanie Cabrera, AMFT, Tais Millsap, LCSW, Takako Udell, LPCC