A San Diego native, Brittany Jones Black is an Associate Clinical Social Worker who received her Master of Social Work from the University of Southern California with a specialization in school social work. Brittany has a true passion for children and youth as she has dedicated 8 years of her life mentoring youth in K-12 education and youth centers throughout San Diego County. She believes that behind every successful child is a team of individuals who truly believe in the child's potential to success whether that success is academically, emotionally, or mentally and hopes to be a part of that team for your child! Brittany also has experience providing crisis intervention and behavioral services to adults. Through Brittany’s use of empathy, active and reflective listening, and modalities such as Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Dialectal Behavioral Therapy, she is able to build rapport and both positive and genuine connections with those in her care. Brittany is looking forward to her new adventure with the Grow Through Life Counseling family and is looking to work with anyone wanting to enjoy the ride! 

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.

Hannah enjoys working with children, adolescents, and adults, and has experience working with couples as well as with individuals. She has worked extensively with clients surrounding topics including depression, anxiety, ADHD, boundaries and codependency, coparenting, sexuality development, race and racial identity, LGBTQIA+ experiences, social and systemic issues, adjustment difficulties, conflict resolution, crisis intervention, trauma, suicide and self-harm, and fostering resilience. Working through a trauma-informed lens, she takes a person-centered, strengths-based, and solution-focused approach to sessions, frequently incorporating concepts and skills from CBT, DBT, ACT, narrative therapy, and mindful self-compassion. She emphasizes education and is passionate about dismantling stigma in a way that honors the diversity of each client’s culture, perspective, and values. Hannah knows that people are capable of enormous change and growth if they are just given a chance — and if they can grant themselves permission to start. Whether for a few short steps or a long and winding path, she is honored to have accompanied each client on their journey toward something better. Hannah received her Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of San Diego. 

Kayla has experience working with youth and families within school settings both as a teacher and school-based mental health counselor. Her orientation as a therapist is client-centered with emphasis on attachment and systems theory. She is passionate about self-expression with training in play and art therapy. She loves being able to provide a safe place for children, teens, and families to explore, grow, and heal. She is an associate clinical counselor with my Master's degree in Child Development with a concentration in Early Childhood Mental Health from San Diego State University. Kayla joined Grow Through Life Counseling in 2021 and is supervised by Matti Millman, LMFT.

Helena has been working with teens and their families for 20 years. Helena has experience in the areas of crisis stabilization, students with IEP needs, sexual abuse, substance abuse issues and parent/child relationships.  Additionally, Helena has worked with clients that have a dual diagnosis; having both mental health and substance use issues. She works with populations of varying backgrounds and addresses cultural differences. Helena uses a cognitive behavioral approach along with solutions focused interventions to help clients learn more effective ways to cope with their issues and lead a more successful life. Helena uses a safe, compassionate and motivational environment to support clients reach their treatment goals.

Joel is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) licensed in the state of California. He earned his Master of Science in Marriage, Family, and Child Therapy from the University of Phoenix in 2016. He has experience providing therapy for the psychological effects of chronic pain and intense acute pain, San Diego's homeless population, pre-teens and teens in the juvenile justice system prior to providing therapy to children, teens, and families in the county clinic setting. In this setting he served those who experienced trauma, developmental trauma, child abuse, and developmental delays. He has a psychdynamic therapy style and primarily focuses on improving family communication to resolve difficulties. Joel is a veteran of the United States Navy and is thankful to have service members and their dependents within the population he serves. He has been serving the San Diego community for 13 years within the fields of nursing, hospice volunteering, and psychotherapy.

Amanda Moore is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor passionate about supporting children, teens, and families. She received her masters degree with a concentration in Early Childhood Mental Health from San Diego State University. Amanda is client centered, grounded in attachment theory, and has a large training in play-based modalities. Amanda is currently taking courses to be registered as a play therapist. Amanda uses play therapy to help her client’s express their needs and help resolve their challenges. Amanda’s work includes helping children and teens that need assistance with anxiety, coping skills, managing ADHD, school-based issues, special needs, challenging behaviors, self-esteem, anger management, and trauma. She has spent many years as a preschool teacher and is aware of the social expectations many children are currently facing. With a large background in creative movement, she believes in the power of a multi-sensory approach. She loves to use imagination, dance, and music as a way to engage and help enhance social/emotional development. Amanda is friendly, down-to-earth and loves to bring fun and playfulness into her sessions. Treating the therapy room as a safe space where the client can fully express themselves. Amanda looks forward to supporting your child, teen, and family. She created a wonderful play therapy room in our La Mesa location! 

Callie is an Associate Professional Clinical Counselor with her Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of San Diego. She has extensive experience providing mental health support to diverse populations, including providing therapy to teens, adolescents, children and families throughout San Diego County. Callie has experience working with clients facing a variety of difficulties including anxiety, depression, trauma, psychosis, suicidality, self-harm, obsessive-compulsive disorders and adjustment issues. Callie believes that in order to change, we have to first be accepted exactly as we are. For this reason, Callie creates a nonjudgmental, safe environment in therapy where the client can explore and better understand themselves, their relationships, their goals, and how to achieve them. Callie’s orientation as a therapist is person-centered, and she also has experience and training in play therapy, CBT, DBT and mindfulness interventions. Callie additionally uses a trauma-informed lens, always considering the widespread impact of trauma on a client’s current functioning. Callie also adopts a multicultural approach with clients in order to bring the client’s unique cultural background into the therapy room. Callie is passionate about her work as a therapist and is grateful to be able to use her experience and expertise to help clients reach their goals and live the lives they seek.

Matti is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in the state of California. She received her Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy from National University. With a history of working as an elementary school teacher, with youth and families involved in the juvenile justice system, and with youth in PHP and IOP care Matti has experience both in short and long term care. Matti believes in a trauma informed approach and has been certified as a Brief Strategic Family Therapist, and is currently being trained in EMDR with a focus on trauma. She has a passion for working with families and improving their relationships with each other through communication. Matti specializes in family work, abuse, trauma, substance abuse, feelings of sadness, working with adolescents and children, and has personal experience with the military community. Call 619-549-0329 ext 0 to check current availability or click here to learn more about our La Mesa team!