Heather’s approach to mental health is holistic, person-centered, and tailored uniquely to best fit the evolving needs of each individual, couple or family. From a humanistic and strength-based lens, she offers a variety of modalities including Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT), Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), Mindfulness, Play-based therapy, and psychoeducational. Heather prides herself on bringing compassion and kindness into each session, creating a strong therapeutic alliance wherein change can occur. Heather has several years' experience working with children and teens in various settings, and also has a background in working with grief/loss, anxiety, depression, and complex trauma. Heather loves working with children, teens, parents, individual adults, couples, and families. Heather holds a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Alliant University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from CSUSM. Heather is a registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT #145541) supervised by Erica McDaniel, LCSW.

Toni provides behavioral health services to children, parents, couples, elderly, and families. She uses a compassionate humanistic approach to build a trusting and safe working relationship so clients feel comfortable collaborating with their clinician. Toni also works with families who experience loss and deep grief. She compassionately supports them through issues of adjustment and rebuilding, particularly after complicated loss. Toni enjoys working with young children and their parents and is comfortable working with clients who are struggling with a variety of challenging issues such as anxiety, family changes, parenting, employment, sibling and other relationship issues, self-esteem, and depression. Toni is a Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT 143408) who is supervised by Erica McDaniel, LCSW. Toni has a Master’s degree in Psychology from Alliant International University and a Bachelor’s degree from University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA). Toni specializes in EMDR (certified), Internal Family Systems, and Solution Focused Therapy. She also has experience in CBT, DBT and Emotion-Focused Therapy. 

Sarah Gallagher is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor who graduated in 2018 with a master’s in

counseling psychology from the University of Hawaii at Hilo. She has worked with different populations,

including people with substance use issues and other mental health issues in a dual diagnosis in a

residential rehab, youth and their families doing Intensive In-Home therapy, and young adults at a

counseling center at the university that she attended. She uses different orientations, such as Cognitive

Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy skill sets, motivational interviewing, humanistic and

more, to help facilitate a safe environment for personal growth and development and allow the heal

process to start. While she has worked with people of all ages, such as children as young as 8 to 65+, she

enjoys working with teenagers through adulthood.

Marissa is a caring clinician with a passion for working with children, teens and families. Marissa works at Oceanside High School and has been leading bereavement groups for hospice for several years. She understands grief and its effects. With her background rooted in Human Development, she has a warm, empathic approach with a focus on human connection and a Person-Centered approach. She offers support, guidance and structure to enable discovery of personal solutions to problems. Her goal is to create a space to understand. Marissa is genuine. She holds a Masters of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy from Touro University. Marissa joined Grow Through Life Counseling in 2022 to serve the Oceanside and surrounding communities. 

Tina loves teens! She enjoys helping families with communication, improving self confidence and self esteem and supporting during life’s challenges. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker  with the State of California. She has a Master’s degree in Social Work. Tina in the counseling field for many years in a variety of settings including residential group homes and community-based services. Tina takes a strengths-based, client centered approach to counseling, she has training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy Facilitator (DBT) and Trauma focused CBT. As a licensed clinician a Grow Through Life Counseling she supports individuals struggling with anxiety, depression, anger, self esteem issues, trauma and adjustment.  

Erica is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) who graduated from San Diego State University with her Masters of Social Work and her Pupil Personnel Services Credential (PPSC) for school social work. She has experience working with children, teens, transitional age youth, adults, and families. Erica spent five years working in the adoptions program of Child Welfare Services and the past year working with adults in a mental health outpatient clinic. She specializes in trauma, attachment issues, substance use, anxiety, and depression. She believes in being client centered, strength based, and always meeting clients where they are in the moment. Erica looks forward to bringing her range of experience and more importantly her passion for helping people to Grow Through Life Counseling! Erica is both a clinical supervisor and leader. In 2023, she was promoted to our Director of Clinical Leadership and she teaches, trains and mentors our Clinical Leaders throughout the organization.