Counseling
The Discovery Center offers professional, confidential counseling
services to individuals, couples, and families around the
community. Seminars and groups are also offered to deal with
topics of special interest. Our services are extended to all,
regardless of economic, cultural, or religious background.
Specialized
services include counseling for eating disorders, addictions, adults
abused or molested as children, families of substance abusers, marital
therapy and more. Our counselors all have advanced degrees,
extensive clinical experience, and meet state licensing
guidelines. Fees are set at a realistic level. For people
who cannot afford our usual fee, we offer a sliding scale based on
family income and size.
For Counseling inquiries, and to make an appointment, please call (619) 223-6990.
Meet our Counselors
Joanne Pickering is a Marriage
and Family Therapist. She is a supervisor to new interns and has been
a counselor with the Discovery Center since it opened in 1995. She received
her MA in Psychology from Alliant University
and offers specialized services in premarital and couples counseling.
Joanne is especially interested in working with adult children from dysfunctional
families, women’s issues, midlife issues, and those whose lives are in transition.
In addition to her profession, she is a busy wife, mother, and grandmother
whose deep interest in family health carries into to her counseling practice.
Donna Anderson St. Clair has been a licensed
California Marital and Family Therapist since 1990 and joined the Discovery
Center in September 2004. She is a graduate of Providence College and the
University of Connecticut. Donna has had a provate practice in Clairemont for
ten years and is married with three school-aged children. Donna's training focus
was family systems and human development. She likes working with families and
couples, transition to adulthood issues, and adolescents. She also specializes
in issues with depression, sexual abuse, and codependency. Donna is registered
as an approved therapist for the County of San Diego Health and Human Services
Agency and is able to accept most insurances.
Carletta Vicain is a Marriage and Family Therapist Intern. She has been a counselor with the
Discovery Center since August of 2004. She received her BA in Psychology from
Azusa Pacific University and her MA in Marriage and Family Therapy at University
of San Diego. She has worked in a variety of counseling settings to include:
military active duty members and their families, all aged children, at risk
youth (foster and probation), college aged men and women, and persons struggling
with substance abuse issues. She has specialized training in working with
children with attachment issues. Her specialties are women’s issues,
adolescents, children, and families. She also works full time in the North
County providing therapy to children and families with Medi-Cal.
Lia Mix
is a Marriage and Family Therapist Intern.. She successfully
received her MA in Counseling from San Diego State University.
She received her BA in Psychology from Aquinas College, Grand Rapids,
MI. Most recently Lia worked as an Assessment & Crisis Counselorfor
Horizon Behavioral Health EAP. Prior to such, Lia worked at the San
Diego Youth & Community Services as a Therapeutic Social Worker and
later as a Clinical Therapist. Lia hopes to provide effective
mental heath services to high-risk youth population and their families.
