Christina Perez, LMFT
I saw from a young age the power of relationships. The power of the relationship dynamic between a friend and I, the power of the relationship between my twin brother and my mom, the power of the relationship between my best friend and her boyfriend. Relationships are fascinating; the way they bind us together in a loving way, the way they bring out our deepest vulnerabilities, and the way that they create deep pain and anxiety. To be able to go on a journey with those working towards healthier relationships with others, themselves, and their bodies, is truly a blessing.
My name is Christina Heymoss, and I am a licensed marriage and family therapist. I received a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Michigan State University, and a Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Alliant International University in San Diego. As much as I am a Midwest girl at heart, I decided to stay and build a career in San Diego for many reasons, not limited to but including: the weather. Of course, the weather.
Perhaps more important than the credentials, though, is my person-to-person experience with a variety of different people and populations. I have worked with men and women in group therapy with domestic violence and anger management, high-schoolers in a reformative school struggling to create an identity outside of their previous poor choices and difficult home environments, clients of all ages with eating disorders, substance use, and co-occurring anxiety, depression, self-harm, and sex and love addiction. In the therapy room, I take a client-centered approach. My clients have told me that they appreciate my ability to be compassionate yet challenging; a person that they can trust to give honest feedback with validation and a touch of humor. My position is not about giving you advice but observing how you live your life and how you make sense of the world. Since I am not ‘you,’ your partner, or your family, I can offer you a different way of thinking about things that may encourage you to try new avenues or respond differently to situations, making life hopefully the slightest bit better.
I am passionate about working with individuals, couples, and families. I have extensive training in Bowen Family Systems Theory, and conceptualize mental health issues from a systemic lens. Please feel free to ask me more about what this means. In addition, I have been trained in Gottman Couples therapy and I have extensive knowledge of CBT, DBT, ACT, and incorporate concepts from these theories into my therapy.
Clients have come to me for individual therapy to explore stressors that include anxiety, depression, addiction, conflicts in relationships, identity struggles, LGBT struggles, separation from family, uncertainty of life goals/purpose, defining healthy boundaries, dissatisfaction with life path/work, managing anger, emotion regulation, tolerating distress, accepting one’s body and relationship with food. Couples have come to me for relational therapy to work through issues including making mutual decisions, making independent decisions, insecurities, dating, cohabitating, long distance, taking responsibility for oneself in the relationship, conflict management, deciding whether or not to stay together, challenging belief systems, managing efforts to control partner, managing efforts to not be controlled by a partner, communication, reactivity, relationship stressors, infidelity.
I appreciate that you took the time to read about me! I genuinely love what I do and am not afraid of what you bring to the therapy room, no matter how much shame, guilt, or fear it may bring you. Please consider making yourself and your mental health a priority. Thank you.
My name is Christina Heymoss, and I am a licensed marriage and family therapist. I received a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Michigan State University, and a Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Alliant International University in San Diego. As much as I am a Midwest girl at heart, I decided to stay and build a career in San Diego for many reasons, not limited to but including: the weather. Of course, the weather.
Perhaps more important than the credentials, though, is my person-to-person experience with a variety of different people and populations. I have worked with men and women in group therapy with domestic violence and anger management, high-schoolers in a reformative school struggling to create an identity outside of their previous poor choices and difficult home environments, clients of all ages with eating disorders, substance use, and co-occurring anxiety, depression, self-harm, and sex and love addiction. In the therapy room, I take a client-centered approach. My clients have told me that they appreciate my ability to be compassionate yet challenging; a person that they can trust to give honest feedback with validation and a touch of humor. My position is not about giving you advice but observing how you live your life and how you make sense of the world. Since I am not ‘you,’ your partner, or your family, I can offer you a different way of thinking about things that may encourage you to try new avenues or respond differently to situations, making life hopefully the slightest bit better.
I am passionate about working with individuals, couples, and families. I have extensive training in Bowen Family Systems Theory, and conceptualize mental health issues from a systemic lens. Please feel free to ask me more about what this means. In addition, I have been trained in Gottman Couples therapy and I have extensive knowledge of CBT, DBT, ACT, and incorporate concepts from these theories into my therapy.
Clients have come to me for individual therapy to explore stressors that include anxiety, depression, addiction, conflicts in relationships, identity struggles, LGBT struggles, separation from family, uncertainty of life goals/purpose, defining healthy boundaries, dissatisfaction with life path/work, managing anger, emotion regulation, tolerating distress, accepting one’s body and relationship with food. Couples have come to me for relational therapy to work through issues including making mutual decisions, making independent decisions, insecurities, dating, cohabitating, long distance, taking responsibility for oneself in the relationship, conflict management, deciding whether or not to stay together, challenging belief systems, managing efforts to control partner, managing efforts to not be controlled by a partner, communication, reactivity, relationship stressors, infidelity.
I appreciate that you took the time to read about me! I genuinely love what I do and am not afraid of what you bring to the therapy room, no matter how much shame, guilt, or fear it may bring you. Please consider making yourself and your mental health a priority. Thank you.