Dr. Metta Penhas provides therapy in both English and Spanish.

Treatment Specializations and Special Interests

Dr. Metta Penhas is trained as a generalist allowing him to work effectively with many individuals with varying backgrounds and a range of mental health concerns. He primarily provides Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and related approaches but is able to adapt clinical skills to meet the individual needs of clients. Dr. Metta Penhas also runs an ongoing Men’s Processing Group. While he is trained as a generalist, he has several areas of specialization. These include:

• Therapy with men of all ages with a focus on helping men process difficult emotions and situations

• Working with clients in high-stress situations better manage stressors and obtain skills to cope with future stressors more effectively

• Treating trauma and PTSD using Cognitive Processing therapy

• Working with active duty members transitioning out of the military

• Assisting high-achieving clients moving through major life transitions

• Providing therapy in Spanish

• The assessment and treatment of ADHD in adults

Dr. Metta Penhas está capacitado como generalista, lo que le permite trabajar de manera efectiva con muchas personas con diferente pasados y una variedad de problemas de salud mental. Proporciona principalmente terapia cognitivo-conductual y enfoques relacionados, pero puede adaptar las habilidades clínicas para satisfacer las necesidades individuales de los clientes. El Dr. Metta Penhas también dirige un Grupo de Procesamiento de Hombres. Aparte de tiene una formación generalista, tiene varias áreas de especialización. Éstas incluyen:

Trabajar con clientes en situaciones de alto estrés gestionar, tratamiento del trauma, trabajar con miembros en servicio activo oh transición fuera del ejército, ayudar a clientes de alto rendimiento a atravesar importantes transiciones de vida.

I was born in Mexico City and had the privilege of immigrating to San Diego at a young age, where I completed the majority of my education and clinical training. I completed my bachelor’s degree in psychology at San Diego State University. Following my bachelor’s, I obtained my doctorate in Clinical Psychology (PsyD) from an APA-accredited program at the California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University-San Diego. I later completed my APA-accredited internship at the counseling center at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana. Finally, I completed my postdoctoral residency at the University of California San Diego, Counseling and Psychological Service.

My training has led me to become a well-rounded generalist clinician. Throughout my professional experience, I have thoughtfully selected my training to gain experience working with diverse populations coping with a range of mental health disorders across multiple settings. I have worked with patients ranging from two to eighty years old. These clients have experienced a range of severity of symptoms, and I’ve had the privilege of working with these clients in a number of different settings including community mental health centers, in-home therapy, school settings, residential settings, inpatient locked facilities, partial hospitalization programs, outpatient clinics, and at university counseling centers. In addition, I have experience working with a rich and vastly diverse population that ranges in diagnosis, gender, age, sexual orientation, race, and ethnicity.

My diverse and immersive training has taught me that no single human is the same as another. For this reason, I use an integrated approach to assessment and therapy where no one treatment plan is the same as another, but instead, treatment is tailored to the client themself. I utilize different aspects of various evidenced-based treatments along with supportive therapy to help an individual maintain or improve their quality of life, their relationships, and their overall mental health. I find the quality of the relationship between myself and my clients to be the most essential aspect of therapy. I strive to provide a safe and comfortable space to whoever sits on my couch (or video screen).

I understand that going to therapy is not something that most of us grew up with and might be seen as taboo or strange within our families and communities. However, if life were a roller coaster full of twists and turns, then therapy would be your seatbelt. The hardest part about coming to therapy is making the first appointment and showing up afterward; these steps are the only ones that I will not be able to help you with. After the initial steps, therapy becomes a collaborative journey between me, you, and your world. Together we work towards achieving your therapeutic goals while learning how to manage all of the unexpected twists and turns that life might throw your way.

Therapy has a fantastic way of benefiting every individual in different ways. Even if you do not consider yourself to “need” therapy, those who “want” therapy can still benefit greatly. My experience working with high-achieving individuals has taught me that even the most successful individuals in their respective areas (executives, athletes, professors, graduate students) might have shortcomings in other areas (relationships, life-work balance, burnout, motivation, confidence). Therapy could be that missing piece to the puzzle of success, and I have the training and experience to help you find that piece and perform to the best of your abilities.

One of my true passions is working with men of all ages. I understand that society often discourages men from seeking help, which has unfortunately led to a significant stigma around men's mental health. In our sessions, I aim to create a warm and welcoming space where men can feel comfortable openly discussing their struggles and strengths. I know that many men haven't been taught how to process and cope with difficult emotions, which can cause challenges later in life. Together, we can use psychotherapy as a powerful tool to build resilience, improve relationships, and enhance overall well-being. I'm here to support you on your journey.

I am also fluent in Spanish and enjoy providing individual therapy, group, consultation, and psychological assessments in Spanish. I am fully licensed in the state of California.