Eli Recht

Dear friend,

My name is Eli (El-lee), and I am a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT) and EMDR Trained Clinician. In 2012, I received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Emory University, where I graduated Summa Cum Laude and wrote a thesis on the relationship between sleep patterns and mood. In 2020, I earned a Master of Arts degree in Counseling Psychology with an emphasis in Depth Psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute, where I wrote another thesis about the importance of integrating contemporary psychological knowledge with timeless spiritual wisdom in the therapeutic setting. Born and raised in San Diego, I have been a happy Encinitas local for the past ten years.

I chose the vocation of being a therapist because I feel a deep calling to assist my fellow human beings through the sometimes confusing and complex journey of Life. For many of us, suffering is an everyday reality, but it doesn’t need to be. Through my education, professional experience, and my own therapeutic work, I’ve realized that our well-being and answers to our trials lie within each of us. When we take the time we deserve to look honestly at our lives – our being, values, thoughts, feelings, motivations, behaviors, relationships, and environment – we arrive at understanding, and we discover how to reach and sustain our full potential, however we define it.

As your therapist, my singular aim is to empower you through your own evolving awareness. I provide a warm, nonjudgmental, effective, and collaborative space to help you achieve your goals – be that inner peace, clarity and direction over your life, a sense of connectedness with your loved ones, or anything else that is important to you.

I have professional experience helping individuals, couples, families, adults, and teens through a variety of challenges such as: addiction, anxiety & panic, depression & mood disorders, emotion regulation, grief & loss, life transitions, psychosomatic issues & chronic pain, relationship problems, stress management, and trauma & PTSD. I also have experience aiding those who struggle with identity, low self-esteem, LGBTQIA+ matters, and spiritually-related topics, which includes faith-based counseling for all traditions. While these are my passions, I find meaning in assisting with all areas of mental health.

Over the course of my training, I have learned (a never-ending process!) how to utilize different evidence-based therapeutic approaches including but not limited to: Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Existential Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR), Internal Family Systems (IFS), Jungian/Depth Psychology, Meditation & Mindfulness, Person-Centered Approach (PCA), and Trauma-Informed Care. Additionally, I am privileged to have training in Gottman Couples Therapy, which is one of the only evidence-based couples therapies currently available. 

Together we can create and carry out a plan that resonates with you and moves at your pace. Come as you are.

In service and with all good wishes,
~ Eli Recht