Joel is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who helps individuals, couples and families empower themselves to find solutions to struggles ranging from communication and interpersonal dysfunction to depression, anxiety and PTSD. His expertise in formulating personalized approaches to quality mental health care draws from his years of experience as a private practice clinician, a Court Appointed Special Advocate for children in foster care, and an attorney in California state and federal court.

Known for his warm heart and direct nature, Joel believes that transparency and authenticity are crucial to success in the therapeutic process.  While issues may be similar, no two individuals, couples, or families are alike, which is why Joel takes a client-centered approach and tailors therapy to the client.  Joel believes resiliency and a strong sense of self lead to more positive outcomes, so often works with clients on these issues in tandem with their presenting issues.  Joel also approaches therapy from a neurobiological perspective and is a strong believer in the mind-body connection.  So strong is he a believer in that connection as a gateway to mental health that he has developed a specialty in surf therapy, now offered to clients in the San Diego area.

He holds degrees from Columbia University, the University of Pennsylvania Law School, and Antioch University Los Angeles.  When time allows, he teaches in the Masters of Psychology program at Antioch University Los Angeles, having taught courses in law and ethics, child and adolescent development, and the neurobiology and treatment of trauma.  In his spare time you will likely find him surfing the North County San Diego breaks or running along the beach with his dog, Lucas.