Trauma focused, relational therapy.
Disability, gender, grief, and family therapy online in San Diego.
I believe relational therapy is the key to change.
I believe it because I have lived it. I have been in harmful and helpful therapeutic relationships in hospitals and treatment centers. My work is guided by my lived experience and the research of attachment and family systems theorists.
Relational therapy means that no matter how much we know about what’s wrong or what happened, what is most important is how you feel about what is happening within the therapy hour. Change often happens when we can make sense of things together, through a supportive, understanding relationship. Together we can understand what led to panic and overwhelm and use therapeutic methods to work our way out of there.
Safe relationships are a place to ask for a second chance, for accountability, to set limits, and to connect. We might experience temporary disconnection or misunderstandings within the therapeutic relationship, just as we do in every other relationship. Know that this is common, and provides a place to heal. I will not abandon or criticize you. We will work together to repair, a practice that we are not often given the tools or space to do.
Relational therapy also leads to you taking what we do together into your other relationships: setting limits, building connections, and inviting change. You may see a change in the way you interact within your community as our time together makes an impact in how you see yourself.
Callista
Cox,
FT
they/them
AM
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My approach is:
Relational: blending work from Bowen Family Systems and Attachment work.
Systemic: blending Anti-Oppressive Practice and Disability Justice work.
Identity-Affirming: blending Acceptance and Commitment Therapy with cultural humility, Health At Every Size, gender and sexuality affirming care, polyamorous aware, kink aware, & sex positivity values.
Trauma Informed: using evidence-based treatments for PTSD, complex trauma (C-PTSD) including Prolonged Exposure (PE), Brainspotting, and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT).
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Master’s in Marital & Family Therapy, University of San Diego, 2023
California Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist 141253
Supervised by Kristen Crowe, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor 5451 and Ellen Ottman, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist 124702
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TransYouth Care Symposium
CBT for Psychosis (CBTp)
Prolonged Exposure & Cognitive Processing for Trauma
DBT for Everyday Clinical Needs
Blindness & Mental Health Summit
Adult Attachment Interview
Becoming an Antiracist and Anti-Oppressive Clinician (Dr. Raquel Martin & Dr. Han Ren)
Understanding, Diagnosing, & Treating OCD
OCD in Adults: Symptoms & Assessment
Understanding & Treating Harm themed OCD
Trauma & the Power of Sound: Reconnecting the Body & Brain for Deeper Healing
Sensorimotor Sequencing to Process Shock Trauma
Predictive Processing Flash for Trauma
Neuroaffirming Approach to Treating OCD for Autism, ADHD, and Sensory Processing Disorder using Inference-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (I-CBT)
Brainspotting Phase 1
Brainspotting Phase 2
Relational Trauma Repair Certificate Course: Psychodrama-Based Tools, Role Plays and Embodied Exercises for Experiential Trauma Healing
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American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists - Queer and Trans Advocacy Network
Yale Prime Clinic Certified Assessor of the Structural Interview for Psychosis Risk Syndromes (SIPS)
You can call me Cal or Callista (they/them)
I’m a therapist, artist, and person with lived experience of grief, disability, late-in-life coming out, and late-diagnosed AuDHD & OCD. I am COVID conscious, do not use AI, and am committed to anti-oppressive practices.
My clients have described me as down to earth, quick witted, and honest.
I am guided by my values of congruence, joy, connection, safety, and comfort.
I love to kayak in local rivers, play games, cuddle with my cats, make collages, and attempt to quilt.
