Welcome!
My name is Sylvia Flanagan and I'm a licensed San Diego therapist offering
individual and couples counseling and periodic group therapy. You may be skeptical or uncertain
about seeking therapy, as it can be a difficult decision. Perhaps you find yourself in a period
of transition or difficulty and are seeking support or an objective perspective. You may be
experiencing some out of the blue anxiety or sadness, or dealing with long standing patterns
you find troubling and unhealthy.
Whatever your situation, therapy is one viable option, and serves as a source of growth
and relief for many people. Whether you are seeking short term or long term counseling,
the relationship between therapist and client is indicated to be the biggest determining
factor for successful therapy. I do my best to create an optimal environment conducive to positive growth.
There are many San Diego therapists to choose from, and hopefully the pages on this site will give you
an indicaton of what you might expect if you decide to work with me.
Many clients have described me as easy going, gentle and down to earth, but also challenging. I believe
that being challenged in a safe, respectful and supportive environment lays potential for movement and change.
Ultimately, my clients control the direction of therapy, but I do my best to nudge them towards the unknown
where I hope they can make discoveries and desired changes. Some people may disregard therapy
because they feel therapists simply "tell you what to do", thereby ignoring the dignity and intelligence of
the client to make choices for him/herself. Other people feel therapy is a waste of time and resources because
therapists only "sit there and nod there heads" but give no feedback. I believe therapy should be a collaborative
experience whereby the therapist respects the abilities and experience of the client while also respectfully
attempting to stretch their patterns of thinking and behavior opening the door for a richer life and more satisfying relationships.
Please browse the pages on this website to acquaint yourself with my services and style in order to help you make the best
decision while searching or considering a therapist. Please feel free to contact me by
telephone or email with any questions and concerns. I'd be happy to spend some time talking with you.