Anxiety & Stress
- Overthinking
- Panic attacks
- Racing thoughts
- Burnout
When worry has taken over and you can't seem to shut it off, we work on understanding what's driving it and building practical tools to manage it.
In-Person & Telehealth Therapy · San Diego, CA
Are you dealing with something that feels impossible to get through on your own?
Whether you're struggling with anxiety, depression, grief, or a situation that keeps getting harder, I can help you understand what's happening and figure out what to do next.
Why People Reach Out
When people call me, it's usually not a small thing.
Most of my clients come in carrying more than one thing. Anxiety or depression that's been building for a while, and something happening in their life that's making it harder to cope. They've been trying to manage on their own, but at some point that stops working. That's what I'm here for.
Is This You?
This might be the right fit if…
You're dealing with anxiety or depression that's been building for a while and you're ready to do something about it.
You want someone who will actually help you figure out what's going on, not just listen while you talk.
You've been carrying something for a while, alone, and it's gotten to the point where that's not working anymore.
You want support from someone who has seen it all and won't be rattled by what you bring into the room.
You want to actually feel better. Not just understood.
The Difference
What makes working with me different.
My approach is warm, practical, and collaborative. I'll meet you where you are, and together we'll work toward helping you better understand what's happening and what to do next. And after forty years, I still genuinely love this work.
You'll leave with something useful.
Every session has a purpose. We're not just talking; we're building real strategies you can use between appointments, for the moments when things get hard.
You don't have to start over every time.
I pay attention. I remember your story. You'll never feel like just another appointment on my schedule.
Forty years of perspective.
I've sat with people through some of the hardest things life can throw at you. I'm not going to be rattled by what you bring into the room.
A space where you can exhale.
My office is warm, quiet, and nothing like a clinical waiting room. Most people tell me they feel better before we've even started talking.
Perspective
Forty years teaches you something.
It teaches you that anxiety rarely starts where people think it does. That grief or pain doesn't follow a timeline. That people are often more capable than they think they are, they just need somewhere to start. And it teaches you that asking for help is not a weakness, it's the first step forward. If you're reading this, you've probably already taken that step. The next one is a lot easier than you think.
A Little About Me
I'm Peggy Cohen, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over forty years of experience.
Throughout my career, I've helped people navigate trauma, loss, anxiety, family conflict, and major life change. Twenty-four of those years were spent serving military families through the US Navy, supporting people through some of the hardest moments of their lives.
Today I bring that same experience into private practice, working with adults and college students who are ready to do something about what they're going through. I'll meet you where you are. And when it's useful, I'll push you forward.
I wanted my office to feel less like a clinic and more like somewhere you could finally exhale. There's a couch in the waiting room, usually some candy, and quiet enough that people often tell me they feel better before we've even started talking. My office is on El Cajon Blvd in the College Area neighborhood of San Diego, a few minutes from SDSU.
You don't need the perfect words before calling. You don't need to convince me your problems are “bad enough.” Most people tell me they waited longer than they wish they had.
I see clients in person Monday through Thursday. A limited number of telehealth appointments are available.
Areas of Support
People come to me for a lot of different reasons.
These are the areas I work in most:
Depression
- Low mood
- Emotional numbness
- Loss of motivation
- Feeling overwhelmed
When getting through the day feels like more than you can manage, therapy gives you a place to start understanding why and what to do about it.
Grief & Loss
- Bereavement
- Relationship loss
- Major endings
- Processing change
Whether you've lost a person, a relationship, or a life you thought you'd have, grief doesn't follow a timeline. We go at your pace.
Trauma & PTSD
- Childhood experiences
- Flashbacks
- Hypervigilance
- Emotional safety
Whether something happened recently or a long time ago, trauma that hasn't been dealt with has a way of catching up with you. This is a safe place to work through it.
Major Life Changes
- Career changes
- Family shifts
- Divorce or separation
- Moving
- Uncertainty
Whether it's a divorce, a job loss, a move, or a major shift in your family life, when things change in a big way it helps to have someone in your corner.
Life Transitions in Young Adulthood
- Identity
- Relationships
- Career direction
- Independence
This season of life comes with real pressure around identity, relationships, and figuring out what comes next. You don't have to navigate it alone.
How It Works
Here's what working with me looks like.
01
We start with a free 15-minute call, no pressure, no commitment. I'll ask what's been going on and what's making things hardest right now. And why you reached out. I actually want to know that last one.
02
If it feels like a good fit, we schedule your first session and get to work. I'll ask you to tell me your story in your own words. There's no right way to do that, we start wherever you are.
03
Together we figure out what needs to change and build practical ways to make those changes happen outside the therapy room too.
04
Sessions look different depending on what you need that day. Some are about processing what happened, others are about figuring out what to do next.
05
My clients often tell me they leave sessions feeling clearer, less alone, and more equipped to handle what's in front of them. You don't have to have it figured out before you call.
Insurance & Fees
Straightforward about the details.
Insurance
I accept insurance through Providence Health Plan, Anthem EAP, Magellan, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Anthem Blue Cross, Carelon Behavioral Health, Cigna, Aetna, and United Health Care/Optum.
Self-Pay
Self-pay sessions are $125. I accept cash and Venmo.
Verify Coverage
If you'd like to verify your insurance coverage before we speak, you can do that through the Headway portal.
Let's Talk
If something in your life has recently changed and you don't know what comes next, that's exactly when to call.
The first conversation is free and there's no commitment. Just two people talking about what's going on and whether I'm the right person to help you through it.
Most people tell me afterward they wish they'd called sooner.
Send me a message and I'll be in touch. I look forward to hearing from you.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions.
Do you accept insurance?
Yes. I accept Providence Health Plan, Anthem EAP, Magellan, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Anthem Blue Cross, Carelon Behavioral Health, Cigna, Aetna, and United Health Care/Optum. You can verify your coverage through the Headway portal before our first call.
What happens on the first call?
We start with a free 15-minute consultation. I'll ask what's been going on and what's been making things hardest. It's a real conversation, not a checklist. If it feels like a good fit, we'll schedule your first session from there.
How long are sessions?
Sessions are 45 minutes.
How often would we meet?
That depends on what you're working through. Most clients start with weekly sessions and adjust from there as things progress.
Do you offer telehealth?
Yes, a limited number of telehealth appointments are available. Most of my clients prefer to come in person, but virtual sessions are an option if that works better for you.
Do you work with college students?
Yes. My office is in the College Area neighborhood of San Diego, and I regularly work with college students navigating anxiety, transitions, and the pressure that comes with that season of life.
How do I know if you're the right therapist for me?
That's exactly what the first call is for. There's no commitment and no pressure. If after talking you feel like we're a good fit, great. If not, I'm happy to point you in the right direction.
Do I need to have a specific problem to reach out?
No. Some people come in with something very specific going on. Others just know something isn't working anymore. Both are fine places to start.