Solara Calderon, PhD
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Providing virtual therapy throughout California and New York
Based in Encinitas, CA
My clients often come to therapy grieving a painful loss, struggling to adapt to a new life phase or transition, trying to shift unhelpful patterns or behaviors in their relationships, having a hard time managing big feelings, or seeking deeper meaning and connection.
I welcome adults of all ages to my practice for individual therapy. I particularly love working with college and graduate students, young professionals, pregnant women, new moms and dads, overwhelmed parents, and LGBTQ+ folks.
I also welcome those who do not know exactly what their goals are for therapy. I’ve worked with clients who know something doesn’t feel quite right, but aren’t sure exactly what they wish could be different. Don’t worry - we can put our heads together to figure this out and to put words to your experiences.
Past clients have described me as genuine, easy to talk to, and non-judgmental. I understand that it takes courage to share your story. With time, the development of an authentic relationship between us can lead to a greater sense of safety and trust. It can also make space for you to feel supported in learning more about yourself and in learning new ways of being. This will allow you both the freedom and the tools to make more purposeful decisions about your life and what matters to you most.
I’m excited for us to get started together.
Contact information:
solara@drsolaracalderon.com
(760) 237-0026
Areas of Expertise
Relationships
Many of my clients are interested in more deeply understanding their relationship struggles and interpersonal patterns, whether with partners, friends, family, or coworkers. This often includes helping clients who yearn to increase their sense of meaningful connection with others.
Pregnancy and Postpartum
Becoming a parent is life altering in many ways, some of which you may have expected and some of which may surprise you or catch you off guard. The shifts and changes that come with pregnancy and postpartum can feel exciting, overwhelming, and every emotion in between. I love helping new moms and dads find their way through this challenging period of life. I have advanced post-graduate training in perinatal mood and anxiety disorders through Postpartum Support International (PSI). I’ve written a blog post on this topic, as well (The highs and lows of early motherhood). I am also trained in supporting my clients through traumatic experiences, such as those related to birth.
Grief and Loss
I am passionate in working with clients struggling with grief or loss. Loss includes the death of a loved one, as well as other losses such as the loss of a part of your identity, the end of a relationship, the closing of a particular phase of life, etc. With any type of loss, I believe that allowing space to grieve, without timeline or pressure, is vital to healing. I also have particular clinical and research interest in the long-lasting impact of the death of a parent early in a child’s life, which is what I studied and published for my dissertation (The effects of early parental death and grief on interpersonal functioning and alexithymia in adults).
Big Emotions
Do you feel like the intensity of your emotions can jump from 0-100 in a millisecond? Do you often react or respond to a situation in a way that you later regret or wish you had handled differently? You are not alone. A lot of my clients feel this way. Most likely, you never were given the opportunity to learn how to more effectively cope with your feelings. The good news is, it is never too late to learn! I really enjoy teaching my clients DBT skills so that together we can practice slowing down before reacting, becoming more mindful of behaviors and reactions, and experimenting with new ways of tolerating and managing painful feelings.
My clients typically come to therapy to work on:
Anxiety & Stress
Depression
Grief & Loss
Women’s Issues
Pregnancy, Postpartum, & Parenthood
Life Transitions
Emerging Adulthood
Relationship Difficulties
Attachment Issues
Family Dynamics
Personal Growth
Identity Struggles
Gender & Sexuality
Self-Esteem
Intense Emotions
Contact me
Solara Calderon, PhD
solara@drsolaracalderon.com
(760) 237-0026
Video therapy for residents of California and New York
1106 2nd Street #458
Encinitas, CA 92024