Therapy for Women & Mothers in Carlsbad & San Diego

You Don’t Have to Keep Running on Empty

Therapy for anxiety, trauma, and the challenges of motherhood. Find support in understanding what keeps you feeling stuck and creating meaningful change.

In-person therapy in Carlsbad and online throughout California.

Request a Free Consultation
Vera McGrath, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, standing on a tree-lined path in Carlsbad

From the Outside, You Look Fine. On the Inside, You Are Barely Keeping It Together.

You are used to being the one who handles things. You keep going, take care of what needs to get done, and show up for the people who depend on you. Lately, it feels harder.

Whether you are navigating motherhood, a major life transition, or the demands of everyday life, you feel overwhelmed or anxious, constantly thinking ahead, questioning yourself, or wondering why you are not handling things better.

The strategies that helped you get this far, like pushing through, staying productive, or keeping everyone happy, are starting to take a toll.

Therapy can help you understand what is underneath these patterns, work through what keeps getting activated, and find a way of moving through your life that feels more like you.

Meet Vera

Hi, I am Vera.

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and EMDR Certified Therapist specializing in trauma, anxiety, and perinatal mental health.

I work primarily with women and mothers who are used to holding it all together and who are finally ready for real change. Whether you are navigating motherhood, fertility challenges, anxiety, burnout, or patterns rooted in the past, I can help you understand what is keeping you stuck.

My approach is warm, practical, and focused on more than just talking. Together, we will work toward meaningful changes in how you feel, respond, and move through your life.

More About Me
Vera McGrath, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, seated on rocks by the coast

Therapy That Goes Beyond Talking

Understanding why you feel or react a certain way can be helpful, but insight alone does not always change how you feel.

Our work can include EMDR therapy, attachment-focused approaches, and attention to both your mind and body. We will explore what is happening in your life today while also working with the experiences and patterns underneath it.

The goal is to create meaningful change in how you feel, relate to yourself and others, and move through your life.

Vera McGrath's inviting therapy office in Carlsbad, CA

How It Works

Three Steps to Getting Started

01

Free Consultation

We will connect for a brief, no-pressure call to discuss what brings you to therapy, how I can help, and answer any questions you may have.

02

Your First Session

We will explore what is happening in your life, what you would like to change, and the experiences and patterns that may be contributing to current challenges.

03

Begin the Work

Together, we will develop an approach tailored to your needs, combining practical tools with deeper work, including EMDR, attachment-focused therapy, and nervous system and body awareness.

Google Reviews

What People Are Saying

5.0 stars on Google

“Vera creates a rare and important space that feels both safe and real, something truly valuable in a healing journey. With deep compassion, clarity, and just the right touch of humor, Vera helps clients reconnect with their bodies, make sense of complex trauma, and move forward with confidence. But it's the commitment to her own growth that truly sets her apart from other clinicians and lets me know that my referrals are receiving the very best care.”

Jeanie

Bella, Vera's office dog, relaxing on the office sofa

A Friendly Face

You May Have a Furry Greeter

Meet Bella, my office dog, who often joins me for in-person sessions. She brings a little extra warmth to the therapy room.

If you prefer a dog-free session or have allergies, just let me know.

You Deserve to Feel Like Yourself Again

You do not have to keep pushing through on your own. Schedule a free consultation to talk about what is bringing you to therapy, what you are looking for, and whether working together feels like a good fit.

Request Your Free Consultation