Psychotherapy

Braincare Carlsbad offers psychotherapy in Carlsbad that blends compassionate care with proven, evidence-based methods to help you heal, grow, and thrive.

It takes courage to seek help when you’re dealing with depression, anxiety, or PTSD. And we know that mental health is a journey that often requires more than one type of intervention. 

Psychotherapy is one of the most common treatments because it’s helped so many people improve their mental health. And now, with rTMS treatment, we’ve opened new doors to healing the brain, particularly with treatment-resistant depression. 

So, when you combine the power of rTMS with psychotherapy, it stands to reason that you’d get even better results. And that’s precisely what happens: research shows that combining rTMS and psychotherapy can result in greater remission rates than using each treatment alone. 

We know that you want your treatment to not only address your symptoms but also deal with what’s at the root of your challenges.  And you want that treatment to last. 

That’s why we’re proud to offer psychotherapy services in conjunction with our rTMS treatment.

What is psychotherapy?

Psychotherapy, often called “talk therapy,” is a supportive, evidence-based treatment where you meet one-on-one with a licensed therapist to address emotional, behavioral, and mental health concerns. It gives you a safe space to explore your thoughts and feelings, gain clarity, and build skills that help you feel and function better.

How does psychotherapy work?

Your therapist collaborates with you to:

• Identify patterns in thinking and behavior
• Process difficult emotions and experiences
• Build practical coping strategies
• Strengthen relationships and daily functioning

Treatment is tailored to your goals and may be short-term and focused, or longer-term for ongoing support.

What types of psychotherapy services do you offer?

We provide evidence-based, skills-focused psychotherapy customized to your needs:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Reframe unhelpful thoughts, reduce symptoms, and develop coping tools.
• Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT): Mindfulness strategies to handle difficult feelings and take values-aligned actions.
• Trauma-informed therapy: Gentle, paced work that emphasizes safety, stabilization, and grounding skills.
• Mindfulness-based strategies: Breathing, awareness, and self-regulation techniques to lower stress and improve balance.
• Behavioral Activation: Structured routines and activity planning to boost motivation and energy.
• Solution-Focused Therapy: Brief, goal-oriented sessions that highlight strengths and practical next steps.
• Supportive Psychotherapy & Psychoeducation: Ongoing support, relapse-prevention planning, and lifestyle skills (sleep, stress, habits).

How is psychotherapy used with rTMS?

Many patients benefit from combining psychotherapy with repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS). rTMS helps stimulate underactive brain areas involved in mood regulation, while psychotherapy supports emotional processing, problem-solving, and long-term behavior change. Used together, they can complement each other and support more durable outcomes.

What conditions can psychotherapy help with?

Psychotherapy can be effective for:

• Depression
• Anxiety disorders and panic
• PTSD and trauma-related concerns
• Grief and loss
• Relationship challenges
• Life transitions and adjustment stress
• Stress management and burnout

Your therapist will help determine the right approach for your situation.

What happens during a psychotherapy session?

In your first session, your therapist will learn about your history, current concerns, and goals. Together, you’ll create a plan and decide how often to meet. Sessions usually last 45–60 minutes and may include conversation, skill-building exercises, and tools like mindfulness or grounding techniques. Your care is confidential within legal and ethical guidelines.

If you’re in crisis or thinking about harming yourself, call or text 988 for immediate help.

Who is Dr. Nancy Kim?

Dr. Nancy Kim is a distinguished clinical psychologist with 25+ years of experience. She has dedicated her career to supporting active-duty service members and veterans through combat stress, trauma, and adjustment difficulties.

Areas of expertise include:

• Post-traumatic stress (PTS/PTSD)
• Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
• Anxiety and depression
• Reintegration and life-transition stressors

Dr. Kim has developed specialized programs at major military medical facilities to enhance recovery and well-being. At BrainCare Performance Center, she provides evidence-based, trauma-informed psychotherapy and, when appropriate, coordinates care with our rTMS team to create a comprehensive, individualized treatment plan. Her deep experience and steady, compassionate approach mean you’ll be guided and supported at every step.

How do I get started?

Call BrainCare Performance Center today, or request an appointment online, to talk with our New Patient Coordinator about starting psychotherapy (and how it can pair with rTMS if appropriate). You don’t have to face this alone. There’s real hope, and we’re here to help.

📞 Contact Us today to speak with a member of our team.