Virtual therapy available in NY and CA. In-person sessions in San Diego.
Virtual therapy available in NY and CA. In-person sessions in San Diego.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
in San Diego – In-Person and Online
Counseling Near
You

PACT / Service Areas / California / San Diego

Exploring Life’s Challenges & Building 
a More Fulfilling Life 
in San Diego

While we know and believe in the benefits of virtual therapy, and a good number of our clients utilize our virtual services with great satisfaction, many individuals may prefer to meet with their therapist in person. We offer the option of in-person therapy sessions at our San Diego office, conveniently located in Mission Valley, San Diego. For those who prefer to meet with a PACT therapist in person, the benefits of doing so may include the following:

The Benefits of In-Person CBT Therapy

A Dedicated, Intentional Space for Healing and Personal Growth

Meeting with your PACT therapist in person can strengthen the emotional impact of your sessions. Meeting in a dedicated therapeutic space, separate from your everyday life, can help you access a more reflective frame of mind. For many, experiencing the physical transitions of entering and exiting a therapeutic space offers an enhanced sense of focus and release.

A Break from the Digital World

For many people, work, school, and other life responsibilities require excessive hours spent in front of a screen. Taking a break from the digital world to engage in in-person therapy can be a welcome respite from technology. For San Diegans seeking to limit their screen time, in-person therapy sessions offer a tech-free way to connect and nurture your well-being.

Greater Comfort for Sensitive Topics

In-person therapy sessions with PACT can be particularly reassuring for individuals who struggle to find privacy at home or work. Meeting in person ensures that your conversations with your therapist remain entirely confidential, without the worry of others overhearing your session. This assurance of privacy and separation from your personal and professional environment can help you discuss sensitive topics more comfortably.

Addressing Anxiety, Stress & Life Challenges with Philosophically-Informed CBT

At PACT, we are interested in more than simply supplying you with coping skills meant to reduce symptoms of anxiety. We aim to help you develop a deeper understanding of yourself, others, and the world around you so that you can make decisions based on your values and how you find meaning and purpose in life. We integrate evidence-based CBT practices with philosophical inquiry and existential analysis, offering you an opportunity to understand the challenges you face more profoundly and make meaningful choices based on self-knowledge and worldly insight. Our therapeutic approach can be applied to exploring all of life’s challenges, from anxiety to relationships, work stress, and beyond.

Personalized Therapy in San Diego – In-Person & Virtual Support for Anxiety & Life Transitions

Unlike many prominent therapy options today, PACT is not a part of big tech or big pharma. We are a small, woman/clinician-owned and led private practice here to serve you, not shareholders. Your well-being is our purpose. We want to meet you in person, listen deeply, and guide you toward meaningful change in your life. We offer therapy virtually and in-person to help you find clarity, break free from old habits, and build a life you love. We specialize in helping individuals address anxiety and life-stressors, particularly problems that come up around life-transitions, aging, loneliness, grief, and existential crises.

Our Approach

PACT specializes in philosophically informed CBT and philosophical counseling. Learn more about our various approaches:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Philosophically informed CBT combines cognitive-behavioral techniques with philosophical insights. Drawing from existentialism, Stoicism, and other philosophies, it helps individuals examine their thoughts and values, promoting deeper self-awareness and a more meaningful approach to life.

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Philosophical Counseling

Philosophical counseling uses philosophical ideas and methods to help individuals explore their beliefs, values, and the deeper meaning of their lives. Through thoughtful dialogue and reflection, this approach addresses personal challenges, ethical dilemmas, and existential questions, fostering insight and personal growth.

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Existential-Humanistic Therapy

Existential-humanistic therapy emphasizes personal responsibility, freedom, and the search for meaning. It focuses on helping individuals explore their unique experiences, values, and choices while encouraging growth and self-actualization.

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Logotherapy

Logotherapy centers on the belief that meaning is a vital part of life. It focuses on finding purpose even in difficult circumstances, helping individuals to find what truly matters and lead lives with greater intention and fulfillment.

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Stoicism Counseling

Rooted in Stoic philosophy, Stoicism counseling focuses on cultivating personal virtue, resilience, and acceptance of what cannot be changed. By developing inner strength and prioritizing what can be controlled, individuals can achieve greater emotional balance and inner peace.

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Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT)

REBT helps individuals identify and change unhelpful thinking that leads to emotional and behavioral challenges. It aims to foster rational thinking and emotional resilience, empowering individuals to improve emotional and behavioral well-being.

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In-Person & Virtual Counseling in San Diego

Explore new ways of thinking about your life, concerns, and more with philosophical counseling.


In-person counseling available in San Diego; virtual counseling available from anywhere in California.

Contact Pact

Meet Our California State Licensed Therapist and Counselor

Julia Baum, LMHC, LPCC

Founder-Owner and Licensed Therapist

Julia Baum specializes in helping adults navigate emotional challenges through personalized therapy and counseling. With a unique blend of cognitive behavioral techniques, Julia draws on her training in Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT) and studies in Stoicism and Existentialism to foster personal growth and self-understanding.

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San Diego Therapy FAQ

What does PACT specialize in?

PACT uses philosophical principles to inform and guide therapeutic discourse. This approach helps clients explore and understand their fundamental attitudes, values, and perspectives, leading to deeper self-awareness and personal growth. PACT therapists use a blend of approaches and philosophical counseling to address a wide range of issues, from anxiety and depression to existential questions and life transitions. The goal is to help clients develop more adaptive attitudes, which can help lead to greater well-being and fulfillment in life.

How can I get started with philosophical counseling?

To get started with virtual or in-person (San Diego, only) philosophically informed therapy and counseling, request a free 15-minute consultation with PACT to see if our practice is a good fit for you and go over any questions you may have.

How much does therapy cost in San Diego?

The cost of therapy in California can vary depending on several factors, including the therapist's experience, the length of sessions, and the type of therapy. In major cities like Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco, there isn’t much variation in cost. At PACT, sessions with our California-based counselor are $250. We also help facilitate insurance reimbursements as an out-of-network provider. If you have any questions about the costs of therapy in California, contact us.

Our San Diego Office – Serving La Jolla, Encinitas, and Beyond

Our office is within a professional building, offering a quiet space for reflection and healing. We share an office suite of several therapy rooms with other licensed therapists in private practice. When you enter the suite, you will find seating to wait for your appointment and an assortment of water and teas we invite you to partake in. Your therapist will come to greet you at the time of your appointment to get started.

Getting to our office

PACT’s office is just off Interstate 8, conveniently accessible from prime San Diego neighborhoods, including Downtown, Hillcrest, North Park, and La Jolla. The building offers ample free on-site parking, making in-person visits hassle-free. It is also fully ADA-accessible, with bathrooms available to all visitors.

PACT is close to trolley and bus stops, providing easy access for clients using public transportation.

Bus Services:

Route 18: The MTS Route 18 bus operates along Camino del Rio South, connecting areas such as Grantville and Mission Valley. The nearest stop is approximately a 12-minute walk from our office.

Trolley Services:

Green Line: The Mission Valley Center Station on the Green Line is about a 19-minute walk from PACT. This line provides service between Santee and Downtown San Diego, with stops at key locations, including Old Town and the Gaslamp Quarter.

Start Your Journey with In-Person, Online, or Hybrid Philosophically Informed CBT in San Diego

If anxiety or life-stress is keeping you from being your best self, we would love to talk with you to see if we can help. We offer a free 15-minute phone consultation, so please reach out today to schedule a call with us. We provide in-person and virtual therapy appointments for individuals in San Diego, with your well-being as our priority.