Dr. Celeste Carlson
Psychological Associate
626-263-7528/Ex 13
Office Location: Pasadena, San Diego, and Teletherapy
Services Offered: Individual therapy, psychological assessments, couples therapy, individual therapy intensives, couples therapy intensives.
Ages: Children (8+), Adolescents, Emerging Adults and Adults
Unresolved childhood trauma and abuse, relationship conflict, spirituality and faith concerns, LGBTQIA+ topics, student-athletes, adolescents, college students, young adults, performance pressure, perfectionist behavior, attachment issues, ADHD, anxiety/panic, depression, identity exploration..
In life, your experiences form and shape you in significant ways. Some of these moments are joyous, and others may have left you feeling confused, alone, or unsure of yourself. Some experiences may even be life-altering. When these experiences happen, it can impact the way you view yourself, others, and the world around you. Naturally, you change. You learn new ways to approach stressful situations and relationships to preserve your sense of emotional safety. This may result in you pulling away from others, or projecting your most “ideal” and reinforced qualities, while hiding the parts of yourself that have been wounded, rejected, or abandoned. It may look like everything is okay on the surface, but internally you’re experiencing deep pain. Well, I believe there is more to life than that. With support (and a lot of work), you can learn more adaptive, healthy ways of relating to yourself and deepen the connections with those around you.
I work well with clients who initially report feeling stuck and are having difficulty navigating the complexities of being human. I enjoy helping folks understand their perfectionist patterns, explore the feelings underneath the internal pressure they feel, and connecting painful relational experiences to how they are showing up with themselves and others today. I have a special focus on supporting high-achieving folks, specifically student-athletes and emerging adults. As a former collegiate athlete myself, I can empathize with the unique pressures such as: burnout, injury, identity shifts, and the transition out of sport - as well as those healing from sports-related trauma, including the long-term effects of high-pressure or harmful coaching dynamics.
In addition to therapy, I offer ADHD Evaluations and Psychodiagnostic Assessments to individuals across the lifespan.
My approach is warm, collaborative, and LGBTQIA+ affirming. I aim to create a space where you don’t have to perform or explain the basics of who you are. Together, we’ll explore what’s beneath the surface: the beliefs you’ve internalized, the roles you’ve taken on, and the parts of yourself that want to be seen and understood. I’m here to walk with you - not to “fix” you - but to help you reconnect with yourself in deeper, more compassionate ways. If any of this resonates with you, I’d love to connect over a free consultation call to see if we are a good fit!
About Celeste Carlson (Pronouns: She/Her/Hers)
Celeste achieved her Master’s and Doctorate in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Family Systems from Azusa Pacific University, an APA accredited program. She earned her undergraduate degree in psychology, as well as a minor in deaf studies, from Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio. She is a Registered Psychological Associate (PSB94027364) with the California Board of Psychology and is working under the direct supervision of Dr. Brett Veltman (PSY21684). She is a member of the San Diego Psychological Association – the local chapter of the California Psychological Association.
Celeste has worked in various clinical settings including schools, community mental health, inpatient care, and private practice. She has been trained by experienced Clinical Psychologists and draws upon her knowledge and experience with psychodynamic and psychoanalytic theories, cognitive-behavioral interventions, spirituality and mind/body science within an integrative and interpersonal treatment approach. She is a life-long student and builds upon her knowledge of systems of oppression, and her competences to support people in social healing and change.
Celeste lives in San Diego County, California with her husband and German Shepherd, Gumbo.