Business Details
Your Trusted Clinical Psychologist in San Clemente
Beachside Psychology has been dedicated to providing compassionate mental health care for over four decades. Our practice specializes in addressing a wide range of psychological challenges, including depression, anxiety, relationship conflicts, and trauma. With extensive training from institutions like Fuller Graduate School of Psychology and APA-approved internships, we combine clinical expertise with personalized care.Our services now include secure online sessions via Zoom, FaceTime, and Google Meet, ensuring accessibility while maintaining confidentiality. We work closely with clients to navigate insurance coverage, including direct billing for Medicare and secondary policies, and offer flexible payment options to accommodate individual needs.
Services
Depression Treatment
Anxiety Therapy
Couples Counseling
Trauma Recovery
Addiction Support
Highlights and features
- 40+ years of clinical experience treating diverse psychological conditions
- Specialized training from APA-approved institutions and medical centers
- Secure online therapy sessions with flexible scheduling options
- Direct insurance billing for Medicare and secondary policies
- Personalized approach addressing individual and family mental health needs
What people say
40+ years of expertise
Effective online sessions
Personalized treatment approach
Services
Depression Treatment
Specialized care for persistent sadness, hopelessness, and emotional challenges. Utilizing evidence-based techniques to address chemical imbalances and life stressors. Focus on restoring daily functioning and improving quality of life through personalized treatment plans.
Anxiety Therapy
Targeted interventions for panic attacks, excessive worrying, and social fears. Combines cognitive-behavioral techniques with mindfulness practices. Helps clients develop coping strategies for managing acute anxiety episodes and chronic stress triggers.
Couples Counseling
Guided sessions for improving communication and resolving conflicts. Addresses marital challenges, parenting disagreements, and post-divorce adjustments. Focuses on rebuilding trust and establishing healthier relationship patterns through collaborative problem-solving.
Trauma Recovery
Specialized care for processing traumatic experiences and loss. Utilizes trauma-informed approaches to address recurring distressing memories. Helps clients develop grounding techniques and create new narratives to move beyond traumatic events.
Addiction Support
Comprehensive treatment for alcohol, drug, and behavioral addictions. Combines motivational interviewing with relapse prevention strategies. Addresses underlying emotional issues contributing to addictive patterns while building sustainable recovery frameworks.
People
Douglas K. Smith
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Ph.D. in clinical psychology with 40+ years of experience. Trained at APA-approved institutions including Fuller Graduate School and USC Medical Center. Specializes in treating anxiety, depression, and relationship issues through evidence-based therapies.
Questions
What mental health issues do you specialize in treating?
I specialize in treating depression, anxiety disorders, relationship conflicts, trauma, addictions, and life transitions. My approach addresses both immediate concerns and underlying psychological patterns.
Are online therapy sessions as effective as in-person sessions?
Research and my three years of experience show online sessions can be equally effective. They maintain confidentiality while offering greater accessibility for clients in private settings.
Do you accept insurance?
I'm a Medicare provider and can bill secondary insurance plans directly. Many private insurers cover a portion of my $200 session fee through out-of-network benefits.
What happens during the first therapy session?
The initial session focuses on understanding your concerns, discussing insurance and payment details, and establishing treatment goals. We'll create a personalized plan tailored to your specific needs.
How long are therapy sessions?
Standard sessions last 50-55 minutes. Session length may vary slightly based on individual treatment requirements and insurance coverage parameters.