About

Dr. Rita Romero is a licensed psychologist (PSY14190) specializing in adult, adolescent and couples’ psychotherapy. She has also been licensed as a marriage and family therapist and is founder/CEO of San Diego Psychotherapy Associates, a group practice dedicated to the provision of skilled, respectful, compassionate and effective psychotherapy.

With over 25 years of experience as a clinician, and licensed by the State of CA specializing in clinical psychology, she is currently serving as private practitioner working with a broad spectrum of patients. Among her areas of expertise are treatment of depression and anxiety, health psychology, depression ,anxiety and addictive disorders empowering individuals and couples to succeed in their transitions, teaching them effective communication abilities to utilize in both in their personal and professional relationships and the utilization of clinical hypnosis when appropriate. Dr. Romero is also Board Certified as a PTSD Clinician.

She has worked in various outpatient and inpatient settings and has extensive training in evidenced based care for individuals and couples. Having worked for the Department of Defense, Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton and at Naval Hospital San Diego with active duty Marines and Sailors for many years, she is especially familiar with the military culture and the challenges facing active duty service members and their dependents. She is also skilled in identifying, and effectively treating trauma and the military service member and their dependents with evidence based treatment. Dr. Romero is especially valued by her patients for her respectful, empathetic and extremely effective therapeutic skills.

Lea Zweig, Psy.D. is a licensed clinical psychologist (PSY29254) in San Diego, California. Dr. Zweig received her Psy.D. (Doctorate of Psychology) and Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology through Alliant International University in San Diego, California. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Denver.

Dr. Zweig specializes in working with children, adolescents, and adults who are experiencing life stressors, depression, anxiety, Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), learning differences, addiction, anger, grief and bereavement, life transitions, family conflict, and personal growth. Dr. Zweig also specializes in couples counseling and family therapy. She is valued for being calm, empathic, and committed to her patients. She uses an individualized approach to therapy and creates a collaborative, nonjudgmental space for her patients.

Melee K. Pal, Psy.D. (PSY31079) is a licensed clinical psychologist in San Diego, CA. Dr. Pal received her Psy.D. (Doctorate of Psychology) through the American School of Professional Psychology in Washington D.C. She holds a license in both California and Maryland. Dr. Pal’s experience include providing individual, family, and group therapy services. She has conducted psychological assessments of children and adults, and has served as a supervisor for psychology training within hospital settings.

Dr. Pal has specialized experience in the treatment of eating disorders, addressing psychological factors associated with medical conditions, psychological processes in acculturation/bicultural identity development, and ethnocultural factors and health. She has provided clinical services to a diverse population consisting of both adults and adolescents presenting with a variety of concerns. She works with individuals presenting with mood and anxiety disorders, PTSD, work/life balance, adjustment and life transitions, relationship concerns, LGBTQ+ concerns, general stress management, and women’s issues. Her approach is to work collaboratively using a strength based approach to empower her patients to make healthy choices to improve their overall health and well-being. Therapy modalities used include cognitive behavioral, dialectical behavioral, and motivational interviewing.

Dr. Helena Eckerberg is a licensed clinical psychologist with over 20 years of experience. She has extensive training in several modalities and completed a 5 year core training module in Intensive Short Term Dynamic Psychotherapy which incorporates aspects of cognitive behavioral, psychodynamic, physiological and relational perspectives, from an attachment based model which emphasizes the experience in psychotherapy as a healing agent. She also has extensive training in couples’ therapy, including issues related to sexual intimacy.

She is very active in sessions and works collaboratively with her patients to assist them in effective resolution of their problems. She will work closely with you to identify obstacles that may keep you stuck in repetitive dysfunctional patterns. Her goal in collaboration with you, is to work together to pinpoint ways in which you inadvertently contribute to self-defeat, and if so, how to help you undo those patterns for a healthier, happier self and life. She is there to help if you find yourself stuck in dysfunctional patterns that perpetuate depression, stress, anxiety and general unhappiness. Whether you suffer from chronic mental illness, episodic events, or suspect that you somehow contribute to your own difficulties, she is there to help and is very committed to her work and working with you as a team.