Shaina Ponce, PhD

Empowering wellness through education, insight, and behavior change.

I graduated from Loma Linda University with my PhD in Clinical Psychology. The main treatments I use are Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) - with a specialization in CBT for psychosis (CBT-p). I've been practicing these treatments for 10 years with people of different backgrounds and needs. Communication and mutual understanding is very important to me so I will take my time to ensure that I truly understand you.

Much of my training has been focused in the area of Serious Mental Illness (SMI) and psychosis with an emphasis on schizophrenia. My approach to treating SMI includes a combination of education, validation, skills training, and fostering independence. One of my strengths is working through severe verbal and cognitive disorganization. Together, we will explore hallucinations and delusions to better understand your experience of the world. This allows us to come up with strategies for coping with psychosis effectively and help you function more independently.

As a DBT clinician and a part of team of DBT clinicians, I have a lot of confidence in helping people with emotional dysregulation, self-harm, and suicidal thoughts. My role as a DBT therapist is to coach and cheer you on as you gain the skills to manage your emotions and live a life-worth-living. Your treatment, while adhering to DBT, is tailored to your goals and values to empower you to cope and function effectively.

Whether managing emotions, improving relationships, overcoming trauma, or learning from hallucinations or delusions, I am committed to being present and guiding you through your journey into wellness.