Dr. Lita Carvalho, LMFT
Compassionate LMFT specializing in trauma and relationships
- 20 years experience
- Evidence-based therapies
- Works with all ages
About Dr. Lita Carvalho
Dr. Lita Carvalho is a board-certified licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT 113252) based in San Diego, California, with two decades of experience supporting individuals and families through a wide range of emotional and behavioral challenges. She combines a client-centered stance with rigorous, evidence-based methods and draws on her background as a doctorate researcher in biophysics to bring thoughtful, structured care to each therapeutic relationship.
Her practice serves children, teens, adults, and older adults who are coping with issues such as anxiety, depression, complex post-traumatic stress, ADHD, obsessive-compulsive symptoms, and Autism Spectrum Disorder Level 1, as well as other emotional and behavioral health concerns. Dr. Carvalho uses proven interventions tailored to the needs of each person, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma-Focused CBT (TF-CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), Twelve Step Facilitation (TSF), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and trauma-informed care approaches.
In session she prioritizes collaboration, creating a space where people can be heard and where treatment is paced to match individual readiness. Whether the focus is coping with grief, navigating relationship or family issues, addressing substance concerns, or building skills for daily functioning, Dr. Carvalho works with clients to identify goals and practical steps for moving forward. She aims to support sustainable growth and improved well-being through personalized, respectful, and skill-based therapy.
Her practice serves children, teens, adults, and older adults who are coping with issues such as anxiety, depression, complex post-traumatic stress, ADHD, obsessive-compulsive symptoms, and Autism Spectrum Disorder Level 1, as well as other emotional and behavioral health concerns. Dr. Carvalho uses proven interventions tailored to the needs of each person, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma-Focused CBT (TF-CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), Twelve Step Facilitation (TSF), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and trauma-informed care approaches.
In session she prioritizes collaboration, creating a space where people can be heard and where treatment is paced to match individual readiness. Whether the focus is coping with grief, navigating relationship or family issues, addressing substance concerns, or building skills for daily functioning, Dr. Carvalho works with clients to identify goals and practical steps for moving forward. She aims to support sustainable growth and improved well-being through personalized, respectful, and skill-based therapy.
Areas of Expertise
Primary Focus
Also Specializes In
LGBTFamily conflictsGriefIntimacy-related issuesEating disordersSleeping disordersParenting issuesAnger managementSelf esteemCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCoping with life changesCoachingCompassion fatigueADHD
Additional Focus Areas
AbandonmentAdoption and foster careAging and geriatric issuesAntisocial personalityAttachment issuesAutism and Asperger SyndromeAvoidant personalityBlended family issuesBody imageCaregiver issues and stressCo-morbidityCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDependent personalityDisruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)DissociationDivorce and separationDomestic violenceDrug and alcohol addictionEating and food-related issuesEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFatherhood issuesFirst responder issuesForgivenessGender dysphoriaGuilt and shameHearing impairedHoardingHospice and end-of-life counselingImmigration issuesImpulsivityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMidlife crisisVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMood disordersMulticultural concernsNarcissismObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPanic disorder and panic attacksParanoiaPersonality disordersPhobiasPolyamory / non-monogamous relationshipsPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressPregnancy and childbirthPrejudice and discriminationProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harmSelf-loveSex addictionSexual assault and abuseSexualitySocial anxiety and phobiaSomatizationTrichotillomaniaVisually impairedWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues
Therapeutic Approach
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Attachment-Based Therapy Client-Centered Therapy Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) Existential Therapy Gottman Method Imago Relationship Therapy Jungian Therapy Mindfulness Therapy Motivational Interviewing Narrative Therapy Psychodynamic Therapy Solution-Focused Therapy Somatic Therapy Trauma-Focused Therapy Internal Family Systems
Frequently Asked Questions
How much experience does Dr. Lita Carvalho have?
Dr. Lita Carvalho has 20 years of experience in the mental health field.
Is Dr. Lita Carvalho a licensed therapist?
Yes. She is a licensed marriage and family therapist - LMFT. Her license is CA LMFT 113252.
In which languages does Dr. Lita Carvalho provide therapy?
Dr. Lita Carvalho provides therapy in English.
Where is Dr. Lita Carvalho located?
Dr. Lita Carvalho is located in California.
How can I work with Dr. Lita Carvalho as my therapist?
You can work with Dr. Lita Carvalho through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
Does Dr. Lita Carvalho work with international clients?
Dr. Lita Carvalho does not currently work with international clients.
How much does therapy with Dr. Lita Carvalho cost?
The cost of therapy can vary depending on factors such as your location and the therapist's availability. Sessions are billed through a subscription that can be canceled at any time, for any reason. For current details, click the "Start Therapy" button on this page.
How can I get started with therapy?
Getting started with therapy is quick and straightforward. Click the "Start Therapy" button and complete a short questionnaire that helps match you with your therapist. Depending on availability, you can then schedule your first session, which may take place by phone, video call, live chat, or in-app messaging.
Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care with Dr. Carvalho
Dr. Carvalho draws from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help people clarify their values and take meaningful action even when difficult feelings are present. ACT focuses on building psychological flexibility, which can be useful for anxiety, depression, and cycles of avoidance.Attachment-Based Therapy is used to explore how early relational patterns shape current relationships and emotional responses. This approach can be especially helpful for those working through attachment issues, intimacy concerns, or the effects of abandonment and loss.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) offers practical tools to identify and reframe unhelpful thinking patterns while developing coping skills and behavioral experiments. CBT is effective for managing symptoms of anxiety, depression, insomnia, and many everyday stressors.
Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. Dr. Carvalho works with each person to assess needs, preferences, and goals, and she adapts methods over time so therapy stays aligned with what is most helpful.
Online therapy options - including video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging - provide flexibility for scheduling and make it easier to fit care into busy lives. These formats allow consistent therapeutic work from different locations, support ongoing communication between sessions, and can increase accessibility for people with mobility, transportation, or time constraints.