Behavioral Health

St. Paul’s PACE is proud to offer a robust Behavioral Health Program for seniors in San Diego experiencing anxiety, depression, grief, pain or other symptoms. From talk therapy to customized support groups, we have programs to address specific challenges and help our participants become strong and joyous.

Why Behavioral Health?

As seniors age and their bodies begin to change, they often experience new challenges that can impact daily living. These physical and cognitive changes in older adults can be accompanied by depression, anxiety and grief. That is why St. Paul’s PACE in San Diego doesn’t just address physical health, but our interdisciplinary team takes a look at the whole person, including mental health.

Do I Qualify?

How it Works

When a new participants is enrolled in St. Paul’s PACE, our clinical team assesses the individual’s needs to see if they could benefit from therapy or other behavioral health services. They are then paired with a mental health clinician who will meet with them in-person at our Wellness Center or remotely via tele-health, when appropriate. The clinician will work with the participant and interdisciplinary team to determine what type of counseling or services are best for their wellness journey.

Our Behavioral Health Program Features:

Licensed Clinical Therapists
One-on-one Counseling
A Centralized Wellness Center
A Full Spectrum of Care Partners
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Therapy

Substance Abuse Therapy
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)
Life Skills Support
Grief and Loss Support
Pain Management/Recovery
Self-Esteem Support

St. Paul’s PACE Wellness Center: Now Open!

In the spring of 2022, St. Paul’s PACE opened the doors to its first Wellness Center, a centralized space dedicated to serving the mental health and wellness needs of PACE seniors throughout San Diego County.

At the Wellness Center in Bankers Hill, PACE participants can come from anywhere in San Diego to visit with their clinician face-to-face to experience the benefits of in-person counseling. However, telehealth appointments are still available for those who prefer to stay in the comfort of their home, when appropriate.

The vision for the St. Paul’s Wellness Center is to foster independence and enable seniors to stay living safe at home by offering a full range of services including counseling, educational events, group classes and even support groups for care partners.

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Our Pillars of Wellness

Senior mental health is not just about clinical care. At St. Paul’s PACE, our San Diego-based behavioral health program addresses the whole person. We have developed six “Pillars of Wellness,” which include:

Emotional
Environmental
Intellectual
Spiritual
Social
Physical

Mission

The mission of the St. Paul’s PACE Wellness Center is to provide high quality mental health, wellness, and health promotion services. Within the framework guided by St. Paul’s Senior Homes and Services values, we care for the whole person by partnering with participants and community members to promote well-being, healthy lifestyle choices, skills and experiences that empower them to achieve individually tailored health and wellness goals.

Vision

St. Paul’s PACE Wellness Center is every Participant’s preferred choice for behavioral health, wellness, and health education services. The Wellness Center leads the way in fulfilling St. Paul’s PACE commitment to provide a network of services that fosters independence, preserves individual dignity, and enables seniors to remain at home, involved with their family, friends and community.

St. Paul’s PACE Behavioral Health Providers:

Elizabeth Ysla, ASW, MSW, JD – Associate of Social Work, Master of Social Work, Juris Doctor.
Brian Mitchell, LCSW – Licensed Clinical Social Worker.
Victor Acedo, CADC II – Certified Alcohol Drug Counselor.
Shuna Ball, AMFT – Associate of Marriage and Family Therapy.
Dr. Sean Hodges, Clinical Psychologist.
Dr. Andres Marwick, Clinical Psychologist.

Dr. Maria Torres, Psychological Associate.
Dr. Robert Zaragoza, Psychiatrist.
Robert LaVigne, PA – Psychiatry.
Shannon Boyce ,PA – Psychiatry.
Negean Shahnematollahi, PMHNP – Psychiatry.
Vanessa Caraveo, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist