Staff
Matthew J. Bruhin, MFT, RAS, CAS
Psychotherapist & Addiction Specialist
Matthew Bruhin is a Psychotherapist and Addiction Specialist in private practice. He is a State of California Board of Behavioral Sciences Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and additionally is an Addiction Specialist registered and certified by both the Breining Institute and the American Academy of Health Care Providers.
Matthew Bruhin is a Doctoral candidate in the specialized field of Addictive Disorders. He earned his Masters degree in Counseling Psychology and also holds a Bachelors degree in Psychology with a Minor in Addictive Disorders. His training was done under the supervison of a Harvard educated and board certified Psychiatrist while he directed a high end residential treatment center.
He has been Clinical Director to several prominent rehabilitation facilities and continues as a Clinical Consultant with several private and public organizations throughout the US. He regularly appears on network television as a leader in the addiction field and has worked with clients from A&E's hit television show Intervention as well as the Tyra Show.
Matthew has worked in the San Diego mental health field for over 10 years with a diverse population of clientele. He specializes in the treatment of addiction and has specialized experience and clinical training in the treatment of prescription addiction, sexual addiction and gambling addiction. He works with many individuals and families ranging from the chronic mentally ill, to high level professionals, executives and Hollywood film producers and personalities. He has developed his own specialized and effective techniques for the treatment of addiction and chemical dependency.
Matthew Bruhin utilizes a plethora of psychological treatment models and techniques in his practice and believes that individualized treatment planning and good collaboration will allow each client to be successful in their goals. He believes that a combination of technique, support, and rapport will allow each client to achieve the personal growth that they are capable of and striving for.
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Vanessa Lemminger, M.A., IMF
Marriage & Family Therapist Intern
Vanessa Lemminger is a psychotherapist and bereavement specialist. She is a State of California Board of Behavioral Science Registered Marriage and Family Therapy Intern (IMF #68894). She is also a member of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists. Vanessa completed a B.S. in Psychology at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, where she was an active member of the university’s psychology club and Psi Chi, the International Honor Society in Psychology. She then moved to California to complete her M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy at the University of San Diego.
During her time at the University of San Diego, Vanessa completed an internship program with the Center for Grief Care and Education at San Diego Hospice and the Institute of Palliative Medicine, specializing in grief counseling with individuals, children, couples, and families. During this time she successfully completed 75 hours of Intern Bereavement Counselor Training at the Center for Grief Care and Education while also completing over 1,000 hours of the total 3,000 required for clinical licensure. Over 700 of these hours were gained in direct client contact with individuals, couples, and families in an outpatient setting. Vanessa’s experience also includes providing Applied Behavioral Analysis Therapy to children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and children with cognitive/developmental disabilities.
Vanessa’s passion for therapy is centered around grief/loss, prebereavement issues, issues surrounding disabilities of all types, and themes of isolation. There are many things in life we cannot control (loss, disease, disabilities, developmental challenges) that can leave us feeling isolated and at times helpless. We need to change our focus from what we cannot control to what we can control. Helping others understand our unique experiences will create connections and I find it greatly rewarding to help others in the journey towards building those connections. Vanessa has also developed interests in areas including emotional and spiritual health, marriage counseling, couples counseling, issues surrounding disabilities, end of life counseling, shame and identity issues, life transitions, anxiety, depression, self-esteem, and academic/occupational stress.
Vanessa has completed various workshops and training seminars on parenting techniques from a therapeutic perspective, working with veteran/military members and families in therapy, Narrative Therapy with couples and relationships, and workshops designed to renew and invigorate individuals in order to nurture professional resilience.
Each individual is unique, thus Vanessa uses a variety of therapeutic models and techniques to help each individual along their path of self-understanding in a way that is most appropriate to each individual’s personal preferences. She also places great value on the relationship between therapist and client. Regardless of theoretical orientation, she believes the most productive work in therapy is done when an individual feels a sense of comfort and understanding, and strives to achieve that relationship with every individual she works with.
Vanessa is employed and supervised by Matthew Bruhin, MFT, RAS, CAS Lic. MFC47460
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Mallory Serbin, M.A., IMF
Marriage & Family Therapist Intern
Mallory's passion is for people and their relationships. She has a deep interest in helping people achieve their potential and it is her goal to empower individuals as they search for connection, intimacy, love, and success. By helping people find the tools to cultivate their unique skills, Mallory believes we can find hope and fulfillment to overcome the struggles of everyday life.
Through studies in Sociology at San Diego State and my experiences traveling the world, engaging in community service and working with different groups of people, Mallory was drawn to the field of Mental Health. While completing a Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy at Alliant International University, she focused on treating Substance Abuse as well as Couples Counseling. Additionally, her work with individuals suffering from depression and anxiety as well as issues of domestic violence shaped her philosophy in treating individuals and couples through focusing on emotions and the role of attaching to others. She believes it is through this focus on emotions and attachment that significant and long-lasting change develops.
"I bring my own life experiences to my therapeutic work and focus on developing a secure and safe relationship with my clients. Every individual has a story that is unique and special. I am passionate about understanding each person’s experiences without judgment. With compassion and sincere empathy I can help you overcome struggles and find the insight and awareness that is necessary to create caring relationships as well as lasting happiness."
Mallory is employed and supervised by Matthew Bruhin, MFT, RAS, CAS Lic. MFC47460
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Suzan Sucro
Office Manager
Suzan recently moved to San Diego from Cincinnati Ohio. She lived in Cincinnati her entire life but saw an opportunity to expand her horizons and took it. "San Diego is beautiful and has provided me with so many great experiences already."
Suzan has been working in mental health offices for over two years. She enjoy this field of work because her major area of interest and study is Psychology. She is currently enrolled at the University of Cincinnati and will complete her BS in Psychology this March. Suzan plans to continue her career in psychology after completing her degree. She will attend graduate school for psychology and will specialize in neuropsychology.
Psychotherapist - Addiction Specialist - Substance Abuse - Counselor - San Diego Counseling - Addiction Treatment - Anxiety Therapist – Depression Therapist – Addiction Counselor – Intervention – Teen Drug Counselor.
Matthew Bruhin & Associates 619-683-3774 San Diego's premier Psychotherapist & Addiction Specialist. Specializing in therapy, counseling, addiction therapy, drug and alcohol counseling, intervention, family therapy, and clinical consulting. Serving La Jolla, Downtown San Diego, Hillcrest, Mission Valley, and North County.
