Practice Description
Dr. Aimée Vadnais is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (MFC #39973) and a Licensed Clinical Psychologist (PSY #21368). She is a native of San Diego and has been in practice locally for 10 years. Dr. Vadnais received her B.A. in Psychology from Pepperdine University, her M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy from University of San Diego, and her Psy.D in Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University.
Dr. Vadnais has worked with clients ages 4-94 in both outpatient and intensive day treatment hospital programs. She has trained at Children’s Outpatient Psychiatry, working with children and adolescents with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), behavioral problems, and school difficulties. At Sharp Mesa Vista’s CHANGES program, she provided chemical dependency therapy for adolescents and their families. She conducted individual and group therapy at Scripps Hospital Outpatient Behavioral Health for patients with mood disorders, personality disorders, and dual-diagnosis issues. Dr. Vadnais completed her pre-doctoral internship at Scripps Clinic Division of Mental Health, where she provided counseling for geriatric clients and family therapy for their caretakers. She completed her post-doctoral internship at Alvarado Parkway Institute, where she provided individual and group therapy for those with chronic mental illness. She has also worked with individuals, couples, and families at PsyCare in Solana Beach.
Dr. Vadnais has expertise in providing individual, marital, family, child, adolescent, and group therapy. Her doctoral research was in marital satisfaction and she is certified in Prepare/Enrich pre-marital and marital counseling. Dr. Vadnais conducts assessments and diagnostics, as well as provides therapy to treat various issues such as depression, bipolar disorder, ADHD, school problems, infertility, anxiety and stress management, crisis management, life transitions, bereavement, women’s concerns, parenting training, thought disorders, building self-esteem, strengthening relationships through communication and conflict resolution skills, and sexual and intimacy difficulties. She also enjoys helping clients with personal growth for self-improvement. Dr. Vadnais works in conjunction with psychiatrists and medical doctors to ensure comprehensive quality care.
Dr. Vadnais’ therapeutic approach involves cognitive behavioral therapy and solution-focused techniques aimed to maximize strengths rather than dwell on ineffective ways of handling difficulties. She assists clients in problem-solving and provides helpful coping skills to help them move forward with hope. She provides a collaborative therapeutic environment that is warm, empathetic, nurturing, safe, and accepting.
In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Vadnais was an Adjunct Professor at the University of San Diego for 3 years where she taught Master's level Marriage and Family Therapist students. She is currently the Program Director and Assistant Professor of the Master's in Clinical Psychology program at Azusa Pacific Univeristy's San Diego campus. She also provides MFT supervision.