Trishala Shah, LMFT

At the heart of Trishala Shah’s practice is a simple yet powerful mantra: “Treat the person, not just the disease.” She believes that mental health is deeply connected to all aspects of our lives – physical, emotional, social, and spiritual. Trishala takes a holistic approach, working with her clients to address everything that contributes to their well-being.

As a Marriage and Family Therapist, Trishala sees mental illness as a part of a larger system that includes relationships and support networks. She knows that when someone is struggling with mental health issues, it can affect not just them, but also their loved ones. To address this, Trishala works with clients to identify the people and systems in their life that can support their healing journey.

Above all, Trishala believes that the root of successful therapy is a strong therapeutic relationship.

She focuses on building a personal connection with her clients, believing that this creates an environment where they can heal, explore themselves, and feel heard.

EDUCATION

Trishala earned her B.A. in Psychology at Georgetown University, and her M.A. in Marital Family Therapy at the University of San Diego. Trishala also earned her M.S. in Medical Physiology at Case Western Reserve University, where she pursued a focused study in Clinical Neuroscience.

Trishala completed her practicum training at UCSD in the Department of Family Medicine. She has completed additional training in Family-Based Therapy for Anorexia Nervosa, TBT-S (Temperament-Based Therapy with Supports), SPACE (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions), and Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy.

EXPERIENCE

Trishala has a rich background working with families, children, adolescents, and adults dealing with a range of issues, including anxiety disorders, mood disorders, and eating disorders like Anorexia Nervosa and Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID). She uses a variety of evidence-based approaches, including family-based therapy (FBT), Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and exposure and response prevention (ERP), to help patients and their families manage the illness and its symptoms.

In addition to these approaches, Trishala integrates temperament-based therapy with supports (TBT-S) alongside eating disorder treatments, such as family-based therapy (FBT). She also has extensive experience working with couples and families facing relational conflict, using the Gottman method along with systemic theories like structural and Bowen to enhance relationship satisfaction.

Trishala is also skilled in psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, offering preparation, support during dosing, and integration sessions. Currently, she has experience with ketamine, the only psychedelic drug approved for clinical use by the FDA. Trishala maintains a human-centered approach, remaining fully present and regarding each patient as the expert in their own psychedelic experiences.

Trishala also has a strong background in group therapy, creating safe and supportive environments where individuals can connect, share their experiences, and have their voices truly heard. She has experience facilitating support groups for parents, teens, and young adults.