Mission Valley, Oceanside, Telehealth
Cynthia Savage
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Availability
Mondays, Tuesdays, & Saturdays (Mission Valley)
Wednesdays (Oceanside)
License: AMFT
License No: 153697
Rate
$165 per 50-minute session
Areas of interest
- Relationship/ Communication Challenges
- Infidelity & Intimacy Concerns
- Polyamorous and Nontraditional Relationships
- Substance Use & Recovery
- Parenting, Prenatal, and Postpartum Support
- Support for Teens and Families
- Holistic Therapy & Wellness
- Women’s Issues
- Empowerment
- Life Transitions
- Identity Changes
- Grief & Loss
- Trauma Healing
- Emotional Regulation
- Anxiety
- Depression
Therapist Trainings
- Emotionally Focused Thearapy Externship (EFT)
- Attachment Injury Repair Model (AIRM) using EFT
- Brainspotting – Level One Certification
- Neurofeedback Brain Training
- Certified Life Coach– Life Coach Institute
- RegisteredYogaTeacher (RYT) – Kripalu/Omega Institute YogaTherapist – Interdisciplinary Yoga Therapy Model
- Shamanic Guide – International School of TempleArts (ISTA)
- DONA International Certified Birth Doula
Education
- Master’s of Arts in Counseling Psychology from National University
- Bachelor’s of Arts in TheatreArts from University of California, SantaCruz
Meet with Cynthia
Biography
Hello, my name is Cynthia, welcome. I’m an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist and integrative practitioner devoted to the art of healing and relationships. I love helping couples find each other again after years of living like roommates. I work with individuals, couples and those working through relationship challenges. I approach out work together as a co-creation as I trust you have the wisdom inside and just need a safe container to discover it. Once we get to the root of what is challenging you, we can work on solutions to get there.
My path weaves holistic wellness, creative expression, and somatic/body wisdom. I offer a space of warmth and curiosity where you can explore your inner landscapes, untangle old patterns, and rediscover connection with yourself and the world around you. I am devoted to working with those interested in doing the real and exciting work of exploring the dance of relationship as I feel the essence of life reveals itself through how we love, relate, and come home to ourselves.
Rooted in my background as a yoga therapist, birth doula, transformational coach and actor, my work honors the intelligence of the body and the spirit’s call toward wholeness. I support those moving through anxiety, grief, trauma, life transitions, with a focus on whole woman wellness, guiding each person toward a deeper embodiment of who they are becoming. My approach is intuitive and integrative—listening to what is spoken and what lives quietly beneath the surface.
I hold an M.A. in Counseling Psychology from National University. In addition to my degree, I am trained in Brainspotting (for trauma release), yoga therapy, life coaching, performing arts and neurofeedback. Beyond the therapy room, I find joy in writing (poetry, blog and screenwriting), yoga, nature, cold plunges, hot springs, hiking, watching things grow and witnessing the beautiful evolution of my 2 (almost!) adult children. I believe healing begins in presence, deepens through relationship, and blossoms in the courage to live from the heart.
Supervised by Jennine Powell, MFT #47653 I
Get to know Therapist Cynthia Savage
When did you decide to go into Marriage and Family Therapy?
I have been looking towards becoming a Marriage and Family Therapist for close to 20 years! I started my degree in 2019, and have slowly chipped away at it towards the finish line. During those year, I was a single parent to 2 young children, so I took my time, and feel very excited to finally have my degree and to step into what has long felt like a life calling.
Do you have advice for someone who is considering counseling?
As you can see in my earlier answer, it is NEVER too late! If you feel passionate about the profession and have a yearning to be of service in the most intimate way for your fellow humans, then step into this phase of your life and the pieces will fall into place. I feel that if it is the right path for you, you will know.
What would you say to someone who is nervous about setting up their first counseling session with you?
I understand, opening yourself up to a stranger can feel odd and a bit intimidating, and I would say this is the first step in your healing. True growth begins at the edge of your comfort zone, so being uncomfortable is okay and actually welcomed! Its okay to feel uncomfortable, and allowing yourself grace is the first practice of self-compassion. What will happen when you are on the other side of what you are feeling now? Look towards me as a compassionate friend, who only wants the best for you.
Is there a special area you focus on within the therapy field?
I love working with those going through life transitions, and have had a special interest in working with women post-children, who are entering what I feel is the most creative, exciting stage of their lives. I also feel a deep connection with couples, and this in a relationship with someone they care about deeply working through impasses and trying to hear and see each other. I am also working with trauma and have a neurofeedback system to regulate brain patterns.
I have been through all the life stages and have always been deeply at work on myself. I worked for Tony Robbins and Deepak Chopra for many years and have assisted people through massive change and life transformations. I love working with women post child-bearing years as this demographic can be made to feel small in our culture. I choose not to buy into that. This is an incredibly vibrant time for women and I love supporting their awareness of their power.
How do you pass your time when you are not working with clients?
I write a lot, I garden, I walk anywhere that I can take off my shoes and feel the earth. I have an adorable little doggie named Bebe, who I have inherited from my children and she joins me whenever possible! My daughter is still at home and every moment with her is a joy as she is my best friend. I talk to my son when he can squeeze me in as he is off making his way in the world. I also love filmmaking, music making and all forms of art.
If you were not a therapist, what would you be doing?
Well, I have to say, I started out as an actor, my first passion, and could see myself back into this world in some capacity. We shall see!
