Ava Bean, AMFT

Ava Bean is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist at Advanced Health Care. She earned her Masters in Clinical Counseling from Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego. Ava also graduated magna cum laude from Santa Clara University, earning her Bachelors of Science in Psychology and Child and Family Studies.

Ava enjoys working with children, adolescents, and adults in individual settings. She most often sees clients navigating anxiety, depression, life-transitions, traumatic stress (new or old), low self-esteem, or relationship challenges. Ava has a special passion for addressing attachment-related issues including, but not limited to: understanding how people show up in relationships, how relationships impact one’s life satisfaction, identifying patterns of interaction that contribute to feeling “stuck,” working to heal childhood wounds, and learning how to repair relationship ruptures. 

Most recently, Ava provided individual and group therapy to survivors of domestic violence, abuse, and sexual assault. She has been honored to work with adult and child clients as they reclaim particularly painful chapters in their lives. In therapy, Ava operates from the firm belief that clients are the experts of their own stories, and sees herself as a collaborator rather than a guide. She believes that, while humans are wired for connection, many of us have had experiences that challenge or erode our sense of trust and safety. Ava thus views seeking therapeutic support as a courageous and connecting step towards healing. 

Because trust is paramount to Ava, she works to create an inviting therapy space that is sometimes challenging, but always safe. As such, Ava’s style prioritizes authentic connection (and sometimes, the healing properties of laughter). She makes a great effort to practice from a culturally humble, respectful lens that is honoring and welcoming of all identities. Ava has experience working with trans and nonbinary clients in addition to clients with diverse racial, ethnic, cultural, and religious identities. She also values continued education so as to maintain a therapy space that is empowering, safe, and affirming. 

Ava is trained in a few therapeutic modalities, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and the Community Resiliency Model. She also uses tools like deep-breathing and meditation (when mutually agreed upon with the client), because research on the neurobiology of trauma demonstrates that a calm body can be supportive in developing a calm mind. Ava is also trained in trauma-focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, a therapy specific to working with clients younger than 18. For folks who have experienced sexual or relational violence, Ava has completed her certification as a Domestic Violence Counselor in the state of California. 

She routinely participates in trainings designed to maintain and further her skill set as a therapist. A few recently completed trainings have centered around: treatment of complex trauma for children, anti-racist frameworks for trauma treatment, and meeting the needs of LGBTQIA+ clients. 

In her spare time, Ava enjoys getting outside for a beach walk with her partner and her eager, bouncy dog, Bodhi. She loves exploring all that San Diego has to offer and can often be found with a coffee–or book–in hand. Most recently, Ava has been working to develop her green thumb and is (so far) maintaining an herb and veggie garden. 

At this time, Ave Bean, AMFT works under the direct supervision of Dr. Sarah Ray, Clinical Psychologist, and Dr. Bindhu Davis, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist as she gains hours toward licensure.