Ava Bean, AMFT

Ava Bean is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist at Advanced Health Care. She earned her Master of Arts in Clinical Counseling from Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego. Ava also graduated magna cum laude from Santa Clara University, earning her Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Child and Family Studies.
 
Ava operates from the 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 security. As a therapist, she works to create an inviting space that is sometimes challenging, but always safe.
 
Ava enjoys working with children, adolescents, and adults and provides individual and couples’ therapy. She most often sees clients navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, 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, identifying patterns of interaction that contribute to feeling “stuck,” resolving emotional wounds related to childhood abuse or mistreatment, and learning how to repair relationship ruptures.
 
Ava is trained in a few individual 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 has completed Gottman Level One training to help couples manage conflict, rebuild ruptured trust, and deepen friendship and intimacy. Ava is currently training in Emotionally Focused Therapy, another evidence-based couples’ treatment approach rooted in attachment theory.
 
As a certified Domestic Violence Counselor in the state of California, Ava has experience providing individual and group therapy to survivors of domestic violence, abuse, and sexual assault. She is also trained in trauma-focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, a modality for clients younger than 18.
 
Ava participates in continuing education to ensure she can provide a culturally humble and responsive therapy space that is affirming of all identities. Ava has experience working with trans and nonbinary clients in addition to clients with diverse racial, ethnic, cultural, and religious identities.
 
In her spare time, Ava enjoys being outdoors, walking the beach with her partner and her dog, Bodhi.
 
At this time, Ava 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.