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Dr. Joe Raphael

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist #LMFT-77740
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Dr. Joe Raphael, DrPH, MBA, LMFT, FACLM

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist #LMFT-77740
(424) 438-2888

With over 20 years of clinical experience, I work with teen and adult individuals, couples, families, entrepreneurs, executives, fathers, and parents to get to the root of your concerns. My aim is not only to initiate change but also sustain positive health. Our work in sessions is designed to educate, empower, and enable you to think more clearly, get out of your own way, and align your life with what matters most to you and your relationship with God. I leverage best practices from positive health, lifestyle medicine, and person-centered whole health to achieve flourishing as evidenced by excellent physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

San Diego - Mon & WedIrvine - Tue, Thu, Fri & SatOnline Counseling -

About

If you have a desire to grow or to put your purpose into practice, I will work with you to create a strategic personal and professional plan. Together we will focus on a big-picture vision, aligning your core values and purpose. I provide a structured, personalized experience that addresses whole health by aligning clinical expertise with a Christian understanding of growth and purpose. With over 25 years in executive and organizational leadership roles across multiple levels of care, my background includes advanced training in clinical psychology, health psychology, neuropsychology, lifestyle medicine, and business leadership. This combination allows me to understand both the internal and external demands individuals and professionals face, and to help you navigate them with clarity and intention.

My Goal as a Christian Counselor

My goal is to help you gain clarity, make aligned decisions, and experience sustainable growth. Our work will focus on identifying what is driving your current patterns and equipping you with practical tools to move forward. Through a process informed by clinical insight and grounded in biblical principles, you can develop a stronger sense of purpose and direction. I want you to reach a point where you know exactly how to overcome the struggles you face and achieve the goals you desire for your life. My hope is for you to gain a deeper sense of purpose as you turn the page to the next chapter and move forward with confidence to face whatever life brings.

What I Offer in Christian Counseling

I offer a focused and collaborative process that is tailored to your goals. Sessions are structured to help you examine patterns, develop insight, and apply practical strategies in your daily life. You can expect thoughtful dialogue, clear feedback, and a steady movement toward meaningful outcomes. In session you’ll enjoy a confidential, supportive space where you can feel comfortable and free to be yourself. I’m committed to providing a trustworthy environment so you can receive the maximum benefits from your treatment. If you decide that my counseling style or approach is not the best fit for you, I will gladly guide you toward a better option for your individual needs.

My Approach to Christian Counseling

My approach integrates evidence-based methods within a Christian framework that supports long-term growth. I draw from cognitive behavioral, solution-focused, and performance-oriented strategies while remaining attentive to your values and beliefs. I do not impose faith, but I welcome it as a meaningful part of the process when it aligns with your goals. This allows our work to remain both clinically sound and personally relevant.

Biography

Qualifications & Experience

I hold a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University and am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. I also earned a Doctorate in Public Health with specialty in Clinical Preventive Care and an MBA, both from Loma Linda University. In addition, I am a Certified Health Education Specialist, Board Certified Holistic Alternative Psychology Master, and American College of Lifestyle Medicine Fellow.

I have more than 20 years of clinical experience working across private practice, outpatient, inpatient, and extended care settings. Alongside my clinical work, I bring over 25 years of executive leadership experience across healthcare, behavioral health, public health, and emerging organizations. I have served as a clinician, advisor, board member, consultant, and in various executive roles, building and leading organizations with a focus on measurable outcomes.

My Call to Christian Counseling

I was drawn to counseling through a desire to help people think more clearly, live with intention, and pursue meaningful change. My work is shaped by a belief that lasting growth comes from aligning our actions with both truth and purpose, including the values found in a Christian worldview.

More About Me/On a Personal Note

Outside of my professional work, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, riding bicycles, going to the beach, being in the ocean, and exercising. I also enjoy learning and experiencing new things.

Services and Specialities

Areas of Expertise/Specialties

  • Abandonment and Neglect
  • ADHD
  • Anger Management
  • Anxiety
  • Coaching (Executive Coaching, Health Coaching, Business Coaching)
  • Counseling for Teens
  • Couples Counseling
  • Depression
  • Individual Counseling
  • Marriage Counseling (Including Intensives)
  • Men’s Issues
  • Online Counseling
  • Personal Development
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
  • Professional Development
  • Relationship Issues
  • Sex and Porn Addiction
  • Trauma
  • Weight Loss
  • Women’s Issues
  • Diabetes
  • Heart Disease(s)
  • Neurological Disease(s)
  • Cancer(s)

Executive Coaching

If you are in a leadership role, you are often expected to perform at a high level without much space to process complexity. I provide executive coaching informed by both clinical training and decades of leadership experience. Our work will focus on improving decision-making, strengthening leadership effectiveness, and addressing internal barriers that limit performance. You can expect a direct and thoughtful process that helps you move from insight to execution while remaining aligned with your broader purpose.

With over 25 years in executive and organizational leadership roles, I will help you understand your value and your impact as a leader. I will work with you to find your authentic self while identifying what is most important to the business and to you.

Professional Development

Professional growth often requires more than skill development. It involves clarity, direction, and the ability to navigate competing demands. I help you define your goals, evaluate your current approach, and implement strategies that support long-term progress. This process is designed to enhance both performance and sustainability in your career.

I work with small business owners, entrepreneurs, start-ups, and executives to overcome the challenges of owning a business, having a family, and juggling the many roles we have as husbands, wives, moms, dads, executives, sons, and daughters.

Individual Counseling

Individual counseling provides space to think clearly about what is happening in your life and why. Whether you are dealing with ongoing stress, health concerns, or a sense that something is not working, we will work together to identify patterns and determine next steps. The focus is on helping you move forward with intention rather than remaining stuck in cycles that no longer serve you.

Anxiety and Depression

Anxiety and depression can affect how you think, perform, and engage with others. In our work together, we will identify the underlying drivers of these patterns and develop practical strategies to address them. The goal is not only symptom relief, but also improved clarity, emotional regulation, and a stronger sense of control over your daily experience.

Personal Development

If you feel a gap between where you are and where you want to be, personal development work can help you close that gap. I will help you define meaningful objectives and create a structured plan to achieve them. This process is grounded in both clinical insight and a broader understanding of purpose, helping you move forward with greater confidence and direction.

Payment and Forms

Sessions: Most sessions are offered as 53-minute sessions. I also offer 90-minute sessions, 120-minute sessions, intensives, groups, and workshops. Sessions can be held more than once per week, weekly, or every other week. Scheduling options are discussed in greater detail during your Risk-Free Initial Session.

Availability (by office location):

    • San Diego – Monday and Wednesday
    • Irvine – Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday
    • Online Counseling

Fees: I offer a Risk-Free Initial Session for individuals and couples looking to pursue counseling with me. Please note that there is a fee for the Risk-Free Initial Session as it is a clinical hour and reimbursable to most insurance companies, but if you choose not to reschedule and continue therapy after the initial session the entire fee for the session will be waived. For ongoing treatment the full fee per session is required at the time of service.

Insurance: As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), most insurance companies will reimburse for a portion of my services (as an Out of Network Provider). Please consult with your insurance provider as to whether they specifically cover adolescents, individuals, and couples.

Receipts/Statements: In the event you require a printed or digital receipt, I will provide receipts for personal use, insurance reimbursement, Flex Spending Accounts (FSA), and Health Savings Accounts (HSA).

About Biography Services Payment

Where do I start?
Dr. Joe is the best Therapist I have ever had. My whole life has consisted of a handful of Therapists, Psychiatrists and other Medical Professionals. Dr. Joe tops them all. You know it right out of the gate when meeting him. You’ll know he cares about your mental health. His teachings not only enlighten you about what’s ailing you, they teach you how to defeat these very challenges, something I personally thought was impossible for many years. I have suffered from PTSD, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Acute Panic episodes, and Depression alike. Working with Dr. Joe has removed a great amount of fear, and the feeling of, “the unknown”. We’re still working together, and I won’t be going anywhere soon. He’s the best I have ever learned from. Truly. I’d recommend Dr. Joe (and I do quite often) to anyone who’s facing any trials this life can/ will throw at them. He will help you through it with great success. I can guarantee it.

Dr. Joe is fantastic, I originally found him because I wanted someone who understood faith and business and he has been great. Very flexible on whether the meetings are in person or online.

Dr. Joe has truly helped me through my personal and faith growth process to become better. Flexible scheduling, comfortable environment. I would definitely recommend. Give him a call!

Joe’s fantastic! Highly recommended.

Joe Raphael is an AMAZING doctor. He will spend ALL the time needed to resolve your issues while paying attention to the root problems and whole body consideration. He is unique in his approach to holistic health and healing. I have never met anyone so thorough and willing to really focus on the patient, like you are the only one he has. His bedside manner is fantastic, and he is very responsive. In a world of medical chaos, it is nice to know someone out there is in medicine to help people, completely, not partially.