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Sterling Funk

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist #LMFT-100502
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Sterling Funk, MA, LMFT

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist #LMFT-100502
(760) 307-4605

I’ve had the privilege of working with adults, teens, and families in such areas as anxiety, depression, PTSD, motivation, self-esteem, difficult life changes, men issues, value shifts and much more.  Taking the plunge and getting into therapy is the first step in trying to change the direction of your life. As your counselor, I will walk with you through the valleys you are facing. With empathy and compassion, I will work with you to establish a treatment plan specific to your needs and help you take the next steps to reach your goals.

Carlsbad - Thu & FriOnline Counseling -

About

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) who is committed to supporting teens, adults, families, and groups on their journey toward mental well-being and spiritual growth, providing guidance and understanding every step of the way. I offer professional Christian counseling services in both English and Spanish. Whether you’re dealing with anxiety, depression, men’s issues, porn addiction, trauma, ADHD, relationship problems, or other concerns, I would be honored to work with you. Together we will determine the best path forward to help you experience the growth, healing, and restoration you desire.

My Goal as a Christian Counselor

My goal as your counselor is to help you develop strategies to deal with life, whether it be through coping skills or finding ways to heal with God’s help. My hope is that through our time together, you will come to a deeper understanding of how your relationship with God can help you find something (or rather Someone) to depend on instead of yourself.

What I Offer in Christian Counseling

I offer a safe, non-judgmental space for you to explore your challenges, develop healthy coping strategies, and find hope and peace through a deepened connection with God. After our first session, I will follow up and review your goals and the progress you have made, whether we follow up with homework or compare assessments. Throughout our sessions I’ll help you discover more about your personal beliefs and struggles with God to help you strengthen that relationship and resolve any questions through your own insight.

My Approach to Christian Counseling

By taking a Christian approach to counseling, my clients benefit by having greater resources with which to deal with life’s challenges. Whether from their church community, Christian counseling, and/or their personal relationship with God, I believe clients who access these resources generally find greater meaning in this life.

Biography

Qualifications & Experience

I have my Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology from Alliant International University, Mexico City Campus. There I interned in several clinics. After graduation I fulfilled my licensing hour requirements in the San Diego area with New Alternative and Community Research Foundation. Additionally, I hold a Certificate in Latin American Family Therapy, a certificate of completion for Trauma-Focused Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT web), a Certificate for the Externship in Emotionally Focused Therapy, a Certificate for Conference on Addictions (Phases I & II), and a Certificate of Completion for EMDR Institute Basic Training.

My Call to Christian Counseling

I’ve always loved to understand why people do the things they do and extend compassion to those of whom compassionate is often lacking. As an undergraduate in film and video production, I learned that an essential component of good story telling is finding people’s motivations. My uncle, who is a therapist at Alliant International University, was also a big influence in my becoming a therapist.

More About Me/On a Personal Note

I like watching movies, watching and playing basketball, and other sports. I used to be really into salsa dancing as well.

Services and Specialities

Areas of Expertise/Specialties

  • ADHD
  • Aging and Geriatric Issues
  • Anger Management
  • Anxiety
  • Coaching
  • Counseling in Spanish
  • Counseling for Teens
  • Codependency
  • Depression
  • Family Counseling
  • Grief and Loss
  • Group Counseling
  • Individual Counseling
  • Infidelity and Affairs
  • Men’s Issues
  • OCD
  • Online Counseling
  • Personal Development
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
  • Professional Development
  • Relationship Issues
  • Sex and Porn Addiction
  • Sexual Abuse
  • Spiritual Development
  • Trauma

Depression & Anxiety

Usually, anxiety and depression go hand in hand. I like to better understand the thoughts and feelings for why we experience depression and anxiety to process and deal with them instead of creating false expectations of “getting rid of them.” All feelings serve a purpose, but how we respond to them most of the time is the main issue. As your counselor, I am committed to helping you find lasting relief from your anxiety and depression as we rely together on the Lord for guidance and grace.

Men’s Issues

Changes in society over time have led to some people becoming less compassionate toward men, which can leave them feeling emasculated. Helping men find their role for themselves, in their family, and in society will only help all demographics. I believe developing a strong personal relationship with God will help that in therapy.

Trauma

Trauma can come in all shapes and sizes. Although not all responses to traumatic experiences can be categorized as PTSD, they can still impact us deeply. My approach is to identify how you relate to this experience and how it affects your view of yourself and the world. Sometimes changing those views can be difficult to do alone. In therapy, I believe having the additional help of God can really help us heal those challenges. It’s not always an easy road to heal from such experiences, but bringing self-compassion and exchanging criticism with curiosity can help individuals have a better relationship with the trauma.

Porn Addiction

Today so much of our attention is directed toward sex appeal in the media and other forms of entertainment, we can get confused what is a problem and what is not. It can be hard to know what is “normal” and what is not. I am here to help identify that for you, keeping in mind how it affects your personal relationship with God. Finding your standard with God creates a clearer process to set goals for what you want to accomplish.

Payment and Forms

Sessions: I offer 53-minute sessions. 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):

  • Carlsbad – Thursdays & Fridays
  • Online Counseling

Fees: I offer a Risk-Free Initial Session for individuals and groups 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).

Payment options: Cash, Check, or Credit Card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, & American Express). A fee of up to 4% per transaction will be added for credit card payments.

About Biography Services Payment

Sterling does an amazing job meeting clients where they are at and giving them the safe space to speak their mind!!!

I know Sterling Funk as a colleague and friend I regard and respect and trust. I can rely on him to be honest with me and that he cares and looks out for me. I know he’s in my corner. He’s someone that naturally goes out of their way to support you. It’s just who he is.

Sterling is excellent! Compassionate & understanding of my needs.

It can be hard to trust a stranger with the intimate details of your life–even if they are a professional! Sterling earns that trust through the genuine care and impeccable integrity he shows all of his patients and colleagues. I have know Sterling since we worked together with youth and families in Mexico City in 2011, and I have seen a lot of the good he has done in this world helping people lead more empowered lives. Let him help you!