Mitchell Sanabria, Psy.D.

Dr. Mitchell Sanabria (he/him) is a Registered Psychological Associate working under the supervision of Dr. Brittany Bell, Ph.D. He received his Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology from Midwestern University in 2023. He is currently obtaining hours to become independently licensed as a psychologist in the state of California. He also received his M.A. in Clinical Psychology from Midwestern University in 2020, M.A. in Global Affairs and Management from the Thunderbird School of Global Management (Arizona State University) in 2018, and B.S. in Criminal Justice and Criminology with a Minor in Psychology from Arizona State University in 2015. 

Supervised by Dr. Brittany Bell, Ph.D. - PSY34364

Dr. Sanabria has experience working with children, adolescents, and adults from diverse cultural backgrounds in clinical and forensic settings. He has provided psychotherapy services for people with various mental health concerns including depression, anxiety, trauma (e.g., childhood abuse, neglect, traumatic event, human trafficking, domestic/intimate partner violence, etc.), substance use, interpersonal/relationship difficulties, gender/sexual identity (LGBTQIA+), autism, ADHD, behavioral concerns, personality disorders, schizophrenia, psychosis, and stress-related issues.

He has also conducted a wide range of psychological evaluations for the purposes of diagnostic clarification, treatment recommendations, neuropsychological assessment, restoration to competency (RTC), risk assessments, disability evaluations, and comprehensive evaluations. He completed an APA-accredited pre-doctoral internship at the Arizona State Hospital (ASH) where he worked as a member of a multidisciplinary treatment team. Throughout his internship, he provided individual, group, and milieu therapy and conducted psychological evaluations for people designated as having a serious mental illness (SMI), adjudicated guilty except insane (GEI), and court-ordered to participate in restoration to competency. In addition, Dr. Sanabria is a skilled trainer who has provided psychoeducation and training on various mental health topics for healthcare professionals, non-clinical staff, and community members.  

Dr. Sanabria is a non-judgmental and empathetic mental health professional who uses a person-centered, trauma-informed, holistic, and multicultural approach to treatment. He has extensive training focused on trauma and is a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP). He completed the Human Trafficking Train-the Trainer Academy through HEAL Trafficking to help educate and train healthcare professionals to respond to human trafficking. He also regularly attends trainings related to mental health concerns throughout childhood including ADHD, autism, trauma, abuse, depression, anxiety, and behavioral concerns.

Dr. Sanabria is passionate about serving his community, advocating for survivors of human trafficking, providing professional training and education on a variety of mental health topics, and reducing the stigma associated with mental health, as well as enriching the psychological health and overall well-being of children, adolescents, adults, and families through high quality and accessible mental health services.  

Dr. Sanabria is an active member of the American Psychological Association (APA; Division 10, Division 18, Division 19, and Division 56), San Diego Psychological Association (SDPA; Child, Youth, and Family Committee; Forensic Committee; Disaster Psychology Committee), and the American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children (APSAC).

Dr. Sanabria is a native of San Diego. He moved from Arizona back to his hometown in 2023 to work on his postdoctoral hours needed for independent licensure as a psychologist in California (and is definitely enjoying the change in weather). He has volunteered for various organizations including the American Red Cross, HandsOn San Diego, HandsOn Greater Phoenix, Team Rubicon, and StreetLight USA. He has been a combat medic in the Army National Guard for 18 years and continues to serve. In addition, he enjoys going to concerts, being outdoors, traveling, and spending time with friends. 

 “I have come to feel that the more fully the individual is understood and accepted, the more [they tend] to drop the false fronts with which [they have] been meeting life, and the more [they tend] to move in a direction which is forward.” – Carl Rogers 

"Children need the freedom and time to play. Play is not a luxury. Play is a necessity." — Kay Redfield Jamison