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Dr. Helen Hayden-Wade (License Number: CA PSY#19313) is a San Diego-based licensed clinical psychologist with over 20 years of experience. She works with young adults (18+) through older adults, supporting clients in navigating life transitions, emotional challenges, and long-standing patterns that can feel difficult to shift over time.
Dr. Helen Hayden-Wade specializes in depression, anxiety, body image and eating concerns, trauma-informed care, and mood-related concerns. Her work is grounded in both clinical practice and research, offering thoughtful, evidence-based therapy focused on meaningful and lasting change.
She brings extensive experience across hospital systems, research settings, and community mental health programs, where she has led multidisciplinary teams and collaborated closely with medical providers to support comprehensive, coordinated care.
Known for her warm and thoughtful approach, Dr. Hayden-Wade helps clients feel safe exploring difficult emotions, relationship patterns, and life experiences while working toward greater clarity, balance, and healing.
Dr. Hayden-Wade earned her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology through the UCSD/SDSU joint doctoral program and completed her internship via the UCSD Medical School. She also completed a 2-year post-baccalaureate training at Yale University’s Department of Psychology, where she focused on eating and weight-related disorders and body image research.
She has held leadership roles across major healthcare systems in San Diego, including serving as Program Manager at Family Health Centers of San Diego, where she oversaw a high-level mental health program providing intensive care for individuals with complex psychiatric needs.
Earlier in her career, Dr. Hayden-Wade worked at Rady Children’s Hospital–San Diego, supporting multidisciplinary teams providing developmental and behavioral health services. Her background also includes research and clinical work through the Child & Adolescent Services Research Center (CASRC), where she conducted research regarding childhood obesity.
Dr. Hayden-Wade draws inspiration from over three decades of experience in the “helping profession,” starting in 1987 when she began her undergraduate training and volunteerism in Psychology at Kenyon College. Since then, across a variety of settings, she draws upon memories and experiences of the honor and privilege it has been to assist fellow human beings as they address diverse challenges in their past and current lives.
To achieve her own personal balance, Dr. Hayden-Wade enjoys spending time with her family and friends, as well as running with her rescue pup, Scooter. She practices what she “preaches” by getting outdoors in beautiful San Diego and celebrating the beauty that surrounds us, finding the positive valence in each day and maintaining a gratitude perspective.
Common QuestionsWhat can I expect in a first session with Dr. Hayden-Wade?+Your first session is a chance to share what brought you to therapy and get a feel for whether it’s a good fit. Dr. Hayden-Wade will ask about your history, current concerns, and goals, and you’ll leave with a sense of how she works and what the path forward might look like. Does insurance cover sessions with Dr. Hayden-Wade?+Dr. Hayden-Wade accepts some insurance plans. Please contact our Client Care Advocate at (760) 635-3310 ext. 1 to confirm your specific coverage and benefits before your first session. What ages does Dr. Hayden-Wade work with?+Dr. Hayden-Wade works with young adults (18+) through older adults, roughly ages 18 to 70+. Her approach adapts to where each client is in life, whether that’s navigating a first career, raising a family, or adjusting to retirement. How do I know if individual therapy is the right fit?+If you’re navigating a life transition, feeling anxious or low, working through a long-standing pattern, or simply want dedicated one-on-one space to think things through, individual therapy is worth exploring. A free 15-minute consultation is the best way to find out if working with Dr. Hayden-Wade is the right next step. How long are sessions, and how often will I meet with Dr. Hayden-Wade?+Sessions are typically 45–50 minutes. Frequency depends on your goals and what’s going on in your life — many clients start with weekly sessions and adjust from there as things progress. Does Dr. Hayden-Wade offer online sessions?+Yes. Dr. Hayden-Wade sees clients both in-person and via secure telehealth, so you can choose whichever format fits your life best, and switch between them if your needs change. Does Dr. Hayden-Wade offer group therapy?+Yes. Dr. Hayden-Wade and Christine Mason co-facilitate the Connection Circle online therapy group for adults. Learn more about the group, its schedule, and how to join. |
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Your first session is a chance to share what brought you to therapy and get a feel for whether it’s a good fit. Dr. Hayden-Wade will ask about your history, current concerns, and goals, and you’ll leave with a sense of how she works and what the path forward might look like.
Dr. Hayden-Wade accepts some insurance plans. Please contact our Client Care Advocate at (760) 635-3310 ext. 1 to confirm your specific coverage and benefits before your first session.
Dr. Hayden-Wade works with young adults (18+) through older adults, roughly ages 18 to 70+. Her approach adapts to where each client is in life, whether that’s navigating a first career, raising a family, or adjusting to retirement.
If you’re navigating a life transition, feeling anxious or low, working through a long-standing pattern, or simply want dedicated one-on-one space to think things through, individual therapy is worth exploring. A free 15-minute consultation is the best way to find out if working with Dr. Hayden-Wade is the right next step.
Sessions are typically 45–50 minutes. Frequency depends on your goals and what’s going on in your life — many clients start with weekly sessions and adjust from there as things progress.
Yes. Dr. Hayden-Wade sees clients both in-person and via secure telehealth, so you can choose whichever format fits your life best, and switch between them if your needs change.
Yes. Dr. Hayden-Wade and Christine Mason co-facilitate the Connection Circle online therapy group for adults. Learn more about the group, its schedule, and how to join.
Fill out the form below and we will be in touch shortly.
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