Sachiko Sweetwood, Ph.D. (La Jolla and Hillcrest)

(She/Her/Hers) Licensed Clinical Psychologist

Dr. Sweetwood is a licensed psychologist, whose clinical focus is on college mental health, depression, anxiety, identity development, cultural issues, family concerns, relationship issues, and trauma. She tailors her approach depending on the client’s needs and goals. She incorporates evidence-based methods, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Interpersonal approach, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and Mindfulness. Dr. Sweetwood has experience with clients from various ethnic backgrounds, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and those who identify as gender non-conforming.

Dr. Sweetwood believes people continue to grow throughout their lives, and counseling is a great place to catalyze such personal development. She strives to create an open, compassionate, and safe space, where clients are able to share their histories and build a working alliance. She helps the clients gain insight, find new and better ways to cope, and relate to themselves and others in a healthy and positive way. Client motivation for growth and wellbeing fuels her passion as a psychologist, and she is truly grateful to be a part of each of her client’s personal journey.

Dr. Sweetwood was born and raised in Japan. She obtained her bachelor degree in Psychology with a minor in Child Development at Weber State University, Utah. She earned her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. She worked in various settings including in-patient/out-patient hospitals and residential facilities for both adults and children. She also worked at local college counseling centers, including the University of San Diego and the University of California San Diego (UCSD). Most recently, she was a staff psychologist at UCSD Counseling and Psychological Services, where she enjoyed helping students cope with their concerns and achieve their academic and professional goals. While there, she provided individual therapy to undergraduate and graduate students, outreach programs to Asian Pacific Islander students, and workshops on emotional regulation skills and meditation. She also taught an undergraduate course in Mindfulness, and she served as a liaison to the UCSD School of Medicine. She can provide therapy in both Japanese and English.

In her personal time, she enjoys being with her family and friends, cooking, and exploring nature.

I am an in-network therapist for Cigna, MHN, Lyra, and Aetna.