I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over 25 years of counseling experience. I have a Masters of Science Degree in Mental Health Counseling, that I received in Philadelphia, PA. I have a Bachelors Degree in Fine Arts that I earned while living in Moscow, Russia, where I was born.
My interests combine art, psychology and spirituality that I incorporate in my work as a therapist. Creating art all my life, regularly practicing yoga for the last 18 years, seamlessly fit into and enrich my clinical approach to therapy. I integrate creativity, mindfulness and modern psychology addressing the full spectrum of a person’s psycho-spiritual development.
My work experience combines 10 years of working in the School District of Philadelphia as a Certified School Counselor with special attention to multicultural populations. My desire to do deeper clinical work led me to employment in Mental Health Agencies in Philadelphia and later in the San Diego area. The last 15 years I have been in private practice in Carlsbad, CA.
My special affinity is working with couples, adolescents and empowering women. I also enjoy working with clients from diverse cultural backgrounds. I am bilingual in Russian. I pride myself in developing deep connections and special relationships with my clients to enhance their personal growth.
CA Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (#MFC43656)
PA Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC #PC002726)
National Certified Counselor (NCC #79482)
California Assosiation of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT)
National Board of Certified Counselors
Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist: American Board of Clinical & Medical Hypnotherapy
Educational School Counselor Certification (PA)
I looked forward every time to learning something about myself or the world around me. Oksana you are so good at what you do. You are sensitive but not enabling, smart but not patronizing. Every time we met I felt like I was visiting with a really good friend, who happened also to be a really wise therapist. So I just wanted to check in, tell you I miss you, tell you I think about you and mostly say “Thank you.” I remember you asked me what my goals in therapy were and I said “Get me to a place where I feel strong enough to go through with the divorce.” And you did. My whole life is changed, some things more difficult, but so many other things better. I am so grateful to you that I don’t feel trapped and hidden any more. Mostly I feel that I am living a more authentic life. Does it get better than that? To be living the truth. What a gift. Big hug. – Cindy, writer
She also helped me to look at marriage and dating from a different perspective. We live in a confusing time when it comes to marriage and commitment. Oksana helped me to make sense of it and guided me to think better about it. The time that I spent in therapy with Oksana was healing and motivated me to move forward and onward with my life. I thank God for bringing her into my life. – Rachel, writer
Soon after these flashbacks started I became an emotional mess and enrolled myself in therapy with Oksana Heicklen. Over time, I have learned to overcome and deal with my situation. Without the use of prescription drugs and hospitals I have been able to curb the flashbacks and lift myself out of a seemingly endless depression. All of this I achieved merely through the power of positive thought and visualizations all guided by my therapist. When a flashback started to invade my mind, I changed it into a pleasant memory. When I started to focus on the past, I brought myself back to the present. Through the positive thinking I gained in therapy came the skills I am so proud of today. My honesty and integrity have become the most important traits of my character. I now have a larger passion to help people and to provide them with someone to talk to without judgment as I experienced during therapy. I am impressed and inspired by the changes, and am happy with the way I am. – Kendall, student
Physical pain and depression were my daily demons when we first met a year ago. I could not live with them anymore. You gave me tools to use to deal with mild to moderate pain – and to keep trying for solutions to the severe pain. You taught me how to have those necessary conversations and disagreements with loved ones which helped my relationships. And a year later I am practically pain free (without narcotics) and able to enjoy my old hobbies and really take pleasure in every day. Thank you for helping me through the hardest part of my life and making me feel like me again. – Laurie H.
Address: 3088 Pio Pico Dr. Suite 202, Carlsbad, CA 92008
Phone: 760.805.4740
E-mail: info@counselinginnorthcounty.com
Traveling from the 5 freeway. Exit Carlsbad Village Drive. Head east (away from ocean)
Turn right on Pio Pico Drive
We are directly south of Thai Restaurant in the building with Spangler Realty and ELM business signs. Building will be on left hand side.
Please note:
There is parking outside of the building on Pio Pico, as well as on the side street, Oak Ave. Come up central outside staircase and enter thru glass door on your right which indicates Suite 202, it is the blue door on the left of the short hallway.