A native of San Diego, Dr. Vadnais is a Co-Owner of Evolve Therapy San Diego and both a Licensed Clinical Psychologist (PSY #21368) as well as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT #39973) with over 20 years of local clinical experience.  She double majored in Psychology and Public Relations at Pepperdine University and obtained her Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of San Diego and a Doctoral Degree (Psy.D) in Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University.  In addition to her combined total of over 6 years of graduate schooling, Dr. Vadnais has completed 3000 MFT training hours and 3000 pre- and post-doctoral psychology training hours in her field.​

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Dr. Vadnais has worked with clients ages 4-94 in both outpatient and intensive day treatment hospital programs.  She has trained at Children’s Outpatient Psychiatry, working with children and adolescents with ADHD, behavioral problems, and school difficulties.  At Sharp Mesa Vista’s CHANGES program, she provided chemical dependency therapy for adolescents and their families.  She conducted individual and group therapy at Scripps Hospital Outpatient Behavioral Health for patients with mood disorders, personality disorders, and dual-diagnosis issues.  Dr. Vadnais completed her pre-doctoral internship at Scripps Clinic Division of Mental Health, where she provided counseling for geriatric clients and family therapy for their caretakers.  She completed her post-doctoral internship at Alvarado Parkway Institute, where she provided individual and group therapy for those clients with chronic mental illness, and also served as the weekend program director.

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Dr. Vadnais has expertise in providing individual, marital, family, child, adolescent, and group therapy.  Her doctoral research was in “Marital Satisfaction and Emotional Intelligence.”  She has Certificates in Levels 1, 2, and 3 of Gottman Training, as well as advanced couples training in Emotionally Focused Therapy.  She is also certified as a Prepare/Enrich counselor, providing premarital counseling and education, as well as marital counseling and education.  Dr. Vadnais conducts assessments and diagnostics, and provides therapy to treat various issues such as depression, bipolar disorder, ADHD, school problems, infertility, anxiety and stress management, crisis management, life transitions, bereavement, women’s concerns, parenting training, thought disorders, building self-esteem, strengthening relationships through communication and conflict resolution skills, and sexual and intimacy difficulties.  She conducts EMDR for clients with trauma, PTSD, or anxiety/phobias and also enjoys helping clients with personal growth for self-improvement.  She finds it very meaningful to work with couples going through infertility and helping them through this difficult time.

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Dr. Vadnais works in conjunction with psychiatrists and medical doctors to ensure comprehensive quality care.

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Dr. Vadnais’ therapeutic approach involves attachment theory and strengths-based, solution-focused techniques aimed to maximize strengths rather than dwell on ineffective ways of handling difficulties.  She utilizes the Gottman Method and Emotionally Focused attachment therapy for her work with couples.  She assists clients in problem-solving and provides helpful coping skills to help them move forward with hope.  She provides a collaborative therapeutic environment that is warm, empathetic, nurturing, safe, and accepting.

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Dr. Vadnais is an AAMFT approved candidate supervisor who provides MFT supervision to MFT trainees and MFT interns who are training to become licensed therapists.  She was an adjunct professor at the University of San Diego for 5 years, where she taught Master’s level students in the Marriage and Family Therapy Department.  She is currently a Professor in the MA in Clinical Psychology program at Azusa Pacific University, San Diego Campus, where she has been for the past 14 years.  She teaches several courses including Basic and Advanced Clinical Skills, Advanced Developmental Psychology, Positive Psychology, Attachment Theory, Family Therapy, and Group Therapy.