Sports psychology
Opal Psychological Welcomes Dr. Kai Chuang, Sports Psychologist
Meet the newest member of the Opal team and his work with athletes and high performers in La Jolla.
Read the article
Opal Psychological · La Jolla, California
Mental Healthcare, Elevated.
Personalized, evidence-based therapy and psychological care for teens, young adults, and adults — in person in La Jolla and virtually throughout California.
- In person in La Jolla
- Virtual across California
- Licensed psychologists
- Aetna · Cigna · UnitedHealthcare
Start with a conversation
A complimentary 15-minute phone consultation to see if Opal is the right fit. Schedule yours
At a glance
A boutique psychology group practice in La Jolla.
- What is Opal?
- Opal Psychological is a boutique psychology practice offering individual therapy and psychological evaluations, grounded in evidence-based, culturally responsive care.
- Where are we?
- 7946 Ivanhoe Ave, Suite 203, La Jolla, San Diego, CA 92037.
- Who do we see?
- Teens, young adults, and adults — including athletes and high performers, professionals, military members and veterans, and neurodivergent clients. See who we work with
- In person or virtual?
- Both. In person in La Jolla, and virtual therapy for clients anywhere in California.
- Insurance
- In-network with Aetna, Cigna, and UnitedHealthcare, with complimentary eligibility checks. Understand your insurance options
- How to begin
- Book a complimentary 15-minute phone consultation, and we’ll help match you with the right Opal clinician.
Start where you are
What brings you here?
You don’t need to know exactly what to call what you’re experiencing. Start with what feels familiar.
I can’t quiet my mind.
Anxiety therapyI feel exhausted, disconnected, or burned out.
How Opal approaches careI’m struggling to focus or follow through.
ADHD therapyI’m carrying something I haven’t been able to move past.
Trauma therapyI don’t feel like myself lately.
Mood & depression therapyThe pressure is affecting how I perform.
Sports & performance psychologyMy mind works differently, and I’m tired of masking.
Neurodiversity-affirming therapyI’m trying to understand myself better.
Individual therapy
Areas of focus
Care designed around what you’re navigating.
Our psychologists bring different expertise to the same standard of care. Explore the areas where Opal can support you in La Jolla, in San Diego, and online across California.
Anxiety
For worry that won’t switch off, panic, or a nervous system that hasn’t had a chance to settle.
Explore anxiety therapy in La JollaMood & Depression
Support for low motivation, numbness, irritability, or a heaviness that’s hard to name.
Explore mood & depression supportTrauma
Trauma-informed care that centers safety, choice, and trust at every step.
Explore trauma therapyADHD
Practical tools for focus, follow-through, and self-understanding, without pathologizing how your brain works.
See how ADHD therapy worksSports & Performance Psychology
Mental performance support for athletes and high performers carrying real pressure.
Explore sports psychologyNeurodiversity
Identity-affirming therapy for neurodivergent teens and adults, built on curiosity rather than conformity.
Explore neurodiversity-affirming careEating Disorders
Compassionate, evidence-based care for your relationship with food, your body, and yourself.
Explore eating disorder treatmentBipolar Disorder
Steady, collaborative support for navigating the highs, the lows, and the space between.
Explore bipolar therapyMilitary Members & Veterans
A steady, non-judgmental space for service, transition, and the pressures that come with both.
Explore support for military membersIndividual Therapy
One-on-one time with a licensed psychologist, even when you don’t have the words for it yet.
Explore individual therapyWho we help
Care for the life you’re actually living.
Whether you’re figuring out who you are or carrying the weight of what you’ve built, there is a clinician at Opal who understands your world.
TeensSupport through anxiety, mood concerns, school pressure, and the early work of figuring out who you are.
College students & young adultsTools for identity, relationships, and the weight of “what’s next.”
AdultsGrounded care that treats the whole person, not just the symptom.
Professionals & high achieversFor the successful-but-overwhelmed, and the ones who struggle to rest.
Athletes & performersPerformance pressure, performance anxiety, and life beyond the scoreboard.
Cultural & identity-centered careUnderstanding you within your family, culture, community, and lived experience.
Military members & veteransSupport for service, transition, and the families who serve alongside.
Meet the Opal team
The right therapist matters.
Different clinicians bring different expertise, perspectives, and ways of connecting. We’ll help you find the person who fits what you need.
Founder · Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Ladera Linn, PsyD
Behavioral medicine and health psychology, with a culturally responsive, trauma-informed approach to the mind–body connection.
Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Alina Mraz, PsyD
Person-centered care with less jargon and more human connection, for teens, young adults, and adults.
Sports Psychologist
Dr. Kai Chuang, PsyD
A human-first, skills-based approach for athletes, high performers, and anyone carrying real expectations.
Why Opal
Therapy doesn’t need to feel cold and clinical.
We pair modern, evidence-based psychology with genuine human connection, in a practice small enough that every detail is intentional.
Personalized
After your intake, your clinician builds a treatment plan around your goals and reviews it with you. No one-size-fits-all protocols.
Evidence-based
Care grounded in established psychological science, including CBT, ACT, and DBT, delivered by licensed psychologists.
Human
Authentic relationships with less jargon and less clinical distance. A place to slow down and be understood.
Culturally responsive
Identity, family, culture, and lived experience shape mental health. We treat them as part of the picture, not a footnote.
Whole-person
Attention to the connections among mind, body, behavior, performance, relationships, and health.
Boutique
A smaller practice where the experience, from the space to the way we work with you, is intentional and personal.
The Opal Office
A therapy space designed to feel different.
Our La Jolla office was intentionally designed to feel comfortable, calm, and welcoming: less institutional, more human, and just steps from the beach.
Opal Psychological7946 Ivanhoe Ave, Suite 203
La Jolla, CA 92037
Monday – Friday, 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Not in San Diego? Virtual therapy is available for clients anywhere in California.
Getting started
Beginning is simpler than it feels.
Three unhurried steps, with no pressure and no obligation at the start.
Tell us what you’re looking for.
Start with a complimentary 15-minute phone consultation. Share what’s going on, ask your questions, and see how we work.
We’ll help find the right fit.
We consider your goals, preferences, schedule, and concerns alongside each clinician’s expertise, and point you to the best match.
Begin your care.
Meet in our La Jolla office or virtually from elsewhere in California. Your first session is an intake, and your plan is built around you.
Insurance & fees
Understanding your options shouldn’t be stressful.
Opal is in-network with these plans. We provide complimentary eligibility checks, so you know what to expect before you begin.
- Aetna
- Cigna
- UnitedHealthcare
Not sure where to start?
Not sure which therapist or type of care is right for you?
That’s okay. You don’t need to figure it out on your own. Tell us a little about what you’re looking for, and we’ll help identify the Opal clinician who may be the best fit.
From the Opal Journal
Insights for your mental health.
Thoughtful reading from our clinicians on performance, health, and healing.
Health psychology
What Is Health Psychology? Understanding the Mind-Body Connection
How biological, psychological, and social factors shape health and illness, and why the mind–body connection matters.
Read the article
Trauma
Healing After Medical Trauma: How Therapy Can Help Restore Trust and Wellness
For those carrying trauma from surgery, childbirth, or medical care, and how therapy can help rebuild trust.
Read the article
Questions, answered
Frequently asked questions.
Can’t find what you’re looking for? Call (619) 259-0107 or send us a message.
What type of therapy does Opal Psychological offer?
Opal offers individual therapy with licensed clinical psychologists, using evidence-based approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), along with mind-body and somatic approaches. Psychological evaluations are also available.
Do you offer therapy in person in San Diego, and where is your La Jolla office?
Yes. Our office is at 7946 Ivanhoe Ave, Suite 203, La Jolla, CA 92037, in San Diego, and is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 6:00 pm.
Do you offer virtual therapy?
Yes. In addition to in-person sessions in La Jolla, we offer virtual therapy for clients anywhere in California.
Who does Opal Psychological work with?
We work with teens, young adults, and adults, including athletes and high performers, professionals, military members and veterans, neurodivergent clients, and LGBTQIA2S+ individuals. Age ranges and specialties vary by clinician, so we’ll help match you with the right provider. See who we treat.
How do I choose the right psychologist?
You don’t have to decide alone. Read our provider profiles to see each clinician’s focus areas and approach, or book a free consultation and we’ll help match you based on your goals, preferences, and schedule.
Do you accept insurance, and which plans does Opal accept?
Opal is in-network with Aetna, Cigna, and UnitedHealthcare, and we provide complimentary eligibility checks so you know your expected costs in advance. If we’re not in-network with your plan, we can provide a superbill for out-of-network reimbursement. Details are on our Insurance/Fees page.
What happens during the free consultation?
The consultation is a complimentary 15-minute phone call. We’ll learn what you’re looking for, share how we work, and together figure out whether Opal is a good fit. It’s a simple, no-pressure way to get started.
How often will I attend therapy?
Sessions are typically 50 to 60 minutes and happen once a week, though frequency can flex up or down based on your needs. Your first session is an intake, after which your clinician builds a personalized treatment plan with you.
Can I switch therapists if the fit isn’t right?
The right fit matters. If you feel another Opal clinician would be a better match, let us know and we’ll talk through your options.
Do I need a diagnosis to begin therapy?
No. Many people begin therapy without knowing what to call what they’re experiencing, and your clinician will help you make sense of it during intake. If you use insurance, your plan may require a diagnosis for claims, and your clinician will talk this through with you.
Do you work with adolescents?
Yes. Opal supports teens, and the age range varies by clinician, so we’ll confirm the best fit during your consultation. Learn more on our Who We Treat page.
Do you work with athletes?
Yes. Dr. Kai Chuang is a sports psychologist who works with student-athletes, college athletes, and other high performers on performance pressure, performance anxiety, and identity beyond achievement. Explore sports and performance psychology.
Do you offer ADHD therapy?
Yes. Dr. Alina Mraz provides ADHD therapy for adolescents and adults, focused on practical tools for focus, organization, and self-understanding. See how ADHD therapy works at Opal. If you’re looking for a formal evaluation, ask us during your consultation.
Do you offer psychological assessments?
Opal lists psychological evaluations among its services, with self-pay rates on our Insurance/Fees page. Because evaluations differ by purpose, please ask us during your consultation about the type of evaluation you need.
You don’t have to know exactly what comes next. You just have to start the conversation.
Whether you already know what you’re looking for or you’re still trying to put words around it, we’re here to help you find the next right step.
Opal PsychologicalMental Healthcare, Elevated
Office7946 Ivanhoe Ave, Suite 203
La Jolla, CA 92037
La Jolla, CA 92037
Phone(619) 259-0107
HoursMon – Fri, 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Get directions
Get directions