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Dr. Joe Raphael

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist #LMFT-77740
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Dr. Joe Raphael, DrPH, MBA, LMFT, FACLM

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist #LMFT-77740
(949) 520-1357

With over 20 years of clinical experience, I work with teen and adult individuals, couples, and families to get to the root of your concerns. A particular strength of my practice includes helping you navigate the personal and relational challenges of health conditions such as cancer, diabetes, chronic pain, heart disease, and neurological conditions. My aim is not only to initiate change but also sustain positive health. My work is designed to educate, empower, and enable you to think more clearly, get out of your own way, and align your life with what matters most to you and your relationship with God. I draw from positive health, lifestyle medicine, and person-centered whole health to support physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

San Diego - Mon & WedIrvine - Tue, Thu, Fri & SatOnline Counseling -

About

I will work with you to create a strategic personal and professional plan aligned with your core values. My distinctive academic background brings together advanced training in clinical psychology, health psychology, neuropsychology, lifestyle medicine, and business leadership, complemented by over 25 years in executive and organizational leadership across multiple levels of care. I have extensive experience supporting executives, small business owners, and entrepreneurs, as well as men balancing their roles as husbands, sons, fathers, and professionals. This combination allows me to understand the interconnected demands of health, relationships, and work, and provide a structured, personalized experience grounded in clinical expertise and a Christian understanding of growth and purpose.

My Goal as a Christian Counselor

My goal is to help you gain clarity, make aligned decisions, and experience sustainable growth. Our work will focus on identifying what is driving your current patterns and equipping you with practical tools to move forward. Through a process informed by clinical insight and grounded in biblical principles, you can develop a stronger sense of purpose and direction. I want you to reach a point where you know exactly how to overcome the struggles you face and achieve the goals you desire for your life. My hope is for you to gain a deeper sense of purpose as you turn the page to the next chapter and move forward with confidence to face whatever life brings.

What I Offer in Christian Counseling

I offer a focused and collaborative process that is tailored to your goals. Sessions are structured to help you examine patterns, develop insight, and apply practical strategies in your daily life. You can expect thoughtful dialogue, clear feedback, and a steady movement toward meaningful outcomes. In session you’ll enjoy a confidential, supportive space where you can feel comfortable and free to be yourself. I’m committed to providing a trustworthy environment so you can receive the maximum benefits from your treatment. If you decide that my counseling style or approach is not the best fit for you, I will gladly guide you toward a better option for your individual needs.

My Approach to Christian Counseling

My approach integrates evidence-based methods within a Christian framework that supports long-term growth. I draw from cognitive behavioral, solution-focused, and performance-oriented strategies while remaining attentive to your values and beliefs. I do not impose faith, but I welcome it as a meaningful part of the process when it aligns with your goals. This allows our work to remain both clinically sound and personally relevant.

Biography

Qualifications & Experience

I hold a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University and am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. I also earned a Doctorate in Public Health with specialty in Clinical Preventive Care and an MBA, both from Loma Linda University. In addition, I am a Certified Health Education Specialist, Board Certified Holistic Alternative Psychology Master, and American College of Lifestyle Medicine Fellow.

I have more than 20 years of clinical experience working across private practice, outpatient, inpatient, and extended care settings. Alongside my clinical work, I bring over 25 years of executive leadership experience across healthcare, behavioral health, public health, and emerging organizations. I have served as a clinician, advisor, board member, consultant, and in various executive roles, building and leading organizations with a focus on measurable outcomes.

My Call to Christian Counseling

I was drawn to counseling through a desire to help people think more clearly, live with intention, and pursue meaningful change. My work is shaped by a belief that lasting growth comes from aligning our actions with both truth and purpose, including the values found in a Christian worldview.

More About Me/On a Personal Note

Outside of my professional work, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, riding bicycles, going to the beach, being in the ocean, and exercising. I also enjoy learning and experiencing new things.

Services and Specialities

Areas of Expertise/Specialties

  • Abandonment and Neglect
  • ADHD
  • Anger Management
  • Anxiety
  • Coaching (Executive Coaching, Health Coaching, Business Coaching)
  • Counseling for Teens
  • Couples Counseling
  • Depression
  • Individual Counseling
  • Marriage Counseling (Including Intensives)
  • Men’s Issues
  • Online Counseling
  • Personal Development
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
  • Professional Development
  • Relationship Issues
  • Sex and Porn Addiction
  • Trauma
  • Weight Loss
  • Women’s Issues
  • Diabetes
  • Heart Disease(s)
  • Neurological Disease(s)
  • Cancer(s)

Executive Coaching

If you are in a leadership role, you are often expected to perform at a high level without much space to process complexity. I provide executive coaching informed by both clinical training and decades of leadership experience. Our work will focus on improving decision-making, strengthening leadership effectiveness, and addressing internal barriers that limit performance. You can expect a direct and thoughtful process that helps you move from insight to execution while remaining aligned with your broader purpose.

With over 25 years in executive and organizational leadership roles, I will help you understand your value and your impact as a leader. I will work with you to find your authentic self while identifying what is most important to the business and to you.

Professional Development

Professional growth often requires more than skill development. It involves clarity, direction, and the ability to navigate competing demands. I help you define your goals, evaluate your current approach, and implement strategies that support long-term progress. This process is designed to enhance both performance and sustainability in your career.

I work with small business owners, entrepreneurs, start-ups, and executives to overcome the challenges of owning a business, having a family, and juggling the many roles we have as husbands, wives, moms, dads, executives, sons, and daughters.

Individual Counseling

Individual counseling provides space to think clearly about what is happening in your life and why. Whether you are dealing with ongoing stress, health concerns, or a sense that something is not working, we will work together to identify patterns and determine next steps. The focus is on helping you move forward with intention rather than remaining stuck in cycles that no longer serve you.

Anxiety and Depression

Anxiety and depression can affect how you think, perform, and engage with others. In our work together, we will identify the underlying drivers of these patterns and develop practical strategies to address them. The goal is not only symptom relief, but also improved clarity, emotional regulation, and a stronger sense of control over your daily experience.

Personal Development

If you feel a gap between where you are and where you want to be, personal development work can help you close that gap. I will help you define meaningful objectives and create a structured plan to achieve them. This process is grounded in both clinical insight and a broader understanding of purpose, helping you move forward with greater confidence and direction.

Payment and Forms

Sessions: Most sessions are offered as 53-minute sessions. I also offer 90-minute sessions, 120-minute sessions, intensives, groups, and workshops. Sessions can be held more than once per week, weekly, or every other week. Scheduling options are discussed in greater detail during your Risk-Free Initial Session.

Availability (by office location):

    • San Diego – Monday and Wednesday
    • Irvine – Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday
    • Online Counseling

Fees: I offer a Risk-Free Initial Session for individuals and couples looking to pursue counseling with me. Please note that there is a fee for the Risk-Free Initial Session as it is a clinical hour and reimbursable to most insurance companies, but if you choose not to reschedule and continue therapy after the initial session the entire fee for the session will be waived. For ongoing treatment the full fee per session is required at the time of service.

Insurance: As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), most insurance companies will reimburse for a portion of my services (as an Out of Network Provider). Please consult with your insurance provider as to whether they specifically cover adolescents, individuals, and couples.

Receipts/Statements: In the event you require a printed or digital receipt, I will provide receipts for personal use, insurance reimbursement, Flex Spending Accounts (FSA), and Health Savings Accounts (HSA).

About Biography Services Payment

Dr. Joe has truly helped me through my personal and faith growth process to become better. Flexible scheduling, comfortable environment. I would definitely recommend. Give him a call!

Joe’s fantastic! Highly recommended.

As a christian and a leader in the church, I have been so blessed to grow through faith based counseling with ICC. Joe was so incredibly supportive and trusted adviser on the challenges we face as men in both family and ministry. I highly recommend using ICC for your trusted counseling needs.

Dr. Joe Rafael and I have worked together for a few years on and off. The amount of knowledge, tools and resources he provides with clarity are unmatched to any other professional I have ever worked with. He has always made himself available in times when he was needed. I cannot speak more highly of this individual in his field of expertise!

After my son tragically lost his mother, Dr. Joe provided him with counseling during an incredibly difficult time. The sessions made a real difference. My son has become emotionally stable, and I’m deeply grateful for that. Dr. Joe also kept me informed with thoughtful feedback after each session, helping me understand how my son was feeling and how I could support him at home. I can’t recommend Dr. Joe highly enough.