Today we’d like to introduce you to Josie Madrid.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I’ve known since the end of my teenage years that I wanted to become a therapist. Growing up, I benefited from the support of several therapists, and those experiences inspired me to give back in the same way. I went on to major in Psychology at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo. After graduation, I took a year off to travel and gain work experience, which helped broaden my perspective before starting graduate school at Pacific University in Oregon.
Following grad school, I worked in community mental health, providing individual and group therapy in outpatient clinics and school settings. After five years in the field, I decided it was time to pursue a long-standing dream of mine—opening my own private practice. I now work in San Diego, where I specialize in supporting young adults experiencing a range of mental heath challenges from underlying trauma to anxiety and depression.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. I moved from San Luis Obispo to San Diego right when I started my private practice, so I was trying to build a business and settle into a new city at the same time. It took a while to find my footing and connect with the local community. I went to networking events to meet other therapists, and I had to push myself to get more comfortable putting myself out there and marketing my work.
I also had to learn how to run a business—something we don’t really get taught in grad school. There were definitely days I questioned whether I could make it work, but looking back, I’m glad I stepped out of my comfort zone.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I run a solo private practice offering both in-person and virtual individual therapy for young adults navigating anxiety, depression, and unresolved trauma. My approach is trauma-informed, which means I focus on understanding how past experiences may still be impacting your thoughts, emotions, and relationships today. I create a space where clients feel seen, supported, and empowered to let go of limiting beliefs and step into a more grounded, authentic version of themselves.
I integrate several evidence-based modalities in my work, including EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy). This allows me to tailor therapy to each client’s needs and help them build lasting change—not just short-term relief.
What sets my practice apart is the emphasis on real connection and deep, collaborative healing. I’m not here to “fix” anyone—I’m here to walk alongside people as they make sense of their stories and move toward their personal values. My hope is that clients feel truly safe to do the work—and that they leave each session feeling a little more empowered than when they came in.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
That’s actually something I haven’t thought much about before. I tend to focus on what I can control, so when bad luck shows up—as it sometimes does—I try not to let it throw me off course. Of course, there have been unexpected challenges along the way, but I’ve learned to adapt, stay steady, and keep moving forward. I believe mindset plays a big role in how we experience both luck and setbacks, and I try to approach each situation as something I can learn and grow from.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://josiemadridwellness.com
- Instagram: josiemadridwellness@gmail.com
