What are the opening hours?

Monday 10am - 6pm Tuesday 10am - 6pm Wednesday 10am - 6pm Thursday 10am - 6pm Friday 10am - 3pm

Discover Counseling Center, Inc.

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United States
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA
Discover Counseling Center, Inc.

Discover Counseling Center - Counseling for individuals, children/adolescents, and couples.

Located in Rancho Santa Margarita, California, DCC is accepting new patients, by appointment only please.

07/04/2025

Happy Birthday, America! 🇺🇸

06/30/2025

Learning how to apologize is a gift.

ABOUT US:
Discover Counseling Center is located in Rancho Santa Margarita, California and offers counseling for Couples, Individuals, Children, Teens, and S*x Therapy.

📞 714-905-9715 - 💻 discoverctr.com

06/15/2025

Happy Father's Day *and* Men's Health Month!

Your physical health can have a direct impact on your mental health and many men put these things on the back burner for their families. It's important to recognize and raise awareness about the way men internalize stress and anxiety, and talking about it is the first step.

05/11/2025

"God could not be everywhere, and therefore he made mothers." - Rudyard Kipling

05/07/2025

💚 May is Mental Health Awareness Month 💚
We hear from patients every day how difficult it is to find a therapist who has availability. Discover Counseling Center is taking new patients offering telehealth and in-person appointments for individuals, couples, children and teens.

Call today!
📞 714-905-9715 - 💻 discoverctr.com

ABOUT US:
Discover Counseling Center is located in Rancho Santa Margarita, California and offers counseling for Couples, Individuals, Children, Teens, and S*x Therapy.

04/28/2025

Feeling down? Get moving.
From a short walk with your pup to some lunges in the living room, one of the best mood enhancers around is exercise. Here are 5 ways it can lead to positive mental health:

1) Reduces Stress and Anxiety: Exercise lowers cortisol levels and boosts endorphins, helping to alleviate stress and anxiety.

2) Improves Mood: Physical activity increases serotonin and dopamine, enhancing mood and promoting feelings of happiness.

3) Enhances Cognitive Function: Exercise improves memory, focus, and mental clarity by increasing blood flow to the brain.

4) Boosts Self-Esteem: Regular exercise can improve body image and confidence through physical achievements and fitness gains.

5) Promotes Better Sleep: Exercise regulates sleep patterns, leading to deeper, more restorative sleep, which supports mental well-being.

ABOUT US:
Discover Counseling Center is located in Rancho Santa Margarita, California and offers counseling for Couples, Individuals, Children, Teens, and S*x Therapy.

📞 714-905-9715 - 💻 discoverctr.com

04/22/2025

Celebrate Earth Day! 💙 🌎 💙

04/11/2025

Today is National Pet Day!
Here are 5 ways our furry friends support positive mental health:

1) Reduce Stress and Anxiety: Interacting with pets, like petting a dog or cat, lowers cortisol levels and increases oxytocin, calming the nervous system. Studies show even 10 minutes of pet interaction can measurably decrease stress hormones.

2) Combat Loneliness: Pets provide companionship, offering unconditional love and presence. This is especially vital for people living alone or facing isolation, as pets can fill emotional gaps and create a sense of connection.

3) Encourage Routine and Purpose: Caring for a pet—feeding, walking, or grooming—gives structure to your day. This responsibility fosters a sense of purpose, which can be grounding for those struggling with depression or aimlessness.

4) Boost Mood and Happiness: Playing with pets triggers dopamine and serotonin release, natural mood enhancers. Whether it’s a dog’s goofy antics or a cat’s purr, these moments can spark joy and distract from negative thoughts.

5) Promote Physical Activity and Social Interaction: Pets, especially dogs, encourage exercise through walks or play, which is linked to better mental health. Plus, pets can act as social catalysts, sparking conversations with others, reducing feelings of social anxiety.

04/01/2025

Laughter can be the best medicine 😊 Happy April Fool's Day!

03/31/2025

When is it time to ask for a professional's help when dealing with mental health challenges? Consider these symptoms:

1) Persistent Sadness or Anxiety - Feeling down, hopeless, or excessively worried for weeks, with no clear reason or relief.

2) Loss of Interest - No longer enjoying hobbies, social time, or things that used to matter to you.

3) Sleep or Appetite Changes - Trouble sleeping, sleeping too much, or big shifts in eating habits (too little or too much).

4) Difficulty Functioning - Struggling to focus, work, or handle daily tasks, even if you’re pushing through.

5) Physical Symptoms - Unexplained fatigue, headaches, or tension that stick around and don’t tie to a clear physical cause.

If you need help, DCC is here.
Discover Counseling Center is located in Rancho Santa Margarita, California and offers counseling for Couples, Individuals, Children, Teens, and S*x Therapy.

📞 714-905-9715 - 💻 discoverctr.com

03/17/2025

May the Luck 'O the Irish be with ya! 🍀 Happy St. Patrick's Day.

03/12/2025

What is C.P.T.S.D or Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder?

CPTSD, or Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, is a psychological condition that can develop after prolonged or repeated trauma, often in situations where someone feels trapped or powerless. Unlike PTSD, which typically stems from a single event (like a car accident or assault), CPTSD is linked to ongoing stressors—think childhood abuse, domestic violence, or long-term captivity.

Symptoms go beyond PTSD’s flashbacks and nightmares. CPTSD can include:
🔸 Difficulty regulating emotions (intense anger, sadness, or shame)
🔸 Feeling disconnected from yourself or others (dissociation)
🔸 Negative self-image (believing you’re worthless or broken)
🔸 Trouble trusting people or maintaining relationships
🔸 A sense of hopelessness or loss of meaning

Treatment often involves therapy—like trauma-focused CBT or EMDR—sometimes paired with meds to manage symptoms.

If you or someone you know needs help, we're here to support you.

ABOUT US:
Discover Counseling Center is located in Rancho Santa Margarita, California and offers counseling for Couples, Individuals, Children, Teens, and S*x Therapy.

📞 714-905-9715 - 💻 discoverctr.com

Address

Rancho Santa Margarita, CA

Opening Hours

Monday	10am - 6pm
Tuesday	10am - 6pm
Wednesday	10am - 6pm
Thursday	10am - 6pm
Friday	10am - 3pm

Telephone

+17149059715

Website

http://www.discoverctr.com/

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OUR STAFF

ABOUT OUR FOUNDER

Danielle Dawson - Director/Therapist, LMFT 81529

I enjoy working with individuals, couples, and families whom may be struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, relationship issues, parent-child issues, or chronic low self-esteem. I have a passion for couples and sexual therapy and have always had a natural ability to sense the emotions of those around me, giving me the ability to see the world through their eyes and share their perspective.

I strive to help others determine what they want out of life and give them the tools to achieve those goals. Working together, I help my clients understand any trauma, crisis or negative experience in life is an opportunity to discover a healthier self and find the power within to thrive in life. By understanding their feelings, goals, fears, and dreams then develop positive beliefs and behaviors to cope with the stress and anxiety of everyday life. By providing a positive and safe environment filled with empathy and acceptance, I can help you understand yourself in order to do the work necessary to find balance in your life through self-awareness, purpose and power.

ABOUT OUR THERAPIST

Cristine MacDuffee-Rainer – Child/Adolescents/Teen LAMFT 98426

I enjoy helping children and teens to understand themselves and others, to grow to see their unique potentials, find their voice, well-being, and skills to cope with difficult emotions and experiences. I utilize an eclectic approach pulling from the realms of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA), Play Therapy, Art Therapy, Mindfulness, Educational Therapy, and more.

I have extensive experience working with unique populations such as: youth with Problem Behaviors, Anxiety Disorders, ADHD, Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Developmental Delays, a wide variety of Learning Disabilities, Academic Underachievement, Alternatively Schooled Children, Giftedness, Foster Youth, Adopted Children, Bereaved Children, Children with Sensory Integration Disorder, Hard of Hearing and Speech & Language Disorders, Bipolar Disorder, Eating Disorders and Dual Diagnoses.

My rare blend of training and life experiences allow me to work seamlessly with a range of ages, from infants/toddlers through the young adult population. Parent involvement and comfort is an important aspect of therapy with children that I support and encourage. I find working with children and families to be extremely rewarding because there is so much potential for growth and positive change to occur.