Vince Heyman, AMFT #159660

My Story

Growing up, I felt a lot of pressure to perform well in order to be accepted. A constant need to be approved of brought with it anxiety that manifested both mentally and physically. Instead of reaching out for help, I shoved my feelings down, worried that my admission of struggle would disappoint the people I most wanted approval from. 

As time went on, the anxiety only worsened. My mind would spiral, my heart would race, and daily living became a struggle. Eventually, I reached a point where I had to accept I couldn’t do it alone. That’s when I decided to find a therapist, and everything changed.

What was so transformational about therapy wasn’t any specific tool or technique, it was feeling seen and accepted in a way that was able to calm my negative self-talk. I no longer had to hold myself together to appear “good enough.” Someone could know my fears and insecurities and still meet me with compassion. I had been afraid that looking inward would reveal something empty or unlovable. Instead, I discovered that I truly cared for myself.

Therapy helped me understand the patterns and experiences that had thus far influenced my underlying beliefs which shaped my life. I began to soften my inner monologue and saw it shift from self-criticism into compassion. I learned how to regulate my nervous system, unhook from unhelpful thoughts, and process emotional wounds. Perhaps most powerfully, I used these skills from a place of genuine care for myself rather than from the pressure to perform that had directed so much of my life.

My hope is that you can experience the same kind of transformation that changed my life. Your struggles may look different from mine, and your path is uniquely your own, but it can get better when you walk it with someone, and I hope to be that someone for you. 

My Commitments to You

Many people worry that opening up is a weakness, and that they’ll be judged for it. But real strength comes from vulnerability. With me, you can bring the parts of yourself you value and the parts you’ve spent years pushing away. I’ll meet all of it with compassion, genuine interest, and my personal and clinical experience.

I aim for my work to be  collaborative and engaging, meaning I won’t just sit back and nod. You deserve therapy that feels meaningful, effective, and authentic to you, not where you leave questioning how you benefited. My commitment is to show up fully, accepting you as you are, and encouraging you toward authentic growth. My greatest hope is that you may know and accept yourself deeply, have loving relationships, and create a life aligned with what you really want.

My Life Outside Work

I’m in a loving relationship with my girlfriend who I plan to spend the rest of my life with! We love spending long days at the beach, finding live music and concerts, and soaking up all that San Diego has to offer. 

I’m a San Diego native with deep ties to my family so time spent with siblings and parents is always a priority.

The outdoors are where I feel most at home, whether going on a stay-cation to a local beach, hiking through an old pine forest in Northern California, or trying my best to keep my plants alive in my garden. The natural world always fills me with a certain sense of presence, peace, and interconnectedness that sustains me through the ups and downs of life.

If my story resonates with you and you think I may be of help, I’d love to offer you a free consultation where we can get to know each other a bit more and you can decide whether you want to move on with scheduling our first session.