True North Clinical Counseling is a private psychotherapy practice founded by Clinical Director Dr. Jenny Palmiotto, PsyD. The practice brings what Associate Professional Clinical Counselor and Certified Rehabilitation Counselor Sarah Kelly describes as “modern, compassionate, and non-pathologizing care” to the island.
Kelly, who serves as an APCC and CRC at True North, has deep roots in Coronado. “I grew up on the island and have been fortunate enough to return here along with my husband to raise our children,” she told me. She remains closely connected to the community through volunteerism, her children’s schools and activities, and other local events. That personal connection inspired her to help develop a practice that combines high professional standards with a personalized approach.
True North Clinical Counseling offers individual counseling for adults and families. The team provides trauma-informed, attachment-focused, and depth-oriented therapy to support people navigating anxiety, depression, life transitions, relationship challenges, grief, identity exploration, and healing from past experiences. “Our goal is to create a calm, welcoming space where clients can slow down, reflect, and work toward meaningful, lasting change,” Kelly explained.
Kelly’s professional path combines personal experience with rigorous training. She completed her clinical training through San Diego State University’s Rehabilitation Counseling Program, a “highly respected, nationally recognized program known for rigorous, hands-on preparation of mental health clinicians.” The program emphasizes depth counseling skills, trauma-informed care, cultural responsiveness, and whole-person treatment. “My training there gave me a strong clinical foundation and deeply shaped my strengths-based, relational approach to therapy,” she noted.
Over time, she became particularly drawn to trauma-informed and attachment-based approaches, which look not just at symptoms, but at the deeper emotional and relational roots of distress. “Working with Dr. Palmiotto to open True North in Coronado felt like a natural next step—a way to build a practice that reflects both high clinical standards and a warm, human approach to care.”
Kelly was initially drawn to counseling by a longstanding curiosity about the inner life. “I’ve always been fascinated by the inner world—how people make meaning of their experiences, how early relationships shape us, and how healing happens,” she began. “I was drawn to counseling because it allows me to sit with people in very real moments of vulnerability and growth. Being able to offer a safe, steady relationship where someone can explore their story and move toward wholeness is deeply meaningful work to me.”
The name “True North” captures the essence of the practice, with Kelly noting that it “symbolizes an inner compass—our sense of direction, values, and authenticity.” Many clients arrive feeling lost, disconnected, or off-course, and the name reflects the belief that healing often involves reconnecting with one’s internal sense of worth, truth, and guidance. “We wanted a name that conveyed both steadiness and hope, something that felt aligned with the deeper purpose of the work we do,” Kelly added.
For the Coronado community, True North offers local, high-quality mental health care in a warm, accessible setting. Its private counseling space allows people to receive support without leaving the island. Kelly explained that they hope to contribute to Coronado’s well-being by “reducing barriers to mental health services, supporting individuals and families, and partnering with local organizations to promote emotional health, resilience, and connection.”
Currently, True North is a private-pay practice. “We truly wish quality mental health care were more accessible through insurance, and we hope that system continues to change,” Kelly noted. However, the private-pay model was chosen because “it allows us to spend more time with clients, protect privacy, and provide individualized, depth-oriented care without the constraints insurance often places on treatment.”
In an area with many strong providers, True North offers a distinct, intentionally depth-oriented and relational focus. “Coronado has some wonderful providers,” Kelly acknowledged. “True North [focuses] not only on coping skills, but on understanding patterns, attachment experiences, and the nervous system. Our approach is trauma-informed, compassionate, and tailored to each individual,” she continued. “We’ve also designed the office itself to feel calming and restorative—more like a sanctuary than a clinic—so that the therapeutic environment supports the healing process from the moment someone walks in.”
For those interested in learning more or becoming clients, please visit www.truenorthclinicalcounseling.com. The website provides details on services and areas of specialization and includes an online inquiry form so prospective clients can reach out directly. “We are currently accepting new clients and are happy to answer questions or schedule initial consultations. We offer free 15-minute consultations,” she added.
As True North settles into Coronado, gratitude and responsibility are central themes. “We are incredibly grateful to be opening our doors in Coronado and feel a strong sense of responsibility to care for this community well,” Kelly said. “True North was created with the intention of being not just an office, but a supportive presence in town—a place where people can come as they are and feel met with professionalism, warmth, and respect… We’re excited to grow alongside Coronado and to contribute to its health and vitality.”
VOL. 116, NO. 5 – Feb. 4, 2026