We were looking for faith based family counseling in San Diego..... my wife found him and scheduled an appointment. We are so happy to have found Mark. He's got us to focus on the issues, giving step by step instructions to identify our blind spots. We weren't necessarily on the verge of divorce.....but definitely needed help in communicating and understanding each other! I couldn't recommend Mark any more.... We thank God for him! read more

I was looking for help to regain perspective and mend my marriage that was in trouble after multiple counts of infidelity over the years (caused by a significant difference in libido with my partner). Alas, after explaining my situation in detail, we did not receive any useful advice. Mark did not really want to understand the origins of the marital problems nor did he give any suitable advice. He has bad judgement as evidenced by him refusing to get a covid vaccine and still meeting clients in person w/o masks. Also, he feels it's ok to take personal calls while in session. He failed to follow up with us after a few sessions, so it looks like he's not really interested in helping. He actually made the situation worse. We are now both with a new counselor who is listening, understanding and non-judgemental and truly interested in helping to get a good outcome. Don't waste your time with Mark read more

Mark is the second therapist my husband and I saw and our experience with him has been exceedingly more valuable than with the first therapist. Starting with the very first session, my husband and I both walked away saying to each other, "wow! we've learned something already!" We've had 4-5 sessions since then and will likely continue every other week for a while longer. The communication tools Mark has developed for his clients are clearly a labor of love. A lot of thought has gone into them and the concepts are super easy to pick up. After just one session, the TDK runway and green light agreements have become part of our vernacular. You'll just have to go see Mark yourself to learn what those mean. :) read more

Mark taught my husband and I so much in our short time with him. He was welcoming and made both my husband and I feel comfortable and safe talking with him. We walked away with conflict resolution skills we can use in any relationship and a better understanding of ourselves and each other. We have been married 12 years and sometimes marriages just need an outside perspective and some new skills to work through things. read more

Yes, he is THAT good. Marriage counseling is not easy. Mark makes it as easy as it can possibly be. He is open, honest, direct, funny, compassionate, supportive and just plain good at what he does. My husband and I needed some help talking about difficult topics. Mark helped us. I can't say enough good things. read more

The most amazing coach for all your relationship needs ! Super friendly , attentive , works works your schedule , and has an amazing way of listening to you and solving your problems ! Thanks for all your help !!!! read more

Mark is a Amazing Therpist. I'm so happy my son has been Blessed. My son is high functioning autism. Mark helped Ralph work through some of his confusion and frustration. It's been our pleasure to have met him thank you for your work and wisdom in counseling. Sincerely. Mr & Mrs. Ralph Garcia read more

Mark Spurlock MFT - Ralph Garcia - Counseling & Mental Health Near Me - San Diego, California

Mark Spurlock is a wonderful therapist. The help I have gotten and the guidance can't be all put into words. I will say he's compassionate, kind, excellent boundaries, truly cares for my well being. Has helped me immensely and if you listen to his counsel & apply it, you will see the necessary changes in your life. He has reassured me it takes time, and has stood by me with great compassion and patience. Thank you Mark for your continued help. read more

This review is long over-due as my husband and I have been seeing Mark since September 2013. We recently celebrated our 21 first wedding anniversary, a milestone I did not think we would reach 8 months ago, and I felt it imperative to let others know how helpful Mark has been for our marriage and continues to be for our family. I discovered Mark by chance, here on Yelp, having separated with my husband just days earlier. Mark recognized the urgency of my situation and was able to see me within 24 hours. Mark listened as I told him the crisis my marriage and my family were in and was able to dissect the situation and give me the first piece of advice in order to try to save my marriage. Since that first meeting, my husband and I have transitioned from seeing Mark separately, to joint sessions and ultimately we reconciled and my husband returned home after less than a month of seeing Mark. Mark was able to listen to both my and my husband's issues where our marriage was concerned and give us tools for not only discussing those issues but also overcoming them once and for all. We continue to see Mark once a month for "maintenance" (at our request, not his) and I simply cannot thank him enough for all he has done. Having been married for 20 years, my husband and I thought we knew the "secret" to a long marriage, however; seeing Mark opened our eyes and he gave us tools we never knew existed and we are now able to have HAPPY, mutually fulfilling marriage that sets a positive example for our 3 children. read more

Mark is an excellent counselor. My husband and I have been to other therapists in the past, none of which truly seemed to have a solution. They seemed to sit there, listen and wait for the hour to be over. Mark not only actively listens and follows up with questions to get to the core issue; he also provides solutions that can be applied at home. He is unbiased and truly has a subjective mind. My husband and I grew up in completely different cultures, and Mark has helped us find ways and techniques to understand each other's point of view better. Hence continuing to grow stronger rather than apart. Mark truly cares about his patients and you will get the same attention. read more

I have been under the care of this Marriage & Family Therapist for almost a year. His office is fairly private so the likelihood of you running into your gossipy neighbor in the vicinity of his building is pretty slim! Not that I am ashamed to be in therapy... couldn't we all use a little guidance now and then?! :) Mark strikes the balance between casual and professional which really serves the patient in that they feel free from judgment within the confines of his office... and he listens, really listens, to his patients. He remains cool and collected, even in the most extreme circumstances (trust me on this one). He is a Christian, but serves all denominations (and without proselytizing on those of us that aren't so faithful). Mark is incredibly patient and insightful. He is especially disciplined in Anger Management, Substance Abuse and Family Counseling. If you are in need of some counseling (or your friends keep telling you that you are!) give Mark a call. You'll be glad you did! read more

My family has been going to Mark Spurlock for about 4 years now. We liked Mark so much that we followed him as he transitioned into his own practice. He has really helped our son to deal with the bullies at school, as well as given us personal insight into our son's ADHD issues. He understands us and our son. He sides both sides of each issue. The one aspect that I like most is that Mark guides the entire family. He spends time working with my wife and me to be better parents (me in particular), making sure that we were always "on the same page" in discipline and rule making. Although Mark does work on individual issues, he also sees how these issues relate to the "big picture" and he works to fix that. He explains things in reasonable ways that we understand, not just in psycho-babble terms, although he has quoted those and given us a few references to read. We are now on an as-needed basis, rather than weekly visits. Mark has fixed us to that point. When something arises, and we feel we need a "refresher" visit, Mark fits us in usually within a week. Currently, he is on the second floor, and there are only stairs, no elevator. His office is cozy and comfortable and feels safe and welcoming. I would give him more stars if I could. read more

Mark has been my counselor for a couple of years. He's personable, authentic, never preachy, always encouraging and willing to wade through whatever it is to help me get unstuck. I've yet to shock him with anything I am struggling with and have never felt anything but comfortable and at ease with him. Great counselor, great individual! read more

Mark is a great therapist. He gave my wife and I great tools to use for our marriage. Never once did he tell us we would be better off apart, which a lot of counselors do now a days. We were able to talk about anything without worrying about being judged or we never felt uncomfortable. I highly recommend Mark if you are in any trouble or just need help being a better spouse. read more

Mark's the best. My boyfriend and I were having a hard time and were thinking about ending our 10 plus yr relationship. We are now getting married and we owe a lot of that to Mark. Thank you! read more

Mark is great. His methods are very straightforward and effective, and don't necessarily need to rely on much detail or specifics about people's relationships. Just great advice in general for healthy communication! read more

Mark is amazing! He has been my therapist for over two years now. Believe me, I have tried several therapists and what sets Mark apart is that he actually listens and treats me like an individual, not just an illness. He truly cares about his patients and has always been there for me. Even when things got really bad, he was just a phone call away. He is always willing to work with my schedule if needed. I am a Christian and Mark even prays for me at the end of every session. I completely trust him and thank God every day for him. When I leave his office, I feel as though a huge weight was lifted off of my shoulders and see things in a different perspective and renewed vigor. He has honestly brought me out of horrible despair and helped me find my way back to sanity and even joy. read more

It's important in life to take professional advice, coaching, and mentorship in order to constantly improve and become a better version of ourselves for the people around us. We can't all know everything, right? Mark is incredibly intelligent and a great coach when it comes to helping you understand the models of communication and how to put those models into action in everyday life. I've referred at least 3-4 individuals and couples for his coaching, and will continue to go to him for regular check-ins and check-ups to make sure I stay on track with my communication skills. read more

Started seeing Mark a few weeks ago for our small family of 3. Mark has already given us solutions that have not only built respect in our home, but have helped our son have a more structured environment as well. I have seen many counselors in the past and I am very pleased with the results from Mark after only 3 visits! Awesome! read more

My family and I have been seeing Mark for therapy for over four years. He helped me through my divorce and to heal the scars left by years of being married to a verbally and emotionally abusive spouse. I have an autistic son, and another with some very serious anger issues over the divorce. Mark takes time and works at understanding us. If you really want to get better and have a healthy, happy mind, Mark is the therapist for you. He does not "cure" you, he will give you the tools (and the desire) to heal your mind and guide you in the right directions. Mark is also not about how long he can keep you "on the hook until your insurance runs out", he really is one of the few that care so much and recognize the need for mental health. When he feels you are ready, he will cut back on your visits (if you want to) and like a father pushing his kid on a bike for the first time, he will push you and run along side you until you realize you don't need him to hold you up any more. In hindsight, Mark saved my life and helped me provide a stable and quality life for my children, who are still under 12. I will always be grateful to Mark for the hours of steadfast support and endless boxes of tissues. When I was first referred to him, I saw him twice a week and I cried so much everyday that I lost almost all my eyelashes! He never placated me, he never pitied me. It was hard work to face my own short falls, but I am happier and healthier than I have ever been in my life! THANK YOU MARK!!! We will never forget you! read more

I have been searching for "the right counselor" for a couple of years. Lots of trial and error with the insurance approved therapists. I decided that I would check Yelp for a therapist so I could read reviews from other people who had already been to see the person. Marks reviews were great so I called my insurance company to see if he was approved and he was! I called Mark's office and he got back to me right away and scheduled an appointment. This was several months ago and I have seen him once a week since then. I have a chronic illness and suffer from depression and anxiety. Mark has helped me with pretty much every department in my life from my illness to parenting, to my profession to my general health and wellness. I am a very visual person so I really enjoy when Mark brings out his white board and starts drawing out his explanations. He is also very personable but professional at the same time. I feel like I am sitting down to chat with a friend except this friend I can let it all out too and not worry what they are going to think of me. You can tell that Mark has a passion for his work and he is always learning and trying to better himself and his practice. The office is located on the 2nd floor of a medical/office building right off the 163freeway. There is plenty of free parking. The office is very inviting and comfortable. Mark is also very resourceful as he put me in touch with a great counselor for my daughter who suffers from anxiety and PTSD. It is such a relief that I have finally found someone that I click with that is making a positive difference in my life. I am so thankful! 5 star experience all the way! read more

My husband and I realized we needed marriage counseling when we were happier apart then together. Divorce came up by me (wife) and we were both sad that this was the path we were heading towards. We started seeing Mark a few months ago and he has been wonderful from day one. Mark is a Professional MFT who is kind, compassionate, funny, educational and truthful. Mark says it like it is connecting past trauma in our lives to day to day living which does include how we react negatively towards others. Mark helps us understand how to have a successful life and marriage. For me personally (wife) Mark has quickly identified my healthy and unhealthy lifestyles. I have been learning how to replace bad with good and my husband has seen a positive change in me already. We no longer want to get a divorce but realize that we have some work ahead of us. We will continue seeing Mark as long as we have to and are thankful that we found him. read more

I went to Mark for some guidance on finding a balance in my spiritual, personal, and professional life. Its my first counseling experience and from day 1 I've felt comfortable talking with Mark about anything that is on my heart, and feel like any topic could be easily discussed with Mark. He has really helped me in my relationships while coaching, educating, and inspiring me to become the best version of myself that I am, with a Christian perspective (which we share in common). I've recommended my girlfriend to Mark for counseling and now we are doing couples therapy and the benefits are amazing! I'd highly recommend Mark to anyone with a heart beat and I'd do it in a heart beat! Thanks Mark for using your gift to help others! read more

I cannot recommend any counselor more highly. Mark is the third couples therapist that my husband and I have been to, and one thing that sets him apart is the fact that he will not just sit there and listen to our problems session after session. Obviously he needs to know what they are in order to help us, but he focuses on giving us tools to constructively work on our relationship and resolve current and festering issues. He's truly a teacher of healthy relationships and communication and I feel lucky we found him. read more

If they taught a class on Fatherhood 101 Mark Spurlock would be the teacher. When my two teenage sons started deviating from my plan for them (nobody told me this would happen, duh) he was an invaluable source of guidance and sanity. Both sons have had their share of struggles and through Mark's guidance and counseling they have both managed to get back on track Ever time I've met with Mark I have left feeling better about my situation. There may may not be a book available on how to be a good parent but there is Mark Spurlock. My family is blessed to have him as a Therapist. read more

We started seeing Mark when I caught my son shoplifting. We have continued with him over the past four years and Mark has been a tremendous help to us and our son. He is insightful and kind in his questions and feedback. My son has been very comfortable with him and really considers Mark a friend he can talk to. I cannot praise him enough for the guidance he has given me and my family. read more

My husband and I, already in a loving relationship, wanted to find someone to help us take our communications to the next level. We are thrilled to have found Mark. I was able to speak with him on the phone before making our first appointment; after I explained our goal, Mark explained his approach and I felt very comfortable with him (and knew my husband would, too). We were very excited for our first appointment and Mark did not disappoint. He made the 'basics' of communication/relationships SO incredibly easy to not only understand but to apply. (He provides great visuals!). Mark never speaks FOR you; he listens and then provides the tools that allow you to analyze the dynamics of your communication. After 3 sessions, we could probably proceed on our own, but the sessions with Mark are SO illuminating that I think we'd like to delve a little deeper. Our at-home communications are at a level I'd only hoped for (and it happened so quickly!). Mark is supportive, non-judgmental, very funny (when appropriate) and an overall excellent therapist. He's definitely not one of those professionals who is entirely impressed with himself. I wish we'd found Mark sooner! read more

Warning! Proceed with caution! Dr Mark Spurlock is not as he appears he is judgmental and has "rules" in a field where one should not have to feel judged. I met with him alone regarding marriage counseling - poured my heart out and divulged much person confidential information in which I told him was my plan and reason for my visit up front. After 25 minutes he then told me his rules that he will not keep anything confidential and wasn't sure he even wanted to see me or my husband since our situation was complicated ( who goes to therapy for an easy situation?) I was appalled! Three times through the conversation he replied to me with a but... I am not being judge mental, but obviously anyone who says that is! Anyways I found a great therapist who is working with both myself and my husband and us to help us through this difficult time. Thank goodness I have been to therapy before and knew there were good therapists out there, if this were my first time I would have been completely turned off. Do your research, ask questions up front and make sure you know his "rules" before you divulge your most intimate thoughts. read more