The San Jose community and mental health field are mourning the loss of Caitlin MacCalla, M.A, LMFT, a deeply committed trauma-informed therapist whose work touched countless lives over more than two decades.

Caitlin, the founder of Tides of Healing, was a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in California for 17 years (CA License #47854) and dedicated more than 20 years to supporting individuals, families, and communities through both social services and clinical-based settings.

Her passing leaves an indelible void in the mental health community, as well as in the hearts of those who knew her personally and professionally. Caitlin’s career was distinguished by her passion for helping individuals navigate complex emotional and relational challenges.

She was formally trained as a narrative therapist and specialized in working with children, adolescents, blended families, bi-cultural and racial couples and families, co-parenting counseling, and divorce.

She believed in a strength-based approach, co-creating narratives with her clients that empowered them to cultivate lasting emotional and mental health. Her expertise extended to adolescent mental health, family systems work, trauma, loss, and mood disorders, forensic psychology, female empowerment, and domestic violence prevention.

Caitlin’s approach was holistic, trauma-informed, and deeply intersectional, recognizing the profound impact of social systems, oppression, and cultural factors on mental health.

Throughout her career, Caitlin worked in a variety of settings, ranging from K-12 school counseling and executive function coaching to group therapy, family and dependency court, sex offender treatment, and managing treatment teams in nonprofit organizations.

She also supported neurodivergent clients, youth in foster care, and families navigating co-parenting and blended family dynamics. Caitlin’s work was rooted in cultural humility, anti-racism, and a commitment to fostering safe, supportive therapeutic spaces for all clients.

Her dedication to advocacy, professional excellence, and client empowerment made her a mentor and role model for colleagues in the mental health field. Beyond her professional achievements, Caitlin was a devoted mother and cherished her family above all else.

She treasured quality time with her son and enjoyed cooking, baking, reading, and planning meaningful outings together. Friends and family remember her as warm, empathetic, and full of love, always striving to create positive impact both personally and professionally.

Her presence radiated compassion, wisdom, and an unwavering commitment to supporting others in their healing journeys. Caitlin’s passing is a profound loss for everyone she touched—clients, colleagues, friends, and family.

Yet, her legacy endures through the lives she transformed, the narratives she helped rewrite, and the lasting contributions she made to mental health, trauma-informed care, and advocacy for marginalized communities.

Caitlin MacCalla will be remembered as more than a therapist—she was a healer, mentor, advocate, and devoted mother whose life exemplified compassion, courage, and a commitment to empowering others. Her memory will continue to inspire those who knew her, encouraging a world where mental health, empathy, and justice are always at the forefront.