Relational Therapists in 94120

I believe that healing and growth are inherent functions of the psyche. Within the containment of a warm, compassionate and collaborative therapeutic relationship, I encourage and cultivate the emergence of these functions in my clients that can lead to positive change or even profound personal transformation. It is crucial to explore difficult feelings and thoughts in this process. In my experience, while these thoughts and feelings can lead to psychological symptoms when avoided and pushed into the unconscious, they hold great potential for change when experienced, confronted and reflected upon in a safe setting.

The most important thing in working with me is your positive desire to change. Given that I'll bring you into the office, we will discuss your issues of concern and design and implement suggestions to create growth , understanding and lasting solutions. Many clients see me once for behavior change through hypnotherapy. Others see me for ongoing psychotherapy appointments. Some clients combine both modalities to insure continued growth and change. I am optimistic about the possibilities of health and healing through our work together. After forty years in practice I remain committed to my clients and their work with me

I bring 40 plus years of assorted, diverse and complex Clinical Experience to the care of my patients. I offer Psychoanalysis & Psychotherapy providing Individual, Couple & Family Treatments. MFT License 17611 - May 1982; Certified as a Psychoanalyst by The International Psychoanalytical Association. Working in conjunction with each person that comes to me, I strive to formulate a treatment which is responsive and that creates the conditions to most deeply address their personal concerns.

To put it simply, I help people with relationship troubles, be they with significant others, children, siblings, parents, employees, employers or with one's self. I was trained first as a Marriage & Family Therapist and later as a Psychoanalyst. Both inform my approach to the work, focusing on the complex landscape of relationships within oneself and with others. Both recognize and inform the special role of the therapeutic relationship in the work of healing. My extensive studies have been personalized and humanized by over 30 years of clinical experience with the people I work with.

I am skilled in providing therapy to high-level professionals in tech, science, medical, pharmaceutical, business and law industries, specializing in depression, anxiety, Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, Autism Spectrum Disorder, LGBTQ-issues, and addictions. Challenges related to professional development, harnessing managerial skills, career and educational transitions, work-life balance, primary relationships, and intentional and curated living are most often the focus of the work with those I serve. I see patients in New York State and the State of California.

I feel honored to provide an environment where the inner life can emerge. People seek therapy at a vulnerable time in their lives. I offer a warmly related environment where suffering can be approached gently, and new possibilities can emerge.

I am an experienced psychologist serving people of different racial, ethnic and religious backgrounds. As a psychologist, I am interested in and dedicated to the understanding of people. As a therapist, I help individuals, couples, adolescents and children with problems such as depression and sadness, anxiety and worry, grief and loss, challenges in relationships, work-related issues, and difficulty during transitional periods in life. As a person, I am an open-mined female who is comfortable working with people of different genders, orientation and identifications. I emphasize a balance between compassion and critical thinking to meet my clients with a kind and attentive approach.

Seeking therapy can often be a scary and confusing decision to make. If you are experiencing difficulties in life that seem overwhelming or you feel stuck in a rut, I can be the person that will join you on the path to figuring out what step to take next. My approach to therapy is integrative and I work collaboratively with my clients to create a treatment plan that is unique to each individual in order to promote growth.

It may be hard to believe, but our most troubling habits and patterns began as strategies that once helped us deal with challenging or even dangerous circumstances. The difficulties that feel burdensome to you now—rumination, self-defeating behaviors, problematic relationship dynamics, stubborn emotional cycles—actually helped you survive in the past. And because they helped you survive, it takes more than just understanding and willpower to unravel them—it takes deeper work that engages both the body and mind. I weave together multiple therapeutic modalities into an approach tailored to your needs, goals, and whole self.

Often, much of the suffering a person experiences comes from difficulties in relationships; with others and with oneself. With compassion and understanding, I can help you explore what gets in the way of having satisfying relationships. As part of that process, we can look at ways to communicate more effectively. I have special interest and experience in working with people from different cultural backgrounds, of mixed cultural backgrounds, or in cross-cultural relationships. I have worked with many clients who are adult children of alcoholics, and understand the challenges of such an upbringing. I work with individual adults and couples.

I engage with my clients deeply, using my years of experience, expertise and intuition, to allow them to experience life more fully. Many people cover over feelings of fear and sadness to protect themselves from hurt. I strive to create a safe environment where trust can be developed, and people can gradually rely less on their need to protect themselves through self-destructive patterns, and more on their healthy, life-enhancing strengths. I help my clients to feel more connected with themselves and to have richer, more meaningful relationships with the people in their lives.

Are you feeling stuck? Perhaps you're in the middle of one of life's "necessary changes," or struggling with starting on your path in the world, regarding purpose,meaning, and making a living. Perhaps you're trying to "reboot" after a loss, illness, or other life-changing experience, or trying to adjust and move forward in the midst of mid-life transition. As your therapist, I will meet you where you are at, and team up with you to create a life in which you find meaning, joy, and fulfillment.

I currently work with adult and adolescent individuals and couples. The issues I deal with include depression and dysthymia, panic attacks, stress, generalized anxiety disorder, gender identity disorder, obsessions and compulsions, childhood sexual trauma, childhood physical abuse, grief and loss, relationship difficulties, communication conflict, commitment, intimacy, sexual difficulties, insecurity, trust, infidelity and social phobia.

My practice focuses on working with individuals, couples, adolescents and their families from a family system perspective. I believe that all of us benefit from recognizing who we are within the construct of our larger social dynamics. I am a psychodynamic and interactive therapist, focusing on your strengths as a means to work through your challenges. I will work with you to identify your therapeutic goals, and we will explore how best to reach your desired outcomes. I am creative, empathetic and very pragmatic. Therapy is a journey, we will work hard together to make the most of your energy, finances and time.

Because everyone comes with their own needs, goals, and styles, I am flexible in my approach. I can be practical and problem-focused, but much of my work is deeper, and deals with emotional patterns developed early in life, I work a lot with trauma and loss. Attending to the therapy relationship is also important for learning about relationship patterns and trust. I bring my love of creativity to my work as well. Working with dreams and imagery, I find, can bring surprising insight. When therapy really takes off, I find that clients often discover their own creativity and a sense of life purpose.

I specialize in attachment theory, addiction/addiction related issues, & becoming more aligned with your authentic self. I also enjoy working with couples wanting to strengthen communication skills or rebuild trust within their relationship. Caregivers were the first to teach us how to relate to others. Healthy relationships are often not modeled for us & we wonder why the same patterns repeat. I can help you gain insight into these patterns & we will work together to have healthier relationships. My goal is to get to know you, establish a strong connection, and provide a safe space to begin your healing journey together.

You have already taken an enormous step towards your healing by beginning to look for a therapist, so first take a moment to express gratitude for yourself. You want to feel at ease, liberated, seen, understood, connected to others, and comfortable taking up space. I can help! As a 2-SQT/LGBTQ+ Affirming, Anti-Racist, Trauma-Informed, Intersectional, and Liberation-Based therapist, I acknowledge that systemic harm, like white supremacy, generational trauma, and the violence and abuse that is perpetuated by trauma and oppression can have deep, lasting scars that that impact our relationships with ourselves and others.