Therapists in 94510

I am interested in working with a diverse client base, however have a particular focus in working with young adults. I enjoy working with individuals who are in the process of self discovery as is common for young people who are learning about themselves and making important life decisions. Also, I have a passion for working with the LGBT (and questioning) community. Helping folks who are in the process of coming out and understanding their gender and sexual identities is an area I’ve specialized in.

For 35 years I have worked with children, couples, individuals, and families in providing a supportive, educational and safe place to find answers to life's challenges. Separation is the hardest lesson in life and with each separation we experience there is an opportunity to grow and become the best we can be. Separations like divorce, losing a loved one, struggling with work issues, addictions, disconnect from family members or feeling alone in this large and busy world, it will be my privilege to listen, support and provide the counseling, mediation and guidance you may be seeking at this time.

Most of us experience times in our lives when we feel we have lost our way. The longer we are adrift the more isolated we become and sometimes we sink into despair. Whether you are struggling with a relationship, navigating a life change, suffering a loss, feeling overwhelmed as a new mom or trying to know yourself better, I can support your process. I encourage you to listen to that small voice telling you that now is the time for change.

Today certainly is a different world we live in. Trying to balance life along with all the adjustments in our current environment can be challenging. However, these challenges can lead us to search for self-improvement and help us prioritize the goals that fulfill our lives and create healthier connections. Therapy isn't always going to be easy, but I believe, provides personal space to explore individual behaviors, change those behaviors that are not serving and discover a variety of personal tools that help you to navigate through life’s difficulties. My philosophy is we get through things, not over them. Are you ready?

Do you spend so much of your energy meeting the needs of others that you end up regularly feeling tired, frustrated or run down? Do you feel like your day is controlled by the demands of other people, rather than your own needs and priorities? It's easy to lose your balance when everything around you seems to require urgent attention, but the truth is that you are the only one who can set the boundaries you need in order to take care of yourself- and the commitments you value the most.

I find that people come to therapy when they are having difficulties in their lives such as job stress, problems with their teen or adult child, caregiver stress, sexual and communication concerns, coping with illness, disability and/ or chronic pain, and grief. Depression and anxiety are often natural outcomes of struggling with these issues.

There comes a time in everyone's life when stressful events overwhelm us and our usual ways of coping don't work anymore. It is at this juncture that the perspective of a caring, experienced professional can make a life-changing difference. My name is Donna McCulloch and I am a Licensed MFT. I have maintained a busy private practice in Benicia, CA. for 19 years. My areas of specialization include depression and anxiety, relationship/communication problems, trauma reduction...including EMDR, and empowerment/ assertiveness for women who struggle with the ability to set reasonable limits with others.

When I began learning about therapy, the first thing that stood out was this statement: “The client- counselor relationship is the most important criterion for effectiveness.” In my experience with Suicide Prevention, Substance Dependence, Transition Aged Youth in Foster care, and Individual & Family therapy I found the statement to be accurate.

After a 25 year career in teaching, I decided to go to grad school. In 2009 I earned my MS in counseling. I have been in practice as an MFT for 10 years. I love being a therapist. It is fulfilling a life-long dream of mine and I find it so gratifying and rewarding.

Counseling can be an opportunity to experience a greater quality of life. I enjoy helping others to reach that place. Providing clinical counseling for over 25 years, I've assisted survivors with all forms of trauma, anxiety and stress disorders. My practice has included working with military members and families as well as providing counseling to many Spanish speaking Latino populations . My specialties range from employee assistance for work related stress, issues of addiction to all substances including gambling and also working with the trauma of immigration. I can also provide evaluations for immigration hearings.

If stress, anxiety, conflict, or emotional paralysis are impacting your well-being and quality of life, you may benefit from a therapeutic approach that incorporates a mind-body component. By combining verbal/cognitive therapy with non-verbal formats of physical movement and breathing, you will be introduced to a holistic framework for expressing feelings, reframing, and redirecting pain and trauma to facilitate change. Therapeutic outcomes are individually determined and designed to promote healing, mindfulness, and personal empowerment. www.moveforwellness.net

My style and approach to therapy is "keeping it real." I believe in providing individuals with real and insightful perspectives in dealing with everyday life problems. I enjoy working collaboratively with individuals to address concerns in their lives that are preventing them from reaching their optimal level. I believe that everyone has their own optimal level and this is just when you are at your best and feeling really good about yourself. I am skilled at working with relationship issues, adolescent developmental transitions, family problems, sports related concerns (self-esteem building and performance), and more.

Life is complicated, especially these last few years. Some changes overwhelm you to the point of not being able to cope with your daily life, leading to irritability, anxiety, depression, hopelessness, and despair. As your therapist, my goal is to provide a safe, therapeutic judgement-free space for you to share your feelings, mental health needs, and to support you through your healing process, with respect, dignity, and empathy. Together, we will collaborate around your needs, strengths, and use effective tools on your journey to emotional wellness. You and I will work to challenge triggers and barriers to your personal growth.