I am a culturally competent therapist who provides therapy to individuals, families and couples. I absolutely love couple's work and utilize Attachment Science and Emotional Focused Therapy to create an evidence based approach to help couple's achieve better communication in their relationships.

I help individuals, couples, and families overcome problems such as depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and relationship conflict, as well as psychological struggles related to fertility and parenting. My therapeutic style is interactive and engaged. I value collaboration, curiosity, and transparency, and will frequently check in with you to see how our work is progressing and to make sure we're addressing the issues that are most important to you.

As a Christian Psychologist and Spiritual Director I would be a companion on your journey to personal and spiritual wholeness. If you are experiencing any of the following, it is very likely you could benefit from psychotherapy along with spiritual guidance: Feeling overwhelmed, Prolonged sense of helplessness and sadness, Problems do not seem to get better despite your efforts, Feeling very anxious and worrying a lot , Making a major life transition (job loss, career change, divorce, relocating, process of aging), Relationship difficulties or losses, Experiencing stress related to a trauma, Feeling distant from God, Desire to grow spiritually.

I greatly enjoy working with the process of self-discovery and meaning making. This involves a passion for helping those who feel stuck to identify and remove the barriers toward change so that they can live a more fulfilling life. I take a relational approach to psychotherapy in which I believe it is the therapeutic relationship that heals. Through an exploration of your life, I enjoy learning about the relationship you have with your struggles, the purpose to be had within them, and the agency you have in the process.

"Reaching out is the first step. I invite you to take that first step and CALL me at 510-652-1902. I look forward to talking with you."

I specialize in treating anxiety and depression for teens and young (or young-ish) adults. Therapy provides an opportunity to be completely yourself, without regard to the pressures or demands of the world around you. When you feel safe, you're more free to talk about change. I'll help you identify and build upon your strengths, and then support you in becoming more aware of patterns that hold you back from achieving your goals. I believe therapy is an important investment in health and will help you create patterns that form the foundation for a satisfied life.

Parenting is exhausting and frustrating when a child is consistently misbehaving. Often, this undesired behavior is misunderstood. There is hope! I will help untangle what is not working and build your child's positive sense of self. You will feel relieved and excited about the new relationship and emotional regulation skills growing in your family.

I believe in the wisdom of the body, it is constantly communicating something to you, and your emotions are the messenger. I want to help you become an expert at your own body language so that you can heal what has happened to you, and make room for the truth of your soul, by learning to listen to your body's deepest desires.

We are in challenging times with many unknowns. Perhaps you're struggling with depression, anxiety, relationship issues, or loss. Or you're dealing with transition, chronic pain or trauma. There are many paths to emotional wellness, and psychotherapy is one. If you are open to engaging in this process, I am here to help you to develop a deeper relationship with yourself and others and a practice of personal inquiry. This can involve learning to notice and strengthen what works, let go of what doesn't, and find new behaviors and understandings. The results can include a greater sense of confidence, ease and effectiveness.

I offer psychological support for addiction, codependency, depression, anxiety, relationship problems, major life transitions, and other mental health obstacles. With expertise in addiction and codependency, I provide treatment for chemical dependency, behavioral addiction, and related challenges in adults, adolescents, couples, and families. My strengths-based approach integrates positive psychology, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), and structural family therapy, to guide recovery on the individual, family, and communal levels. Historically, psychology has focused on symptom reduction. While this is important, I also work to utilize our unique personal strengths and insights to alleviate suffering and support human flourishing.

I am a warm and caring human being with a clear understanding that therapy is not a "one size fits all" process. I fully appreciate the uniqueness of each individual, couple and family and will work with you to develop a plan that makes sense to you and addresses the realities of your life. Whether your goal is to improve your relationships, alleviate undesirable symptoms, bring more purpose and fulfillment to your life, rid yourself of unwanted behaviors, or experience more joy in your life, I can help you achieve these goals. Experienced in working with the LGBTQ community.

Therapy is an opportunity to feel genuinely seen and understood by another person, maybe for the first time. I believe that it is from this place--of knowing yourself with compassion and being known without judgment--that meaningful change is possible. I work with individuals who grew up with a parent with addiction/mental illness, those grieving a loss, and those who are tired of the same stuck dating and relationship patterns. I have helped couples navigate parenthood, racial and cultural differences, communication challenges and entrenched arguments, and physical and emotional intimacy issues.

You have every right to expect psychotherapy to cure what ails you. It's my responsibility to help you see your problems clearly, so that solutions become emotionally apparent and therefore, accessible. I will help you to feel better about how you conduct yourself in every context and every relationship. Successful therapy will reduce your anger; anxiety will diminish along with your shame, self-blame and self-doubt. You will look at yourself in ways that you have avoided. Effective therapy makes change inevitable. If therapy does not succeed, it is never the fault of the client.

Are there big changes happening in your life both inside and outside yourself? Do you feel unsure of how to express and assert yourself in the world and relationships? Maybe you wish for more clarity and confidence. Maybe you feel alone in what you're going through. Therapy is a safe place for us to explore what's going on, for you to find understanding, support, and find your voice so that you can show up as your best self in life. I'll help you navigate through difficult life experiences, communicate effectively in relationships, make sense of conflicting feelings, and cultivate deeper connection within yourself and others.

The essence of effective psychotherapy is found in the therapist's understanding, empathy and caring for you. Trust in our relationship develops from that foundation. My primary commitment to you is to help you grow in self-awareness and self-empowerment, and to help you take the necessary actions that will actualize your growth and development in the world. If you struggle with feelings of fear, shame, helplessness, worthlessness and anger; traumatic emotional, physical and sexual experience; challenges in relationship; dysfunctional behaviors; unfulfilled aspirations; questions about your life's meaning; and physical illness and aging, I can help you.

Are you a lesbian couple in the process of deciding to become parents? Are you an individual seeking support while you and your partner are thinking about beginning a family? There are unique decisions that you may be currently facing such as, pregnancy or adoption, which partner will become pregnant, and how will both partners feel involved as parents. It is important for you to have a safe space to explore these questions. There are feelings that accompany the decisions that you are making, and partners may feel differently. This sometimes challenges the connection between you.

Do you struggle with low anxiety, self-esteem, or self-criticism? Are you tired of feeling like there's something wrong with you or that you're not good enough? Through a mindfulness-based, somatic, and trauma-sensitive approach, I support you in exploring your experience with curiosity and compassion, so that you can let go of limiting beliefs about yourself, feel at home in your own skin, and be free to live the life you want. After working with me, my clients report feeling more grounded and confident, and are better able to navigate relationships, life transitions, and daily stressors.

Jungian Analyst Steven Herrmann, Ph.D., MFT, Montclair, Oakland, California. Are you looking to find ways to make changes in order to live a more satisfying and meaningful life? Are you finding yourself in repetitive patterns that are no longer working for you? Then I may be of assistance to you. I bring an in-depth approach that builds on your strengths and aims to untangle the roots to what is causing problems. This may lead to a reduction in painful symptoms, an opening of vocational possibilities, a newly found sense of joy, and to the transformation of your personality. Please feel free to visit my website at stevenherrmann.com

If you feel stuck -- whether in the dark pit of depression, the loneliness of an unfulfilling relationship, or the bewilderment of grief -- I would welcome the chance to connect with you. In my twelve years of practice, I have helped clients to emerge renewed from some of life's hardest places.