"For therapy to work, you must feel safe enough to express your most distressing feelings and thoughts. It is essential that you feel heard, seen, and understood. Your therapist must be able to accompany you, with knowledge, safety and empathy, through the depths of your pain to transformance. I strive to be that kind of therapist for my clients. Before becoming a therapist, I practiced law for 14 years in a large metropolitan law firm. I became a therapist because therapy was personally transformative for me and because I passionately believe that therapy can be life-changing."

"Since 1989, I have been helping people uncover, explore, and work through barriers to authenticity and aliveness. Together, we bring into awareness the thoughts and feelings that can interfere with being more fully engaged with yourself or others. You may feel that you don't know yourself or can't be yourself; that decisions are difficult to make or impossible to follow through on; or that connections with others are empty or unsatisfying. Taking a closer look at what's getting in the way can make a difference."

"Couples and individual Adults come to me to improve their relationships, find relief from intense emotions/anxiety, get emotional support for their chronic illness, cope with challenging life transitions, heal from childhood trauma as well as other issues. Life can feel painful, complicated and confusing. I provide a safe, supportive environment where you can explore these hard feelings, with compassion and curiosity. I help you identify unconscious, limiting beliefs and emotions, so you can make new, healthy life choices. I guide you in cultivating self-compassion as a resource for making these changes. "

"I offer both short-term and long-term therapy with adults, adolescents, and seniors. I have a good deal of experience with grief and loss, depression and anxiety, struggles unique to students (across a variety of ages), and issues particular to the creative process. I welcome individuals who desire adaptability in a therapist, deep empathy, and a collaborative attitude about what works."

"I provide therapy for children, adolescents, adults, couples and families to help with better communication, increased ability to recognize and express emotion, integrate difficult experiences or transitions in the past or present, and live with more joy and connectedness. I work with my clients collaboratively and approach my work with curiosity and compassion. I strongly believe in the healing power of the therapeutic relationship and would feel honored to be part of your or your child's journey toward healing and vitality."

"I bring to my private practice 30 years of experience and extensive training in couple dynamics, attachment, sexuality and family systems. When couples first contact me, they have often been struggling with strained, stuck and reactive relationship patterns for a long time. They have hurt each other by attempting various ineffective solutions such as fighting-to-win, resentful compliance, disengagement, squeezing out their sexual desire, infidelities, freezing in hopelessness. This is all in an attempt to manage the anxiety and discomfort often inherent in long-term relationship challenges. They are discouraged and worried that they will be unable to move beyond their entrenched barriers."

"My background includes graduate training from UC Berkeley and post-doctoral training from UCSF Pediatrics/Adolescent Medicine and Kaiser Psychiatry. I have served as clinical faculty in UC Berkeley's School Psychology doctoral program for over 10 years. I provide neuropsychological assessment for ages 5 to adult, including forensic evaluations. With over 20 years clinical experience, I offer recommendations for accommodations and interventions to address learning disabilities, ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, behavioral and emotional difficulties, substance abuse, and other issues. I also offer parent consultation services, adult and child psychotherapy, and academic coaching to improve achievement motivation, executive functioning skills, test taking and study skills."

"Through co-creating a supportive environment that offers you opportunities for self reflection and gentle challenge, I will work with you to recognize the ways that painful and/or traumatic experiences have shaped your sense of value and impact your ways of relating to yourself and others. I support and stand alongside all who are survivors of emotional, sexual and/or physical violence and strive to create space for increased self love and resilience. I look forward to meeting you and discovering how we can address patterns that no longer serve you as we build awareness and skills to support you in gaining the life you want to live."

"Therapy is a deeply personal experience and there are as many reasons to seek therapy as there are people who seek it. Perhaps you are struggling with anxiety, depression, grief, or shame. You may have suffered traumas or losses and are wondering how these shape your thoughts, feelings and relationships. Maybe you simply have a sense that aspects of your life are not coming together in the ways you desire. Therapy is a space to explore these curiosities, to develop insight into your self, and, ultimately, to find greater fulfillment in your work, relationships, and play."

"Maybe you don't want to be here. But still you take a leap of faith, hoping that therapy may offer relief for pain or confusion in your life. I get it. I offer psychotherapy and parent consultation in my Berkeley office. Allow me to support you in moving your life forward. How can I help?"

"For over 25 years, I have counseled children, families and adults. I am comfortable working with clients from a variety of backgrounds and with a variety of problems. I have helped many people find relief from stress due family problems, relationship difficulties, job stress, fear, anxiety, self-esteem, co-dependency, parent-child problems, divorce, identity issues, grief and loss. I am trained in CBT, EMDR, Gestalt, art therapy and Gottman couples therapy."

"In our work together, we will create a safe place. I will be your witness, bringing psychological understanding and compassion. I've been doing psychotherapy for over 30 years, and have seen the healing power that comes as you take a fresh look at your life circumstances and inner experience. I've seen people of all ages -- from high school through retirement, and everywhere in between. About half my work has been with couples. I often see lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender couples and individuals."

"My primary area of focus has been working with people who suffer from trauma and anxiety, in addition to depression. I do much work with those who suffer from emotional neglect, abuse histories, & post-traumatic stress (PTSD). I'm certified in EMDR and am continually impressed at the ability of something so simple to so rapidly relieve pain and suffering. EMDR has been listed as one of the leading trauma therapies. It can also be very effective in helping those who suffer from a childhood history of family difficulties and a lack of nurturing. Also trained in Somatic Experiencing."

"Entering therapy is one way to work toward deeper engagement in life. It's nature to lose our way from time to time. Doubt, inequity, and betrayal is an unavoidable part of the human experience. To cope with adversity, we often develop survival patterns that serve as a buffer from experiencing life and loss. We may become distant, mistrustful, or overly please others. Through our work together, my role is to help you to come into greater contact with your core self and to gain a deeper understanding of your needs as you work toward living a more meaningful life."

"My name is Dr. R. Austin Heafey - I am a licensed clinical psychologist who works with children, adolescents, adults, parents and families. While every client is unique, my fundamental aim remains the same: improve self-esteem, build self-confidence and enrich my patient's self-worth. When a person has faith in their abilities and feels comfortable with who they are, they are better able to engage with the world they live in, the family they belong to and the life they deserve to experience. Put simply, my objective is to improve my patient's quality of life. "

"In my work with individual adults, new parents and couples who are struggling with all sorts of life-stressors, I have found the most effective approach to be one that is warm, collaborative and process-oriented; where the client(s) feels seen, heard and understood. Studies show that the one of most important ingredients in therapy is the relationship between therapist and client. I agree with this wholeheartedly and work from that perspective. Attachment, Family-Systems, Relational and Psychodynamic theories are all woven together to inform my work, as well."

"I am a Berkeley clinical psychologist who has been in practice for thirty seven years. I see children, adolescents, adults, couples/families who are seeking help for relationship problems, depression, anxiety, post-trumatic stress, losses and life transitions. I am known for my excellent dedicated patient care, warmth, trustworthiness, problem solving and good sound advice. I provide a supportive environment to enhance healing and change."

"People who need personal engagement and direct feedback about their life dynamics and challenges are a good fit for my style. Whether one is managing a mental health diagnosis, personal growth or dealing with a particular life circumstance. I also offer Divorce Mediation. Helping people achieve a fair and equitable divorce settlement."

"A fully expressed life emerges when we connect with our innate resilience and become who we are meant to be. We have more energy, feel inspired, connect more deeply, and experience the natural ebb and flow of life with greater ease. Whether you have done psychotherapy before, or are brand new, I am here to help. I offer a beautiful, unique approach to healing, one that brings together teachings from Western psychology and Eastern wisdom traditions. Complete healing comes from mindful awareness of the whole self, and working from a place of embodied connection with our true, genuine essence."

"It can be vulnerable to start therapy; it takes courage. I believe it can be very rewarding and is one of the most powerful paths of transformation. Being in therapy is an opportunity to look at your life, and to learn new ways of relating to yourself, to others, and to your circumstances. This process can ease the pain of whatever difficulty you may be going through. It is an opportunity to not have to be alone with your pain, but to have the support and guidance of someone who is familiar with the terrain of the human psyche."