Person-Centered Therapists in 98109

I work with clients struggling with anxiety and depression with focuses in existential issues, low self-esteem, men's issues and life transitions. The individuals I work with look to gain understanding and develop the ability to make decisions towards living a happier life.

Emotions are often like water. They slip through our fingers, overwhelm us in crashes, ebb & flow like waves. Therapy can be a place to explore the depths of our emotional experiences, building our capacity to hold them, and our ability to learn from them. My training in existential phenomenological psychology provides my grounding, meaning your experience is central to our sessions. I approach therapy with an integrative practice, mixing theories and modalities to find the right tools for each person I work with. I will ask what has and hasn't worked for you in the past, and individualize our time together to meet your needs.

Welcome! Looking for a therapist can be daunting. I applaud you for taking steps to help yourself. My clients typically come to me because they are suffering from high levels of stress or anxiety. They feel overwhelmed and panicky, are not able to stop worrying, or feel irritable and angry. Often they are puzzled by the intensity of their own emotional responses and they blame themselves for “overreacting”. Sounds familiar? There is nothing wrong with you. Your past memories, likely traumatic ones, may be intensifying your responses.

I work with adults who are struggling with challenging moments in their life and may be experiencing depression, anxiety or general unease. I believe that the therapeutic relationship can provide support for exploring life and relationship challenges. The therapeutic work can lead to healing traumas from the past. I invite clients to be curious about what is happening in their body, notice emotions, and identify thoughts that can deepen their awareness of their self and lead to empowerment. Creativity, mindful awareness, and honoring a person's experience are the foundation of my therapeutic approach.

I typically work with anxious, hyper-vigilant, perfectionistic, self critical people. People who can get exhausted by their own brains. People who are ready to step away from trying to "fix" themselves. You are not a problem that needs to be solved. You're not broken, so there's nothing to fix. You are a person who deserves to be seen, understood, and loved. You might have developed hyper-vigilance because you're neurodivergent in a world built for neurotypicals. Maybe you grew up in a high demand religion that taught you to exert intense control over yourself. Maybe you're a person living under the strain of systemic oppression.

Are you struggling with overfunctioning, perfectionism, people-pleasing, and burnout? If you invested in time and space to explore, heal, and grow, how might life be different? How might you be different? In the past, you have constantly prioritized others' needs and are now seeing the negative impact on your own mental health. The perfect image you maintain for the outside world comes at the expense of yourself. Internally, you feel numb, insecure, lonely, and lost. You are tired of feeling this way and ready to change this unsustainable pattern once and for all.

I work with individuals aged 16 and up, and I am committed to creating a collaborative and empowering therapeutic relationship. I believe that working together means uncovering your strengths, confronting challenges, and developing strategies that enhance your well-being and quality of life. Whether you're struggling with the pressures of school/family/society, the weight of past traumas, or the challenges of adapting to a new environment, I offer a personalized approach to help you navigate in the face of change.

I help clients live more authentically and develop a greater love for themselves and others. My client-centered sessions are collaborative. Together, we help you gain insight, take action and achieve positive change. I trained at Harvard University (doctoral intern and postdoctoral fellow). In addition to my work with clients, I have taught for several universities such as UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine and Pepperdine University.

I welcome adults (18+) of all races, religions, genders, sexual orientations, and disabilities. I work with and have helped individuals who experience: anxiety, depression, grief, loneliness, difficulties in relationships or career, meaning/purpose, feeling “stuck”, people in recovery from substance use, academic issues, and more. Many of the clients I’ve worked with want a deeper understanding of themselves and a more fulfilling life in addition to relief from the aforementioned symptoms.

Sometimes we need support with what has happened, what is happening in our lives now, or the uncertainty of what the future holds. Maybe you feeling deeply out of alignment with yourself, partners, children, or community. Our relationships to ourselves and each other is dynamic and can get messy. We find ourselves responding, feeling, and living in ways that don't serve us or the ones we love. I'm here to support folks, who are looking for a place to process experiences, move towards healthier relationships with family members and loved ones, and want help learning new ways of working with feelings.

My therapy practice is committed to helping people live happier, healthier, more joy filled lives. Every single moment of our lives can unfold in infinitely creative ways, yet sometimes our problems seem overwhelming, or we find ourselves repeating negative patterns and we can't see the solution. Are you suffering from anxiety or depression? Are you longing for emotional connection with those nearest to you? Does your life lack a sense of direction, meaning or purpose? Are you suffering a loss, going through a job or life transition?

Are you a teen who feels like no one understands you? Are you a parent who is struggling with parenting challenges? Are you an adult having trouble in coping with anxiety, depression, ADHD, work stress, or a couple struggling with marital problems where it is so hard to connect with your partner? Life can be hard, and we often find ourselves stuck. I'm here to help you to cope with the life's struggles without feeling alone. I have 23 years of experience providing therapy to children, adolescents, adults and couples. I can assist you in finding solutions to your problems and guide you to the path of happiness and success.

You’ve been feeling overwhelmed for a while. You’ve told yourself that if you just try a little harder or wait a little longer, your life will feel more in control. But if you’re being honest with yourself, the more time passes, the worse you feel. You’re starting to feel hopeless and you aren’t sure what to do next. You know it’s time to make a change. Going it alone hasn’t been working. You know you want to take back control of your life, but you aren’t quite sure how. You are starting to wonder if counseling could help you stop struggling and start enjoying your life.

You’ve already tried the parenting tools you know, and the strategies you learned from a class or a book aren't working. I help parents use connection rather than control to create the relationship they want with their kids. Your children's anxiety diminishes and their behavior improves as they feel your warm connection. Enjoy more peace in your home, and more confidence as you shape your family culture. Together, we work to help you build confidence in your parenting and add playfulness and laughter back into your home. Get the support you deserve, and fill your own tank in the process.

I look forward to helping you through life's stresses and anxieties. I believe we are all moving through life learning new things and that from time to time we are faced with challenges that may require extra assistance. I am happy to partner with you to find the tools you need to deal with these challenges effectively.  To learn more about me visit my website alpiniacounseling.com

We work with individuals, couples, families, teens, and children. Our therapists are trained in various psychotherapy modalities such as EMDR, The Gott man Method, EFT, Hypnotherapy, and Cognitive Behavioral therapy. We help clients address issues related to relationships, self-esteem/confidence, anxiety, depression, trauma, and improving overall mental health and well-being.

I am continually inspired by the depth and breadth of the human experience. With a passion for learning about individuals, groups, and systems across varied backgrounds, I seek to support clients in being heard, understood, and empowered. My bachelor's degree in language studies and master's degree in social work allow me to carefully consider the socio-emotional experience of an individual, while accounting for the unique ways in which we express, perceive, and develop meaning. I offer tools and resources for practicing coping strategies outside of sessions, based on client interest. I am open to new and eclectic approaches.

You work hard to make sure everyone around you is taken care of. You have set aside your own goals, hopes, and dreams and prioritized others. At this point, you may not know what you want and need anymore. You may even feel resentful toward people you’re caring for because you have no time or energy left for you. As an individual and couples therapist, I have supported many people through this journey of rediscovering joy and meaning in their lives and relationships.

I work with families, couples, and individuals needing support to be the best version of themselves. My clients often come to me with issues surrounding hopelessness and struggling with life transitions. I provide a safe, positive, and supportive place to process these issues and feelings without judgement. I hope to work collaboratively with you to reach attainable goals, whether it be individually or for your family.