Therapists in 94596
Colette M. Bischer-Choate
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, MFT
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Walnut Creek, CA 94596
It takes courage and awareness to seek therapy. If you are experiencing depression or anxiety, difficult relationships (past or present) or going through a life transition I may be able to help. Together we will work to determine whether this will be short-term solution focused treatment or more long-term, deeper work. We will build a safe place for you to experience yourself and help you to identify your strengths as well as areas of challenge. A place that is yours to receive the care you need.
It takes courage and awareness to seek therapy. If you are experiencing depression or anxiety, difficult relationships (past or present) or going through a life transition I may be able to help. Together we will work to determine whether this will be short-term solution focused treatment or more long-term, deeper work. We will build a safe place for you to experience yourself and help you to identify your strengths as well as areas of challenge. A place that is yours to receive the care you need.
Arwin Cotas-Girard, PsyD
Psychologist, PsyD
Verified Verified
6 Endorsed
Walnut Creek, CA 94596
Waitlist for new clients
I am a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in child and adolescent therapy and comprehensive psychological assessment services for all ages. I also specialize in the evaluation of Autism Spectrum Disorder, particularly for girls and women. I am trained in Therapeutic Assessments and consider my evaluations to be brief therapeutic interventions that may allow healing and change to occur through the process of self-discovery and reworking of narratives. I work collaboratively with my clients, their caregivers, and other important people and systems in their lives to gain a comprehensive understanding of their needs.
I am a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in child and adolescent therapy and comprehensive psychological assessment services for all ages. I also specialize in the evaluation of Autism Spectrum Disorder, particularly for girls and women. I am trained in Therapeutic Assessments and consider my evaluations to be brief therapeutic interventions that may allow healing and change to occur through the process of self-discovery and reworking of narratives. I work collaboratively with my clients, their caregivers, and other important people and systems in their lives to gain a comprehensive understanding of their needs.
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Adoption Therapists
Does my adopted child need therapy?
Not every adopted child needs therapy. However, many can benefit from seeing an adoption-informed therapist, especially if they were victims of abuse or neglect, appear withdrawn or disconnected, have behavioral or developmental issues (which may or may not be related to their adoption), are struggling with feelings of grief or loss surrounding their birth parents, or find it difficult to establish an identity, a challenge that often becomes most apparent during adolescence.
When should adoptive parents seek therapy?
Prospective parents can benefit from therapy even before an adoption—for example, to voice worries and fears; to reconcile infertility struggles, if relevant; or simply to prepare themselves for parenthood. After the adoption, parents who are struggling to bond with their child; are unsure how to talk about adoption or related issues, such as race; or whose child is dealing with developmental, behavioral, or psychiatric concerns can address these and other issues with the help of an adoption-competent therapist.
Is family therapy appropriate for adoptive families?
Family therapy can be invaluable for strengthening the bond between adoptive parents and children, helping the latter feel more secure in their place in the family. Family therapy can also help adoptive families navigate complex communication issues—for example, parents who feel uncomfortable discussing race with their child, who in turn feels invalidated by their silence, or a child who has questions about his birth parents but avoids asking them out of fear of hurting his adoptive parents’ feelings.
What therapy is not appropriate for adoption issues?
A discredited therapy known as “attachment therapy” (sometimes called “holding therapy” or “rebirthing therapy”) should not be used to treat adopted and foster children, though it was largely designed for this population. Attachment therapy involves restraining, coercing, and punishing the child in order for them to “release” negative emotions and attach to their new caregivers—techniques that are abusive and dangerous and have even proven fatal in some cases.