Therapists in California

Welcome. I know that choosing a therapist can be hard. How can a therapist help you? How can you find the right therapist? I hope the information here helps. I work with all age groups - and especially well with clients whose challenges include gender identity and sexuality, life transitions, alcohol and drug addiction, foster care and adoption issues, parenting, ageing, depression, anxiety, veterans and active duty military, relationships, grief, loss, and trauma. I can work within short-term and long-term frameworks, depending on your goals and expectations. I am kink-, gender-, and ENM/poly-affirming.

Do you seek more balance, understanding, connection and freedom in your relationships with yourself and others? I create a safe and supportive environment to help you through difficulties to become more positive and live with presence in acceptance and peace. Whether we work to create boundaries, increase self-esteem, decrease destructive patterns, or move through painful life experiences, together we will process what you are going through in order to obtain clarity, solutions, and personal growth. My hope is that we can find contentment in our present moment & live fully in that moment each day.

I love helping people re-connect with their own happiness and practice a strength-based approach to assessment, strategies and treatment! My clinical expertise is in combining specialized clinical knowledge and skills in the service of resolving anxiety and depression. I find that many people diagnosed with long-standing clinical depression and anxiety are often suffering from the negative impact of self-criticism, relationship discord, past trauma, or achievement fatigue, and that once these are addressed, their symptoms subside. My intention is to help provide a safe space to reduce your suffering and provide coping strategies.

We all need a safe place to unpack stress and explore unhealthy patterns in order to create the meaningful changes we want in our lives. I encourage clients to approach therapy with an open and curious mind. For my part, you can expect compassion, collaboration and an unwavering authenticity in each session - with a healthy dose of humor when welcomed.

I am honored to be a part of our beautiful Central Coast, characterized by care and community. My client-centered, humanistic approach is a balance of compassion, empathy and open-mindedness. I have been honored to share this healing space with children as young as 3 years, families, adolescents, young and middle-aged adults, and the healthy aging population, who have become willing to explore their experiences of change, grief, suffering, trauma, depression, separation and anxiety. Hope and empowerment grow through the process of healing and recovery. It is a collaborative experience where alternative ways of being occur.

Hello, my name is Christopher Duerrmeier I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. I have a Masters of Education and a Masters of Art in Counseling Psychology from Teachers College, Columbia University and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Pace University. During my time as a therapist I have worked with school aged children, adolescents in the Juvenile Justice System, adult individuals, couples and families. In addition to my private practice I am also the Clinical Director of Discovery Counseling Center, a local tri-valley community mental health clinic.

I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and an Art Therapist. I help clients create healthier patterns in life and improve relationships. Services available for adults, couples, families and children. My areas of emphasis include abuse, trauma, anxiety, depression, divorce, grief, parenting support, self-esteem, and personal growth. I am also trained in EMDR.

My work ranges from people who have experienced serious trauma, and suffer from depression and anxiety to those who just want to feel better in their lives and their relationships. I love working with couples. I know from my own experience of being married since 1990 that relationships need nurturing and intention. I love helping couples find intimacy that may have been lost. I really see my work as helping individuals and couples live their best life!

I deeply believe we all have strengths and the ability to overcome adversity. Life presents us with experiences, challenges and transitions that alter the view we have of ourselves. Sometimes we have the feeling that we’ve tried everything to get better, but instead we keep repeating patterns and behaviors we know hurt us and can hurt those around us.

Do you want to stop skimming the surface and get to the heart of what's holding you back? Do you want to do that in a safe, supportive environment at your own pace? Do you want to do that with someone who believes you have the ability to free yourself and move ahead? There's never a better time to start than now.

Now offering zoom sessions. And free 15 min zoom consultation, to see if we are a good fit. Do you have relationship issues and can't figure out why? Are you depressed because you feel like you have no purpose? Is your anxiety debilitating? I am here to help you work through what's keeping you from the freedom you are seeking. I help clients process and understand blocks in there life. Whether that may be an addiction, communication issues, or the deeper roots of something in your past. I believe the relationship between a therapist and a client begins with authenticity seek to create a space of safety for your healing process.

My approach is based on who you are and what is relevant for you in order to be your best self. I collaboratively work with clients in re-connecting with their innate strength and resilience in their journey to face change and heal unresolved issues. I use a variety of modalities that support a clients ability to reconnect with their inner-self and identify ways in which they want to make positive changes.

Therapy can be a journey of self discovery, healing, building relationships, and so much more. I am here to support you on whatever journey you are on.During sessions I create a safe space where you can feel supported and be able to be yourself. I believe that we all have strengths within us that can be used to help find balance in our lives. I will help you find coping skills that work for you and encourage new forms of self care. At the start of my career I earned a Bachelors degree in child development and family life education, and a Masters degree in Social Work with a concentration in mental health.

I work with a wide array of clients. If you are self motivated; enjoy exploration and play; (both kids and adults), and are interested in exploring all facets of yourself, please call today. I use a holistic approach, and explore all factors which affect mental health including physical health, nutrition, family dynamics, and relationships.

I believe that life’s challenges, whether external or internal, are opportunities for self-discovery and for becoming more aligned with your inner wisdom. My role as a therapist is to create an environment in which you can express yourself, feel deeply heard and connect to your authentic self. I believe that when we can meet ourselves with love and respect, we can heal from many issues. My focus is on supporting you to gain a deeper understanding of who you are, including your resources and strengths, your unique perspective, and your unconscious patterns so you can create the change and healing that you desire.

Are you looking for answers? Did you know that you have all the answers; all you need is within your grasp if you know where to look and how to access them. ANGER, ANXIETY, DEPRESSION, or SUBSTANCE ABUSE destroy the spirit of the person as well as their relationships. Finding your true authentic self requires only the repetition of new and productive behaviors for change. Call me and we can start today!

I approach therapy from a trauma-informed, client-centered lens focused on empathy and compassion to support the creation of long-term, effective changes. I strive to equip my clients with the hope that it is normal to feel any and every kind of emotion but also give them tools to cope effectively and learn from those emotions. My goal is to provide a trusting environment to uncover those human emotions, find what works or does not work, and collaborate to reach new and healthier goals for life.

I have a heart for clients of all ages and I believe it is never too early or too late to take any step in a positive direction. I have a passion for people with a history of trauma, abuse and/or addiction and I enjoy adolescents and adults alike. I believe that the one hour you devote to yourself during the therapy process will have a positive effect on the remaining 167 hours you will live during the week.

I believe in you. You’ve made it here, which means you’ve already taken action for change. Today you are one step closer to a new you where you feel empowered on your path to well being. You do not need to be on this journey alone. As a therapist, my goal is to understand your goals as deeply as possible. This will mean changing the way you think, feel, and act on a daily basis. Over time you'll develop useful strategies to modify your thoughts and behaviors. We will know our work is done when you are thriving in the life that you envision. You will take our work with you after we end and reap the benefits throughout your life.