Therapists in Oakland, CA

In my career I have had the privilege of working with children, teens, adults, parents, couples and families, supporting them in their growth process. Therapy is sought out for a variety of reasons. For some of us, life circumstances have impacted us in such a way that effect how we interact with the world and those around us. Life is created by the situations we encounter, and the quality of our lives often depends on the quality of our relationships. Therapy provides an intentional space to explore our relationships with others, ourselves, and the dance that takes place between the layers and intersections of these dynamics.

Welcome! My name is Ana and I'm a Licensed Psychotherapist, Certified Couples & Sex Therapist, and psychedelic therapist licensed in CA, UT, and CO. I specialize in ketamine and psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, depression, anxiety, relationship issues and issues unique to the creative field. My framework is relational, attachment-based and in-depth, characterized by warmth, compassion & collaboration. I will help you gather a deeper understanding of your thoughts and patterns, improve your self-worth, and live a life with purpose, meaning, and connection.

People come to therapy with unique needs, concerns, and life circumstances. Through the process of self-inquiry, I help clients gain insight and develop effective coping skills to move through a challenge with greater ease and understanding. My therapeutic style is warm, compassionate and curious about one's experience. I use an attachment based, person-centered approach that offers individuals and couples clarity around repetitive patterns that cause pain, conflict, and limit growth.

Do you find yourself struggling with anxiety, depression, grief, self-esteem, identity, and difficult life transitions? Do you find yourself feeling stuck and can’t seem to focus or move forward? There are many ways to get unstuck, and this is the work I love to do to help you heal, grow and live a more fulfilling life. I use an integrative approach including attachment-based work, DBT, CBT, IFS, and mindfulness, bringing in each as needed. Above all, I strive to hold space and empathy for your life experience.

You're feeling overwhelmed by the racing thoughts in your mind. It's been difficult to trust yourself, set boundaries, and stick to them. That can be exhausting and probably has you feeling under-appreciated, resentful, and burnt out! Imagine what it might feel like to be more grounded and resourced in your body and mind. Imagine feeling more confident in your voice and speaking about your needs. I enjoy supporting women and queer folks to lead a more integrated and aligned life. If any of this resonates with you, we might be a good fit :)

Clients seeking my services are looking for a safe and supportive space where they can bring their authentic whole “self” and explore and discuss issues centered on intersectional oppressions, identity exploration, trauma exploration, managing anxiety and stress, depression reduction, relational and attachment struggles, managing imposter syndrome, improving self-esteem, increasing communications skills and learning to identify and set healthy boundaries.

I enjoy helping individuals who experience symptoms of anxiety, depression, relationship stressors, life transitions, as well as those who want to overcome various symptoms of trauma. Often people I work with are seeking more peace, empowerment, and healthier relationships with others and with themselves. In this, my aim is to help individuals feel more confident, attuned to themselves, and kinder to parts of themselves, even those that can be hard to accept.

Are you feeling stuck in life? Maybe you’re struggling with relationship challenges, past traumas or work stress? Is shame, anxiety, anger or numbness affecting your ability to be happy? Maybe you’re wondering how your substance use, or that of a loved one, is related to any of this? I’d like to offer you a non-judgmental space to explore behaviors, beliefs and feelings that keep you from living the life you want to live. You are not broken and I would be honored to help you reconnect to the innate wisdom and power of your authentic self. My style is warm, nurturing and empathic.

I welcome adolescents and adults to my therapy practice and interns/ASWs/PPSC for clinical supervision. A trusting relationship is the base of the therapeutic process and it is important to me to create a supportive and collaborative environment. Together, we can explore your goals and your self-discovery. As a social worker, I approach my practice through a holistic and strength based lens with a focus on the impact of your relationships and personal experiences on your life. I look forward to supporting you on your journey!

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.

Has trauma, anxiety, or depression interfered with the potential to become the best version of yourself? We often feel defined by traumatic or emotionally difficult experiences then often leave us feeling stuck in place rather than moving forward towards our goals. I’m here to provide a safe, affirming space for you to develop an understanding of yourself to overcome past experiences or fears that define you. Our work together will be met with unconditional acceptance, creative approaches, and the utmost compassion.

Do you ever struggle with feeling like you’re not enough? Do you feel like you have to prove yourself? Do you feel stuck and triggered by childhood trauma? The symptoms of trauma include anxiety, depression, high conflict relationships, occupational impairment, addiction, and much more. I believe therapy can help you develop a more self-awareness and actionable plan to alleviate these symptoms. I specialized in working with people who are willing to explore past, present, and future challenges and to find tools for personal growth.

I am a bilingual (English and Spanish-speaking) licensed clinical psychologist who provides psychotherapy services to adults, children, adolescents families. I support clients in fostering resilience and in building more meaningful, connected relationships. In therapy, I take a supportive, curious, nonjudgemental stance. My clients struggle with issues related to depression, anxiety, loss, adoption, psychological trauma, childhood development, parenting, and everyday stressors.

I believe we are all whole but sometimes life circumstances, the way we grew up, the way we are treated by society/systems based on our identities, etc. can cloud the way in which we see ourselves or which tools we have access to. I specialize in working with clients who have experienced complex trauma due to race, gender, sexual orientation, abuse, violence, historical events and poverty. My hope is to help create more tools, help unpack the trauma, identify YOUR strengths and your understanding of yourself and help you navigate the world in a way that feels true to YOU.

Are you nervous or hesitant to start therapy because you might not find a therapist you can relate with? Or, maybe you've tried several things to help how you've been feeling but it hasn’t quite helped enough, so it feels discouraging. You may be fed up with feeling misunderstood, unseen, disconnected, worrying too much, stretching beyond your boundaries, or like you will never feel better. Things have been hard lately, and you’re ready to feel something different. You’re ready to find more ease, build confidence, and live more in alignment with your values.

No one comes to a therapist because they need a lecture. You're here because you need a partner on your personal journey to healing. Good therapy is an invitation into a dialogue, not a monologue where someone "thera-splains" yourself to you. It's my passion to help my clients with self-esteem, depression, anxiety, parenting and finding enjoyment in daily life. Working together, we can help you re-write personal narratives, identify and tackle goals, process trauma, change destructive patterns and master tools to navigate life's challenges with grace.

Are you struggling to process depression, anxiety, relationship/family issues, and trauma? These emotional ruptures can cause major disruptions in our lives. The work to process these types of life events is multifaceted, and I can help you identify your feelings and potential relational patterns, build tolerance and acceptance around challenging ones, and set meaningful goals. In order to do so, I utilize various therapeutic approaches consisting of ACT, CBT, and Problem Solving Therapy and somatic interventions.

Life is a series of peaks and valleys, and the low points can feel really overwhelming. It's in those moments that we most need support, but that's also when we're most prone to isolating and bottling up. Relationship issues, low self-esteem, anxiety, and workplace stress can all be urgent matters, yet we often hesitate admitting we need help.

Are you struggling with trauma, depression, anxiety, or other distressing emotions? How about your relationship? Do you desire release from unsuccessful patterns of behavior? Do you want to experience more peace and well-being? I effectively and compassionately help you navigate life-altering crisis and heal from traumatic experiences. With over 30 years of counseling experience, I have worked in: Suicide Prevention, Physical/Sexual Abuse, Trauma, Addiction, Anxiety, Depression, Domestic Violence, and PTSD. I have both a strong clinical and faith-based educational background and believe in taking a holistic approach to counseling.