Therapists in Oakland, CA

I am passionate about providing trauma-informed and dynamic treatment to folx who may feel unwelcome in their communities due to both internal and external perceptions of their identity. My passion is working with queer folx of color to foster a healing and reparative experience to discover and be empowered in your authentic self. Whether you're looking for a space of your own, for you and your partner(s) or chosen family, our work together can allow for deeper understanding, openness and communication.

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.

I work from a trauma-informed, relational, and client-centered lens. I integrate psychodynamic and attachment based theoretical approaches. I believe the relationship we build as client and therapist, as well as exploring your relationships outside of therapy, are important avenues for growth. You are the expert on your own life; I am here to listen to you and work collaboratively to empower your inherent strength and resilience. I use warmth, compassion, and humor to cultivate an affirming, non-judgemental, and trusting connection with my clients.

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.

My work with every is client rooted in their natural strengths and tailored to their needs and experiences. You are the expert of your experience. I hold space to make meaning out of your thoughts, feeling and experiences. I believe that everyone possesses the tools to empower you in the next step of your healing journey. I simply help you to access those tools.

Has something in your life become too much to bear? If you’re feeling lonely, alienated, confused about your relationships, hurt, angry, or feeling unheard; if you’re finding the stress of parenting overwhelming, or feeling defeated by cycles of conflict, I'd like to help you. I work with individuals, couples and families wounded by their family systems, who have experienced trauma or abuse, have struggled with a narcissistic parent or partner, or have been negatively impacted by relationships with their in-laws. I passionately believe that with the right help, you can move from suffering and uncertainty to clarity and empowerment.

I work with individuals to strengthen their sense of choice and meaning in their lives. I believe we can emerge more whole when we get curious about the parts of us that seem inglorious. I do not believe in oversimplifying the human condition into "good" or "bad" because there is more truth in the spectrum. I want therapy to be accessible, helpful and grounded in the reality that we live our day-to-day lives outside the therapy office. Good therapy extends beyond one hour a week; good therapy informs how we relate to, engage with and move through the real world.

I specialize in marital and premarital couple therapy, ADHD and anxiety. If anxiety, focusing or planning things are affecting your relationship, I can help. As you struggle, you know something needs to change. You're tired of avoiding or obsessing about dealing with these issues. You notice it's affecting your mental health and want to find new ways to manage it. You know your mood and stress levels affect your mental health and all parts of life. With ADHD, supports are so key for balance. You've struggled long enough and ready to make changes to feel better about them. If this is you, I can help and welcome you to reach out.

East Bay Intimacy & Sex Therapy Center was created with the goal of making the practice of sex & intimacy therapy more relationship-focused & accessible, without the stigma & confusion that often accompanies misperceptions about couples & sex therapy. We offer attachment-based sex therapy & couples counseling. We believe that healthy relationships are at the core of how change & healing occur. Having a healthy sexual relationship to one's self or partner(s) is vital to overall wellbeing. We strive to support & promote lifelong change that will allow you to form sustainable, loving & equitable relationships, & an overall sense of health wellbeing.

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.

There are many reasons that people seek out the support of a therapist. Maybe you feel overwhelmed, alone, anxious, or disconnected from life, those around you, and yourself. You may be struggling with a particular issue, or find yourself in a chapter of life that has you longing for more. Perhaps you're at a point where life feels ok, and yet, there’s a sense that more connection, growth, expression and fulfillment may be possible for you. Whatever it is that has brought you here, welcome. I'm so glad you're here.

“There’s nothing more healing than choosing to love.” You want connection and closeness yet you struggle to find it. You feel frustrated that your relationships aren’t fulfilling or aren't right for you. You're reflective and thoughtful, and yet you're having difficulty showing up how you want to in your life, partnership, or family. Perhaps you're struggling with isolation, anxiety, depression, or overwhelm. These are real challenges. Together we can co-create a gentle yet courageous space to explore who you are, what you need, and how to try new things that move you toward what you value most in life and in your relationships.

Are you feeling anxious or down? Are you unsure about the future of a relationship, or wondering why you find yourself repeating the same patterns and behaviors? Therapy is a collaborative process of self-discovery and personal growth. I focus on helping my clients through the development of greater self-understanding, self-awareness and self-acceptance. I want to support you to make the changes you desire, and to live your life to the fullest. I treat a wide range of clinical issues and invite clients of diverse identities and backgrounds into my therapy practice.

Holistically oriented, I believe we each have wisdom inside waiting to be tapped into, utilized and developed. I provide a supportive and nurturing space where you can discover your capacity to feel alive and whole. I help people develop and enhance their relational skills. I bring a sensitivity and knowledge to the effects of inter generational trauma, societal and cultural realities that may impact one's sense of self and connection to others. I help with self-esteem, co-dependency, surviving/thriving, sexuality, relationships & developing one's intuition. I help and support individuals and couples/relationships.

My passion and dedication to this work lies in that asking for help is not a sign of weakness. Everyone at some point in their life has had some frictions or challenges and need support to get through those times. I work experientially and relationally. Welcoming clients to tell their stories, histories, and important aspects of life.

My work as a therapist is grounded in trauma-informed, feminist, and attachment based principles that highlight the importance of safe and trusting relationships. I am here to provide attuned feedback and guidance as you navigate sex and love, anxiety, grief and loss, the ongoing effects of childhood trauma, unlearning codependency and strengthening or softening boundaries. My goal is to help you develop tools for self-awareness, resiliency and intimacy building, and conflict resolution. I believe deeply in the power of healing work, and the great courage it takes to turn inward, to turn toward pain, and to face and love ourselves.

I am a licensed clinical psychologist with many years of experience working with children, adolescents, and their families, as well as adults. My interventions are heavily rooted in behavioral therapy and evidence-based practices including feminist and attachment theories. However, I tend to conceptualize clinical presentations from a multicultural and social justice perspective. While I employ empirically validated treatments to ignite change, I am also of the belief that there is no single story to any individual. Consequently, it is important to understand the social, cultural, political, and spiritual context of each individual.

I use a warm, down-to-earth approach in my work with children, teens, adults and couples. I collaborate with clients to develop a whole view of challenges and strengths, which is informed by my wide breadth of clinical experience across the lifespan. I have expertise in working with infants and parents, developmental disabilities, trauma, and both anticipated and unexpected crises across all ages. I integrate these perspectives so that I can attune to your needs and provide responsive support. My hope is to help you water the seeds of your inner strengths, push through stuck situations, and live with more connectedness and vitality.

Therapy is the process of coming to a deeper understanding of ourselves and how we approach the world while contained in the therapeutic relationship. I aim to create a safe, compassionate, and collaborative space to explore why patterns of thinking and interacting have become painful. In my experience, this process leads to improved relationships and communication, greater confidence and enjoyment in life, relief from feeling stuck, strengthened coping skills to manage life stressors, and progress towards one's inherent potential to thrive.