Therapists in 94115

I imagine you’ve been hard on yourself lately. Thoughts like, “you’re not good enough” or “you should be over this by now,” play on repeat, unchecked. My approach is one focused on self-compassion, the art of reworking internal monologues to respond to yourself in a gentler, more understanding manner. You may not feel ready or deserving of treating yourself more kindly, but I would be honored to hold that warm space for you until you are.

Ruby (she/her/hers) is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW 101630) who brings a decade of experience supporting youth, young adults, caregivers, families, and individuals navigate loss and attachment ruptures, anxiety, depression, ADHD, trauma, family conflict, life stressors, and the life cycle. Ruby approaches her sessions with warmth, humility, and a strengths-based lens, valuing collaboration, authenticity, and creativity.

Therapy improves relationships. The individuals I work with are often tired of repeating the same patterns again and again, whether it's dating abuse, codependency, or chronic relationship conflict, anxiety, avoidance or indecision. They're ready to get to the root causes and finally make real change. Of course, all relationships start with and reflect your relationship to yourself. If you're dealing with a harsh inner critic, imposter syndrome or low self-worth, this internal relationship deserves your careful attention first.

It may be hard to believe, but our most troubling habits and patterns began as strategies that once helped us deal with challenging or even dangerous circumstances. The difficulties that feel burdensome to you now—rumination, self-defeating behaviors, problematic relationship dynamics, stubborn emotional cycles—actually helped you survive in the past. And because they helped you survive, it takes more than just understanding and willpower to unravel them—it takes deeper work that engages both the body and mind. I weave together multiple therapeutic modalities into an approach tailored to your needs, goals, and whole self.

Do you feel trapped by your anxious rumination, obsessive-compulsive patterns, and people-pleasing behaviors? Have you seen therapists in the past who you feel like listened and validated you but didn't help you figure out what to actually do about your anxiety? Maybe you feel like your previous trauma makes it hard for you to feel like you can connect with loved ones in relationship now? I help highly motivated clients like you learn how to manage your anxiety and get your needs met in your relationships. There is hope for you to live a life that feels worth living.

Are you struggling? Feeling overwhelmed? Stuck? Have you noticed patterns in your life you want to change? Feeling defeated by obstacles to your goals? Are you worried about how you are feeling inside? Is something in your life affecting your ability to be happy or successful or in a relationship? Are you facing an issue you don't know how to resolve? Has someone you care about suggested you talk to a professional? You are not alone. Speaking to an experienced therapist can help you find the path from where you are to where you want to be.

I am accepting clients for therapy, coaching, and testing. E-mail is the best way to reach me for a consultation. As a clinical psychologist, I offer therapy and coaching for personal/professional growth. I work with clients to enhance coping with stress, bolster resiliency, and overcome obstacles to living more fully. I also specialize in psychological/personality and intellectual/academic testing and assessment. I have worked with clients of all ages from numerous intersecting ethnic, racial, cultural, and religious backgrounds, as well as a wide range of sexual and gender orientations and various abilities/disabilities.

I'm a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a therapeutic focus on gender and sexuality, early trauma, and family and relationship dynamics. My approach is empathic, warm, and thoughtful. My clients often wish to understand their identities more deeply; seek support staying true to themselves in their relationships and community; and pursue healing and meaning-making following trauma. Through our work, you can develop new insights and coping skills to manage overwhelm, anxiety, depression, or life transitions. I'm particularly dedicated to working with queer, transgender, non-binary, and kink communities.

Are you at a crossroads in your life or relationship(s)? I work with dynamic individuals, couples, and family pairs who feel lost and want to find their way back to clarity & connection. I'm an East-West combo, bringing a mix of soulful mindfulness practice + practicality + creative exploration to the therapy space. I support big thinkers and feelers, including creatives, artists, scientists, healers, dreamers, sensitive people, queer, and/or neurodivergent folks & anyone who doesn't fit the standard narrative to heal (& grow) from the trauma and drama of this world, and to create a life worth living and loving.

Therapy provides such a rich opportunity for growth and learning, helping persons to recover from the aftermaths of trauma, abuse and loss, meet the hardships of their lives and thrive. In times like this, with so much anxiety about our collective welfare, it can be an invaluable lifeline. In response to the Coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, we are now offering teletherapy (therapy by phone and online by video) for all our clients, whether new or established. Also called telehealth or telebehavioral health, teletherapy can provide vital care and support to individuals, couples and families.

Feelings and thoughts, at times, may be difficult to manage. Anxiety, depression, painful entanglements, behavioral issues, and the lingering effects of damaging experiences can exhaust us. They may also interfere with relationships and affect behaviors. Finding meaning in difficult emotions and life events can be very helpful. My hope is to provide understanding and insight that creates a safe relationship and develops a sensible model for people to discover potentially destructive patterns, what really matters to them, and how one can live a more creative, flexible, and full life.

I am a licensed psychotherapist with over 30 years of experience in Psychotherapy, Relationship/Marriage Counseling and Organizational Development and Transformation. Before becoming a licensed psychotherapist, I was a wooden boatbuilder, USCG Licensed Captain, businessman and educator. I still am. Over the years, a diverse spectrum of individuals, couples and groups have arrived in my practice with an equally diverse spectrum of challenges …some common …some not so common. We have worked on them together, usually with satisfying success for all concerned.

Welcome to a space where healing is rooted in empathy, understanding, and genuine connection. As a firm believer in the power of human connection, I approach therapy with the understanding that we are all fundamentally human first. Whether you're traversing the challenges of youth, navigating the complexities of adulthood, or somewhere in between, my goal is to meet you where you are with empathy and compassion. Together, we'll create a safe and supportive environment where you can explore your thoughts, emotions, and life experiences with authenticity and trust.

How you feel towards yourself can profoundly impact your relationships, work, school, and more. And a lot can make it hard to feel your best. You might be: Exhausted by a relentless self-critical voice...Considering your next steps to feel authentically aligned with your gender and sexuality...Struggling with boundaries and people-pleasing... Stressed and stuck in your closest relationships...Curious about non-monogamy but unsure where to start...Looking for nonjudgmental guidance navigating dynamics within polyamory and kink — not to mention managing all of this under capitalism. No wonder you'd like support!

It’s girl dinner again tonight. Glass of AIX in hand, you can finally start to feel your shoulders relax. Luke’s makes it so easy: Humboldt fog + rustic bakery crackers + Castelvetrano olives. You deserve it after all: first comforting your boss who was triggered after annual review and then your sister when she called you sobbing because her ex just reactivated his tinder profile–you know exactly how to support everyone else. So, it doesn’t make sense that you were on the verge of a panic attack (again) today, but look at how well you’re handling it.

Emotions can sometimes be difficult to bear-sadness, worries about yourself and others, fears, painful recurrent interactions and relationships. Working with an understanding professional to explore feelings and expectations about yourself and your relationships can be the key to clarifying troubling emotional states. These feelings can cause recurrent painful states, or push us toward repetitive or self-destructive behaviors. Exploring these feelings in a safe relationship can cause feelings about yourself and others to shift, opening to new ways of thinking and behaving. This allows for greater flexibility, enhanced creativity, a better relationship with yourself, and better connections and relationships.

I welcome individuals willing to engage in an active, reflective treatment and try new ways of thinking and relating, both within and outside of therapy. I enjoy working with individuals in professions such as law, medicine, and engineering who seek to better manage the pressures that come with responsibility, and with artists, musicians, and writers, for whom creative expression is an integral part of emotional health. My other specialties include coping with medical illness and navigating caregiving challenges. My practice is open to adults of all ages, cultural backgrounds, gender identities, and sexual orientations.

I work with individuals, children, and couples who are facing ongoing or sudden challenges in their lives. My adult clients might be feeling disconnected from themselves and others, uncertain about their life path, or just ready for a change. By implementing body-oriented and cognitive-behavioral practices, I will support you in healing old wounds, breaking free from unhelpful patterns, and creating the life that you want.

If you've stumbled upon my page, you're likely seeking emotional support and helpful skills to navigate life's challenges. Perhaps you've been feeling stuck, anxious, overwhelmed, or disconnected to your work, relationships, or even yourself. This can be very painful to navigate alone. In therapy with me, you can work through negative thinking patterns or habits, common stressors, and allow room for acceptance of things you cannot control. In therapy, you can gain new skills as we talk through your lived experience. Your story is unique, so we will work together to navigate treatment goals that can improve your quality of life.