Therapists in 94618
I am a somatic therapist and integrate Sensorimotor Psychotherapy for the treatment of trauma into my work, Hakomi method, Buddhist Psychology as well as PACT couples therapy.
We learn to survive and cope with our circumstances in the best way we know how at the time. Therapy offers an opportunity to slow down and get to know what is really going on inside and to learn to listen to your body's natural wisdom. I am interested in collaborating with you to explore where you're feeling stuck, confused or overwhelmed. I can help guide you to discover new, more effective ways of showing up for yourself and in your relationships. My own love of nature and mindfulness meditation practice informs much of my work with clients.
I am a somatic therapist and integrate Sensorimotor Psychotherapy for the treatment of trauma into my work, Hakomi method, Buddhist Psychology as well as PACT couples therapy.
We learn to survive and cope with our circumstances in the best way we know how at the time. Therapy offers an opportunity to slow down and get to know what is really going on inside and to learn to listen to your body's natural wisdom. I am interested in collaborating with you to explore where you're feeling stuck, confused or overwhelmed. I can help guide you to discover new, more effective ways of showing up for yourself and in your relationships. My own love of nature and mindfulness meditation practice informs much of my work with clients.
L Rebecca Connell
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified Verified
Oakland, CA 94618 (Online Only)
INDIVIDUALS (couples below): Energy Psychology is a group of self-calming practices involving breathing and touching one’s own face and body. Scientific studies and clinical experience are confirming that Energy Psychology can help with anxiety, relationships, and trauma. You will learn practices to calm down during a conflict, sleep better, or let go of things that bother you. These practices help you by enhancing nervous system regulation, changing the way your brain stores upsetting memories, and bringing in more happiness and focus. You'll learn practices to use at home, in moments of stress or to start your day on a good note
INDIVIDUALS (couples below): Energy Psychology is a group of self-calming practices involving breathing and touching one’s own face and body. Scientific studies and clinical experience are confirming that Energy Psychology can help with anxiety, relationships, and trauma. You will learn practices to calm down during a conflict, sleep better, or let go of things that bother you. These practices help you by enhancing nervous system regulation, changing the way your brain stores upsetting memories, and bringing in more happiness and focus. You'll learn practices to use at home, in moments of stress or to start your day on a good note
I work with Individuals and Couples developing better skills for communication, coping with stress and life transitions, and relationship building skills. I offer deeply attentive and compassionate Therapy that doesn't shy away from hard conversations and is culturally responsive. I am active in your sessions, asking thoughtful questions, observing strengths and progress, and checking in. I use an eclectic mix of Attachment Theory, Somatic Therapies, Gottman, and RLT. I help people reconnect with their inner knowing to become their best selves. I work well with Couples, LGBTQ Clients, and Teens.
I work with Individuals and Couples developing better skills for communication, coping with stress and life transitions, and relationship building skills. I offer deeply attentive and compassionate Therapy that doesn't shy away from hard conversations and is culturally responsive. I am active in your sessions, asking thoughtful questions, observing strengths and progress, and checking in. I use an eclectic mix of Attachment Theory, Somatic Therapies, Gottman, and RLT. I help people reconnect with their inner knowing to become their best selves. I work well with Couples, LGBTQ Clients, and Teens.
You may feel lost, but you are not alone. We all experience suffering as a part of the human condition, yet sometimes our symptoms of stress, despair, worry, or self-criticism stand in the way of living the life that we want. If you find yourself troubled by a particular life problem or psychological condition, or generally lacking a sense of vitality and purpose, working with a clinician can help you reconnect with yourself and your strengths. Therapy often helps us to make useful connections between our actions, our thinking, our emotional reality, and patterns in relationships that we have developed over years.
You may feel lost, but you are not alone. We all experience suffering as a part of the human condition, yet sometimes our symptoms of stress, despair, worry, or self-criticism stand in the way of living the life that we want. If you find yourself troubled by a particular life problem or psychological condition, or generally lacking a sense of vitality and purpose, working with a clinician can help you reconnect with yourself and your strengths. Therapy often helps us to make useful connections between our actions, our thinking, our emotional reality, and patterns in relationships that we have developed over years.
Are you asking, How can I find love? or, What is missing in my relationships? Are you stuck in complaining and blaming, or avoiding and withholding? Are you noticing your relationship struggles make you feel lonelier rather than more open to each other? I provide an environment of safety where you may explore how you are stuck and how your persistent conflicts spoil your potential for intimacy. Tracking the repetitive patterns of communication, and the stories which confirm your most negative beliefs, I will strengthen your awareness to the influences that affect whether you keep repeating old patterns or open to real change.
Are you asking, How can I find love? or, What is missing in my relationships? Are you stuck in complaining and blaming, or avoiding and withholding? Are you noticing your relationship struggles make you feel lonelier rather than more open to each other? I provide an environment of safety where you may explore how you are stuck and how your persistent conflicts spoil your potential for intimacy. Tracking the repetitive patterns of communication, and the stories which confirm your most negative beliefs, I will strengthen your awareness to the influences that affect whether you keep repeating old patterns or open to real change.
Good therapy begins by finding a therapist who is a good fit. I am glad you found your way to this website to find someone who feels like a good fit for you. My areas of focus are helping people who are struggling with anxiety, depression, grief and trauma. These struggles can lead us to feel stuck, scared, overwhelmed, sad, exhausted. We focus our attention on only a few strong feelings, a few loud inner voices, and a limited number of choices. We feel small, frightened, conflicted and not fully ourselves and turn away from aspects of our experience that can bring healing and relief.
Good therapy begins by finding a therapist who is a good fit. I am glad you found your way to this website to find someone who feels like a good fit for you. My areas of focus are helping people who are struggling with anxiety, depression, grief and trauma. These struggles can lead us to feel stuck, scared, overwhelmed, sad, exhausted. We focus our attention on only a few strong feelings, a few loud inner voices, and a limited number of choices. We feel small, frightened, conflicted and not fully ourselves and turn away from aspects of our experience that can bring healing and relief.
Life is full of challenges that generate varied degrees of stress, anxiety and depression, even substance abuse. Challenges may include: Personal and family relationships, finances, career, illness and loss of creative engagement with your self and the world. Psychotherapy can offer time and a special place for self discovery, reflection, revitalization, resilience, insight, empowerment and access to your creativity; creative expression and creative living. Our lives can be what we imagine and want them to be. We can develop our active imagination to envision a life of purpose, meaning and the joy we are meant to have.
Life is full of challenges that generate varied degrees of stress, anxiety and depression, even substance abuse. Challenges may include: Personal and family relationships, finances, career, illness and loss of creative engagement with your self and the world. Psychotherapy can offer time and a special place for self discovery, reflection, revitalization, resilience, insight, empowerment and access to your creativity; creative expression and creative living. Our lives can be what we imagine and want them to be. We can develop our active imagination to envision a life of purpose, meaning and the joy we are meant to have.
What would it feel like if you allowed yourself to express your authentic truth, your deepest desires and dreams? Notice your gut reaction to this question. Does it excite or scare you? Perhaps it does both, brings up judgment, or simply sounds impossible to answer right now. Whatever your response, this can be a generative entry point for exploring your relationship with yourself and your impulses, feelings, and dreams. If you tend towards perfectionism, people-pleasing, or taking care of others before yourself, this question might be particularly anxiety-provoking or difficult to answer. I get that, and I'd love to help you!
What would it feel like if you allowed yourself to express your authentic truth, your deepest desires and dreams? Notice your gut reaction to this question. Does it excite or scare you? Perhaps it does both, brings up judgment, or simply sounds impossible to answer right now. Whatever your response, this can be a generative entry point for exploring your relationship with yourself and your impulses, feelings, and dreams. If you tend towards perfectionism, people-pleasing, or taking care of others before yourself, this question might be particularly anxiety-provoking or difficult to answer. I get that, and I'd love to help you!
California Assessment and Therapy (CAT) is a therapy group practice in the Bay Area with offices in Palo Alto/Los Altos and Oakland. CAT provides psychotherapy and psychological testing services to clientele across the lifespan. We serve clients who experience anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions, self-esteem issues, family conflict, school difficulties, behavioral challenges, academic struggles, and work stressors. Our testing services consist of a team of licensed psychologists who provide developmental evaluations for autism and ADHD, neuropsychological assessment, and school accommodations based on learning disorders.
California Assessment and Therapy (CAT) is a therapy group practice in the Bay Area with offices in Palo Alto/Los Altos and Oakland. CAT provides psychotherapy and psychological testing services to clientele across the lifespan. We serve clients who experience anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions, self-esteem issues, family conflict, school difficulties, behavioral challenges, academic struggles, and work stressors. Our testing services consist of a team of licensed psychologists who provide developmental evaluations for autism and ADHD, neuropsychological assessment, and school accommodations based on learning disorders.
Kat Chan | Emdr Specialist To Unlock Your Best Self
Marriage & Family Therapist, MS, LMFT
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Oakland, CA 94618 (Online Only)
I am an EMDR therapist who helps strong, independent and sensitive people get unstuck from the same rollercoaster of emotions and patterns. On your good days, you feel positive about yourself and where you're headed in life. Other times, you are weighed down by anxiety, depression, worry, and negative thoughts about yourself or something that happened to you in the past. And this impacts your work, school, or relationships. Maybe you've even gone to therapy before in the past; while it did help, you still feel stuck in a loop of negative emotions and are just ready to move forward!
I am an EMDR therapist who helps strong, independent and sensitive people get unstuck from the same rollercoaster of emotions and patterns. On your good days, you feel positive about yourself and where you're headed in life. Other times, you are weighed down by anxiety, depression, worry, and negative thoughts about yourself or something that happened to you in the past. And this impacts your work, school, or relationships. Maybe you've even gone to therapy before in the past; while it did help, you still feel stuck in a loop of negative emotions and are just ready to move forward!
Grateful Heart Holistic Therapy Center
Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, MA, AMFT
Verified Verified
Oakland, CA 94618
If you seek greater inner peace, harmony, ease, and flow, entering into a therapeutic relationship may help by illuminating hidden resources, unlocking previously unknown insights, and highlighting a myriad of choices by befriending previously unknown aspects of yourself. If any of this resonates with you, please do reach out and see if a depth-oriented approach to therapy will benefit you at this time.
If you seek greater inner peace, harmony, ease, and flow, entering into a therapeutic relationship may help by illuminating hidden resources, unlocking previously unknown insights, and highlighting a myriad of choices by befriending previously unknown aspects of yourself. If any of this resonates with you, please do reach out and see if a depth-oriented approach to therapy will benefit you at this time.
Smadar Salzman
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified Verified
25 Endorsed
Oakland, CA 94618 (Online Only)
Do you keep getting hurt in relationships? Keep repeating the same patterns that leave you anxious & depressed? Feel alone, numb, or spiral into intense overwhelming feelings out of nowhere? Early relationships are our blueprint for relationships with self & others. They shape our perceptions & beliefs, often subconsciously. If you grew up with family conflict, mentally ill or absent parents- adult relationships can be hard! You're tired of feeling stuck in the same painful patterns. You know something needs to change, you're just not sure what or how. You're ready to stop feeling broken & finally live an empowered, connected life.
Do you keep getting hurt in relationships? Keep repeating the same patterns that leave you anxious & depressed? Feel alone, numb, or spiral into intense overwhelming feelings out of nowhere? Early relationships are our blueprint for relationships with self & others. They shape our perceptions & beliefs, often subconsciously. If you grew up with family conflict, mentally ill or absent parents- adult relationships can be hard! You're tired of feeling stuck in the same painful patterns. You know something needs to change, you're just not sure what or how. You're ready to stop feeling broken & finally live an empowered, connected life.
I am passionate about helping clients understand and rise above that unwanted presence that has likely been a steady companion for some time — anxiety. This anxious part of the brain can have quite a loud voice, triggering uncomfortable symptoms that lead you to avoid what you fear. You can then become stuck in a smaller, less vibrant life, one where you stop pursuing what matters most. Anxiety can show up in the form of worry that is difficult to control, public speaking anxiety, social anxiety, panic attacks, phobias, OCD, health anxiety, and work stress/burnout. I also treat insomnia, which can be a related problem.
I am passionate about helping clients understand and rise above that unwanted presence that has likely been a steady companion for some time — anxiety. This anxious part of the brain can have quite a loud voice, triggering uncomfortable symptoms that lead you to avoid what you fear. You can then become stuck in a smaller, less vibrant life, one where you stop pursuing what matters most. Anxiety can show up in the form of worry that is difficult to control, public speaking anxiety, social anxiety, panic attacks, phobias, OCD, health anxiety, and work stress/burnout. I also treat insomnia, which can be a related problem.
As children, and throughout our lives, many of us are taught, through our families, our peers and our culture, that parts of the truth of who we are—our feelings, thoughts, desires, expression or identity—are bad or wrong, and that we must cut off and bury those unacceptable parts of ourselves in order to be loved. We spend much of our lives living with a fractured sense of self, without ever really knowing why we suffer, feel incomplete, ashamed, and never enough, filling the holes in our hearts with poor substitutes for the acceptance, love and connection we so truly need.
As children, and throughout our lives, many of us are taught, through our families, our peers and our culture, that parts of the truth of who we are—our feelings, thoughts, desires, expression or identity—are bad or wrong, and that we must cut off and bury those unacceptable parts of ourselves in order to be loved. We spend much of our lives living with a fractured sense of self, without ever really knowing why we suffer, feel incomplete, ashamed, and never enough, filling the holes in our hearts with poor substitutes for the acceptance, love and connection we so truly need.
Alison McKleroy
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified Verified
4 Endorsed
Oakland, CA 94618 (Online Only)
Tools, tools, tools. I love teaching powerful, effective methods, especially if you struggle with anxiety spirals, stress, self-criticism and people-pleasing habits. It's possible to create more ease, joy, confidence, and peace in your life - right away. I'm a therapist of almost twenty years and watching people completely transform their lives with the right tools really lights me up. With personally tailored-methods from mindfulness-based CBT, somatic therapy, and communication tools, you can shift your sense of confidence and ease and live a life in alignment with what lights you up.
Tools, tools, tools. I love teaching powerful, effective methods, especially if you struggle with anxiety spirals, stress, self-criticism and people-pleasing habits. It's possible to create more ease, joy, confidence, and peace in your life - right away. I'm a therapist of almost twenty years and watching people completely transform their lives with the right tools really lights me up. With personally tailored-methods from mindfulness-based CBT, somatic therapy, and communication tools, you can shift your sense of confidence and ease and live a life in alignment with what lights you up.
I offer compassionate, engaged therapy for adults, children, adolescents, and couples. I'm committed to helping adults explore the roots of their persistent dissatisfaction, enhance their self-awareness, and find more freedom in their work and relationships. With children and teens, I specialize in helping them navigate anxiety, low self-esteem, the impacts of traumatic experiences, and big or overwhelming emotions. I create a nurturing relationship where young clients can build their confidence through conversation, play, and creativity.
I offer compassionate, engaged therapy for adults, children, adolescents, and couples. I'm committed to helping adults explore the roots of their persistent dissatisfaction, enhance their self-awareness, and find more freedom in their work and relationships. With children and teens, I specialize in helping them navigate anxiety, low self-esteem, the impacts of traumatic experiences, and big or overwhelming emotions. I create a nurturing relationship where young clients can build their confidence through conversation, play, and creativity.
Gustav Helzberg Human Being Therapist
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Oakland, CA 94618
Some of us are plagued by a sense that something is inherently wrong with us, with life. Some of us feel something is somehow 'off'; we are struggling and aren't exactly sure why. Our pain and problems are alchemized when we uncover compassion for our ailing parts. I understand this because I continue to experience its truth. In our sessions, I help create the safe, supportive feel necessary for exploring the darker, more challenging aspects within. This is done by providing a kind, gentle, interactive listening space- an atmosphere where you can feel heard, understood, & accepted as you are. This allows the magic to work.
Some of us are plagued by a sense that something is inherently wrong with us, with life. Some of us feel something is somehow 'off'; we are struggling and aren't exactly sure why. Our pain and problems are alchemized when we uncover compassion for our ailing parts. I understand this because I continue to experience its truth. In our sessions, I help create the safe, supportive feel necessary for exploring the darker, more challenging aspects within. This is done by providing a kind, gentle, interactive listening space- an atmosphere where you can feel heard, understood, & accepted as you are. This allows the magic to work.
I am not your run of the mill therapist. Oh sure, I listen well and am very compassionate and calm. But I just don't sit there and ask you how you feel. I do care about your feelings but I am more curious about your experience and how we can increase your awareness so that you can make helpful and inspired choices. As you can imagine I help people deal with any issue you can possibly think of- from depression to life transitions to the loss of a loved one or trauma.
I am not your run of the mill therapist. Oh sure, I listen well and am very compassionate and calm. But I just don't sit there and ask you how you feel. I do care about your feelings but I am more curious about your experience and how we can increase your awareness so that you can make helpful and inspired choices. As you can imagine I help people deal with any issue you can possibly think of- from depression to life transitions to the loss of a loved one or trauma.
Though I work with most issues, I specialize in helping people recover from complex trauma. People with narcissistic, abusive, or neglectful parents or partners sometimes develop issues with trusting themselves, have difficulty maintaining close relationships, struggle with an inner critic, vacillate often between depression and anxiety, lack a solid sense of identity, or feel a sense of emptiness when their lives seem great on paper. Sometimes that trauma can even become part of one's identity - I work with clients to build insight, boundaries, self-compassion, and acceptance to free themselves from it & live more fulfilling lives.
Though I work with most issues, I specialize in helping people recover from complex trauma. People with narcissistic, abusive, or neglectful parents or partners sometimes develop issues with trusting themselves, have difficulty maintaining close relationships, struggle with an inner critic, vacillate often between depression and anxiety, lack a solid sense of identity, or feel a sense of emptiness when their lives seem great on paper. Sometimes that trauma can even become part of one's identity - I work with clients to build insight, boundaries, self-compassion, and acceptance to free themselves from it & live more fulfilling lives.
I provide compassionate and collaborative psychotherapy with a focus on adults. I enjoy working with individuals and couples. I am trained in a range of treatment modalities and flexible in the approach I take with clients. Some treatment approaches I draw from are; Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and A Psychobiological Approach to Couple Therapy (PACT). I work through a feminist and social justice lens and approach therapy with curiosity and a healthy dose of humor. My goal in providing psychotherapy is to facilitate you in living a meaningful life in alignment with your values.
I provide compassionate and collaborative psychotherapy with a focus on adults. I enjoy working with individuals and couples. I am trained in a range of treatment modalities and flexible in the approach I take with clients. Some treatment approaches I draw from are; Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and A Psychobiological Approach to Couple Therapy (PACT). I work through a feminist and social justice lens and approach therapy with curiosity and a healthy dose of humor. My goal in providing psychotherapy is to facilitate you in living a meaningful life in alignment with your values.
See more therapy options for 94618
Buddhist Therapists
Is buddhism beneficial for mental health?
While Buddhism itself is not a treatment for mental health conditions, its practices can greatly enhance mental well-being by introducing coping skills and ideas that promote overall wellness. Key Buddhist practices, such as mindfulness, have been shown to alleviate symptoms of various mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, addiction, and trauma. Moreover, Buddhism's focus on self-compassion, non-judgment, and acceptance can benefit individuals with particularly negative or self-critical thought patterns.
What are the concepts and principles of buddhism as a therapeutic approach?
Core Buddhist principles are often used in therapy to help clients gain insight into their thoughts and emotions. Concepts such as suffering (dukkha) and impermanence (anicca) are applied to help clients recognize that common forms of suffering, like repetitive negative thought patterns, can be accepted and viewed as impermanent. The Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path are additional core concepts utilized frequently in Buddhist therapy sessions. The Four Noble Truths highlight the existence of suffering as an inherent part of the human experience—an insight frequently used to move clients toward greater acceptance. The Eightfold Path, which includes right understanding, right thought, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right concentration, and right mindfulness, offers practical skills to alleviate suffering.
What is the buddhist approach and practice during a therapy session?
Therapists informed by Buddhist principles often integrate mindfulness and meditation practices into therapy sessions to help clients cultivate greater acceptance, compassion, and non-judgment toward themselves and others. Typically, Buddhist therapists guide clients through mindfulness exercises, such as breathing exercises or body scans, and encourage them to practice similar exercises outside of sessions. Additionally, many Buddhist therapists utilize elements of Positive Psychology or Compassion-Focused Therapy, which can help reduce symptoms of self-criticism and shame common among clients with various mental health conditions. In general, Buddhist therapists strive to embody the compassion and non-judgmental approach they promote, often incorporating exercises aimed at developing compassion in session, such as loving-kindness meditation (Metta).
Is mindfulness the same as buddhism in the context of therapy?
While Buddhist therapists frequently integrate mindfulness practices into therapy sessions, the terms mindfulness and Buddhism are not synonymous in the context of therapy. Therapists may use mindfulness techniques, such as Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) or Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), without identifying as a Buddhist therapist. In contrast, those practicing within a Buddhist belief framework typically encourage mindfulness therapies, in addition to foundational Buddhist beliefs, such as the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path. These therapists may also guide clients toward a deeper understanding of Buddhist philosophy, unlike those who use Buddhist mindfulness principles without the broader spiritual context.