Psychodynamic Therapists in Alameda, CA

As a therapist, I am concerned with the emotional or physical injuries that have happened to us. I’m interested in harm that is family based, societally based, or both. I see the thoughts, feelings and behaviors that don't serve us well now as having been required in our past for survival in a traumatic environment. Many of my clients are neurodivergent, and have been subject to harm ranging from ongoing lack of support to severe abuse because of this.

Welcome. I work with children, adolescents, and adults coping with relational, anxiety, traumatic, and mood disorders. In my practice, therapy often entails exploring the impact of early attachment experiences on our views of self and our ability to form close, meaningful relationships throughout life. In our work together, you will be treated with warmth, empathy, and openness. The most important part of our work is the development of a trusting relationship. This relationship creates a thoughtful, safe space to explore your strengths, challenges, and goals. My approach to clinical work is largely relational and psychodynamic .

Thank you for visiting my page. Making the decision to embark on the path of healing can be challenging, and I applaud you for taking the first step. I work with young adults seeking to address issues related to relationships, coaching, and personal growth. I offer a safe & supportive environment for exploring these complex issues, and my goal is to help my clients develop the skills they need to navigate life's challenges with confidence and resilience. Whether you are struggling with anxiety, depression, or relationship issues, I am here to help you find the tools you need to live a more fulfilling life. I invite you to reach out

Hi there, I'm Alexis, a licensed marriage and family therapist with over 20 years of experience. I help individuals with anxiety, depression, behavioral issues, self esteem, relationship issues, adolescent/teen issues, and more. In my practice, I use motivational interviewing, a goal-directed technique that allows my client to explore and discover the possibility of changes within one’s self. I use a combination of Cognitive-Behavioral, Solution-Focused, Narrative, Family systems, Existential, Psychodynamic , Acceptance, and Commitment therapy. By focusing on the positives, my clients can start to see the progress they are making.

We are now in a communal health crisis together. It exacerbates feelings of anxiety and depression that we may have, and can make us spin as we try to adjust to Pandemic reality. Many of my clients are parents, people with career questions, immigrants, social justice workers. Many are either coping with a current situational issue that is confusing, overwhelming, or painful, or with a longer term pattern that they would like to change. I work in an engaged manner, hoping to build trust and a collaborative relationship that will allow you to look at old patterns and create new emotional and behavioral options, especially now.

My approach in therapy is to create a warm, non-judgmental, interactive atmosphere in which we can bring the wisdom of your highest and best self to your current difficulties and dilemmas. I am attuned to the effect of unconscious patterns that begin in childhood and yet try to work in the present, trusting that the past -- to the extent it is important -- will show up in the present. My belief is that human beings naturally tend toward wholeness. I use education and mindfulness and cognitive-behavioral techniques to enable you to participate fully in your own healing and growth.

Experiencing anxiety, depression, and trauma can be hard to navigate on one’s own. Through the use of integrative modalities, my goal is to help you find your way so that you can manage symptoms, feel your best, discover who you truly are, and move forward in the direction of your dreams whereby your past no longer holds you back. Using warmth and compassion, I also aim to provide trauma-informed care to discuss your struggles without judgment and safely process unresolved trauma and feelings.

Jamie Bennett is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in the state of California with over 8 years of counseling experience. She specializes in treating children, teens, and adults who are suffering from anxiety disorders, depression, life transitions, mood, and personality disorders. She has honed a comprehensive therapeutic style to best support patients’ sustainable life changes. Jamie currently works in an individual capacity with adolescents and adults, identifying their most pervasive symptoms with the intention of liberating them from their emotional confines.

Do you find yourself having a difficult time coping with anxiety, depression, and trauma? Do you have a hard time communicating and setting boundaries with others? Life is full of obstacles and hardships that may be difficult to overcome without the right tools, resources, and, guidance leading to the manifestation of these symptoms. I specialize in working with adults, couples, and adolescents using a Psychodynamic approach to explore unconscious thoughts and behaviors. In doing this, we are able to collaboratively recognize old ineffective patterns and process unresolved feelings and trauma.

Navigating life's challenges is never easy, but reaching out for help is a brave first step to living a more genuine and fulfilling life. I have expertise in working with individuals struggling with childhood trauma and trauma-related symptoms such as grief, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and relational conflict. I believe every client is unique and deserves to be listened to and understood in an empathetic way. I am passionate about creating a safe, kind, collaborative and judgment-free space where clients can attain new insights, experience new feelings, and find a renewed sense of physical and mental well-being.

I completed my Masters of Social Work at Smith College School for Social Work. I received my post-masters training at Kaiser Permanente Oakland Adult Psychiatry, where I practiced individual adult and group psychotherapy for six years before transitioning into private practice. Working at Kaiser afforded me experience with a wide range of client concerns and gave me the opportunity to work with clients from a wide range of socioeconomic, cultural, and relationship backgrounds. Before pursuing my MSW, I practiced as a corporate transactional attorney at two Bay Area law firms after completing my JD at Harvard Law School.

I think Leo McGarry says it best in an episode of The West Wing - A doctor passes by & the guy shouts up, "Hey you! Can you help me out?" The doctor writes a prescription, throws it down in the hole, & moves on. Then a priest comes along & the guy shouts up, "Father, I'm down in this hole; can you help me out?" The priest writes out a prayer, throws it down in the hole, & moves on. Then a friend walks by. "Hey, Joe, it's me. Can ya help me out?" The friend jumps in the hole. Our guy says, "Are ya stupid? Now we're both down here." The friend says, "Yeah, but I've been down here before & I know the way out."

Hi there, I primarily work in substance use recovery (abstinence and harm reduction) and trauma recovery. I also have specialized training in treating anxiety, depression, and sleep issues/insomnia. My treatment orientation is based in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy concepts, however the foundation of my early training was Psychodynamic .

I work with folks in the intersection of being neurodivergent, BIPOC, and queer to navigate the oppressive structures that prevent us from expressing ourselves authentically. Together we can process intergenerational trauma to truly meet your needs. My areas of focus include conscious parenting, eating disorders, and postpartum/perinatal mental health. In our therapeutic relationship, genuine, empathetic care and connection come first. I understand that healing is not only individual, but also systemic.