Spirituality Therapists in Alameda, CA

I look forward to addressing your individual needs. I specialize in treating adolescent issues of all types with a specific focus on depression and mood disorders. I also offer services for people suffering from addiction, in all its forms. I work with adolescence, adults and couples, and of course with the entire family when indicated. I am considered a technical eclectic, which means I use whatever theoretical approach I feel will work best for your situation. We will also draw from film, literature, culture and spirituality in our sessions so that we can make use of your unique personal interests.

I will interrupt you a lot, that is what meditation does. It interrupts our stories about ourselves and the world around us. I will also listen to you, deeply. That is another way meditation helps, we learn to listen to ourselves deeply. The word akrasia means 'out of control' and is used to describe the way we continue to do things that we know is not in our best interest, or don't do things that we know are in our best interest. Most people feel relief just to know there is word for it. The cause of akrasia is said to be a lack of information and meditation gives us access to the information we need to change.

My clients are often sensitive, intelligent, and creative people who face life transitions, self-doubt, anxiety, depression, and the challenges of liberating passion and creating meaning in life. Many struggle with the legacy of significant trauma. Through acceptance, loving encouragement, and providing a container for self-exploration, I help clients to find a more encompassing love for self and other, develop strength and firmness of character, and tap into the well of their vitality, creativity, and joy.

I take a holistic, somatic and transpersonal/spiritual approach to therapy, looking deeply into the interplay between mind, body and spirit and working at the root level of our physical experience: the nervous system. I work collaboratively with clients to explore socio-cultural considerations, how we fit or don't fit in that context and our opportunities for growth. We'll sort through to find and examine unconscious patterns and get creative to generate alternatives that put you more in line with your goals and life purpose. If you don't know what those are, we'll figure that out too.

You may be struggling with depression or anxiety, grief or loss, or a difficult relationship. Maybe your stress level has increased recently and you find yourself struggling to cope. These types of situations sometimes leave people feeling “stuck” and unsure of how to move forward and regain their quality of life. Psychotherapy is a powerful, evidence-based mental health treatment that helps many people move past the stuckness and find new ways of managing life’s challenges.

As a neuropsychologist, my primary focus is helping people recover as fully as possible from brain injuries such as strokes, traumatic brain injuries, brain cancer, and other neurological disorders. Treatment may include comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation; recommendations for specialized cognitive therapies such as speech therapy, occupational therapy or physical therapy; psychotherapies to address trauma, anxiety, grief and loss, coping skills, identity, and relationships; and education to help people and their families cope with the impact the brain injury has had on the family, advocate for needed treatments, and participate effectively in the rehabilitation process.

When we can give our feelings the attention they ask for, they tend to guide us in useful directions. I offer therapy as a reliable space where you can slow down, really meet your inner world and learn to relate to what you discover there. Just as our feelings have meaning, our symptoms tell a story. They can become afflictions when we don’t understand what kind of acceptance, or change, they’re asking of us. I’ve found it’s through nurturing our inner life that we have a chance to recover and revive what feels dead, lost, or unworthy, to find things of great value in ourselves and others, and even meet something that transcends us.

I am a licensed clinician with over 15 years experience and an extensive background in trauma, childhood abuse, substance abuse and co-occurring disorders along with codependency and relational/attachment issues. Together we will work to develop healthy coping skills and healing that allow you to navigate life's challenges. In this healing space, we can address your anxiety, depression, fears, anger, grief and underlying trauma in a safe, caring and non-judgmental environment, meeting you where you are in your journey. Let's work together to find a solution that works best for you.

I work with individuals, couples and adolescents and their families on a wide array of issues including life transitions, improving relationships, depression, anxiety, grief and loss, forgiveness, women's issues and couples struggling with infertility. Therapy can be both a rewarding and rejuvinating process. My style is one of partnering with compassion and respect. Together we can improve your relationships, well being and hopefullness. By compassionately looking at your life we can uncover patterns that are inhibiting the attainment of your life goals.

I provide a safe space to explore patterns that are not working for you, identify spots of stuckness in your life and find solutions. I help people resolve ambivalence about change to help them embrace the life they were given. I use the evidence-based practice Motivational Interviewing (ambivalence counseling) as a clinical foundation in my work.

Every individual has a unique life story that leads them to seek help. Each stage of life provides challenges that are opportunities for growth. I work with clients experiencing anxiety, depression, relationship issues, grief and loss, and a variety of stress related medical conditions. I also have a special interest in working with men struggling with intimacy in their relationships and maintaining work-life balance. In over 20 years of experience as a therapist, I have learned that listening with empathy and developing trust with my clients are the most essential elements for healing and emotional growth.

Have you been feeling lost, isolated, terribly anxious, and overwhelmed? Have you been concerned about your relationships? Or perhaps it is your child struggling with anxiety, sleep, school and peer difficulties. I specialize in supporting people in transition and navigating challenges, from children or teens struggling with changes at home or school, to adults dealing with internal blocks and recognizing their need to heal to create positive change in their lives. I help my clients express themselves in more authenticate and creative ways to improve their sense of connection with themselves, their loved ones, and their world.

Anxiety sucks. It can keep us stuck in an exhausting inner battle of fear and panic. Perhaps you have had a panic attack and worry about having another one. Or maybe you find yourself frequently worrying about your relationship with your partner. Obsessive thoughts might be keeping you up at night and disrupting your ability to focus at work. And you might feel shame or embarrassment that you can't get your anxiety under control. You might be trying to cope with your anxiety by staying busy, distracting yourself with technology, or turning to drugs or drinking. The good news is, it does not have to be this way.

Each of us has complicated ways of protecting ourselves from being vulnerable, and those self-protective tendencies are often outside of our awareness. I help you to remain kind and open-hearted toward yourself and your loved ones, even in the face of painful emotions. Becoming aware of your habits of disconnection and choosing to do things another way is an unfolding process. I am here to walk with you on that journey with compassion, presence, and perspective either individually, as a couple, or as a family system.

Many have called this an unprecedented time -- isolated in our homes, concerned about the well-being of our loved ones and facing changes and circumstances we may have never imagined. If you are feeling disoriented, unsteady or fatigued, you are not alone. As we grapple with the ongoing affects of the pandemic, it is a time of both personal and collective upheaval, a time that may challenge our endurance, but also deepen our humanity and resilience. As your therapist, I will be a compassionate, respectful and trust-worthy guide, to help you navigate your experience, whatever struggles you are facing.

Emotional distress can lead to feelings of anxiety, depression, hopelessness and isolation. Stress resulting from uncertainty can greatly impact our ability to engage in relationships, to make healthy choices and our self esteem. Learning to cope adaptively can make life more manageable, especially during stressful life events.