Therapists in Berkeley, CA

Are you struggling with anxiety and trauma and turning towards unhealthy coping mechanisms in an attempt to manage your emotions? Now is a trying time for almost everyone, and if you have a trauma background what's coming up in the current environment may be reminiscent of the stress, isolation, and fear induced by early childhood experiences. You don't have to handle this alone, and with clinically tested techniques to regulate the mind and body, it's possible to shift from a place of disempowerment to strength.

My approach to psychotherapy is based primarily on cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) principles of exploring and understanding the connection between our thoughts, emotions, and behavior. I seek to create a safe, warm and nonjudgmental environment in therapy, while helping you to identify key patterns and specific barriers that are stopping you from living a more fulfilling life. The purpose of therapy is to help you to find new ways of relating to your thoughts and emotions, deepen awareness and insight into your patterns, and learn effective coping skills -- ultimately to help you attain your goals and foster balanced living.

I welcome adolescents and adults to my therapy practice and interns/ASWs/PPSC for clinical supervision. A trusting relationship is the base of the therapeutic process and it is important to me to create a supportive and collaborative environment. Together, we can explore your goals and your self-discovery. As a social worker, I approach my practice through a holistic and strength based lens with a focus on the impact of your relationships and personal experiences on your life. I look forward to supporting you on your journey!

I have been working in the field for many years with a focus on work with children, adults and families. I am deeply invested in working with the family system and supporting ways to improve relationships. My most recent focus has been around parenting, work with teens, and navigating ways to manage conflict, improve relationships and increase positive coping skills. I have experience supporting clients with depression, anxiety, attachment issues, anger management, mood fluctuations, trauma/PTSD, identity issues, and stress management.

I can make a difference in your child's success in special education, IEPs, learning differences, navigating for parents whose children may need extra help in school, or having a negative effect on a young child who has lost their self-esteem and has a failure mentality and turns it into a child believing and feeling like they can succeed and has pride with knowing they can achieve success. Academic help is every child's right through a federal law that is already in place. Many parents do not know how to access these programs. These techniques or resources are tailored specifically for your child.

Are you or your teenage daughter feeling lost and uncertain about the future? Maybe you're navigating a new phase of life as your children leave home, unsure of your purpose or value. Or perhaps your child/adolescent is struggling with motivation and self-esteem issues. You want a future where you both feel empowered and connected. I specialize in therapy for teen girls, women, college students, and young professionals who are seeking hope for a brighter tomorrow. Together, we'll explore your strengths, values, and potential, uncovering the resilience already within you. Let's work towards a future where you feel calm, confident,

As LGBTQ minorities, we often find ourselves wondering "where is my community?" and "why can't I just be myself?" It seems like we've tried everything but we don't feel like we belong or we are in a safe place to live & work. We often wonder... when is this going to get better? When can I just live my life fully how I am? Sometimes we feel sad and it can be a very lonely place. We can even forget just how special and unique we are because we are so different and surrounded by those who just "don't get it." We really want someone who can connect to us and make our experiences feel validated, reminding us that we are beautiful.

Do you feel stuck or misunderstood and often have strong reactions towards others and can't seem to figure out if it's you or others? Often times our cultural identity and values intertwine into our current relationships creating tensions, stress and challenges. Our differences in communication styles, thinking patterns and ways of expressing our feelings maybe the reasons we are experiencing stress in our lives and our relationships. Psychotherapy can provide the opportunity for us to explore the distress and difficulties in your relationships in a safe space and deepen your self reflection of unconscious behaviors and patterns.

Meaningful relationships are an essential part of fulfillment and happiness. I believe in the unique power of the relationship that develops between therapist and client. Through an exploration of this interaction, we can more wholly understand your past and current relationships and help shape future experiences. I work with people who are struggling in a variety of ways and are ready to dig in and do some difficult and deeply powerful work that will lead to greater choice and freedom. I view my opportunity to join individuals in their journey toward self-understanding as a great privilege and find the work exciting and gratifying.

Building relationships is a strength of mine and I love using that as a vehicle for healing and personal growth. I work with adolescents, young adults, families and couples in exploring past trauma, anxiety, depression, eating disorders and relational issues. I value open communication and a willingness to be vulnerable as the keys to growth and change!

Do you struggle with upsetting memories that creep in day and night? Is the constant anxiety you experience causing you to become more and more isolated, lonely, and sad? A loss sense of self has emerged, and it feels like no one understands? This pain impacts your day-to-day life, your relationships, and your ability to function. Simple tasks feel overwhelming, you find it impossible to concentrate. You feel exhausted, overwhelmed, frustrated just trying to get through the day and feel there’s no light at the end of the tunnel, wondering will it ever stop? You feel yourself floating through life and know something must change now.

Many challenges we experience in daily life relate to conflict between parts of ourselves. Each part reflects our body’s own loving attempts to care for us in the ways it knows. When we shift one part of the feedback loop, the whole system rearranges - in our bodies, & in our relationships. My approach to individual & couples therapy is holistic, somatic & client-centered. I start with creating a non-judgmental, inclusive space for you to come as you are. As we form & reach for your goals, our work may include movement, developmental psychology, trauma work, regulation practices, behavior/communication coaching, & creative guidance.

Starting therapy can feel daunting, so take a moment to acknowledge that you have come this far in recognizing psychotherapy may be a helpful approach for you. Therapy requires self reflection, an open heart, and a curious mind into learning about ourselves and the way in which we interact with the world and those around us. Although it may be daunting, it is incredibly rewarding to unpack and understand what is getting in the way of happiness, growth, intimacy, and self-compassion.

My personal and professional experiences has helped me understand that life can often make us feel lost. It challenges us and often makes us question who we are. I am here to be a companion on your journey of self-discovery while assisting to bring more clarity and meaning into your life. I believe every person has the answers they seek rooted within them just waiting to be unearthed. Life can be difficult to navigate alone, and we process our experiences best through social connection. I can provide you with a safe place to explore your struggles while challenging you and providing a sense of acceptance.

Although I work with a broad spectrum of clients and issues, I specialize in youth and family issues and offer home visits as scheduling allows. My clinical experience has been in school and office settings. I work with clients on issues such as child development, adolescence, parenting, and blended families (lifespan issues, broadly speaking). In addition to lifespan development, I am very comfortable working with anger, anxiety, depression, and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.

I work collaboratively with individuals and couples to make significant shifts that result in long-lasting, increased life fulfillment. I have extensive experience working with issues such as: anxiety, depression, relationship issues, grief and loss, trauma and substance abuse and recovery. I strive to ensure that my clients are clear about what they are learning and gaining from psychotherapy. This includes the identification of supportive tools and coping skills that continue to aid clients after the completion of therapy.