Therapists in Berkeley, CA

Hi and welcome! My name is Dr. Juliana Ybarra and I am a multiethnic (Latinx, Black, Potawatomi, and Italian) queer psychologist. I have over 15 years of experience in the mental health field working with adults, teens, and families. I've held positions as a program director, clinical supervisor, trainer, and psychologist at various non-profits around the Bay Area.

I am passionate about working with children, teens, families, and couples. I believe therapy should be accessible for everyone and use a sliding scale model based on income to find a fee that works for you. I am trained in EMDR and am a certified Somatic Experiencing Practitioner. I interweave these modalities, along with exercises from IFS, DBT, psychodynamic therapy, and Gestalt therapy, to help you work through issues relating to attachment in relationships, depression, traumatic experiences, anxiety, complex PTSD, grief, addictive patterns, codependency, and LGBTQ+ issues.

Life in the Bay Area is challenging and the additional stress associated with being LGBTQ+, a woman, pregnant, a parent or all of the above can push it over the edge. Sometimes, especially if you didn’t feel protected or cared for as a child or if something bad has happened to you, life can feel like you’re in over your head. Relationships feel out of control and painful, sleeping is hard and you can’t seem to take care of yourself the way you know you should. Emotions can feel like a roller coaster and daily responsibilities like work or kids are overwhelming. It is possible to feel better and good therapy can help.

Finding the right therapist can be daunting, and for some, it can be the most difficult step. I offer a free 15 minute phone consultation so that you can assess if we are the right fit. I work with teens and adults presenting with concerns such as depression, anxiety, trauma, grief/ loss, chronic health concerns, relationship issues, and life transitions. In our work together we will explore your strengths and root you in them. We will define your values and explore how to live your life in harmony with them. We will also create space for the areas in your life where you want change and navigate the path to get you there.

I specialize in work with couples and individual adults dealing with relationship problems. Common issues for couples I see include communication difficulties, affairs, arguing or withdrawing, parenting conflict. I have experience working with a diverse range of people, including couples in mixed race/culture relationships, inter-faith relationships and members of the LGBTQ+ community.

In life there are many things that influence how we feel, how we think, and in turn how we behave. When working with clients I like to explore how interactions with the social- cultural environment shape their well being. I find it important to focus on the things we can change and find ways to cope with the things we cannot.

Sometimes it seems life asks us to bear the unbearable. A heartbreaking loss, difficult transition, illness of yourself or loved one, the lack of anything that might make your life meaningful and pleasurable—these are some of the issues I respond to and can help with. If you’re suffering or your life lacks purpose look at my website and, if you feel a connection, please reach out. I work from a generous and flexible sliding scale and am committed to providing accessible treatment. Whatever you’re facing, you don’t have to do this alone. Psychoanalytic therapy, especially as practiced by Lacanian analysts, can be transformative.

Are you trans, queer, or LGBTQIA adjacent looking to better manage the effects of stress, mood problems or anxiety? Maybe you're exploring your relationship to some problematic habits or making some changes? You want a therapist who is warm, welcoming and insightful, but who isn't too psycho-babbley. I won't tell you that you're too sensitive or that your feelings don't make sense.

I enjoy working with LGBTQIA+ individuals and community from rural areas, as someone who understands the experience of isolation and judgment. I have a warm, soulful, collaborative, empathic, non-judgmental approach to therapy. My goal is to help individuals find their inner voice and truth, heal from new and old wounds, and repair interpersonal conflict with their loved ones. I work with all genders, LGBTQ+, gender expansive clients. Individual, family therapy, couples therapy, sex therapy. Accepting new clients virtually. I am also accepting supervisees currently registered with the BBS.

I am a trans Licensed Clinical Social Worker specializing in working with trans, queer, genderqueer, and gender-nonconforming teens and adults. I have a non-pathologizing approach and deeply value identities outside the "norm." I have fifteen years of experience as a mental health provider, including support groups with teens and adults, individual therapy, and crisis work. I am a Bay Area activist who has fought for transgender rights by organizing provider trainings and public demonstrations. I am a visual artist and storyteller who believes that underrepresented individuals expressing themselves creatively and authentically is powerful and important.

Dr. Iris Leung is a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in gender and sexual identity, race-based stress, transitional periods, trauma, depression, anxiety, sleep issues, sexual health, and relationship strain. Dr. Leung’s integrative clinical approach is grounded in psychodynamic, relational, and evidence-based theories. They strongly believe in the importance of validating emotions and personal narratives, and creating an empathic space for introspection and change.

I recognize that making a decision to come to counseling is not always easy, and will partner with you at your own pace to engage your natural capacity for healing and change. My style is warm, collaborative and non-judgmental. The way our time is spent together will be unique to your interests & needs. My practice is eclectic and may include mindfulness, expressive arts, nature, as well as traditional talk therapy, which we will discuss in our first meeting together. I'm passionate about providing therapeutic services to youth and young adults; and also work with adult clients & parents.

Life used to be easier! Perhaps you feel stuck in your relationships and you are not getting along with the people you see daily. Issues in life can be overwhelming and full of challenges. I begin by meeting you at your place of growth or healing, and whether trauma, abuse, grieving, recovery or life issues, we work together to overcome them. There is hope. Let me help you reach the goals and connections you deserve. With sensitivity and compassion, we work to determine what might be blocking your full potential and your feelings.

My integrative approach views you as a complete person, considering mind, body, spirit, culture, and personal history. These elements are incorporated in a dynamic therapeutic process that engages your senses and encourages prompt symptom relief. You will learn practical tools to cope with stress, identify triggers and end destructive patterns. This improved self-knowledge strengthens your mental health, relationships, and work-life. Through my extensive personal and professional experience, I have developed a vast and deep therapy tool kit. I look forward to exploring treatment plan tailored to your specific needs.

Are you experiencing challenges dealing with anxiety, depression, relationship/family issues, and trauma/PTSD? Due to these symptoms, we can be in too much emotional pain and feel too stuck to reframe our perceptions or to find solutions to our problems. Childhood or recent trauma can cause emotional distress that can be difficult to process. I am here to support you in working through unresolved trauma and guide you toward healing. Therefore, you can feel empowered, rejuvenated, and enthusiastic about life again.

Throughout our lives, we all have experienced feelings of depression, anxiety, and anger. These emotions leave you feeling insecure, shameful, lonely, unworthy and stuck in unhealthy patterns of behavior. Trauma can have negative emotional and physical effects and can lead to family/relationship issues. I specialize in solution-focused brief therapy, motivational interviewing, mindfulness and CBT. These approaches allow me to work with the client to decrease symptoms of anxiety and depression and other health/behavioral issues.

Are you hindered by anxiety, depression, or trauma, preventing you from expressing your authentic self? Do you find yourself trapped in navigating challenging family and relationship situations? Every minor issue now feels incredibly overwhelming, reopening past wounds and creating new ones. Despite attempting to bury the pain, it persists, leaving you feeling isolated and tormented. The constant exhaustion, stress, and anger make you question your resilience. Unsure of where to seek assistance, you don't have to endure this painful journey by yourself. I aim to assist you in achieving a more integrated and balanced sense of self.

Are you thinking about breaking a pattern that no longer serves you? Often feel like an outsider? Wanting to understand threads between past, present experiences, and possibilities ahead? Utilizing a variety of approaches, I can offer perspective and help you feel understood in order to create change in your life. I provide an affirming space for a lot of people who have had previously unsatisfactory experiences in therapy including LGBTQIA folks. I have extensive training beyond just getting licensed to practice therapy. Working with a clinically astute, sincere therapist can be life-changing.

Sometimes the belief that you will find the right therapist and get through difficulties feels so far away. Depression and anxiety can complicate your efforts to reach out and begin the process of telling your story. I am here to listen to your story and collaborate with you to get past hardships and make realistic and sustainable changes. I have an interactive style which helps to draw out the difficult parts and ground you in your pursuit of a more fulfilling life. Thank you for visiting and please let me know if you’d like to talk for a bit first in order to see if I could be of help. For more info please visit NicoleLaby.com