Psychodynamic Therapists in Berkeley, CA

In this time of Covid I am providing therapy by phone, FaceTime or Zoom. We are all dealing with the unique emotional and physical impact of this time You may be feeling overwhelmed with feelings of sadness, worry, loss, despair, anger, fear, or confusion. These feelings may be personal or within your relationships. My goal is to provide a safe, non-judgemental place where we can work together to understand the meaning of your experience and how to realize your goals for a happier life and for loving relationships. We can address emotional problems, communication, parenting, illness, grief, addiction, and intimacy issues.

I feel the theraputic experience is a rich and exciting way for someone to reach their full potential. We all have feelings at times that "something is missing". These are real feelings and will be explored through our relationship. I believe everyone is unique. I don't have a "cookie cutter" approach to treating people. We will get to know each other and deal with the issues together. I work from a psychodynamic viewpoint.I feel everything that you have gone through as a child, young adult, and adult is connected. Our job will be to put the puzzle together.

Are you seeking therapy because you feel stuck, overwhelmed, or lonely? Are you having issues in your relationships, finding it difficult to make connections, or suffering from loss? Are you struggling with issues of identity, racial identity, sex, or sexuality? You are not alone. Whether it’s working through anxiety, depression, trauma, or just seeking personal growth and depth, many of us need support with these normal human challenges, and I can offer you help.

If you’re struggling; feeling alone, anxious, lost, scared; want to make a change in your life but are unsure where to start or why life feels so difficult – please consider working with me to reduce your suffering. My therapeutic approach is meaningful and effective. My style is warm and relational, empathic and kind. I combine this with years of advanced scientific training and clinical experience. I understand how hard it can be to reach for a better life. To help you get there, I offer significant interpersonal support and valuable psychodynamic, neuroscience-based, trauma-informed tools.

For three decades I have been privileged as a marriage and family therapist to make a difference in people's lives. Though I am most known for being a Jungian-oriented therapist and author, my training in pastoral counseling and spiritual direction, my experience in long-term psychodynamic treatment, and my long-standing interest in all the many forms and expressions of human sexuality, as an "out" gay therapist and activist, are areas of expertise that come together in my work to help clients find a way to be their deepest, healthiest and most authentic selves.

My practice focuses on issues of self-esteem, relational intimacy, shame, personality disturbances, anxiety, depression, trauma, and life transitions. I work relationally and dynamically with a present-centered approach on issues as they are currently manifesting but with an eye to how they reflect deeper structures of clients' personalities and values. Therapy is not focused on fixing things, but on relaxing patterns of thinking, becoming more flexible in communicating emotion, building resilience, and being able to be more creative and trusting of oneself and others.

I am a non-judgmental, active therapist, specializing in substance use/addictions, anxiety, depression, trauma, chronic pain and illness, relationships, and work stress. Prior to private practice, I was the Clinical Director at a San Francisco non-profit serving veterans. I enjoy working with adults, older adults, older teens (16+) and couples. Whether you want to get support around new changes in your life that are causing you pain and worry, or work through problems that have been with you for years, my goal is to help you feel relief, feel empowered, and work through the things that are out of your control.

Are you struggling with anxiety, depression, relationship issues, borderline personality, sexuality issues or addiction? These are some of the areas I specialize in. I believe therapy can help you find the solutions you need to move forward to have a happier life. Have you struggled to find an effective type of therapy that works for you? I tailor my therapy approach to you based on what has and has not worked for you in the past. Together we will set therapy goals to help you remove present barriers, suffering and emotional pain so you can live your life to your upmost potential. Additional information: www.lanemcconnelltherapy.com

In my work with clients, I value understanding each person's individual experience and I strive to create a supportive environment with a warm, reflective and engaging approach. I believe we all have the potential to lead fulfilling lives. To reach this potential, I help clients reflect on themselves and their experiences, identify and understand patterns, and initiate change. I am influenced by psychodynamic perspectives and attachment theory.

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.

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.

Do you feel as though your anxiety and depression are unmanageable? How about feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or helplessness like you’ve hit rock bottom and are struggling to find hope for tomorrow? Once we start to unravel the details of our past and trauma we give ourselves the ability to process feelings that we have long suppressed. I aim to collaborate with you and provide tools to decrease the challenging feelings you are currently facing and achieve a more integrated and balanced sense of self, leading to emotional healing and personal growth.

My therapeutic approach gives clients a space to work through their healing journey and learn how to have healthy relationships. It is important that I provide a safe space for clients to express their feelings, unpack life experiences that currently impact them, and learn effective ways of managing their emotions. My life and educational background allow me to have a level of insight that makes me well-versed in therapy and more relatable to my clients. I utilize Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Psychodynamic, and Solution-Focused theoretical models with a compassionate approach to help my clients work toward their desired goals.

I hold a deeply calm, present, and nurturing space for your brightest dreams and your darkest wounds. Whatever your concerns, you will feel sincerely heard, held, and guided in a safe and constructive way. You will be supported in discovering and reclaiming hidden or submerged parts of your fullest self, as well as the positive and promising reasons behind the challenges that you face. Together, we will creatively explore new and vital directions for you, internally and dynamically, into the world. My commitment is for your purpose to become more grounded, more meaningful, more genuinely alive.

Hi there! I am a psychologist with over 20 years of experience in the field. My experience has allowed me to bring a deeper perspective to situations, and I know the value of giving that feedback to my clients. I utilize a variety of approaches like CBT, EMDR, Solution-Focused, Psychodynamic and Existential therapies. I had a thriving practice in the San Francisco Bay Area, but chose to live in beautiful and active Boulder instead. Because I just recently opened my practice to in-person clients here, I have openings!

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.

While your relational style helped you to navigate your childhood, you, like many people, may feel frustrated by painful life-long patterns of relating (to yourself and others) which seem to repeat. I empathize with this frustration and work with you to more deeply understand yourself so that you can enact real and lasting change. My extensive psychodynamic and Jungian training support this type of work.

In my work as a therapist, I hold space from a place of deep love, care and respect. I aspire to channel a grounding, loving and playful energy that can guide you through your experiences, no matter how overwhelming and challenging. I trust your inner healer and hold a non-judgmental and warm space where you can have your own experiences without needing to change anything. I approach the process of therapy as collaboration and exploration. Together, we can work towards your vision of growth and healing.

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.