Therapists in Berkeley, CA

I work with adults and teens on a range of issues including Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), anxiety, depression, and substance use. I take a pragmatic approach to therapy and work collaboratively with clients to help them identify the sources of their distress and how to overcome them. I help clients recognize thought patterns that may not be serving them well and teach them to incorporate more effective ways of thinking in their lives. I use a range of techniques including mindfulness, acceptance, and a focus on values.

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.

As a dedicated bilingual (English/Spanish) speaking mental health practitioner, I am deeply committed to facilitating the emotional healing journey for adults. My approach is inherently collaborative, emphasizing a partnership with individuals, families, and couples who entrust their care to me. By combining these diverse psychotherapy techniques, I aim to foster a nurturing and empathetic space that supports clients in navigating their emotional landscapes.

If you feel stuck, anxious or depressed, I can help. You may be exhausted due to the stress of worrying all the time. Or, you lack energy and motivation and struggle with feelings of low self-worth. Perhaps you've had a traumatic experience or suffer from PTSD. You might be using substances such as alcohol or drugs to cope. You're tired of struggling, and you want to find a way out of the turmoil. You long to feel more in control. You wish you could move through life with more ease and experience more joy. If only you could feel good about yourself and have more fulfilling relationships. The good news is that I can help you achieve

Are you feeling overwhelmed, stressed, depressed, anxious or alone? Are you having trouble coping with life’s stressors, chronic health issues, having relationship conflicts, or plagued with unsettling thoughts, feelings and behaviors? Often times these difficult experiences stem from a lack of awareness and disharmony in our lives and not having the tools, strategies and guidance to help us overcome our problems.

My name is Gerald Strickland and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 30 years of experience. I specialize in working with anxiety and depression, and also have experience working with post traumatic stress disorder, substance use disorders, personality disorders, and psychotic symptoms. I perform client centered compassionate care utilizing evidence based treatment approaches to helping people. I perform cognitive behavioral approaches to reduce maladaptive behaviors and thinking patterns and enhancement of adaptive functioning.

Life is filled with ups and downs, which can seem overwhelming at times for many of us. I believe that therapy should be tailored to accommodate your needs and measurable treatment goals will be established and take priority for each client I serve. My goal is to work collectively as a team with you to identify current difficulties and assist your efforts to overcome these difficulties in a healthy environment where you feel heard and supported.

Kevin Torchen, LCSW. It takes courage to engage in the therapeutic process. I try my best to make this a valuable and rewarding experience and to be an ally and collaborator with my clients in achieving treatment and life goals. My experience comes from working with clients with a broad spectrum of specific traits and symptoms in need of healthy change and integration. Clients who are struggling with symptoms relating to anxiety, depression, stress, life change, emotional volatility, sleep issues, relationship issues, obsessive and compulsive traits, and trauma, along with any other related struggle.

I use Acceptance-based approaches when leaving thoughts alone and moving towards valued living is most appropriate. At other times, I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy approaches to facilitate skill development and to challenge thoughts. This ultimately increases your ability to flexibly adapt to constant novelty. Both approaches are geared towards discovering behavioral patterns that keep you stuck and then changing them to increase meaning and purpose in your life.

I work with clients who have social anxiety, shyness, and feel awkward and out of place. They want to feel better about themselves and their circumstances. They may have been through a difficult childhood and trauma and abuse. They are motivated to get better and want to speak to someone who is nonjudgmental and compassionate. Clients have opened up to me about their deepest traumas and secrets that they have not shared with anyone else. I feel honored to be part of my client's journey and help them to find solutions. I have a strong client centered approach blended with a CBT intervention based approach.

I think I work best with clients who are motivated to address specific issues in their lives that hold them back in some way. Having a goal and wanting more for themselves in their personal lives, and work lives, gives the therapy the direction and purpose that increases its effectiveness. People are complex and everyone deserves to be treated as unique individuals with their own set of needs, preferences and interpersonal styles. My job is to fit into their psychological world to understand how to help them best--an "informed collaboration" that is purposeful and intentional.

Throughout our life experiences we sometimes become clouded by the obstacles that life throws at us, which may cause for our inner voice, your true self, to get pushed down in the process. This ultimately can lead to making decisions that we’re not happy with. My goal is to assist you with guiding out that inner voice into the open and utilizing it to work together to tackle present challenges, while providing an accepting and safe environment for you to be yourself. I believe you have an array of strengths, abilities and skills that can be utilized to assist with the challenges at hand.

I am a psychotherapist geographically located in Sacramento, California. Currently, I am only conducting HIPAA-compliant telehealth; if you live outside California, please contact me to discuss options. I have been an independent Licensed Clinical Social Worker for over 21 years, and more generally been a social worker for over 29 years, conducting education, research, supervision, and clinical work. I work with people living with chronic health and mental health conditions, with those struggling with their identity and making meaning in life, and with adults having un/expected challenges in relationships, work, and beyond.

We are often ruled by thoughts and patterns of conditioning that are largely outside of our awareness. While adaptive, this process can sometimes lead us astray. I aim to help you uncover unhealthy patterns of conditioning by cultivating awareness through mindful intention which will ultimately help guide you towards a more conscious and fulfilling life. I have extensive experience working with individuals suffering from mood disorders, trauma-related disorders and substance abuse.

Pastoral Counselor: Pastoral Marriage and Family Counselor, & Certified Conflict Resolution Mediator, Ph.D. in Pastoral Counseling - Atlantic Coast Seminary, Ph.D. in Theology - Atlantic Coast Seminary, MA in Counseling Psychology Marriage and Family Therapy - University of San Francisco, MDiv - St. Patrick’s Seminary & University, BA in Business Management - San Jose State University, Clinical Pastoral Counseling Training (CPE) - Stanford University Hospital and Clinics Conflict Resolution Mediation Certification - National Conflict Resolution Center Sex Addiction Training - American Association for Sex Addiction Therapy (AASAT).