Child Therapists in Castro Valley, CA

My primary experience is working with children and adolescents and their families in coping with life's stressors, more significant mental health symptoms, and developing more effective coping styles and communication patterns. In treatment, it is my goal to work alongside your child and you to find resources and coping skills to handle overwhelming experiences which are impacting you and your child 's functioning. My dog Sammy, a therapy dog, is present during most sessions and can help support children suffering from anxiety around coming to therapy and providing a safe place to process difficult emotions.

I am a licensed clinical social worker with over 10 years of experience working alongside adults, families, adolescents and children . I believe therapy is a collaborative endeavor, and provide a safe and supportive environment in the therapy room for you to explore your identity, relationships, history, and desired changes. In my practice, I treat individuals and families who have histories of struggles with depression, anxiety or other life changes.

I provide educationally related mental health services for children with disabilities. Children with disabilities and children who suffer from trauma/s will often display significant difficulties accessing the general curriculum in school. Many children suffer from a disability (such as a speech impediment, learning disability, autism, or ADHD) as well as trauma. Oftentimes the disability itself causes trauma to the child .

I am a non-judgmental compassionate licensed clinical social worker with 15 years of experience working with children , families, teens, and adults. I am sensitive to cultural, multiethnic, and racial issues. I have experience with conflict resolution, crisis intervention, and crisis de-escalation.

Effective psychotherapy enables clients to take control of their own feelings and behavior by gently uncovering the connections between past experiences and current difficulties. Positive change occurs in an atmosphere of responsibility and hope, and a respectful, dedicated therapist can effectively guide this process. I integrate straightforward communication and empathy in the context of steady, clear boundaries. Our interactions will be active and enthusiastic. Psychological services include psychodynamic therapy, play therapy, and family court related interventions.

Despite our best efforts, sometimes it just doesn’t seem like life goes quite the way we planned. Family/relationship conflicts, worry about a child ’s choices/behaviors, feelings of overwhelm/anxiety, grief/loss or a major life transition are often a part of our lives. And, unfortunately, sometimes these events are compounded by a lack of support or critic voices. Although it may not feel like it, I truly believe we are all doing the best we can in any given moment with the tools & information we have at that time and am passionate about supporting you in discovering your strengths and new strategies to create the changes you seek.

You might feel like your emotions are all over the place and struggle to find the balance point. You can be really hard on yourself, passing harsh judgements, and perhaps at times feeling worthless. This can be painful and exhausting. It hurts you and it hurts your relationships. I can help you understand where this comes from, and how these patterns are impacting your life and your relationships in the present. You will regain confidence and experience more compassion towards yourself. Your loved ones will notice more lightness in your step.

I enjoy working with a diverse group of people. I work well with individuals who are feeling conflicted or lost within ambivalence. I work well with couples who are frustrated in trying to find a connection. I work well with children who are sensitive and parents who are longing to connect.

The focus is you. People who are experiencing anxiety, depression, grief, and loss sometimes forget that they matter. Other things become more important. When we work together, the most important person is you. We work on getting you better emotionally, physically and spiritually. Then you can heal and have a more balanced life. My clients tell me they appreciate how I get them unstuck in difficult times. They find hope and get energized about their life. I work well with cultural, biracial, multiracial and faith based situations. I have helped many individuals, couples, families and children achieve their goals.

My client's work becomes possible by disabling self-sabotaging situations, defensiveness, childhood wounds & trauma. My wish is for you to create a positive self-image. In doing so, the work allows you to establish healthy boundaries & create internal control of your world. I have worked with children , teenagers, adults & couples going through life transitions. Ultimately, my clients develop autonomy & positive internal dialogue to grow. I work with couples to find the narrative they are telling themselves around the fulfillment of their most intimate need.

Would you like to better manage your emotions? Are you feeling like you don't fit in? Feeling unseen? Difficulty sharing your thoughts? Are you concerned that your teen or child has really strong reactions or difficulty managing a transition? The individuals and families I work with are diverse and are seeking support to address complex challenges, such as relationship difficulties, anxiety, depression, or response to a stressful life event. Estoy al servicio de adultos, familias, y jovenes, que buscan enfrentar a los retos de la vida, y de niños/niñas con dificultad para controlar sus emociones y comportamientos.

"Know thyself." Until we know ourselves, we are tossed around by life's events and our circumstances whether work- related, relationships, or families. I believe that you know yourself better than anyone and have the answers in you already. By providing a safe place for you to discuss your thoughts and feelings, I am confident that you will arrive at solutions to your problems freeing you to make choices that lead to creating and accomplishing goals. I provide support, understanding, and a non-judgmental atmosphere where personal growth is not only possible, but can be achieved.

I believe therapy is a collaborative and creative endeavor, and provide a safe, supportive environment for you to explore your identity, relationships, history, and desired changes. I am trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help you create lasting changes, and am also influenced by Mindfulness, Narrative, Relational, and Systemic approaches to therapy. I am certified in the Triple P Positive Parenting Program and trained in Trauma-Focused CBT. I am also supportive and affirmative of clients of all sexual orientations and gender identifications, and can assist with issues such as coming out, homophobia, and LGBT relationship or parenting issues.

I am a licensed psychotherapist who has been in the field of psychotherapy for 25+ years. My private practice is a mixture of adults, young adults, youth, families and children . My style is strength- based and empathetic. I believe in therapy and the healing power of the therapeutic relationship. I walk beside you helping to find your best self and create the life you want.

Are you living a life of "quiet desperation"? Get to the bottom of your problems by connecting with yourself. Psychotherapy can help identify and overcome blocks that prevent you from being your real self. Are you repeating patterns from childhood despite your best efforts not to? Those patterns were likely formed early in childhood as a survival mechanism and now that you no longer need those patterns, they feel like a prison. Psychotherapy provides the key that opens the door. If you are afraid that you cannot do this, please do not sell yourself short and give yourself a chance.

I enjoy working with people, no matter the issue however, I have specific training working with individuals & families who've experienced trauma-related symptoms, depression, grief, mania, anxiety, substance misuse, parenting discord, interpersonal and/or family conflict. It has been an honor to facilitate courageous conversations, process and skill-based groups that ignite emotional emancipation, family reunification, and healing from generational and societal issues. I am creative, authentic, empathic, and collaborative in my approach to therapy, with major emphasis on culturally inclusive, social justice-oriented interventions.

Bienvenidos/Welcome! I am a bilingual/bicultural Spanish-speaking therapist located in the East Bay area of California. I have been working with children , teens, and adults of color struggling with an array of concerns including anxiety, depression, relationship satisfaction, life purpose, trauma, postpartum depression, and spirituality, related to life transitions, family stress, trauma, and grief. Although my work has focused on the unique needs of minorities and underrepresented individuals, being a member of that community is certainly not a requirement for your personal development.

Are you or your family under stress, or does personal tension or relational conflict rule the day? Are you experiencing a transition, a divorce, a loss, or have new partners entered the family picture? Do you worry that your child is depressed or anxious? Do you worry that you are not a good parent? For over 23 years, I have been helping people like you successfully resolve these issues. I help adults navigate individual and marital challenges and parents master the skills that parenting requires. I help teens make better choices as they come to know themselves.