Therapists in Half Moon Bay, CA

We have all experienced difficult transitions in our lives which create feelings of anxiety, fear, loneliness, anger or sadness. Developing new ways of coping, or new ways of looking at values and beliefs, can help us transcend these feelings and create new opportunities for peace and meaning in our lives. I am compassionate and nonjudgmental, with an informal and interactive style. I am interested in your spiritual framework as it may pertain to values and beliefs which are helpful or harmful, and I often use humor as a means to maintain safety and balance in our work together.

Deciding to see a psychotherapist takes courage. Good news, psychotherapy regularly delivers relief and positive change. My approach to treatment rests in the belief that people are doing the best that they know how, in the moment, and that we all desire to move to a healthier state when possible. As a professional psychologist, I specialize in helping people achieve their desire to move into a healthier state by reducing suffering and increasing wellbeing.

Sometimes life brings challenges that require us to learn and grow in unforeseen ways. These challenges can take the form of an illness in ourselves or a loved one, death, the loss of dreams held dearly, and trials that are part of living and maturing. I work collaboratively with individuals, families, and couples to help them overcome the stressful events they face.

Welcome! Do you often feel overwhelmed with all of life's demands? Are you repeating the same patterns over and over in your relationships or parenting style? Are you experiencing a major life transition and feel alone? Therapy is a helpful and courageous act to process the areas where we feel stuck in our lives. I'm Allison, an LCSW and I work with individuals and couples struggling with anxiety, depression, relationship issues and parenting challenges. With gentle support and understanding, I empower my clients to find healthy ways to cope with their stress and get to the root of their struggles.

Growing up does not have to be unnecessarily painful or lonely. I help children, adolescents and young adults navigate developmental transitions with creativity and purpose. I also provide parents with education, skills and support to augment treatment. Young people often need guidance to explore their feelings, discover their unique strengths, and find meaning in their lives as they transition into adulthood. Challenges like family conflict, school problems, sexual confusion, depression, identity development, substance abuse, anxiety and stress can be greatly alleviated through the attentive support of a caring, unbiased professional.

I am a collaborator helping you get the quality of life you deserve. Together, we will work towards the changes you are hoping to make in your life. We'll look at the barriers, the "what's getting in the way" of what you'd like your daily life to be like. My belief about doing therapy with people is that you are the expert in your life. My job is to help you find a stronger connection to your preferred self, and help you untangle from the habits that get in the way of you being more comfortable in your own skin.

Whether you are struggling with a difficult relationship or life has brought you down an unwanted path, I help people to get in touch with their own inner ability to bounce back from challenges through self-awareness and finding blocks to your personal happiness. To me, the most important aspect of therapy is the personal bond we will develop together which will help you with all aspects of your life. I have experience working with children, teens, parents, and families, as well as individuals.

Helping people to uncover the root cause of stress and how to manage it with the goal of living a happier life. I help people in a direct, positive & uplifting way, using various stress relief therapies along with the exploration of the subconscious through the use of clinical hypnotherapy. I believe that through education along with a focused therapeutic approach yields the most successful results & I am there every step of the way. Sessions range from 45 minutes to 1.5 hrs long, held in a caring & safe environment. At this time I am not currently accepting new clients however I update immediately when availability status changes.

My approach helps people find their own way via self reflection, self care and self compassion. I have over 12 years of experience working with adults and youth dealing with depression, anxiety, trauma, grief, eating disorders, BPD. The modalities used include trauma informed CBT, EMDR Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing, CBT and DBT. In my practice, I create a safe and trusting environment, providing people with the emotional support needed to overcome challenging times and make positive adjustments to be and feel your best.

As a caring & experienced psychotherapist, I listen carefully & respond honestly in person or by phone, FaceTime, zoom, Skype. Parental neglect or abuse leaves us with low self esteem, unresolved hurts & insufficient coping skills. Self criticism leads to painful and negative beliefs that cause depression and anxiety. We begin with the formative events in your life & your current issues. By drawing on family systems & psychodynamic principles, I use the latest interpersonal, cognitive & behavioral techniques with an informal and collaborative therapeutic approach that leads you toward greater self understanding & positive steps.

I have over 15 years of licensed, clinical experience working with individuals, families and children. My approach is curious, reflective and skills based. I hold a nonjudgmental and authentic stance. I specialize in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Family Systems Therapy. My main areas of clinical focus includes; couples and marriage counseling, supporting families with youth coping with emotional and behavioral issues and supporting individuals with ADHD, anxiety, depression and/or unresolved trauma.

We've all seen the stereotypical therapists on TV, but that's not what you'll find with me. I am a down-to-earth person, which is reflected in my approach as a therapist. Compassion, warmth, and believe it or not, humor is what you will experience in our work together. You first must feel comfortable with your therapist for the experience to be successful.

I am currently providing therapy to older teens and young adults, ages 16-30, with a focus on supporting this population with issues related to transitions to adulthood. This could include but is not limited to identity development, LGBTQ+ issues, coping with mood concerns, substance use, creating boundaries, and managing relationships. I believe a nontraditional approach to therapy works for myself and my clients, and I meet people where they are.

I welcome you to my practice of Embracing Transition. I support you during your difficult situation to see the possibilities when you cannot. I have worked successfully with adults and families for over 30 years focusing on parenting, co-parenting, divorce, and grief. My experience includes working with severe mental health conditions for 25 years. Since 2015 I have worked with individuals with chronic medical conditions.

Beginning the journey of self-discovery and healing can be difficult. You may be struggling with a difficult family dynamic, needing support around a sudden loss, or wishing to improve the quality of your relationships. Facing this is truly an act of courage. Individuals have innate qualities and inner strengths that, when nurtured, can help in overcoming these hardships. I provide a safe and supportive environment where you can freely express yourself without judgement.

I am a certified Jungian psychoanalyst, offering in-depth psychodynamic therapy to people motivated to address underlying reasons for their struggles. The presenting concern for most regards relationships. We have come to find that symptoms of anxiety and depression are usually rooted in relationships with primary attachment figures. Hidden wounds may manifest as life-long beliefs that you are damaged, overly sensitive, unhealthy, and have poor judgement. On the one hand you may be quite accomplished, socially and professionally, but deep inside you may suspect that you are irrevocably broken, eternally confused, and unlovable.

I have a particular expertise in early, formative trauma and PTSD. Thus, I assist individuals and couples with working on and through the early relational harm and hardships that continue to impact or impede their current relationships and functioning. In addition, I provide care for people suffering from depression and anxiety, eating disorders, and general life stressors and challenges. I also have extensive experience working with addictions. I truly enjoy being in relationship with individuals and their families in what I believe to be sacred work, and look forward to speaking with you about entering into this process together.

Whether you are experiencing an acute personal crisis or seeking more general self examination, therapy can be an excellent way to obtain clarity and relief. Together we will explore the personal factors contributing to your distress, develop a better understanding of healthy and unhealthy patterns of dealing with your problems, and learn adaptive ways to cope. My goal is to help you increase your skills and enable you to successfully manage your current and future challenges.