Therapists for Seniors in Lafayette, CA
Life is full of unexpected events and struggles, which are sometimes overwhelming. I strive to create a safe and welcoming environment where children, adolescents, and adults feel comfortable to explore ways to achieve their goals. Having a person who listens with no judgment, who cares, and who can help you gain some perspective and insight is extremely valuable. Together we will create a plan that will allow you to regain a sense of empowerment, purpose, and happiness in your life.
Life is full of unexpected events and struggles, which are sometimes overwhelming. I strive to create a safe and welcoming environment where children, adolescents, and adults feel comfortable to explore ways to achieve their goals. Having a person who listens with no judgment, who cares, and who can help you gain some perspective and insight is extremely valuable. Together we will create a plan that will allow you to regain a sense of empowerment, purpose, and happiness in your life.
Great job! - You're looking for support in your time of need. That takes courage and strength, and it means you've already been doing some of the most difficult work: contemplating change.
We'll start by exploring your top concerns - what has become most challenging? What, if anything, would you want to change? Wherever you're starting from at this moment is a solid point to begin.
If we decide to work together, I'll be here to "spot" you as you practice adaptive strategies in a safe environment. My approach is warm, authentic, engaging, and collaborative.
Great job! - You're looking for support in your time of need. That takes courage and strength, and it means you've already been doing some of the most difficult work: contemplating change.
We'll start by exploring your top concerns - what has become most challenging? What, if anything, would you want to change? Wherever you're starting from at this moment is a solid point to begin.
If we decide to work together, I'll be here to "spot" you as you practice adaptive strategies in a safe environment. My approach is warm, authentic, engaging, and collaborative.
I have expertise working with adolescents, adults, and seniors with a wide range of emotional and behavioral struggles including depression, anxiety, coming out, trauma, grief/loss, stress, anger management, relationship struggles, identity, parenting and life transitions.
As a Clinical Psychologist, I help people create meaningful change in their lives. My approach is self empowering and compassionate with a sensitivity to cultural differences and social justice. My strength as a therapist is in making deep connections with people, creating a sense of safety and helping clients identify and confront their issues. My personality style is warm, sincere, and down to earth. Those who see me describe me as someone who is "caring, warm, a great listener, interactive, and offers honest insightful feedback."
I have expertise working with adolescents, adults, and seniors with a wide range of emotional and behavioral struggles including depression, anxiety, coming out, trauma, grief/loss, stress, anger management, relationship struggles, identity, parenting and life transitions.
As a Clinical Psychologist, I help people create meaningful change in their lives. My approach is self empowering and compassionate with a sensitivity to cultural differences and social justice. My strength as a therapist is in making deep connections with people, creating a sense of safety and helping clients identify and confront their issues. My personality style is warm, sincere, and down to earth. Those who see me describe me as someone who is "caring, warm, a great listener, interactive, and offers honest insightful feedback."
"Many Bay Area dual income and professional families struggle with the pressures of maintaining their lifestyles and helping their children succeed in school. Many suffer from anxiety, depression, relationship issues that are directly related to the challenges they face daily. As a former lawyer, hi-tech marketing director, and a first-time parent later in life, I am intimately familiar with these challenges. When I began practicing as a therapist, I knew I wanted to apply my life experience to help inspire busy professionals to work through the challenges, transitions, and struggles of living and thriving in the Bay Area."
"Many Bay Area dual income and professional families struggle with the pressures of maintaining their lifestyles and helping their children succeed in school. Many suffer from anxiety, depression, relationship issues that are directly related to the challenges they face daily. As a former lawyer, hi-tech marketing director, and a first-time parent later in life, I am intimately familiar with these challenges. When I began practicing as a therapist, I knew I wanted to apply my life experience to help inspire busy professionals to work through the challenges, transitions, and struggles of living and thriving in the Bay Area."
I offer Somatic Experiencing (SE) and Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy. My work focuses on supporting individuals navigating PTSD, anxiety, and depression. I strive to create a safe, supportive space where you can explore the mind-body connection at a pace that fosters empowerment and regulation rather than overwhelm, shutdown, or dysregulation. Together, we'll look at relationship patterns, practice identifying and expressing feelings and needs, and strengthen your ability to set and maintain healthy boundaries. Somatic Experiencing addresses how trauma and stress are held in the body and increases emotional resilience.
I offer Somatic Experiencing (SE) and Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy. My work focuses on supporting individuals navigating PTSD, anxiety, and depression. I strive to create a safe, supportive space where you can explore the mind-body connection at a pace that fosters empowerment and regulation rather than overwhelm, shutdown, or dysregulation. Together, we'll look at relationship patterns, practice identifying and expressing feelings and needs, and strengthen your ability to set and maintain healthy boundaries. Somatic Experiencing addresses how trauma and stress are held in the body and increases emotional resilience.
I work best with people who are curious about themselves, even if they’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or burned out. I am drawn to the emotional and intellectual aspects therapy, and believe both deserve exploration. I tend to work with clients over the long term term and am grateful to be a part of their lives. I've found that many of those relationships become deeply meaningful to me as well.
I work best with people who are curious about themselves, even if they’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or burned out. I am drawn to the emotional and intellectual aspects therapy, and believe both deserve exploration. I tend to work with clients over the long term term and am grateful to be a part of their lives. I've found that many of those relationships become deeply meaningful to me as well.
New Beginnings! New Awakenings! New Perspectives and Growth! These are just a few of the benefits of therapy you will gain. I pride myself on developing compassionate, non-judgmental therapeutic relationships with the couples and families and individuals I serve. Some unique things about me: I worked internationally as a therapist in both Hong Kong and Switzerland over the course of 6 years. I gained a significant amount of cultural competency through this amazing experience. Further, I have expertise in the field of Addiction and Recovery. Additionally, I value the competency I demonstrate with High Conflict Couples and Divorce.
New Beginnings! New Awakenings! New Perspectives and Growth! These are just a few of the benefits of therapy you will gain. I pride myself on developing compassionate, non-judgmental therapeutic relationships with the couples and families and individuals I serve. Some unique things about me: I worked internationally as a therapist in both Hong Kong and Switzerland over the course of 6 years. I gained a significant amount of cultural competency through this amazing experience. Further, I have expertise in the field of Addiction and Recovery. Additionally, I value the competency I demonstrate with High Conflict Couples and Divorce.
I work with adults in life transitions, depression, anxiety, loss/grief, relationship challenges including divorce, women's issues, and parenting struggles.
Many clients come to me feeling lost in a dark place, sensing something deeper needs healing. That might look like persistent anxiety, heartbreaking grief, a critical inner voice causing self-doubt, or disconnection from your own needs. Not knowing how to feel better,
feeling anxious, lost or depressed are natural at times. Our emotions are important information. You don't have to navigate this alone, you can move toward a life that feels yours again.
I work with adults in life transitions, depression, anxiety, loss/grief, relationship challenges including divorce, women's issues, and parenting struggles.
Many clients come to me feeling lost in a dark place, sensing something deeper needs healing. That might look like persistent anxiety, heartbreaking grief, a critical inner voice causing self-doubt, or disconnection from your own needs. Not knowing how to feel better,
feeling anxious, lost or depressed are natural at times. Our emotions are important information. You don't have to navigate this alone, you can move toward a life that feels yours again.
Everyone has challenges and battles to fight. A pain-free life is not always possible. Even the strongest people amongst us need a little bit of help to work through some of life’s difficulties. Whether you struggle with depression, grief, anxiety, or other issues, you should know there is hope for better tomorrows.
Everyone has challenges and battles to fight. A pain-free life is not always possible. Even the strongest people amongst us need a little bit of help to work through some of life’s difficulties. Whether you struggle with depression, grief, anxiety, or other issues, you should know there is hope for better tomorrows.
After a long and diverse career, I am choosing to focus on clients who are experiencing suffering due to grief, loss, caregiving a loved one or transitioning into a new phase of life. I have a deep understanding of the emotional dysregulation that is caused by these experiences and hope to teach others the skills needed to lessen suffering and reduce stress and to stay present.
After a long and diverse career, I am choosing to focus on clients who are experiencing suffering due to grief, loss, caregiving a loved one or transitioning into a new phase of life. I have a deep understanding of the emotional dysregulation that is caused by these experiences and hope to teach others the skills needed to lessen suffering and reduce stress and to stay present.
It has been my good fortune to work with adult clients who want to make changes in how they view themselves, and deepen their relationships with others. I love leading therapy groups, the ideal antidote for isolation. I am only accepting new potential group members.
It has been my good fortune to work with adult clients who want to make changes in how they view themselves, and deepen their relationships with others. I love leading therapy groups, the ideal antidote for isolation. I am only accepting new potential group members.
Families and Parenting—Has your busy work schedule robbed you of your family connections? Maybe you have been impacted by trauma or the stress of separation or divorce. With over 25 years of therapy experience in community children’s mental health and private practice, I know the most effective ways to help parents get back on track. I also help individuals, children, teens, families, and couples with secure attachment, increased self-awareness, recovery from unhealthy behaviors, and assertive communication. Sessions are conveniently online and in the evenings.
Families and Parenting—Has your busy work schedule robbed you of your family connections? Maybe you have been impacted by trauma or the stress of separation or divorce. With over 25 years of therapy experience in community children’s mental health and private practice, I know the most effective ways to help parents get back on track. I also help individuals, children, teens, families, and couples with secure attachment, increased self-awareness, recovery from unhealthy behaviors, and assertive communication. Sessions are conveniently online and in the evenings.
My special interests are: EMDR for trauma; life transitions such as aging, grief, divorce, and retirement.
For those struggling with anxiety and/or depression due to combat experience, domestic violence, crime, and childhood sexual abuse, I offer EMDR therapy. Adult children of alcoholics (ACA) who are driven to make bad choices because of a worldview distorted by their chaotic childhood can also benefit.
My special interests are: EMDR for trauma; life transitions such as aging, grief, divorce, and retirement.
For those struggling with anxiety and/or depression due to combat experience, domestic violence, crime, and childhood sexual abuse, I offer EMDR therapy. Adult children of alcoholics (ACA) who are driven to make bad choices because of a worldview distorted by their chaotic childhood can also benefit.
My perspective embraces self-awareness as one of the main instruments in helping free up trauma. Fuller awareness removes the fear of the unknown, gives us distance from distress and the ability to disconnect from automatic behaviors that perpetuate negative reactions and feelings. In the words of international trauma experts “its teaching our clients how to focus on new stimuli they normally might not have noticed...” with “conscious inhibition of old responses”(Jana Fisher and Pat Ogden, March 2011). The intricacies of our humanness prevents freedom from all depression, anxiety, neurosis and traumatic bodily sensations. Yet.....
My perspective embraces self-awareness as one of the main instruments in helping free up trauma. Fuller awareness removes the fear of the unknown, gives us distance from distress and the ability to disconnect from automatic behaviors that perpetuate negative reactions and feelings. In the words of international trauma experts “its teaching our clients how to focus on new stimuli they normally might not have noticed...” with “conscious inhibition of old responses”(Jana Fisher and Pat Ogden, March 2011). The intricacies of our humanness prevents freedom from all depression, anxiety, neurosis and traumatic bodily sensations. Yet.....
Eliot is a Clinical Psychologist, PhD with a background in integrative mental health, mindfulness-based therapies, Jungian therapy, and Ayurvedic Medicine. Having practiced in community mental health, hospital, and academic medical settings, he has experience treating a variety of psychological conditions using a holistic model of care. Eliot’s passion for psychology, spirituality, and plant medicine inform his work to facilitate personal empowerment and a renewed sense of purpose. In addition to his clinical practice, he is a published researcher, teacher, and has presented at several professional conferences.
Eliot is a Clinical Psychologist, PhD with a background in integrative mental health, mindfulness-based therapies, Jungian therapy, and Ayurvedic Medicine. Having practiced in community mental health, hospital, and academic medical settings, he has experience treating a variety of psychological conditions using a holistic model of care. Eliot’s passion for psychology, spirituality, and plant medicine inform his work to facilitate personal empowerment and a renewed sense of purpose. In addition to his clinical practice, he is a published researcher, teacher, and has presented at several professional conferences.
I enjoy supporting clients who are exploring the "messy middle" that can emerge during life transitions. For new parents, this might look like discussing the balance between demanding careers, raising a family, and rediscovering your identity. I also provide tailored support to parents navigating emotional and behavioral challenges with their children, as well as the reactions these may bring up in you. For individuals, this might mean taking a step back and reexamining old patterns that are no longer serving you. For couples, this might include identifying and interrupting unhelpful cycles.
I enjoy supporting clients who are exploring the "messy middle" that can emerge during life transitions. For new parents, this might look like discussing the balance between demanding careers, raising a family, and rediscovering your identity. I also provide tailored support to parents navigating emotional and behavioral challenges with their children, as well as the reactions these may bring up in you. For individuals, this might mean taking a step back and reexamining old patterns that are no longer serving you. For couples, this might include identifying and interrupting unhelpful cycles.
Welcome. I'm here to help you embrace and navigate the complexity of who you are. I offer comprehensive neuropsychological assessments that provide clarity about daily challenges, and that explore diagnoses such as ADHD and Autism spectrum. After a clinical interview, I design a battery of tests that explore cognitive functioning, memory, attention, processing speed, executive functioning, personality, mood, and relationship patterns. To gain a broader perspective, I consult with a spouse, parent, or teacher. I have evaluated hundreds of neurodivergent adults, adolescents, and children, and I honor each unique story.
Welcome. I'm here to help you embrace and navigate the complexity of who you are. I offer comprehensive neuropsychological assessments that provide clarity about daily challenges, and that explore diagnoses such as ADHD and Autism spectrum. After a clinical interview, I design a battery of tests that explore cognitive functioning, memory, attention, processing speed, executive functioning, personality, mood, and relationship patterns. To gain a broader perspective, I consult with a spouse, parent, or teacher. I have evaluated hundreds of neurodivergent adults, adolescents, and children, and I honor each unique story.
By the time a child with ADHD reaches the age of ten years old they have received over 20,000 additional messages of criticism than their non-ADHD counterparts. These stressors stack up over time and can build to a state of complex trauma by the time we reach young adulthood. What have these stressors done to dim your light?
Living with neurocomplexities like ADHD can cause us to expend massive amounts of emotional energy. Coping mechanisms crop up to try to shield us from shame and failure, and then end up becoming a trap that makes it difficult to imagine a future where your true personality can exist too.
By the time a child with ADHD reaches the age of ten years old they have received over 20,000 additional messages of criticism than their non-ADHD counterparts. These stressors stack up over time and can build to a state of complex trauma by the time we reach young adulthood. What have these stressors done to dim your light?
Living with neurocomplexities like ADHD can cause us to expend massive amounts of emotional energy. Coping mechanisms crop up to try to shield us from shame and failure, and then end up becoming a trap that makes it difficult to imagine a future where your true personality can exist too.
As a biomedical engineer and clinical hypnotist, I have developed a unique approach to mind-body wellness and performance optimization. For over 30 years I have helped people suffering from stress, anxiety, insomnia, addiction, panic, fears, phobias, chronic illness, allergies, weight loss and more.
As a biomedical engineer and clinical hypnotist, I have developed a unique approach to mind-body wellness and performance optimization. For over 30 years I have helped people suffering from stress, anxiety, insomnia, addiction, panic, fears, phobias, chronic illness, allergies, weight loss and more.
“Your present circumstances don’t determine where you go; they merely determine where you start.” - Dr. Lauren Fogel Mersy. If you are feeling ready to start, welcome to my practice. I am committed to creating an environment where you are met with compassion and competency in order to feel safe to share about the issues, difficulties, and fears impacting your life. I am also honored to welcome you back to therapy if previous experiences with therapy and/or therapist(s) have felt harmful or unsafe.
“Your present circumstances don’t determine where you go; they merely determine where you start.” - Dr. Lauren Fogel Mersy. If you are feeling ready to start, welcome to my practice. I am committed to creating an environment where you are met with compassion and competency in order to feel safe to share about the issues, difficulties, and fears impacting your life. I am also honored to welcome you back to therapy if previous experiences with therapy and/or therapist(s) have felt harmful or unsafe.
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See More Seniors Therapists FAQ - About Therapy for Seniors
Is one ever too old for mental health therapy?
Individuals of all ages can benefit from mental health therapy. Indeed, older adults in particular may benefit from the social and psychological support a therapist can provide; the topics that older adults address in therapy may simply differ from those of younger clients. Seniors should seek out a therapist who has experience working with older individuals and who is well-versed in addressing common concerns among elderly individuals, such as depression, anxiety, loneliness, and physical mobility challenges.
How is counseling for seniors and the elderly different from counseling for other age groups?
In general, counseling offers an opportunity for clients to process difficult life events and develop coping skills they can use outside of the therapy session. Therapists who specialize in working with elderly clients generally have the same framework but may place a special emphasis on specific topics, such as caregiver relationships and reducing loneliness. They may be specially equipped to deal with certain physical conditions or facilitate discussion surrounding end-of-life topics. Counseling for the elderly may also place a greater emphasis on social work-type topics to ensure that geriatric clients have access to necessary resources, such as food, a safe home environment, and healthcare.
How can therapy improve the quality of life of aging individuals?
Therapy for aging adults can greatly improve quality of life by providing an opportunity for them to process difficult emotions related to end-of-life, navigate relational or caregiver challenges, and develop coping skills for common mental health conditions, like anxiety or depression. Subsequent reductions in negative emotions and mental health disorder symptoms can make day-to-day living much more manageable for aging adults and those that care for them. The ongoing relationship with a trusted therapist can also help seniors combat loneliness and provide a sense of structure for their routine.
What are the qualities to look for in therapists who see seniors?
Seniors counselors, like mental health counselors in general, should be kind, empathetic, skilled at listening, and knowledgeable about their particular area of expertise. Counselors specializing in working with the senior population should be very familiar with the aging process in general and the common conditions that the elderly can face, such as dementia, depression, loneliness, and/or physical illness. Many senior counselors are also well-equipped to help caregivers and families navigate the aging process of their loved ones, and they may draw on Interpersonal Therapy to help facilitate improved interactions between seniors and those that care for them.