Chronic Pain Therapists in Los Altos, CA
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John McKellar
Psychologist, PhD
Verified
Verified
I am a licensed clinical psychologist practicing in Los Altos, CA. I have over 20 years of experience providing psychological services to individuals and couples. My specializations include treatment of depression, anxiety, addiction,
chronic pain
, insomnia, stress management, trauma, and couples therapy. I work with adolescents, adults, and couples.
Heather Martarella
Psychologist, PsyD
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
Hello, are you experiencing
chronic pain
and in need of relief? As a
Pain
Psychologist, I specialize in providing treatment to those whose lives have been negatively impacted by their
chronic pain
. Since many people who suffer from persistent
pain
also struggle with sleep difficulties, which serves to worsen
pain
, I also provide treatment for those with insomnia. If you'd like to meet me to learn if we can work well together, please go to my website www.painandsleepsolutions.com to schedule a free 15 minute video consultation at any of the available times.
Susan Harden
Psychologist, PhD
Verified
Verified
I am a cognitive behavioral psychologist and as such I utilize a goal oriented focus in working with problems that you may be experiencing. I also believe that understanding the meaning of experiences are essential to working through them. I have worked both with children and adults in my practice and have done a great deal of work with people experiencing anxiety, depression, and chronic
illness
.
Susan Lindblade, LMFT-AT
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT, AT
Verified
Verified
Previous experience includes working with adults challenged with life transitions and stressors, marital conflict and divorce, parenting, depression, anxiety, and mental
illness
.
As a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, and Art Therapist, I offer a genuine and non judgmental approach to helping individuals who are seeking to improve their relational and emotional well being. My experience includes working with adults, couples, adolescents, and school aged children.
Renee Burgard
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
I offer mindfulness-based psychotherapy, with a warm and non-judging approach, for people who are experiencing anxiety, panic, depression, post-traumatic stress, infertility, seizure disorders (including atypical seizures) and people with
pain
and other chronic medical conditions. Sessions involve mostly talking therapy, and may also include (depending on your needs and interests): breathing & body sensation awareness practices; emotional regulation & distress tolerance training; simple yoga & meditation; and compassion, acceptance, gratitude, and loving-kindness practices; and interactive guided imagery.
Ximena M Zurita
Psychologist, PhD
Verified
Verified
Clients consult with me on issues, among others, related to: children's concerns and difficulties, teens' concerns, women's issues, men's issues, career concerns, acculturation, stress, anxiety, depression, self-defeating behaviors, marital discord, sexual difficulties, psychological issues related to physical
illness
, and life transitions.
Are you suffering or feeling stuck, overwhelmed, unhappy in one or more areas of your life? Do you wish you had a better relationship with those you love the most? Do you make the best decisions? Are you aware of your self-defeating behaviors? Have you ever experienced a traumatic event? Do you wish your life felt better? Is your physical health compromised? These are some of the concerns clients bring to the consulting room. Guided by supportive-expressive interventions; together, we'll examine the ways in which you suffer and create from this experience a more compassionate and psychologically healthier model of living.
Anna Alper
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
I have extensive experience working in medical social work with patients who are battling cancer and helping with adjustment to
illness
, supporting caregivers, providing pre-bereavement & grief support.
I once heard this metaphor about the lotus flower: "The lotus flower grows deep in muddy waters, far away from the sun. In time the Lotus reaches the light and transforms into a beautiful flower." You may be faced with many challenges right now: stress, anxiety, a terminal diagnosis, or perhaps you are experiencing loss of a loved one. Like the lotus flower, it may seem that everything around you is dark and the light seems very distant. It is my passion to help get you through that muddy water and help you bloom into the beautiful lotus that I know you are.
Sonia Aldape
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
I also am skilled with issues of depression, grief, pre-post natal, health/
illness
, and immigration.
Welcome, I am Sonia from Lumena Therapy and I would be honored to work with you. I want you to thrive, experience peace and live authentically despite the challenges of our world. With extensive experience in the mental health field since 2007 and obtaining licensure in 2015, I have supported individuals and families from widely diverse backgrounds through adversity and complex mental health conditions. I provide services to teens, adults and couples dedicated to improving relational and mental health, processing traumatic experiences and creating a safe space to explore emotions, identity and your innate healing potential within.
Not accepting new clients
Carol Williams
Psychologist, PhD
Verified
Verified
Working with adults and teens, my experience is largely with mood and anxiety disorders (particularly Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder). This includes work with people at all stages of recovery from substance abuse and with survivors of sexual abuse. In addition, I partner with physicians in helping people live well with
chronic pain
or chronic medical conditions. I also have expertise in family work - helping people to negotiate the challenges of divorce and remarriage, and enhancing the lives of intercultural and interracial families. My approach is grounded in cognitive-behavioral, family systems, and attachment theories.
Catherine Crawford
Marriage & Family Therapist, MFT, ATR
Verified
Verified
Children/teens: self-esteem, anxiety, depression, navigating relationships, gifted/empathic/HSP, divorce, chronic
illness
, teletherapy for college, art/play therapy.
I bring empathy, compassion and 30 years of experience to my holistic work with adults, children and teens. You are unique and my intent is to listen for your strengths and build on the positive as we gently remove blocks, trauma, thoughts, stressors and old relationship patterns that are holding you back. My style is warm and interactive and I incorporate my own intuition and creativity as I help people to make meaningful life changes.
Christopher Sato-Perry
Psychologist, MA, PsyD
Verified
Verified
For over 24 years, I've collaborated with people to resolve their psychological trauma, phobias, anxiety & stress as well as maximize responses to their medical diagnoses, treatments & conditions. This clinical focus stems from both a personal medical challenge since age 12 and research on treating women with breast cancer and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Yet Kaiser research (1998) finding 70% of primary care visits are driven by mental, emotional and relational issues highlights how mind and body are interwoven for each of us. This interplay provides leverage for preventive medicine, for responding to
illness
and for maximizing peak performance.
Janet Barkin Jacobi
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, JD
Verified
Verified
I primarily see individual adult clients. I take a collaborative approach and provide the support, patience and compassion necessary to promote change and growth. I feel fortunate to work in private practice and at a local hospital. I see a diverse population of clients and have exposure to a wide variety of issues and diagnoses: anxiety, depression, ADHD, domestic violence/trauma, work stress, parenting, relationship problems, grief/loss, chronic
illness
/
pain
, assertiveness/self-esteem, gender incongruence, caregiver stress and life transitions (going to college, having a baby, getting married/divorced, moving, changing jobs).
Hua Zhong
Marriage & Family Therapist Associate
Verified
Verified
Is your marriage in the crisis of divorce? Are you struggling with a recent breakup? Is your child addicted to the internet or video games? Do you wish to improve communication between your family members? I support people seeking relief from their
pain
, grief, anger, anxiety, and fears. I am interested in improving people's lives through introspection, self-awareness, creative expression, and genuine human connection.
EMDR Empowerment- Specializing in EMDR for Results
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW, PPSC
Verified
4 Endorsed
Verified
4 Endorsed
You know how most smart, accomplished professionals have a lot going right in their lives but there is this one "if only" part of their lives that keeps them up at night. They are feeling worried, frustrated & anxious. And they are such wonderful people that you just wish they could have what they want. Maybe this feels familiar & you can relate to wanting something to be different so badly. But for some reason it just doesn't seem to change. This is when we feel disconnected from our most powerful, carefree selves & we're not sure how to find relief.
Hagit Zeev
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified
Verified
HEAL YOUR PARTS • FIND YOUR WHOLE • CONNECT TO YOUR TRUE SELF —— Through my 1-1 therapy (IFS), couples therapy, mindfulness groups, and workshops, I strive to bring you into the present moment. To a place where you can breathe, grow, and heal. —— My passion is helping women in Silicon Valley who want to meet themselves on a deeper level. Together, we'll dive into all the parts that make you the person you are. Then, we'll develop techniques to help you heal from past trauma, live in the present moment, and love yourself unconditionally.
Judy H. Smith
Psychologist, PhD
Verified
Verified
Dr. Smith is a licensed clinical psychologist whose patients include adolescents, adults, and families. She uses insight-oriented and supportive techniques to help patients work through difficult events and feelings. While Dr. Smith defines herself as a generalist in the field of psychology, she does have areas of further experience, including but not limited to the following: Depression, Anxiety, Anger Management, Drug and Alcohol Treatment, Academic or Work Difficulties, Parent/Adolescent Conflicts, Family Conflicts and Resolution of Grief Issues.
Jaclyn Kelly Long
Marriage & Family Therapist, MFT
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
It is my passion to help people lead fulfilling lives and cultivate nourishing relationships. Through mindfulness-based cognitive behavioral therapy, EMDR, Internal Family Systems and somatic interventions, I empower adults, children & teens with tools to navigate their lives and nourish their relationships. I offer couples counseling, parenting support and therapy for children & teens who are struggling with worry, stress, anxiety, defiance, depression and overwhelm. I also offer support for loss & major life transitions. It is a sincere honor to work with my clients, and I hope I get the opportunity to work with you!
Maria Porch
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified
Verified
Are you struggling in your relationships with others, or with how you view yourself? Do you have problems at work, or are you grappling with a loss? Many times we may feel unhappy, or bland but are not clear about the causes and what we can do. Personal growth is a lifelong process, and at times, choosing to embark in a psychotherapeutic relationship can help. We all have the capacity to better understand ourselves and improve our lives. In our work together, you would begin to understand the relationship you have with yourself and how you navigate other relationships.
Vera Kugel
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, MFT
Verified
Verified
Congratulations! You have made a very important decision in your life - you decided to invite professional help into your life. The reasons behind your decision can vary. It can be your feeling of loneliness, difficulties to "fit in", or maybe the demons from the past affecting your life today and you feel like you stuck? Or the main goal you've had all your life seems more and more unreachable and you feel like a failure? Whatever it is, you are the only one who has the answers. You are the only expert of you. But sometimes these answers are buried too deep, so you need professional help to reach them.
Andrew Brown
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified
3 Endorsed
Verified
3 Endorsed
Through my life experiences, I have come to treasure the capacity of the human mind and spirit to overcome what seem like impossible challenges. Perhaps the only thing to amaze me more is how far that capability can wither or grow due to subtle yet profound internal changes of thoughts and emotions.
See more therapy options for Los Altos
Chronic Pain Therapists
How does chronic pain therapy work?
Engaging with a psychotherapist to help treat chronic pain does not mean that one’s pain is all in their head. Therapy for chronic-pain patients has been shown to benefit both the mind and the body, targeting physical symptoms and increasing daily functioning. In other words, for many, addressing their emotional health through therapy affects their physical health. A therapist can help a client challenge unhelpful thoughts about pain and develop new ways to respond to it, such as distraction or calming breathing techniques. Studies have found that therapy can be as effective as surgery for certain cases of chronic pain and many doctors recommend trying psychotherapy in advance of considering invasive surgery.
What are the most effective treatment options for chronic pain?
Stress, anxiety, depression, catastrophizing, ruminating, lack of activity, and social withdrawal all make chronic pain worse. Addressing these issues, research shows, can help people gain control over their pain symptoms. Therapeutic approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy, biofeedback, and mindfulness-based stress reduction, along with greater pain-management education, have been found to help people reduce fear and disability.
Are there new treatments for chronic pain?
Many cases of chronic pain, particularly those involving back pain, remain medically unexplained. But there is evidence that changes in the brain or nervous system are caused by previous physical ailments such as tissue damage; in such cases, the brain may continue to send out pain signals despite the physical cause having healed. To aid patients under these circumstances, a recently developed treatment known as pain reprocessing therapy (PRT) is designed to help the brain “unlearn” this response. A PRT practitioner helps individuals to reduce the “threat value” of their ongoing pain signals until they can reappraise them as less threatening and fear-inducing. They also help an individual to develop new emotional regulation skills.
How long does therapy for chronic pain take?
There is no set timeline for recovery from chronic pain, especially as there may be a range of physical and psychological causes for any individual’s discomfort, but most patients should expect to see a therapist for a number of weeks or months, typically spanning at least 12 sessions. Studies of pain reprocessing therapy found that many individuals’ experience of pain lessened in eight sessions over four weeks.