EMDR Therapists in Los Gatos, CA

As your therapist, my first offering would be creating a safe environment for you, whereby you know that you are being heard, respected, and validated. I respect and honor your wish to find someone to work with; a traveling companion for the road you are on.  I know this first step is a hard one.  I’ve been in your shoes too. Here is what I have learned: connection matters. Feelings matter. Knowing, that someone sees how hard it can be, matters. And yes, expertise matters. If you’ve gotten this far then you are likely wondering- could this person possibly be my/our therapist? Will she understand me/us? Will she care? Can she help?

For over 30 years, I have specialized in working with individuals and couples who are looking for a deep, transformative experience in therapy that resolves core issues and not just symptoms. I help my clients heal life long attachment wounds and change deep seated negative patterns, facilitating a greater capacity for intimacy, joy, inner peace, and confidence. I draw upon several approaches including EMDR for the resolution of past trauma and addictions, psychodynamic (childhood issues), Couples Systems, Jungian dream analysis, meditative practices, somatic focused therapy, and techniques from the latest neuroscience research.

I am a sex therapist and couples counselor. I provide expert care for couples’ issues, intimacy struggles, sexual struggles, infidelity, sexual compulsivity, sexual addiction and trauma. My goal is to create an intimate space where both partners can share their experience and feelings. I also work with individuals on their relationship issues. My intention is to share a journey that will allow you to unlock the whatever it is that is keeping you from having a happy, fulfilling life. The work that you do now can positively impact you and your partner for a life time. If you are serious about change deep transformation is possible.

I am kink affirming and knowledgable, LGBTQ+/sexual and gender minority inclusive, and a sex positive provider. My primary focus includes: anxiety and trauma, self worth, guilt and shame, intimacy and sexuality concerns, chronic pain, and how emotions can manifest physically in the body.

Change and growth are hard but regressive change is ultimately harder. My approach to change is integrative: mind, body, spirit, social. My decades of experience enable me to bring objectivity, knowledge, and compassion to our task of uncovering your truth and your path to individual and relational health. As a psychology professor I stay current with new research. I use a diverse set of tools to help you achieve your goals: IFS, CBT, EFT, EMDR , trauma-informed therapy, and Neurofeedback. I am a communications expert who uses powerful tools to implement research-backed processes to help your relationships thrive.

With my experience throughout my therapist career life, I find people are able to get in touch with their own voice, motivation, and wisdom when they feel heard, seen, and understood. I provide therapy with love and care to clients and help them see and change their pattern in the here-and-now moment in the therapeutic relationship. Besides providing psychoeducation and coping skills to help clients manage their symptoms, I devote my work to helping clients explore their ways of transformation and getting closer to their True Self.

My approach to counseling integrates evidence-based treatments ( EMDR , DBT), mindfulness-awareness skills (MBCT, ACT) and person-centered counseling with art therapy theories and practices. In our sessions, I will work with you to increase wellness, improve your sense of self-compassion, build on your creativity and identify personal strengths. I will work with you to achieve the changes you seek in your unique journey of healing, growth, balance and sustained mental health in life.

I am accepting new clients! There is a path through difficult times even when you may be feeling overwhelmed. I provide compassionate and nonjudgmental support and have many years of experience helping individuals understand their relationship with substances and to recover from addiction. I provide EMDR treatment to support PTSD and trauma stabilization, Anxiety, and Depression recovery. I help people through relationship struggles and life changes and help with managing difficult emotions such as anger management. I also work with couples and families to help them improve communication and grow intimacy and connection.

Do you feel more and more distant from your partner each time you continue to argue about the same old things without any change? In our sessions, you can expect to defuse the conflicts as we begin to understand what drives them. I specialize in providing therapy for individuals & couples who wish to make positive and lasting changes in their lives and relationships, grow and develop, for themselves and those they love. As a psychotherapist, the most important thing I can offer you is a safe, compassionate and supportive space that allows each person to feel heard and validated.

Do you find yourself having the same conversation with your partner and getting nowhere? Do you have changes you want to make but don't know where to start? Do you have addictions or patterns of behavior that you would like to change? Are you down, frustrated, tired, depressed, angry, sad? Are you in transition and need help sorting things out? Do you need help in communicating with a family member or friend? Are you unhappy with your initmate relationship, or want to explore new things? Do you experience shame or guilt related to your sexuality and unspoken desires? Are you wondering "Is there more to life?"

As a clinician who practices a strength-based approach to assessment, strategies and treatment, I love helping people to re-connect with their own happiness! My clinical expertise is in combining specialized clinical knowledge and skills in the service of resolving anxiety. My unique approach incorporates Cognitive Behavior Therapy and Mindfulness. I find that many people diagnosed with long-standing clinical depression and anxiety are often suffering from the negative impact of self-criticism, relationship discord, past trauma, or achievement fatigue, and that once these are addressed, their symptoms subside.

No matter how well we have our lives put together, each and every one of us will experience challenges that are difficult to navigate alone. But you don't have to wait until a crisis hits. It's never to soon to develop the tools you need to weather life's storms. I have worked with children, families, couples, and individuals at every stage of life, treating anxiety and depression, trauma, grief, transitions, and codependency. I welcome people from all walks of life: all genders, sexual orientations, sizes, cultural backgrounds, relationship styles, and more.

I can help you solve your problems and achieve the quality of life and love that you seek. I believe in your potential and the potential of your relationships to go to the next higher level of functioning. I can help you with practical solutions (behavioral changes) to relationship, career and parenting issues as well as personal issues that lead to anxiety and depression. Insight, emotional healing, and inner wisdom are the deeper forces that you can access in our healing work together. Advanced psychotherapeutic techniques ( EMDR Trauma Reduction, Somatic, Transpersonal, Mindfulness) are available as well as supportive, nurturing counseling.

I have been told that I bring hope to situations, experiences and behaviors that often feel hopeless. Specializing in working with families, children, adolescents and parents, I work collaboratively with client/s to identify and develop goals, and a road map of how we will know that these goals are being met as we work together. I work actively with clients using their knowledge and strengths towards reaching their goals.

Hello and welcome, I am glad you found your way here. These days many of us are dealing with difficult challenges in our lives, due to either past trauma or current situations. We may get overwhelmed with feelings of sadness and worry, we may find it difficult to regulate our emotions, we may not enjoy the things we used to enjoy, and our relationships may suffer. If you notice that it is harder to tolerate stressful situations, that you feel powerless, or that you are questioning you worthiness, I am here to help you.

Therapy is a chance to explore your feelings and thoughts, to gain a better understanding of yourself, and to make positive changes that will allow you to experience life more fully. I will provide a safe environment for your exploration, and draw on my knowledge of theory and technique to help you access untapped or forgotten resources. I believe that through a respectful therapeutic relationship you will be able to explore beliefs that limit your life, and ultimately you will be able to choose, with awareness, how you want to be in the world.

Dr. Dufford received specialized training and experience in treating anxiety disorders at the Anxiety Treatment Center with Dr. Bourne, author of The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook. Since 1993 Dr. Dufford is director of Anxiety Treatment Services treating Generalized Anxiety, OCD, PTSD, Panic Attacks, Agoraphobia, Specific Phobias, Social Anxiety and related issues: addiction, anger, depression, Trichotillomania/Excoriation, relationships, sleep/insomnia, grief and self-esteem. He is a professional member of the California Psychological Association, Obsessive Compulsive Foundation and EMDR International Association. Dr. Dufford is certified as a Cognitive-Behavioral Therapist, Clinical Hypnotherapist, Expert in Traumatic Stress and Addictions Counselor.