Jungian Therapists in Menlo Park, CA

While some individuals enter therapy with acute distress and specific problems that need to be addressed; others have a more vague feeling of discontent. In either case, the self-exploration of analytic work is meant to expand the way one thinks and feels. Learning to think creatively is one way to describe the goal of psychoanalytic psychotherapy. WIth guidance, an individual learns to hold the tension of multiple perspectives/emotions resulting in a flexibility of thinking that involves both analytic and imaginative parts of the mind. This "full thinking" can be applied to personal life issues, relationships and creative pursuits.

I am here to tell you, you are not broken, even if your mind may tell you so. When we are anxious or in despair, we can’t think straight or engage our usual survival strategies. It can impact our health, body, emotions, relationships, perception of self and reality. We can't make sense of the distorted thoughts alone. We need a therapist to help guide us. I often help young women who are feeling shy, anxious, obsessive, depressed, or struggling with life transitions. I enjoy helping girls and women achieve developmentally appropriate social-emotional, verbal and non-verbal communication skills.

I work with individuals from young adulthood through older age, and couples have been a specialty for more than 25 years. Life events and experiences can cause stress, confusion, grief, and myriad other feelings which, when internalized, result in anxiety and depression. Whether seeing couples or individuals, I have found that a combination of insight and understanding, attention to feelings, and cognitive and behavioral change is most effective in addressing both internal and interpersonal conflicts and concerns. I work with people to resolve, heal, accept, and cope with loss, trauma, illness, family, marital and work issues, and more.

Therapy offers an opportunity to move your life in more desired directions and to help you live with greater personal satisfaction and engagement. My therapeutic approach focuses on helping you more deeply understand possible causes of emotional distress. We work together to develop insights and strategies necessary for managing and potentially resolving both inner conflict as well as interpersonal dynamics. I tailor the type of therapy provided to suit your needs. Our work generally involves developing psychological perspectives necessary to reduce symptoms, manage stressors, and deepen and enrich your psychological life.

With thirty years experience as a bilingual/bicultural therapist in many areas of psychology, I am qualified to work with families, couples and individuals across a wide spectrum. I specialize in children and teens with conduct disorders. I specialize in 0-5 failure to thrive (RAD) and with Hospice work, emphasizing cultural differences (Hispanic). I also work with children and teens with developmental disorders that include Asperger's syndrome and mild Autism. I have long experience in Shamanic Healing (Native American and Hispanic). Further experience is with the LGT community. I also work with addiction, depression and OCD as well as Bipolar Disorders.

I am a warm, compassionate psychologist who practices therapy with a "power with" rather than a "power over" approach. I have personal experience with many life events including single parenting, divorce, caring for elderly parents, and overcoming depression. I specialize in treating eating disorders, body image, identity issues, depression, trauma, anxiety, and cancer related distress. I have extensive experience working at the residential & outpatient levels for eating disorders, and provide supportive therapy for not only the client, but for the parent or significant other who supports them.

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.

I'm a Psychologist with an Integrative perspective, comfortable working with a variety of types of people and problems from a variety of perspectives. It is as important to be able to work towards change in the present, as it is to revisit and understand how one's developmental history may be influencing present issues or repeating patterns. I have found truths in many theoretical approaches, and as much from studies outside of Psychology as within it.

Trauma and its related challenges can cause anxiety and sadness. You might wonder, will this ever get better? How long can I tolerate this bravery? I welcome supporting you. If complicated life themes tend to show up unexpectedly in your relationships, substance misuse, transitions, getting along with colleagues, distancing yourself, public speaking and more, I can help. Let’s collaboratively explore this knotted chain, which is really a portal into what blocks self confidence and connection. We'll find new solutions, reduce or resolve triggers that effect your everyday life in a way that is paced.

Are you unhappy in your primary relationship? Have you suffered the loss of a love? Are addictions (yours or your partners) hurting you and the people you love? Would you like to have a more fulfilling sexual relationship with your partner? I have been helping couples increase emotional and physical intimacy for over 20 years. I take a directive approach to helping couples communicate more effectively. Often they find this results in more frequent supportive and loving interactions. Therapy can help you become more empowered in all your relationships. This often results in being more productive at work as well.

Working in Silicon Valley and close to Stanford University has given me the privilege and delight--for 25 years--of accompanying executives, professionals, academics and/or their partners and families during times of growth, grief, and change, both welcome and unwelcome. I respect the courage and commitment these gifted, stressed individuals and couples bring to their personal and professional development and challenges, and to increasing the quality of both their inner and outer lives.

Most of my clients are looking for effective strategy to navigate through crisis, relationship concerns, deal with depression, anxiety or other emotional states. Many clients see me for a brief period and others return periodically as they implement changes or encounter new concerns. I help clients maneuver through life transitions, parenting challenges, and exploring their potential as well as their life purpose.

When coping styles or life experiences challenge our ability to navigate the world, we often need a guide to help get a different perspective and learn new skills. Chronic distressful emotions/stress, burnout, negative inner dialogue, communication and relationship problems, problematic conflict styles, unmet needs/desires, trauma symptoms, and other difficulties lead to emotional distress and disease. Decode your emotions, manage stress/anxiety, cultivate wisdom, move from depression to finding your passion, resolve grief/trauma and help reclaim your joy, transform unhealthy habits, improve relationships while focusing on what's meaningful for a lifetime of self-awareness and acceptance.

Our aspiration for a wholesome and fulfilling life often leads us towards the path of healing and growth. Psychotherapy is a powerful medium for this transformation. In my practice, I strive to create a safe and confidential environment for deep reflection on the self and on relationships. This serves as a catalyst for changes including alleviation of stress, anxiety and depression as well as bettered connections with others. Collaborating with you, I customize and teach a tool box of techniques for you to use at home, work and play.

We all have the need to be seen, heard and valued. I would like to provide you a safe space and, a strength based approach for your journey. I strive to form a therapeutic relationship through trust and genuineness. Together we can work towards gaining new perspectives about your unique journey. Struggling with anxiety, depression, guilt, shame, low self-esteem can be extremely challenging. I understand and validate your difficulties, and with a little help you can work through your struggles and manage the cycle of stress.

I am the therapist for the working professional and their families. I am available to accept new clients. I provide Problem Solving Strategic Therapy and Solution-Focused Therapy, Somatic Psychotherapy, Career and work related Coaching and Leadership Development. I work with high functioning adults and adolescents, individuals and families; with students on performance and anxiety issues; with couples to improve communication and emotional connection/intimacy. Trying to conceive, Pregnancy, Postpartum and Parenting. I work in California for therapy; globally for coaching.

Finding the right therapist for you can feel daunting! You might wonder if it's possible for someone to really get you & if opening up is worth the risk. I connect well with those who feel set apart from those around them or have difficulty connecting with others. We come to know & understand ourselves in the context of relationships. Without authentic connections, we can end up feeling really stuck - disconnected from those around us & from ourselves. Through the experience of being with another person in a safe & accepting space, the therapeutic relationship offers a unique & meaningful opportunity for self-discovery & healing.

BRINK OF BREAKUP OR DIVORCE; INFIDELITY; PARTNER BETRAYAL; DECEPTION, LIES, SECRECY; NARCISSIST TRAITS; CODEPENDENCY; TOXIC LOVE ATTACHMENT: Can you bounce back and heal from partner infidelity or betrayal? Can you feel better and rebuild trust again? Can your relationship or marriage become stronger and more connected after the devastating discovery of infidelity and betrayal? ABSOLUTELY! Majority of relationships not only survive infidelity, but many relationships & marriages can become stronger and more intimate after undergoing infidelity couples counseling/coaching process with a competent couples therapist/counselor/coach.