Family Therapy in Mountain View, CA

My therapeutic style is above all relational, meaning that my relationship with my clients is of utmost importance in developing the trust needed to address life's challenges, stressors and suffering. It is in this initial rapport building where I come to know each client's particular life situation, culture, needs and goals. I have worked for over 34 years in a broad range of settings, providing services to clients over the entire life span. I hold your wellness in high regard and respect the very difficult life decisions that we all must make to have a life worth living.

I see the world as my life-time classroom. My therapeutic work is rooted in Jungian and Transpersonal Psychology and have provided therapy for adults, couples, adolescents, and children for eight years in various clinical settings.

My name is Sean O'Dwyer, and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a background in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and relational and intersubjective approaches. I work primarily with adults and specialize in treating anxiety, attachment concerns, life transitions, grief and loss, self-esteem, co-dependency, depression, and relationships. My approach is holistic and compassionate while utilizing cognitive, somatic, and mindfulness interventions to help you meet your goals.

I enjoy working with people who would like to change their relationship with problems in their lives, and gain power over these problems and their effects. I have extensive training and experience working with people affected by domestic violence, sexual assault, and eating disorders. In addition, I meet with people who are affected by chronic medical conditions and parent/teen conflict. I view people as having ideas about how they would like to be in life and in relationships; yet, problems can disconnect people from their ideas and identities, influencing them to act in unsatisfactory ways.

I work with people who are interested in making constructive changes related to personal, work, and relationship stress, healing from past traumas, and learning how to “unstick” from spirals of negative thoughts and frustration. My treatment approach is strengths-based, solution-focused, and tailored to each individual. I specialize in evidence-based practices with a focus on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART). For couples I use Gottman and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) methods. My goal is to help individuals focus on what truly matters to them.

Sakeenah Hakim, LCSW utilizes a strength based and holistic approach that emphasizes mindfulness and recognizes the effects of trauma on behavior and development. She prioritizes the client’s needs and encourages a partnership dynamic when establishing, implementing, and meeting the client’s treatment goals. I have a nonjudgmental client centered humanistic approach. I’m patient and respect the process it takes to build a rapport. I also believe words are power and assist clients with ways on how to minimize the use of words that feed negative thinking patterns.

I have experience in many areas, including depression, anxiety, coping skills, life coaching, anger and stress management, trauma, parenting, behavior problems, caregiver issues, and many others. I enjoy working with individuals of all ages, enjoying the challenges all ages bring. I strive to provide the client an eclectic range of therapeutic modes, to assist them in achieving their goals in an accepting, compassionate, culturally sensitive environment.

"What one person has to offer to another, is their own being, nothing more, nothing less" - Ram Dass. My therapeutic approach is a strength-based perspective that focuses on a person's innate potential rather than pathologies and shortfalls. Consistent with this approach, my role as a therapist lies not in solving problems but in helping clients examine inhibited issues and biases, identify practical solutions to their problems and progress towards deeper wisdom. I have worked with clients of various ethnicities, addressing a range of mental health issues, relationship problems, and life transitions.

I use Acceptance-based approaches when leaving thoughts alone and moving towards valued living is most appropriate. At other times, I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy approaches to facilitate skill development and to challenge thoughts. This ultimately increases your ability to flexibly adapt to constant novelty. Both approaches are geared towards discovering behavioral patterns that keep you stuck and then changing them to increase meaning and purpose in your life.

Welcome. My approach to therapy is collaborative and results-focused. I am told that I am insightful and my knowledge and perspective are helpful. I can be direct when needed and think humor can sometimes lighten challenging situations. Better understanding ourselves can lead to lasting change in our lives even when we previously felt stuck. My background as an engineer and manager means I understand the pressures of working in the tech industry. Often very successful people still need support in one aspect of their lives. I have experience with clients from 5-85 years old and from many different cultures and backgrounds.

Life can get difficult sometimes.  If you are struggling, you are not alone. I believe we all have a natural ability to transform and heal during difficult times if given support and guidance to know ourselves and the longings beneath our emotions. My goal is to provide an interactive, affirming and empowering space for my clients to explore their emotions and longings, ultimately building resilience. I'm trained in working with stress, anxiety, depression, loneliness, shame, grief and trauma. I have years of experience providing brief and longer term therapy and can help you build capacity for a vibrant and deeply meaningful life.

I am a no-nonsense therapist who quickly establishes a safe relationship with the client to work on the presenting issues. I connect particularly well with bipolar clients.

Change can be rewarding, even exciting, when undertaken with the right support. In these uncertain times, I am committed to providing calming, nourishing help. I am warm, collaborative, understanding, and real. Let's connect so you can tap into greater ease, clarity, and connection.

As a member of Joelle Rabow Maletis & Associates Sarah specializes in PTSD, relationship issues, infertility miscarriage, and life transitions. JRM&A works with clients struggling with hardships such as addiction, eating disorders, self-harm, and various forms of trauma. We offer relationship services for dating, parenting, marriage, and couples. We also help military personnel and first responders with PTSD, trauma, stress, anxiety, vicarious trauma, and the transition back to civilian life. Our individual services include trauma, life transitions, anxiety, trauma, complex PTSD, and more.

Imagine a therapeutic space where warmth meets skillfulness, where healing is accompanied by laughter, and where each challenging step forward is a step closer to joy and relief. That is what you'll find with me. My approach blends evidenced-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy techniques with empathic connection and a touch of humor to create a safe and uplifting environment for your healing journey.

Ineffective therapy can leave clients feeling hopeless, confused, and frustrated. If you’re ready for therapy that goes beyond endless talking and leads to lasting results, I can help. I love treating clients who struggle with anxiety, depression, faith transitions, stress, weight/body image concerns, PTSD/trauma, and more. I have found that clients who see the best results are those who understand that change takes effort. Effort means confronting truths, sitting with discomfort, and doing your homework. My clients can expect to feel better, more equipped, and more empowered.

Joelle Rabow Maletis, MAEd, MA, LMFT, is a well known psychotherapist and trauma expert. She specializes in PTSD, relationship issues, addictions, and life transitions. JRM&A works with clients struggling with hardships such as miscarriages, infertility, eating disorders, self-harm, and various forms of trauma. We offer relationship services for dating, parenting, marriage, and couples. We also help military personnel and first responders with PTSD, trauma, stress, anxiety, vicarious trauma, and the transition back to civilian life. Our individual services include trauma, life transitions, anxiety, trauma, complex PTSD, and more.

Welcome to my psychotherapy practice. I know it can be stressful looking for a therapist and trying to find the right person for you. It's not easy to know who that may be and to start the process. I will try to help by saying a little about how I work and you can trust your intuition and feel if working with me might be right for you. In my practice I work with pre teens, teens, adults, couples and families. We work with everything that you bring into the room, together we invite exploration and go on a journey of self discovery and self understanding.

In the TV show "Sex and City" there is a line: " in this city ( New York) everyone is looking for something, a job, an apartment, or a partner. " Underline this, you can feel the anxiety and the need for certainty, comfort and connection. These are human existial needs and I can help you with: stress, anxiety, depression that are related to work, personal/intimate relationship, relationship with children, and developmental trauma. I believe in therapy is to help people to return to normal life, work and develop more enjoyable things.