Couples Counseling Therapists in North Oakland, Oakland, CA

I practice both individual psychotherapy and assessment for children, adolescents, and adults. I specialize in understanding and addressing coping skills, anxiety, self-esteem, body image, and family conflict. Through therapy, assessment, or consultation, I provide support in navigating individual complexities. Whether I am working with children, teenagers, or adults, my aim is to help those I work with manage overwhelming emotions, navigate challenging situations, and address barriers standing in the way of contentment and clarity.

Welcome, have you been feeling stressed, burned out or overwhelmed? Or Maybe you have even been faced with relationship issues, family conflicts, intergenerational trauma, violence, abuse, a life transition, illness or addiction? You don't have to deal with this alone. I am here to meet you where you are and to support your healing journey, reconnect you with yourself, reduce suffering and improve your family life at the same time.

I offer humor, warmth and unconditional acceptance of whatever you bring into session. I've worked with many different issues across many different age groups including: depression, anxiety, existential and relationship issues and trauma. Many clients come in wanting to unpack their past- others need to focus on the present. I can meet you wherever you are and help you develop a healthy relationship to yourself and others. Children's psychological needs often represent themselves a little differently, but ultimately require the same safe space to explore, unpack and process.

Life is harder than expected at times. Transitions, loss, trauma, persistent anxiety or depression, or a feeling that things will never change are just a few examples of the ways in which people can feel less hopeful about their lives. Psychotherapy is a tool that can alleviate the stressors of everyday life, improve one's sense of well being and connection with others and enhance one's self understanding. Over time it can also lead to a greater sense of competency and satisfaction in the world.

Starting therapy can be both exciting, and anxiety provoking. Whether you are hoping to focus on specific discrete concerns, or exploring broader, longer standing challenges, therapy can be useful in understanding how aspects of one‘s temperament and relational tendencies can interfere with living life authentically, and with reaching one’s full potential. By addressing issues in real-time, while also considering the impact of situational factors and past experiences, therapy can help to identify areas of one’s life to examine, and evolve. Importantly, therapy often promotes resiliency, self-awareness and personal growth.

I specialize in effective couples therapy. I work with adult individuals, and men with issues in the area of sexuality and intimacy. In working with couples I focus on self-responsibility, communication (listening when listening is hard, self revealing instead of finger-pointing), expectations, self-awareness, and remaining intimate through difficulty. Throughout the whole process I integrate a focus on kindness without abandoning or avoiding the truth. I also specialize in assisting and supporting both men and women with building the skill and ability to feel and share their feelings effectively in intimate relationships.

I provide sex-positive therapy to individuals, relationships, and adult families. Most of my clients have non-mainstream sexual, gender, and/or relationship identities. Many identify as non-monogamous, are considering opening or creatively designing their relationship (s); I help them to create agreements, move through jealousy, heal from infidelities, build trust, and improve communication with partners and metamours. I work with queer, transgender, and nonbinary clients just beginning to question and explore their identities, and those who have been out for years and need therapy from a clinician familiar with queer issues.

I have a history of working with trauma, couples , adolescents, ADHD and substance use disorders. I work hard at empowering clients to move past struggles that hold them back and to find a sense of agency and purpose. I use a variety of different therapies and techniques including EMDR, somatic therapies, trauma informed treatment and CBT to name a few of the modalities I offer to clients.

I work towards developing a relationship with you where you can feel safe to express your feelings, talk about your concerns and think creatively about old patterns and past worries that may be holding you back from living life more fully. I strive to create a therapeutic environment where you will gain more awareness and learn to live in a creative and playful manner while developing the capacity to know and realistically meet your own needs. You will find me to be warm, interested, creative, and curious therapist.

As the world turns on, it can be hard to find time and space to reflect on the inevitable thoughts and emotions that arise through this life. I am dedicated to providing a safe and comfortable space to do this along with you. We all deserve a non judgmental, listening ear to explore our inner challenges, strengths and to find opportunities for personal growth. I have experience working with clients who are going through life transitions, coping with anxiety and depression, as well as trying to better understand the way their personal histories impact their thoughts and behaviors today.

Psychotherapy is a powerful tool for healing. Through a trusting therapeutic relationship , it is possible to improve connections with others, build deeper awareness of feelings and experiences, and find relief from old patterns that no longer serve you. I believe that each client’s strengths provide the foundation for our collaborative work in therapy. Building on your strengths and resiliencies, we can begin to shift places in your life where you feel stuck, and to cultivate hope. It is an honor for me to witness your process and to join you in your journey toward healing.

"Reaching out is the first step. I invite you to take that first step and CALL me at 510-652-1902. I look forward to talking with you."

My approach is grounded in Cognitive-Behavioral and Attachment Theories. I also incorporate the practices of Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction and ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy). I aspire to meet clients where they are, and help each individual to work on his or her expressed goals. I enjoy taking this journey with clients to navigate some of their most difficult and challenging moments in life, to help prevent troubled kids or young adults from more serious trouble, and to help all clients who seek my support turn their life's biggest challenges into opportunities for growth and lasting change.

The decision to pursue therapy is often not an easy one. However, in working with a therapist, most people find a sense of relief that comes with learning that change is possible. Whether your concerns are long-standing patterns or new adjustments, through collaborative exploration within a therapeutic relationship , new ways of relating and coping can develop.

My therapy practice will provide you with a safe environment to examine thoughts and behaviors that may be holding you back from the happiness, peace, and success that you want. I specialize in working with adults in the treatment of anxiety, depression, and relationship problems. Additionally, I am a certified anger management facilitator.