Spirituality Therapists in Upper Dimond, Oakland, CA

Different seasons of life reveal different needs, hopes, and concerns in each of us. What worked for us as children or young adults may not fit as well in a different season, yet many of us find it hard to make the internal shifts to find something that fits better. We can get stuck, internally or externally, and experience stress and discontent as a result. I love working with clients to help them "unstick" and move into their present and future with tools that are a better fit for who they are and want to be. You DO have what you need to move forward into a more joyous, contented life - with just a little support and guidance.

I have created a unique approach to helping people change. My goal is to honor and respect your individuality and to empower you to access your internal resources and infinite potential for growth and healing. I use hypnosis, guided imagery, dream work, somatic awareness and meditation as well as psychodynamic, cognitive and behavioral approaches. I will make you a tape and teach you to use hypnosis to overcome anxiety and depression, stop smoking, change unwanted habits, control pain, improve performance, enhance self-esteem and deepen spirituality.

People often come to me after trying a lot of different approaches to improve their mental health. Creative people. Queers. Folks with complex identities. Highly sensitive people. People who feel like outsiders at their core. People who feel stuck in ways that are difficult to articulate. Using various therapeutic modalities, including mindfulness, Esalen-trained Gestalt therapy, transpersonal therapy, and somatically informed attachment relational work I help them find ways to feel better and engage with their lives in newer, deeper ways. I assist them in finding a soft place to land and a sense of trust within themselves.

My expertise lies in grief and issues related to aging and end-of-life, exploring the multifaceted nature of grief that extends beyond the traditional understanding. Life's ebbs and flows, be it in work, family, friendships, aging, illness, or loss, are all aspects we can navigate together. Whether you seek probing questions, assistance in achieving specific goals, or simply a listening ear to help you hear your voice, each session is crafted to meet your unique needs and style. I specialize in a relational and client-led approach, tailoring each session to follow your lead and delve into the patterns and areas you wish to explore.

I work collaboratively with adults, children and families across the lifespan to co-create a therapeutic relationship that helps them to recognize behavior and thinking that no longer works and discover new options for living. Using a relational, non-judgmental and compassionate approach, I help people who are navigating difficult life transitions, struggling with relationships, working through grief and loss and adjusting to living with physical or mental illnesses, including addictions and co-occurring disorders. I utilize sand tray therapy and expressive arts in my work with both children and adults.

Relationships are as important to us as food and water. They can strengthen us, like a vitamin, or weaken us, like the flu. You are only as good in relationships as the relationships you have been in. As your therapist I can assist you in many ways. I can help you learn more about yourself, increase both self-compassion and compassion for others, and heal past trauma. Together, we can explore how to feel more connected to yourself, your values, and people you care about.

Being in therapy is a creative process of self-discovery where your whole self is welcome, just as you are. As I join you by making room for what’s hard to say or what has never been spoken, you may feel transformations in what once felt frozen in place. The space we hold for your words in therapy is enlivening, and often leads to deep insights and relief from painful psychological symptoms toward engaging in life more fully. I see individuals and couples who are seeking relief from ongoing conflicts, experience issues with sexuality and intimacy, or who want to find their way back to who they really are beyond shame and guilt.

I am a Black man. I see the world from the perspective of a former linebacker. I have navigated systemically oppressive institutions and speak the language of the survivors of them. I am a husband, a father, a brother, and a son. I am a clinician, an educator, an athlete, and a coach. I want to use my experience and knowledge to support you to define and achieve success for yourself.

When individuals, couples, families or children make the difficult decision to come to therapy they are usually feeling stuck and often scared. Each of us has our own strength and wisdom which we don't see when we are troubled. My goal is for us to work together to rediscover those qualities. I use a cattail plant as a symbol of how I see therapy. Why? Cattails are found stuck in a marsh and often regarded as weeds. But when looked at carefully they are graceful and strong. Let me help you find your strength and grace.

Are you dealing with daily anxiety, sadness, stress, trauma or difficult life transitions? Want peace in your life, but can't seem to attain it? Day to day we can be confronted with new challenges, stressors, and mental exhaustion. It is common to experience a range of emotional challenges individually or within your relationships during various phases of your life. Sometimes you just need a safe place to release and restore. I am committed to providing you a safe, supportive and confidential environment for your restoration and healing.

Has your love, joy, and excitement in your relationship slowly faded away? Does it seem that no matter what you say or do, things are just not getting better, and you feel further from resolving your conflicts and understanding your loved ones? There is a way back to enjoying your relationships again. I have been doing this work for over 24 years, and I know that if you have not left the relationship, there is still hope. Learn how to get rid of the unhealthy patterns and learn new skills to get unstuck so you can enrich your marriage, family, and many other relationships.

I believe therapy is a collaborative and creative endeavor, and provide a safe, supportive environment for you to explore your identity, relationships, history, and desired changes. I am trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help you create lasting changes, and am also influenced by Mindfulness, Narrative, Relational, and Systemic approaches to therapy. I am certified in the Triple P Positive Parenting Program and trained in Trauma-Focused CBT. I am also supportive and affirmative of clients of all sexual orientations and gender identifications, and can assist with issues such as coming out, homophobia, and LGBT relationship or parenting issues.

Jungian Analyst Steven Herrmann, Ph.D., MFT, Montclair, Oakland, California. Are you looking to find ways to make changes in order to live a more satisfying and meaningful life? Are you finding yourself in repetitive patterns that are no longer working for you? Then I may be of assistance to you. I bring an in-depth approach that builds on your strengths and aims to untangle the roots to what is causing problems. This may lead to a reduction in painful symptoms, an opening of vocational possibilities, a newly found sense of joy, and to the transformation of your personality. Please feel free to visit my website at stevenherrmann.com

In our work together, we will create a safe place. I will be your witness, bringing psychological understanding and compassion. I've been doing psychotherapy for over 30 years, and have seen the healing power that comes as you take a fresh look at your life circumstances and inner experience. I've seen people of all ages -- from high school through retirement, and everywhere in between. About half my work has been with couples. I often see lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender couples and individuals.

Have you tried to stop looking at porn but can't? Have secrets sapped the trust and respect from your relationship? Do memories of past hurts intrude into the present? Infidelity, porn, or sex addiction -- and the shame that comes along with it -- can take away our voice. Let's talk and make sure you're heard. I have helped many individuals and couples develop healthy sexuality and rebuild trust. It would be my honor to walk alongside you.

Are you feeling stuck or overwhelmed? Do you get in your own way, with negative thoughts or behaviors? Do you struggle with intimacy and trust? Perhaps you're gripped by emotions you cannot control; or the opposite - feel disconnected, alienated, unable to get close? Others have found healing and transformation through psychotherapy - there is hope!

Whether experiencing distress due to current life circumstances or lingering hurts and difficulties, working with a supportive therapist can help. Each individual and family has its own unique story and set of strengths and struggles. My practice consists of working with children, families and adults. I have provided services in diverse settings including schools, youth and family service organizations and substance abuse programs. I have had the honor of working with people of all ages and cultural backgrounds. I believe in working collaboratively with clients and I strive to provide a welcoming environment that promotes healing, self-acceptance and learning new skills to cope.

Psychotherapy can provide a place to help people achieve their life goals, make life changes, move through difficult life transitions, or better understand ongoing relational concerns. My work is based on the belief that we are each influenced by a variety of factors including larger social contexts, individual family histories, and unique life experiences. An increased understanding of ourselves and the various influences on our lives can allow us to make more conscious choices and changes.rnrnMy commitment is to provide a collaborative and supportive environment to explore your life circumstances and better meet your life goals.

I believe that individual power and potential is boundless, and yet I deeply understand how vulnerable we are to life's pain. The complex emotions involved in loss, family/marital conflict and unpredictable change often require us to find fresh perspective, rebuild internal resources and enhance our self-compassion. I am an active, emotionally engaged therapist with a broad and comprehensive knowledge base that is a touchstone for understanding your individual needs.