Couples Counseling Therapists in Oakland, CA
See all therapists in OaklandNot accepting new clients

Audre Mowry
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
Welcome. Firstly, I want to acknowledge you for taking this first step in finding a therapist, I am so glad you are here. Finding a therapist can be a hard and vulnerable process, and I feel honored that you are considering me. I believe that psychotherapy is a collaborative
relationship
which starts with the connection we build together. As the therapeutic
relationship
develops, so does the trust and ability to be challenged and grow.I have particular specialties working with adults, teens and children in Grief & Loss and Sexuality & Gender. I work with individuals,
couples
/ diads/triads, families and groups.

Danielle W. VanDeventer
Psychologist, PhD, MSCP
Verified
Verified
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.

Roksana Sarrafan
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified
3 Endorsed
Verified
3 Endorsed
I am dedicated to helping my clients overcome their emotional and
relationship
issues, and ultimately manage and resolve their conflicts.
As a therapist, my goal is to use my multicultural knowledge and experience to offer professional services based on respect and trust. The foundation of my clinical work is to remain non-judgmental and culturally sensitive.

Julie Waters
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified
13 Endorsed
Verified
13 Endorsed
Seeing people move towards greater freedom and satisfaction is uplifting to me! I hold intense emotions as my clients face painful parts of their past in the name of greater stability and peace in the present. No one really escapes the existential pain of BEING, but keeping perspective and a sense of humor helps us face and integrate our demons. Together we find relief and movement forward. I treat many ailments including trauma, anxiety, depression, and difficulty in relationships. I work with individual adults and teens as well as
couples
and families.

Maryam Goudarzi
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified
Verified
By building a strong therapeutic
relationship
with my clients and by listening to and understanding them, I can determine the best approach that meets their needs and obtain their goals. With many different interventions, my clients will learn techniques to become aware and they will be able to identify their thought, emotional and behavioral patterns as well as identify the patterns that work for them and the ones that don’t. Exploring new ways of being, thinking, and behaving allows my clients to reach and maintain the fulfilling life that they want and deserve to have.

Kevin Edward Rowland
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified
Verified
Want to see results in your psychotherapy? My twenty years in the field have informed my safe, supportive, solutions focused style using empirically proven techniques. I collaborate best with motivated Clients who are working through the following challenges: depression, anxiety, addiction, traumas, communication/
relationship
and workplace issues. I have an office in Oakland and San Francisco, and take most insurance and self pay Clients. Please call for a free telephonic consultation.

Tim Henry
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
Who is driving you crazy? Your
partner
, your boss, your teacher, your mother? Are you feeling overwhelmed, trapped, unsatisfied? Would you like to be more assertive, establish stronger boundaries & have more satisfying relationships? Would you like to remove obstacles that are preventing you from achieving your dreams? I want to help you develop life-long patterns to sustain a richer, more gratifying life. I specialize in working with adults going through transitions relating to work, school & relationships. I love working with intelligent, creative, motivated & insightful clients.

Jessica Gould Deitch
Psychologist, PsyD
Verified
Verified
My areas of specialty include
relationship
issues, trauma, self-esteem, anxiety, and depression.
I aim to create a space where you feel recognized, understood, and safe enough to explore whatever pain or experience you need help with. My style is warm, collaborative, and compassionate. I use an individualized approach and tailor my interventions to your unique and specific needs. I combine down to earth, practical support with a depth-oriented approach focused on symptom relief and shifting long-standing patterns that have gotten in the way. I also focus on creating a strong therapeutic
relationship
in which each person I work with feels cared for and understood.
Waitlist for new clients

Kathrina Peters
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, PhD, LMFT
Verified
Verified
I provide short-term and long-term therapy, and love working with individuals,
couples
and families.
Whether you're looking for short-term or long-term therapy, I provide a safe and caring place for you. Our sessions are focused on what is important to you, as well as what is important for you. I give special consideration to your cultural background, and work with you in a way that is respectful and effective. I don't just listen without commenting, but interact with you and help you express thoughts and feelings if that is what you need. Therapy can be painful and frustrating, but is almost always beneficial. I look forward to working together.

Michael Henderson
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified
Verified
Through my internships in graduate school, and continuing after graduation, I worked with children and adolescents through foster care, Child Protective Services, outpatient individual therapy, a non-public school setting, and community based mental health treatment in the family's home and in a group home setting. Practicing as a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist for over 17 years provided me with a wealth of experience in treatment with individuals,
couples
, families, and groups.

Katherine D Czesak
Psychologist, PhD
Verified
Verified
I have assisted clients with a broad spectrum of issues: life-style changes (smoking cessation, alleviating compulsions, addictions, eating habits), improving quality of life (
relationship
problems, life-transition difficulties, work related stress, self-esteem struggles, anxiety, and depression), and emotional healing (past and current trauma, sexual abuse),.
My approach is to understand you deeply and individualize our work by finding what is most effective for you. All people are unique and their life circumstances are particular to who they are. Through collaboration, we figure out what is what is most beneficial for your wellbeing and also what is realistic for your lifestyle. I look forward to meeting you and exploring what you wish to change through an initial free half hour phone consultation. My two offices, downtown San Francisco and on Piedmont Avenue in Oakland, are accessible by public transportation.

Steven Foster
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified
Verified
Hello! Welcome to my personal profile. I am Steve Foster, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist The majority of my experience has been in working with
couples
, married and otherwise, to improve communication in their relationships. "Taking the war out of words",and learning to take one another's perspective increase the likelihood of success in intimate relationships. I've also worked with those coping with substance dependency. I am a strong believer in the value of family, and in the power of living a clean and sober, recovery-centered life. Please feel free to call me to discuss your concerns.
Waitlist for new clients

Shanna LoPresti
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified
3 Endorsed
Verified
3 Endorsed
You can thrive, feel more freedom and peace, and you don't have to do it alone.
Relationship
challenges, confusing emotions, and transitions can leave us feeling shaky. Somatic (body-centered) therapy can help you understand yourself while healing past hurts. Every
relationship
you have had with others and society influences your well-being. I can help you navigate relationships with self, loved ones, and the wider world with confidence and ease. You possess tremendous inner strength, courage, and determination. If you are willing to work, you can have the change you desire. You deserve to be your best self.

Molly Nadler
Psychologist, PsyD
Verified
Verified
Self-understanding within the context of a safe therapeutic
relationship
gives people the power to make healthy, informed choices that reduce distress and create more meaning and joy.
Psychotherapy is a uniquely effective way to address and process deeply rooted issues that manifest in ways that are painful, confusing, and make people feel out of control. I work with children, adolescents, and adults in individual therapy, using a collaborative approach that centers on empathy, understanding, and exploration. My orientation is predominantly psychodynamic, and I tailor my approach to each individual to address unique circumstances and complexities. I strive to create a safe, warm, and validating environment that enables people to share and be vulnerable without fear of judgment.

Sandy Huynh
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified
3 Endorsed
Verified
3 Endorsed
Relationships can change and heal us, especially the
relationship
that we have with ourselves. I'm here to facilitate a space for healing and to support you in finding your way back to yourself again. There's an innate wisdom deep within that can get often get blocked by traumatic life experiences, negative thought patterns, unhealthy relationships, and behaviors that no longer serve you. I would be honored to help you find space, connection, and healing. I work with all who are seeking healing, but work especially well with Asian American women, BIPOC, and the adult children of immigrants and refugees.

Erica Elena Berman
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified
2 Endorsed
Verified
2 Endorsed
I am a relational somatic therapist, which means that I approach issues through the
relationship
and the body.
I specialize in developmental trauma through somatic therapy, a mind/body interpersonal approach towards emotional and mental health. We hold a lot of unexpressed emotions and trauma in our body, and finding ways to notice and work with them with another person can help us create shifts and cultivate tools for day-to-day life. Unlike traditional therapies, you will find the tools of connecting with your body and working with what comes up in the present moment can generate long term changes in your entire constitution. Using guided mindfulness, movement & safe somatic touch, you can move forward to where you want to be.
Oakland, CA 94610

Lucia Grauman
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, MSSW, LCSW
Verified
Verified
Awarded Oakland Magazine's "Best Therapist" 2018 & 2020, my specialties include:
relationship
issues (such as conflict resolution, dating, pre-marital counseling, divorce, blended families, infidelity); grief & loss; addiction, recovery & codependence; anxiety & depression. My approach is both warm and direct-- my clients experience me as accepting and empathic, while also feeling challenged the right amount to grow and change. I am an integrative therapist, meaning I integrate more than one way/theory/model to view and treat psychological and/or relational concerns. See my website for education, experience and credentials.

DeShannon Williamson
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified
Verified
I offer expertise in evidence-based treatments for anxiety, depression, and
relationship
difficulties. I use a collaborative and strengths-based approach that integrates cultural factors as appropriate. I was raised in an inner-city, urban area, and I carry a high level of understanding for individuals that come from marginalized environments like myself. I also specialize in professional and work stress. I have been a business owner, philanthropist, and investor for almost 30 years. I have experience with high output career stress and how it can affect us.
Not accepting new clients

Dr. Elizabeth Schenk, Psychotherapy & Consultation
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, PsyD, LCSW
Unresolved childhood issues provide recurring challenges in adulthood and may show up in the form of sadness, worry,
relationship
problems, substance abuse or poor self-esteem. For adults abused as children, complex trauma may leave one with panic, obsessive thoughts, self-harming behaviors, or mood disorders. Sometimes individuals are given many diagnoses and medications and end up in therapies that do not resolve their underlying issue. Dissociative processes go unrecognized in many therapies, resulting in treatment that may not resolve the underlying problem, leaving one symptomatic. In my professional experience most individuals change and grow through a successful therapeutic encounter.

Paula Massengill
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified
Verified
I work with both
couples
and individuals, providing expertise gained from over 30 years' experience about many issues including addiction, parenting, divorce, step-parenting, and addressing the needs of aging parents.
We all sometimes face a challenge in life that we just can't seem to resolve on our own. It might be a new chapter in your life that brings unexpected trials: adulthood, marriage, parenting, step-parenting, divorce, children leaving home, caring for your aging parents, the loss of a loved one, or facing your own mortality. It might be a conflict in a
relationship
with a loved one or in your professional life. Or it might be more of an internal struggle, whether recent or long-standing, that is giving rise to anxiety, depression, struggles with food or alcohol, or other self-defeating behaviors.
See more therapy options for Oakland
Couples Counseling Therapists
Does couples counseling work?
Research shows that couples counseling is effective; it can reduce relationship distress and improve emotional awareness, communication, empathy, intimacy, and overall relationship satisfaction. For example, emotionally focused therapy was found to be effective for about 75 percent of couples, and those benefits lasted at least two years.
When should a couple seek counseling?
Couples can benefit from counseling if they consistently struggle in their relationship. They may have lost the ability to communicate effectively, become entrenched in harmful patterns, begun to fight more than usual, broken the other’s trust, suffered from a mental or physical illness, or faced any number of other challenges. Many therapists offer free consultations, so if a couple isn’t sure whether therapy is necessary, asking directly can provide clarity.
How can I get my partner to go to couples therapy?
The decision to seek couples therapy is often driven by one partner, who then convinces the other to participate. When discussing the idea, the initiator should be direct and assertive. They can state the problems they see and explain how the relationship would benefit from therapy. In more serious cases, they can also explain how their relationship may suffer without making any changes or seeking professional help.
How does a couple prepare for couples counseling?
The anticipation of beginning couples counseling can be difficult—sometimes more difficult than the first session itself. Taking a few moments to reflect can allay those concerns: What are the current challenges? When and how did they begin? What do they want the relationship to look like in the future? Reflecting on these questions can help individuals or couples articulate their goals. Of course, the therapist will also ask questions and guide couples through the process.