Family Therapy in Oakland, CA
See all therapists in Oakland
Hayley K Schmidt
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified
3 Endorsed
Verified
3 Endorsed
I offer a blend of practical, experiential, and evidence-based treatments into my work including, EMDR, Internal
Family
Systems (IFS), Somatic Therapy, Attachment-Focused Therapy, and Mindfulness.
I am currently accepting new patients as of 03/15/2023. Hi! I'm Hayley. I'm here to help you create a purposeful, balanced, and fulfilling life. My approach is gentle and body-centered. I guide individuals through difficult transitions toward living without limiting beliefs, doubts, and insecurities. We often mistake our limiting beliefs as truths about ourselves. Once we learn to meet ourselves with love and kindness, we start to heal. I'm here to guide you through your obstacles to clarity and inner freedom. In our work together, I will help you to create balance, overcome suffering and find a deeper sense of meaning in your life.
Waitlist for new clients

Cheryl Feldman
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT, ATR-BC
Verified
Verified
Children and teens are more aware of their own internal states and the world around them than ever before, while the
family
unit takes on more stress. This combination can create anxiety, depression, acting out behaviors, confusion, and educational struggles for many. Through a strength-based perspective I focus on communication, relationships, boundaries, and self-care. I work with youth (and families) to explore their patterns of interactions with others and encourage self-awareness and growth in these areas. Developing a relationship with a child or teen takes time and care, both of which I have done for nearly twenty years.

Lauren Grayman
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified
Verified
When life gets too busy, sometimes we just need to take a timeout and focus inwards on ourselves. Seeking out a therapist for yourself is a great place to start. Taking the time for yourself to start therapy will allow you the space to breath, talk about what you are experiencing and find ways to live a balanced and positive life. When there are so many competing needs, it is easy to lose ourselves. I work mostly with woman experiencing life transitions such as parenting, blended
family
structures, relationship changes and professional transitions. Whether these are big or small changes, a therapist can provide tools and support.

Laila Villaume
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified
Verified
As a transracial adoptee and my work with Veterans I have a special interest in attachment, grief and loss,
family
conflict, PTSD, alcohol and drugs, domestic violence/interpersonal violence, internalized oppression and racial identity.
I have a strong passion for helping individuals feel empowered and strive to live their best lives by finding meaning and purpose within themselves. Let’s face it, life can be difficult, but those difficult experiences do not have to define you as a person. By creating a safe and healing space my goal is to tap into your own personal power and natural strengths to focus on what is most important to you and your wellness.

Teresa Lesko
Psychologist, PsyD
Verified
4 Endorsed
Verified
4 Endorsed
I believe in the healing power of bearing witness to and participating in my clients' self-exploration. Whether we are exploring feelings, systems of oppression and their effects on us, patterns in relationships, or
family
of origin issues, the strength and compassion of an empathic partner in this journey can lead to a deeper understanding of oneself and a relief in symptoms. I bring empathy and mindful curiosity to our work together.

Areeza Ali
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified
Verified
Despite your successes, you feel unhappy, worried, overwhelmed, lonely and unfulfilled in your life. You may be seeking more satisfying relationships with
family
, friends and intimate partners. Perhaps your life is being touched by major changes and this time, you aren’t able to hold all the pieces by yourself. Or perhaps you need support with addressing the complexities and emotional strain associated with being a child of immigrant parents or navigating the world as a person of color. You may have found short-term strategies helpful in the past but are looking for more long term change and satisfaction.

Andrés Salerno
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified
Verified
I am trauma-informed and am most passionate about working with couples, relationship issues,
family
boundaries, multi/bicultural issues, teens, & high-stress careers.
Life is a series of peaks and valleys, and the low points can feel really overwhelming. It's in those moments that we most need support, but that's also when we're most prone to isolating and bottling up. Relationship issues, low self-esteem, anxiety, and workplace stress can all be urgent matters, yet we often hesitate admitting we need help.

Annie de Jong
Psychologist, PhD
Verified
Verified
Looking for interpersonal growth? My particular expertise lies in helping resolve relational conflicts;
family
relationships, couples communication, peer relationships and business relationships.
You may be feeling unhappy, lonely, or unmotivated. Perhaps a relationship is in crisis or an important part of your life is changing. Therapy practiced well by the right professional is an effective way to sort out a wide range of problems. My goal is to create a space where we can talk and think together about the particular difficulties you are experiencing and how to find a way through. I have learned to listen carefully and will approach our conversations with an attitude of curiosity and acceptance. Although getting started is often a big step, you’re likely to find it a valuable opportunity to reflect and move forward.

Bobino Counseling & Assessment
Licensed Educational Psychologist, PsyD, LEP
Verified
Verified
Feeling anxious, overwhelmed, frustrated, or stuck? I can help you find ways to cope with uncomfortable feelings so that you can feel more balance in your daily life and more fulfilling relationships and experiences. Many of us rely on friends and
family
to help us work through problems, but sometimes our friends or
family
are part of the problem itself. Or maybe we just don't feel comfortable talking about certain issues with them. Oftentimes we withdraw from our support systems and end up feeling more and more alone.

Meg Fransee
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
Drawing from evidence-based frameworks such as Internal
Family
Systems (IFS) and Narrative Therapy in tandem with mindfulness and cognitive behavioral strategies, a compassionate space is created to address the whole-client and the expansiveness of their internal and external experience.
I prioritize making the therapeutic environment active and flexible, creating space for all the overlapping spheres of the human experience. Between relationships, career,
family
, and the rest of the world, our lives and struggles are intertwined, making it sometimes hard to understand where one challenge starts or ends. By exploring the history and interconnectedness of our challenges and strengths, we can develop new understanding and identify strategies that feel nuanced, meaningful, and empowering. I maintain a client-centered approach allowing the client to work in a framework and pace that feels best for them.

Sarah Brekke-Velázquez
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified
Verified
I specialize in working with people impacted by trauma and
family
stress and have done extensive work with youth and families.
I believe in healing ourselves and each other as the first step toward healing our planet. My intention as a therapist is to guide people toward empowerment and healing in order to live their fullest and most joyful lives possible. I believe that we all have this capacity within us, and therapy can help us to move through our past trauma, oppressive social conditioning, anxieties and other stresses to be our best selves.

Rebecca E. Grayzel
Psychologist
Verified
Verified
I am a general practitioner with experience working with clients across the lifespan, treating a range of presenting concerns, including: complex trauma, interpersonal difficulties, anxiety, panic, depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, body-focused repetitive behaviors, life transitions, minority stress, and
family
conflict.
I believe the key to change lies in cultivating a safe, strong therapeutic relationship. Through a developmental lens, I aim to understand each person’s history and how their unique story informs current challenges. I feel passionate about working with clients from diverse backgrounds and utilize a culturally-informed approach when understanding life experiences and associated thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. In conjunction with this psychodynamic, relationally-driven approach, I help clients identify a clear presenting concern, develop goals, and integrate the appropriate evidence-based practice tailored to their specific needs.
Not accepting new clients

Jane Dessing
Psychologist, PsyD
Verified
2 Endorsed
Verified
2 Endorsed
I work with people struggling with anxiety, depression, grief/loss,
family
issues, and relationship difficulties. I have extensive training in working with young adults and those going through significant life transitions, such as early childhood transitions, entering or leaving College/Graduate school, or becoming a parent.

Juliana Campos
Psychologist, PsyD, MA
Verified
9 Endorsed
Verified
9 Endorsed
Bilingual, Culturally Sensitive, Trauma-informed, Relational Psychotherapy. I believe that engaging in therapy is an act of courage because change is by definition radical. An important goal of therapy is to connect to your authentic/creative self as a way to make meaning in times of suffering. Together we will explore your personal,
family
, cultural, and political history to understand the ways in which your experiences shape how you feel in the world. Whether you are struggling with life transitions, finding/keeping good relationships, or trying to integrate different identities, our work can help you find some sense of cohesion.

Kini Chang
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified
2 Endorsed
Verified
2 Endorsed
I have approximately 15 years of experience working with individuals, teens,
family
, and groups.
I know the journey of life is not an easy one and sometimes we need some help to get through unexpected struggles and get in the way of living a happy and healthy life. I am dedicated to the holistic healing of the mind, body, and soul. Many people describe me as warm, understanding, and down to earth. I pride myself on integrity, commitment, and passion for the work I do as a therapist.

Dr. Meghan Tunson
Psychologist, PsyD
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
People are often hesitant to try therapy because they feel it won't work or believe they should be able to handle difficult things on their own. If you're willing to try personal trainers, babysitters, house cleaners, and other services to better your life, doesn't your emotional happiness or the happiness of your
family
deserve the same focus? I believe that it absolutely does.

Megan Van Vlack
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified
2 Endorsed
Verified
2 Endorsed
I’m a licensed Marriage and
Family Therapist
. I work with adults, teens, and children (ages 3+). I provide in-person services in Oakland, CA and offer teletherapy throughout the state of California. My aim is to help people heal through their connection to others, their creativity, and their inner stores of resilience.
Not accepting new clients

Assaf Jaffe
Psychologist, PsyD
Verified
Verified
IF you think solution focused individual, couples or
family therapy
can benefit you currently, I believe I am the ideal therapist for you.
Congratulations, starting the journey towards seeking help is one of the biggest step. My name is Assaf Jaffe and over the past 20 years it has been my privilege to walk alongside client working to make changes. Having trained in Holistic Therapy at Native American Health Center I have tremendous experience with trauma, anxiety, depression and treating addictive disorders.

Marissza Cavin
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified
Verified
I am a Licensed Marriage and
Family Therapist
with experience working with individuals, couples, families, and groups. I work with those struggling with depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, substance use, and relational issues. I use a variety of approaches to build understanding of your inner dialogue, your values, and how to create more fulfillment in your life. While working with couples, I support building trust through assertion practice, role playing, shifting toward appreciation, and improving communication techniques especially when in conflict.

William L. Spivey
Psychologist, PhD
Verified
Verified
The clinic,
Family
and Child Counseling Center, offers services by other providers.
Dr. Spivey is the Director of a small group practice located in the heart of the medical district in Oakland, CA. He offers more than 35 years of experience working with anxiety, depression, PTSD, and OCD within adults and adolescents. He takes a holistic approach by integrating concerns of health, diet, and exercise. Dr. Spivey also works with those suffering from occupational diseases, including job stress, feeling stale on the job, burnout, and job unhappiness. Other areas of endeavors include personality reshaping, motivation, and marital enhancement.
See more therapy options for Oakland
Family Therapy
What do family therapists do?
A family therapist facilitates the process of understanding and improving how a family functions. The therapist will help family members develop empathy for one another. They’ll seek to understand existing patterns, misunderstandings, and conflicts that arise, in order to help the family arrive at a realistic, unified understanding and develop the coping skills they need to build stronger relationships.
How long does therapy for families take to work?
Therapy manifests differently in every family; a common time frame is 12 weekly sessions, but some families may see improvement after just a few weeks. Families should discuss their goals with the therapist at the beginning of the process and periodically revisit those goals to assess their progress together.
How can you encourage a family member to attend family therapy?
You can encourage family members to attend therapy by expressing with both love and concern the challenges you see and explaining how a therapist could help the family navigate those challenges together. An outside perspective can help everyone feel heard, get on the same page, and develop new skills. If family members are still hesitant, it may be helpful to emphasize that family therapy is short-term—it won’t last forever.
Is therapy for families effective?
Family therapy can significantly improve family dynamics and relationships. Research suggests that family therapy can help individuals understand their role in the family, communicate and solve problems together, reduce conflict and draw boundaries when necessary, and develop coping skills for stressors, major life changes, and mental or physical illnesses within the family.