Optum Therapists in Oakland, CA
"We are now able to see the essential ingredient that makes psychotherapy effective and successful. It is not unconditional positive regard, nor is it magical words, techniques, or postures; it is human involvement and struggle. It is the willingness of the therapist to extend himself or herself for the purpose of nurturing the patient's growth - willingness to go out on a limb, to truly involve oneself at an emotional level in the relationship." M.Scott Peck, MD
"We are now able to see the essential ingredient that makes psychotherapy effective and successful. It is not unconditional positive regard, nor is it magical words, techniques, or postures; it is human involvement and struggle. It is the willingness of the therapist to extend himself or herself for the purpose of nurturing the patient's growth - willingness to go out on a limb, to truly involve oneself at an emotional level in the relationship." M.Scott Peck, MD
Becoming a parent, getting married, or going through a divorce can shake you to your core—parts of you feel like they’re disappearing, and other parts are showing up for the very first time. These transitions often stir up old attachment wounds and painful questions: Am I enough? Will I get this right? Whether you're adjusting to life with a baby, navigating partnership struggles, or sitting with the heartbreak or relief of a breakup, you're not alone. I can’t take away the pain—but I will walk with you through it, holding space for the grief, the growth, and everything in between.
Becoming a parent, getting married, or going through a divorce can shake you to your core—parts of you feel like they’re disappearing, and other parts are showing up for the very first time. These transitions often stir up old attachment wounds and painful questions: Am I enough? Will I get this right? Whether you're adjusting to life with a baby, navigating partnership struggles, or sitting with the heartbreak or relief of a breakup, you're not alone. I can’t take away the pain—but I will walk with you through it, holding space for the grief, the growth, and everything in between.
Starting therapy can feel like a big step. I congratulate you on starting your journey, and I’m here to make sure that it is meaningful to you. I specialize in working with individuals navigating life transitions, anxiety, depression, and trauma. I take a client-centered, collaborative approach to therapy, tailoring each session to your unique needs and goals. I welcome you to reach out whenever you feel ready to begin. I’m here to provide a safe and supportive environment where you can be yourself. We will work collaboratively to support your goals.
Starting therapy can feel like a big step. I congratulate you on starting your journey, and I’m here to make sure that it is meaningful to you. I specialize in working with individuals navigating life transitions, anxiety, depression, and trauma. I take a client-centered, collaborative approach to therapy, tailoring each session to your unique needs and goals. I welcome you to reach out whenever you feel ready to begin. I’m here to provide a safe and supportive environment where you can be yourself. We will work collaboratively to support your goals.
Eliza McKenna, LCSW, based in California, from the east coast. I'm a mom and hobby gardener and artist. I approach my practice with Humanism and strive to co-create insight and transformation with clients. I've worked on helplines, in child protection, with the seriously mentally ill, and as a psychotherapist in psychiatric clinics. In addition to private practice, I help run an Employee Assistance Program, and manage a number of employee health programs. My approach to providing therapy moves through the four noble truths. We diagnose the suffering and identify its cause.
Eliza McKenna, LCSW, based in California, from the east coast. I'm a mom and hobby gardener and artist. I approach my practice with Humanism and strive to co-create insight and transformation with clients. I've worked on helplines, in child protection, with the seriously mentally ill, and as a psychotherapist in psychiatric clinics. In addition to private practice, I help run an Employee Assistance Program, and manage a number of employee health programs. My approach to providing therapy moves through the four noble truths. We diagnose the suffering and identify its cause.
Are you experiencing relationship issues with your partner or family members? I’m passionate about helping people have healthier relationships within themselves and with others. I work with couples and families who are stuck in conflict, seeking better communication, healing from past wounds, bridging cultural gaps, or adjusting to life transitions. I also provide individual therapy to support those affected by relational issues. We can work on managing anxiety, processing trauma, overcoming people-pleasing habits, improving emotional regulation, working through codependency, and embarking on a journey of healing and well-being.
Are you experiencing relationship issues with your partner or family members? I’m passionate about helping people have healthier relationships within themselves and with others. I work with couples and families who are stuck in conflict, seeking better communication, healing from past wounds, bridging cultural gaps, or adjusting to life transitions. I also provide individual therapy to support those affected by relational issues. We can work on managing anxiety, processing trauma, overcoming people-pleasing habits, improving emotional regulation, working through codependency, and embarking on a journey of healing and well-being.
Hi there, I am Na. As a psychotherapist and an empathic listener, I use eclectic therapy which draws on multiple theoretical orientations and techniques that are tailored to each individual. I believe my background as a trained psychotherapist, an educator, a certified yoga teacher, a meditator, a multicultural learner, and a nature lover can help support holistic ways of healing.
Hi there, I am Na. As a psychotherapist and an empathic listener, I use eclectic therapy which draws on multiple theoretical orientations and techniques that are tailored to each individual. I believe my background as a trained psychotherapist, an educator, a certified yoga teacher, a meditator, a multicultural learner, and a nature lover can help support holistic ways of healing.
Learn how to feel more connected to yourself, others, and the world around you. Therapy provides all the elements of intimacy: honest communication, vulnerability, and trust. Good therapy is challenging yet warm, providing both structure and empathy for your unique experience.
Learn how to feel more connected to yourself, others, and the world around you. Therapy provides all the elements of intimacy: honest communication, vulnerability, and trust. Good therapy is challenging yet warm, providing both structure and empathy for your unique experience.
Learn how to feel more connected to yourself, others, and the world around you. Therapy provides all the elements of intimacy: honest communication, vulnerability, and trust. Good therapy is challenging yet warm, providing both structure and empathy for your unique experience.
Learn how to feel more connected to yourself, others, and the world around you. Therapy provides all the elements of intimacy: honest communication, vulnerability, and trust. Good therapy is challenging yet warm, providing both structure and empathy for your unique experience.
My name is Maya Cheek, LCSW. I practice trauma and emotionally focused therapy to help you access healing and support you in bringing your deep inner self into alignment with your truth. I feel that it is important to look at how racial, gender & sexual identity interact with systems of oppression within the experience of trauma. Understanding your response to life experiences is an important journey that requires trust, safety, patience, and the willingness to explore parts of ourselves that have been wounded and are asking for healing.
My name is Maya Cheek, LCSW. I practice trauma and emotionally focused therapy to help you access healing and support you in bringing your deep inner self into alignment with your truth. I feel that it is important to look at how racial, gender & sexual identity interact with systems of oppression within the experience of trauma. Understanding your response to life experiences is an important journey that requires trust, safety, patience, and the willingness to explore parts of ourselves that have been wounded and are asking for healing.
Are you feeling overwhelmed by anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, body image struggles, obsessive thoughts, or the lingering impact of trauma? These experiences can feel isolating, but you don’t have to navigate them alone. In our work together, we’ll gently uncover what’s beneath the surface, giving space to long-held emotions and creating a path toward healing. My goal is to help you process unresolved trauma and reconnect with a more grounded, integrated sense of self so that you can move forward with clarity and confidence.
Are you feeling overwhelmed by anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, body image struggles, obsessive thoughts, or the lingering impact of trauma? These experiences can feel isolating, but you don’t have to navigate them alone. In our work together, we’ll gently uncover what’s beneath the surface, giving space to long-held emotions and creating a path toward healing. My goal is to help you process unresolved trauma and reconnect with a more grounded, integrated sense of self so that you can move forward with clarity and confidence.
When you've survived difficult circumstances, it is a big deal to start therapy. It means you're ready to feel what's happened to you, so that you can move on. I specialize in somatic therapy for anyone wanting to change their default patterns and feel like they can trust themselves again. My goal is to help you move out of old survival strategies and into an empowered state of being. I encourage clients to be open with me about what works and doesn't work in our therapy.
When you've survived difficult circumstances, it is a big deal to start therapy. It means you're ready to feel what's happened to you, so that you can move on. I specialize in somatic therapy for anyone wanting to change their default patterns and feel like they can trust themselves again. My goal is to help you move out of old survival strategies and into an empowered state of being. I encourage clients to be open with me about what works and doesn't work in our therapy.
Starting therapy can feel like a big step, and it often takes a lot of courage just to begin looking for support. If you’re here, you may be feeling stuck in patterns that don’t serve you anymore, or struggling to find the confidence and connection you want in your relationships. You don’t have to do this alone. I work with adults who want to feel more secure in themselves and in their relationships.
Starting therapy can feel like a big step, and it often takes a lot of courage just to begin looking for support. If you’re here, you may be feeling stuck in patterns that don’t serve you anymore, or struggling to find the confidence and connection you want in your relationships. You don’t have to do this alone. I work with adults who want to feel more secure in themselves and in their relationships.
Do you struggle to feel safe and secure in relationships? Do shame, guilt, and anxiety cause you to avoid talking about your own needs? My approach is to build a warm, peaceful, shame free space for people to share their story and discover in creative ways to heal the hurt that they carry.
Do you struggle to feel safe and secure in relationships? Do shame, guilt, and anxiety cause you to avoid talking about your own needs? My approach is to build a warm, peaceful, shame free space for people to share their story and discover in creative ways to heal the hurt that they carry.
The journey of becoming and being a mother does not always look like we imagined. This time can feel overwhelming, lonely, and uncertain. I specialize in supporting women as they navigate the emotional complexities of infertility and the challenges of adjusting to motherhood. Whether your journey includes fertility treatments, coping with the grief of pregnancy loss, contemplating alternative family planning options, or struggling with the transition to your new role as a mother, I'm here to provide a safe and nurturing space for you.
The journey of becoming and being a mother does not always look like we imagined. This time can feel overwhelming, lonely, and uncertain. I specialize in supporting women as they navigate the emotional complexities of infertility and the challenges of adjusting to motherhood. Whether your journey includes fertility treatments, coping with the grief of pregnancy loss, contemplating alternative family planning options, or struggling with the transition to your new role as a mother, I'm here to provide a safe and nurturing space for you.
Experiencing anxiety, depression, and trauma can be hard to navigate on one’s own. Through the use of integrative modalities, my goal is to help you find your way so that you can manage symptoms, feel your best, discover who you truly are, and move forward in the direction of your dreams whereby your past no longer holds you back. Using warmth and compassion, I also aim to provide trauma-informed care to discuss your struggles without judgment and safely process unresolved trauma and feelings.
Experiencing anxiety, depression, and trauma can be hard to navigate on one’s own. Through the use of integrative modalities, my goal is to help you find your way so that you can manage symptoms, feel your best, discover who you truly are, and move forward in the direction of your dreams whereby your past no longer holds you back. Using warmth and compassion, I also aim to provide trauma-informed care to discuss your struggles without judgment and safely process unresolved trauma and feelings.
Let’s be honest — life can be a lot sometimes. Whether you’re overwhelmed, over it, or just trying to figure out what’s next, you don’t have to do it alone. I specialize in supporting individuals navigating life transitions, women’s issues, and perinatal mental health. Whether you’re adjusting to a new role, juggling motherhood, or just trying to figure out who you are right now, this is a space where you can land, breathe, and be yourself. Therapy with me is collaborative, compassionate, and sometimes a little lighthearted because let’s face it — life’s too real to be serious all the time.
Let’s be honest — life can be a lot sometimes. Whether you’re overwhelmed, over it, or just trying to figure out what’s next, you don’t have to do it alone. I specialize in supporting individuals navigating life transitions, women’s issues, and perinatal mental health. Whether you’re adjusting to a new role, juggling motherhood, or just trying to figure out who you are right now, this is a space where you can land, breathe, and be yourself. Therapy with me is collaborative, compassionate, and sometimes a little lighthearted because let’s face it — life’s too real to be serious all the time.
Learn how to feel more connected to yourself, others, and the world around you. Therapy provides all the elements of intimacy: honest communication, vulnerability, and trust. Good therapy is challenging yet warm, providing both structure and empathy for your unique experience.
Learn how to feel more connected to yourself, others, and the world around you. Therapy provides all the elements of intimacy: honest communication, vulnerability, and trust. Good therapy is challenging yet warm, providing both structure and empathy for your unique experience.
Thank you for visiting my profile. Reaching out for therapy can feel vulnerable, and I honor the courage it takes. My role is to create a safe, supportive space where you feel truly heard. I offer a compassionate, creative, and collaborative approach to therapy. Together, we will untangle old patterns, explore new perspectives, and build practical tools for balance and growth. My goal is to provide support while gently challenging you to step into your fullest potential.
Thank you for visiting my profile. Reaching out for therapy can feel vulnerable, and I honor the courage it takes. My role is to create a safe, supportive space where you feel truly heard. I offer a compassionate, creative, and collaborative approach to therapy. Together, we will untangle old patterns, explore new perspectives, and build practical tools for balance and growth. My goal is to provide support while gently challenging you to step into your fullest potential.
During challenging times, people often feel defeated and focus on what is wrong. I want to shift the focus from what is "not working" to identifying what is "working." We will work to uncover patterns (behavioral, thought beliefs, relationship), that will lead you to making better decisions. I want to offer a safe place to process thoughts and feelings around issues that can be challenging. I am interested in helping people who experience stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, grief/loss and challenges with relationships (social or romantic). Many conversations are around “adulting” and how to manage life, career, relationships, etc.
During challenging times, people often feel defeated and focus on what is wrong. I want to shift the focus from what is "not working" to identifying what is "working." We will work to uncover patterns (behavioral, thought beliefs, relationship), that will lead you to making better decisions. I want to offer a safe place to process thoughts and feelings around issues that can be challenging. I am interested in helping people who experience stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, grief/loss and challenges with relationships (social or romantic). Many conversations are around “adulting” and how to manage life, career, relationships, etc.
I am a licensed psychotherapist using EMDR and narrative therapy to help queer and trans adults and young adults navigate identity exploration and development, address anxiety and depression, and heal from past trauma. I offer longer-term work with individuals as a primary therapist and can also provide adjunct EMDR therapy and letters of support.
I am a licensed psychotherapist using EMDR and narrative therapy to help queer and trans adults and young adults navigate identity exploration and development, address anxiety and depression, and heal from past trauma. I offer longer-term work with individuals as a primary therapist and can also provide adjunct EMDR therapy and letters of support.
See more therapy options for Oakland
Nearby Optum Therapists Searches for Oakland
- Alameda
- Albany
- Berkeley
- El Cerrito
- Emeryville
- Lafayette
- Moraga
- Orinda
- Piedmont
- San Francisco
- San Leandro
- San Lorenzo
Optum Therapists
Does insurance cover therapy, prescriptions and other behavioral health services?
In general, yes. Laws in the U.S. require insurers to cover essential behavioral health care at the same level as other health care services. Most health plans require a medical diagnosis and treatments that are evidence based and medically essential. This means that life coaching and alternative therapies are not covered, nor is therapy without a diagnosis. Call the number on the back or your insurance card or visit your insurance company's website to review your Summary of Benefits. If you have insurance through your employer, your Human Resources department may also be able to answer questions.
How much does therapy cost with insurance?
The cost of therapy depends on your region, how much training and experience your therapist has, and the type of treatment. The rate for talk therapy generally falls between $100 and $250. For a client seeing an in-network provider, the cost of therapy is often similar to the cost of other health care services. Clients pay co-pays and may need to satisfy a plan’s deductible before benefits kick in.
What is the difference between In-Network and Out-of-Network insurance coverage?
An in-network provider has contracted with an insurer to get paid directly for services, and to accept the insurer’s rate of compensation. Clients are responsible for deductibles and copays. If a therapist is out of network, that means that the client pays the therapist directly for services at the therapist’s regular fee. Out-of-Network providers often give clients a receipt so that they can file for partial reimbursement with their insurance company.
Is it difficult to find an In-Network therapist?
It is not unusual for therapists to limit the number of insurance patients in their practice, so it’s important to check in-network availability when you schedule your first appointment. In regions and times where therapy is in high demand it may take longer to get scheduled with an in-network therapist.
What is the difference between HMO and PPO insurance plans?
HMO health plans only cover in-network services, there is no reimbursement for out-of-network providers. PPO plans often cover both in- and out-of-network services, though the client may pay more for out-of-network services.
What is a Superbill?
A superbill is a receipt for therapy services. It provides all the information required by insurance companies to reimburse you for out-of-network services, including the diagnostic codes for your care, the amount paid, and the dates and duration of care.
Does insurance cover Online therapy?
Many therapists who shifted their practice to online therapy during the pandemic have kept that arrangement. And most insurers continue to cover telehealth services, with a few exceptions. Preventive care (such as an annual depression screening) is often required to be in-person to be covered, and some states require prescribers of controlled substances to see those patients in person.
Does insurance cover Group therapy?
Many insurance plans provide coverage for group therapy provided there is a medical diagnosis for group members, but there are some noteworthy exceptions. For example, Medicare does not always cover group therapy. Group therapy tends to cost less than individual therapy.
Does insurance cover Couples therapy?
Most insurance companies do not cover the cost of couples therapy because there is no medical diagnosis or medically necessary treatment. However, a few plans will offer a limited benefit, so it is still worth checking with your insurance company. Sometimes therapy is covered for a couple when one person has a diagnosis and another family member joins them for joint therapy, but it is considered therapy for the medical condition that includes a family member as a listener or helper, not couples counseling. Without insurance, most clients pay between $100-300 per 60-90 min session for couples therapy. Often clients can find classes or workshops that make it more affordable to work on their relationship. And some employers offer Employee Assistance Plans that help defray the cost of couples therapy.
What is an Employee Assistance Plan (EAP)?
Employee Assistance Plans are purchased by employers for the benefit of their employees. EAPs typically assist employees with referrals and may also provide the first few sessions of therapy free of charge, with the patient's regular health insurance kicking in after those initial sessions. EAP benefits often apply to all types of therapy without the need for a medical diagnosis, making it easier to access couples therapy, therapy for life transitions, and other non-medical counseling. Just as with standard health insurance, clients should always check that a provider accepts their EAP benefits before scheduling.
Learn more about Insurance Coverage and Finding Affordable Therapy
Learn more about Insurance Coverage and Finding Affordable Therapy