Spirituality Therapists in Oakland, CA

I work with people who face challenges that often arise but are not exclusive to the second half of life such as: the trauma of illness & death, caring for aging parents, loss of satisfaction or sense of meaning in relationships and work, loss of a job, and/or loneliness. I also work with folks suffering from love addiction or love avoidance. These challenges can often be baffling and carry symptoms such as depression, fear and anxiety. The rational mind may understand what is going on but somehow the emotional and physical body can't always take solace in rational solutions.

As a person originally trained in psychodynamics, I care greatly about the experiences and relationships that have shaped you. I am currently perusing more training and consultation in Internal Family Systems and trauma informed approaches. Of primary focus, in my work with clients, is the therapeutic relationship. It is here that our patterns of relating often reveal themselves. Through the safe container of therapy, I invite my clients into new ways of being that invite more creativity, flexibility and deeper relationships.

Wherever you are at on your healing journey, I am thankful that you showed up for yourself today. Trauma, stress and anxiety may be impacting your ability to create the healing spaces that feel most desirable. While looking deeper into the intersectionality of identity and your physical, emotional, social and spiritual wellbeing, we will venture alongside one another to support you in rediscovering, reconnecting and embracing your true self. As a therapist of color, I understand the importance of welcoming the whole & authentic self into the therapeutic setting.

I enjoy working with people who want support as they engage in self-exploration and attempt to make sense of the complexity and intersections of their identities, including race and ethnicity, spirituality , sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status. I also believe that it is important for the people I work with to approach therapy as more than a culmination of sessions, but as part of a lifestyle and commitment to take time and space to prioritize one’s health. Additionally, I understand the power of self-study and that my role as a psychologist is to provide guidance and reminders as people connect with themselves and others.

As a practicioner on a creative, spiritual, or healing arts path, you face a unique set of challenges, and your work can bring up unconscious issues that you might have never noticed otherwise. Sometimes working with someone to heal on a deeper level can be useful. Together, we can work to help you access your inner clarity and wisdom, feather out the personal, interpersonal, social, creative and spiritual facets of your experience, and bring them together in new and healing ways. You don't have to do this alone! Call me to see how I can help.

I tend to work mostly with men who searching to find deeper meaning and purpose in life and are interested in taking a mindful approach to their spirituality . My other specialties are working with my clients to communicate more effectively, develop healthy boundaries, and increase their ability for self-care. I also have experience in helping people process challenging relationships with parents and other family members and establishing healthier dynamics with them.

I am a professional clinical counselor licensed in California and Georgia with over 17 years of experience working as a psychodynamic counselor, emotional wellness specialist and intuitive healing guide. I am physically located in GA. I have worked with clients with a wide range of concerns including depression, anxiety, complex trauma, LGBTQ issues, spirituality , and identity formation. If you are ready to increase ease, joy, fulfillment in your life; walk with clarity, connect with authenticity, and love fiercely we would be a great match!

Are you in the process of a big life transition? Perhaps contemplating or going through a separation/divorce, career change, or feel you have lost touch with a part of yourself that once held the spark of joy and passion. You may feel anxious, depressed, lonely, and unsure. You don't have to move through these times alone. Together we will work to cultivate a deeper understanding of yourself and the world around you. My work with you is collaborative and non-judgemental. In our sessions I work transpersonally and somatically, incorporating EMDR, guided imagery, expressive arts, spirituality , tarot, and dreams.

Our pursuit of a good life can be deeply affected by the current world situations. We may be struggling not only in our personal lives but also by difficult worldly events such as climate change, the economy, retirement, health care and many more. When the world doesn't feel safe, it's more difficult to tolerate the emotions, sensations, and thoughts arising inside of us, making us turn toward old coping mechanisms This will not heal us. We need to build the confidence to be with and understand our inner experiences no matter what! This is our pathway to truly heal and live a more peaceful and meaningful life in the world.

I am a seasoned clinician with expertise to accompany you on your inner journey. I am flexible in my approach so that I can respond to the particular needs you bring to therapy. At one point you may need support and practical tools for addressing experiences that are painful or challenging. At another time, you may need room to explore the patterns of thought, feeling or behavior that are puzzling to you, including more unconscious factors that may be exerting their invisible influence on your life. I see people from a variety of backgrounds, including many therapists.

Please note I am currently offering a waitlist until I have openings mid-April, 2022. I primarily support people facing acute and long-term grief, transitions into new stages of life, anxiety, and couples interested in working to improve their relationships. I tend to work well with people inclined toward spiritual and creative paths. If you are seeking a skilled and compassionate collaborator who engages respectfully with the particulars of who you are (your identities, spirituality , sexuality, sense of humor, creative vision, and values), we may be a great fit.

We all have the innate capacity for healing. We tend towards growth. But sometimes, internal and/or external barriers get in our way. The purpose of my practice is to help you tap into your inner wisdom to achieve a greater sense of fulfillment, connection, and liberation. I do so by creating a safe space for self-inquiry, guiding you deeper into unconscious material, and aiding you in discovering meaningful insights and finding tangible ways forward. Currently prioritizing teens, couples, and families.

Struggle in your life, your relationship, or family can provide surprising opportunities to cultivate resilience, connection, and meaning. Therapy with me is a collaborative process. I work with individuals, couples, and families to develop a framework that will foster nourishing joy and holistic health. I welcome clients who experience social/racial marginalization. If you struggle with communication, satisfaction, depression, meaning, or difficulty in life transitions, you will find resonance with my mindfulness-based and narrative approach. I work best with clients who seek to ease suffering and aim for transformation.

Are you wanting to feel better once and for all? Maybe you can't move on from the past or you're worried about your future. If anxiety, panic, or even depression is stealing your joy, I get it. If traditional talk therapy hasn't helped you feel better, it's time to try a new approach to heal at the source of your pain. For 12 years I have refined my approach through professional training and experience in Relational-gestalt therapy and Brainspotting (derived from EMDR) while centering social justice and trauma-informed care.

Are you wanting to experience more ease and happiness? I want to congratulate you on taking the first steps towards finding someone to come alongside you during this time. Maybe you are experiencing a big life change like the end of a relationship, a change in your career, a move, or a recent loss. Maybe you have often found comfort in spirituality and nature but still have a sense that something is still missing. Maybe you feel the weight of these last few years of covid. We have all been through a lot!

Life moves so quickly these days, it's hard to take the time to really think about who we are and how we are living. Often, it takes years of patterns that are hurtful or self-destructive to wonder why we aren't feeling happy or fulfilled. Psychotherapy can provide the time and space to really understand and experience ourselves in a new way. I will listen with curiosity and warmth and will collaborate with you to help effect positive change in your life and relationships.

Therapy can help you overcome difficulties, live creatively, and feel more alive. Many people become stuck in ways of thinking and living that no longer serve them. Through a caring therapeutic relationship, you can develop the courage to live in a meaningful and fulfilling way. Over the past 17 years, I have helped people with a wide variety of issues work through significant challenges, freeing them to make better choices. In addition to my clinical work, I teach and supervise at various training programs throughout the Bay Area, and am the Director of Counseling at California College of the Arts.