Trauma Focused Therapists in Oakland, CA

I support my clients to cultivate awareness and capacity to unwind from unhealthy thought and behavior patterns. I do this by drawing on their innate strengths and resilience. Collaboratively we learn to navigate challenging emotions and life transitions to rediscover aliveness, power, joy, purpose, care and a sense of connection. I bring dynamic qualities including curiosity, creativity and warmth into sessions for growth towards wholeness. My approach is guided by mindful awareness, honest inquiry and deep compassion. I am grounded in social justice, recognizing how social-historical factors impact well-being. I believe healing is a journey towards liberation.

As a Cognitive Behavioral Therapist, my practice specializes in working with people who struggle with depression, unresolved trauma, anxiety, family and relationship issues, and life transitions. Effective therapy starts with a trusting relationship. In a safe space where you feel understood and accepted, we will work toward your goals so that you feel empowered to change and can begin to make positive changes in your life. Practice specialties: Teens, Young Adults, Depression, Anxiety, Relationship and Family Issues, Stress, Life Transitions, Trauma, and Substance Use.

I have been a therapist for 30 years. I provided psychotherapeutic services to adolescents, couples and families in a variety of clinical settings.For the past 18 years I was the lead clinician in an Intensive Day Treatment High School Program for adolescents in Special Education. Prior to that, I worked in a Women's Substance Abuse Agency.I am now in private practice and look forward to an opportunity to work with Adolescents, Adults, Couples and families where I can utilize my clinical expertise and work experience to help individuals achieve their goals.

Welcome! You are ready for a change. You may be overwhelmed by life, feel depressed or anxious, or have difficulty connecting in relationships. Whatever your reason for searching for a psychologist, a part of you believes in the possibility of a better life.

Right now, you are doing something very courageous! You are taking the first step toward a more meaningful and rich life. You might sense that your thoughts and feelings are holding you back from truly living your life. You might have had traumatic life experience(s) that shaped your life in a way that is unfulfilling and terrifying. You might feel plagued by depression and/or anxiety, feel uncomfortable in your own skin or as if you are not performing to your best abilities. I want to commend you for taking this step and I would feel honored to be on this journey with you, helping you live a more satisfying, engaged and full life.

My focus is to help individuals and families heal from anxiety, depression, trauma, and relationship/family issues. As the therapeutic area of concern is introduced, we can begin to work together in developing empowerment of self as we set up together healthy and achievable goals. I aim to establish include compassion, good communication and trust. In our relationship then I will work alongside you to develop your own coping tools. My approach is a person-centered (positive type) direction to further your strengths and resilience which is tailored towards your specific goals and needs.

I am a trauma focused therapist for individuals and families who have experienced single or multiple adverse events in childhood or adulthood, and intergenerational trauma. It isn't always easy to reach out for help after these experiences, in my role as a therapist I am committed to assist my clients in this courageous step toward their healing journey. I am currently accepting new clients who live in California for tele-therapy through live video conferencing.

I enjoy working with children, teens, and adults who are looking to develop their inner strengths and resources to live a more fulfilling life. I understand that mental health difficulties can negatively impact many areas of our lives. I believe that these difficulties are an opportunity for growth and to learn about oneself. I work collaboratively with my clients to determine what well-being looks like for them in all areas of their lives, and to create a path forward towards that well-being.

I am a trauma-focused adolescent and family therapist working with residents of California. My specialty is working with adolescents and families facing challenges caused by substance use. Our current behaviors may be a reflection of the hurt or suffering we are feeling in our innermost selves. Those seeking to work with me may already be aware of how their past traumas are affecting their current relationships or leading to substance use, and others may only notice the conflict and anger that surrounds their behavior. In any situation you find yourself in, you are more than welcome here.

Seeking help can be scary and exciting, and it takes a lot of bravery and courage to take the initial step. You may be feeling like you are depressed and anxious due to your trauma. I aim to meet you where you are mentally and emotionally and help you grow, learn skills, and adapt to new changes. We can work together to identify your goals and needs and address the emotional and behavioral challenges you experience.

In our therapeutic relationship, genuine, empathetic care and connection come first. I understand that healing is not only individual but also systemic. I use family systems techniques to heal your inner child, and psychodynamic techniques to uncover patterns that are not serving you. This will help you deconstruct your past stories, to strengthen the authoring of your future stories. I help you move towards addressing your needs, and developing clarity and solutions using person-centered tenets with evidence based CBT and DBT techniques.

My experience comes from 31 years of helping children, adults, couples and families in both Community Mental Health and Private Practice. My approach is eclectic and tailored to each individual's needs to facilitate healing and growth. Through my years of experience I have witnessed over and over again people coming into therapy with great pain, discomfort and despair but with time, (sometimes within a very short time) their symptoms diminish and a whole new person emerges. Crisis times can be extremely painful and distressful but they can also be opportunities for growth and healing through therapy.

I am a LCSW with nearly a decade of social work experience in clinic, school, non-profit and community settings. I specialize in working with adults, adolescents and their families, members of the LGBTQI2S+ communities, and with working artists. I have an understanding and dedication to working within a social justice framework, and strive to maintain a practice that is affirming of all identities, experiences and orientations. I believe that any strong therapeutic relationship is built on collaboration, honesty, and the belief that change is possible.

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.

Do you feel like you have overwhelming feelings of anxiety, depression, or self-doubt and that it is time for some needed support? Have you experienced a lack of purpose or direction in life and feel stuck? Is the past haunting you in some way? If you feel like you are ready to take on the commitment to improving your life, managing your symptoms, learn about the underlying issues that may need to be addressed to fully move forward, grow, and heal, I am ready to support you reach your goals.

We all experience difficult times in our lives, but some of those times are harder than others. It may feel like you have to go through this alone, but you don’t. I support people who are dealing with problems like anxiety, life stress, domestic violence, and other traumas. I will offer my acceptance and expertise, while also helping you find ongoing support in your own community, in whatever form that takes. Many of my clients experience a decrease in symptoms, an increase in confidence, and a stronger feeling of connection through therapy. I’d love to see how I can help you feel better as well.

Sometimes, we get stuck in patterns that might have been helpful at some point in our lives but are not so helpful to us now. These patterns show up in the ways we respond in our relationships, in work and school, to challenges, and to ourselves.

If you are feeling overwhelmed by life’s demands, my aim is to introduce clarity, authenticity, and self-motivation. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), I’ve been successfully treating adults, families, and youth for over 20 years facilitating their self-growth. I teach techniques to better manage the emotional stress of everyday life. I have also focused on extensive training in anxiety/depression, play therapy, parenting, treating past and recent trauma, OCD, addiction, and working with family systems. Feel free to schedule a complimentary consultation now- https://calendly.com/mhickstherapy/15min

Does life have you feeling lost lately? Do you need support in finding your passion or understanding your purpose? Trauma, stress and anxiety may be impacting your ability to understand who you are. 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.

Helping people when they are in crisis is my passion. I specialize in emergency and acute mental health evaluation and consultation. I am currently accepting patients for brief intervention services only, including: crisis evaluation and acute treatment planning; urgent clinical diagnostic evaluation and consultation; and, private disability evaluations.