Therapists in Oakland, CA

I am a LCSW with over 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.

Am I doing it right? Shouldn't I feel something more than this? My life is pretty good, and I think I should feel more grateful. But sometimes I look around and wonder, is this really all there is? No, no, I should be happier. What do I have to complain about? Yet still... sometimes, I just can't help but wonder.

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.

The world can be overwhelming, especially if you are part of a minority group, that leads us to put a lot of pressure on ourselves. Do you desire meaningful relationships, success in school or your career, and feel your best physically and emotionally? Many do, however, discrimination, insecurity, fear of abandonment, imposter syndrome, and not feeling good enough can make attaining this sometimes feel impossible. This is where I can help. For over 20 years I have assisted my clients in stepping outside of their circumstances and gain a better vantage point to understand and create meaningful change in life.

Life offers challenges resulting in feeling stressed, anxious and overwhelmed. Transitions such as moving to a new city, state or country or changing careers are not easy. Relationships, personal, family or work related often present struggles. I love helping people with all that life throws at us. As neurodivergent, I identify as jazz handsy, and enjoy working with the neurospicy. While teaching in the US and Europe I developed a high competency in providing psycho-education and psycho-social interventions. I am supervised by Natalie Webster MA. LMFT 126065, at Axis Mundi Center for Mental Health.

A good therapist helps us get to know ourselves fully. Better understanding our motivations, thoughts and feelings reveals more fulfilling, effective choices. Exploring what is getting in our way of having deeply satisfying relationships is essential to living a full life. I often address issues of: understanding a partner's motivations, life purpose & transition, transparent vulnerable & authentic communication, finding/creating fulfilling relationship, confidence & leadership, men in relationship, trauma, and integrating presence in daily living.

As a therapist and personally, I truly believe that all people are born equally good. Each and every one of us has had a variety of experiences throughout our lives that have shaped our personalities, our relationships with people and our view of ourselves. Throughout the course of our work together, in a safe atmosphere of trust and empathy, we will be able to give you the opportunity to relive your previous experiences and learn new lessons from old memories.

The people who choose to work with me often want something more than traditional talk therapy. People come to me who are experiencing challenges in relationships with themselves and others. This includes struggles in the relationship to being in your own body. I combined talk therapy with a number of mindfulness and somatic based modalities to meet you where you are at and explore together what healing can look like. I work with individuals and couples or other relationship configurations. I also offer psychedelic integration integration therapy.

As a transnationally raised queer immigrant clinician, and east coast transplant to California, I know what it's like to be a newcomer, an outsider, and someone struggling to feel "between worlds." I love working with anyone who is wanting to explore the stories we tell ourselves - and how they shape our sense of power, selfhood and connection to the world.

I primarily specialize in early childhood and the surrounding relationships. I work with children ages 0-8 focusing on life's adjustments, both the expected and the unexpected. I can offer support to children coping with adjustments, grief/loss, trauma, and anxiety. I also specialize in supporting parents as they navigate this journey alongside their children. I offer parent consultation as well as supportive parenting therapy, helping to nurture the parent-child relationship and improve communication.

You look around, the common culture doesn't reflect your ethnicity, gender expression, ability, or sexual orientation. You don't fit into a neat little box. The stress of not fitting in, or having to explain or feel guilty for who you are has taken over. Is this how it's gonna be for the rest of my life? - you wonder...and it makes you tired. My clients come to me to overcome doubt, build confidence. I use techniques to help them slow down and listen to their inner voice so it's so loud and clear that anxiety has no room to stay.

We bring the entirety of ourselves everyday into the world not in separate parts. Some of these parts may include our past: traumas, conditioning, modeling, grief, anxiety, and maladaptive coping. These parts can show up in our personal, professional and romantic spaces inhibiting us actualizing our most authentic self. We can feel arrested by cycles, patterns or reactions to our past which can continue to resurface and wonder, “Why does this continue to happen to me?” If this sounds familiar and you would like to begin shifting these parts of yourself towards a more whole and authentic self - In.Sight is here to partner with you.

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.

Reaching out for support may feel difficult but you are totally worth it. I can provide you with a place where you will be listened to with compassion and understanding. Through our work together I will bring gentle curiosity to the areas of your life you want to explore. This can look like nurturing any tender wounds, fostering belonging for abandoned parts of yourself, embracing acceptance for things you can't change, and building skills needed for constructing the life and relationships you desire.

Are you struggling, feeling stagnate, having trouble moving beyond traumatic events or having relationship difficulties? I help people get past these all too common problems. I create a warm, safe, and nurturing environment using a client-centered and holistic approach. Together we will determine what the important issues affecting your life are. We will discover how you can resolve those issues so you can move on. For the past 20 years I have provided individualized, kind, solution-based therapy and life coaching for people of all ages.

Significant life stressors impact our mental health, including experiencing an identity crisis, burnout, challenging transitions, grief, relationship difficulties, intergenerational trauma, and systemic oppression. Childhood trauma, dysfunctional family dynamics, and physical health challenges influence our mental health too. Do you find yourself feeling burnt out at home/work? Demotivated? Longing for change? Stuck? Confused about where life is taking you? Seeking therapy can offer a space for yourself to make meaning of your past experiences to guide your future, learn new coping skills, and connect to your values.

My approach is grounded in Cognitive-Behavioral and Attachment Theories. I also incorporate the practices of Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction and ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy). I aspire to meet clients where they are, and help each individual to work on his or her expressed goals. I enjoy taking this journey with clients to navigate some of their most difficult and challenging moments in life, to help prevent troubled kids or young adults from more serious trouble, and to help all clients who seek my support turn their life's biggest challenges into opportunities for growth and lasting change.

I have many years of experience working with individuals from a variety of sociodemographic characteristics with a range of mental health diagnosis including but not limited to a spectrum of anxiety disorders, depression, insomnia, OCD, PTSD, as well as dual diagnoses (substance use disorder and complex mental health disorder). In our first meeting, I will conduct a clinical interview in order to get to know you better as well as gather a thorough biopsychosocial history to understand your needs. Then based on your responses, we will have a discussion as to which therapy style is most appropriate for your treatment.

Somatic Therapy, Breema Bodywork, and Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP). As a trauma-informed somatic therapist, I work relationally to support children, teens, and adults looking to deepen their life and soul purpose. Common issues include overwhelm, boundaries, grief, self-doubt, self-worth, and childhood neglect. In conjunction with identifying day-to-day struggles, we explore family legacy, ancestral patterns, symbolism, and archetypes for guidance. I keep in mind that we all have a story, and we are all influenced by time and place; our families of origin, our communities, and the state of the planet.