Therapists in Oakland, CA

I specialized in serving the Latinx community, first-generation professionals, and those struggling with high functioning anxiety. I have extensive experience working with adults who have a history of undisclosed childhood trauma, depression, panic attacks, and high functioning anxiety. My experience includes working in the tech sector prior to switching careers and in the hospital setting.

Do you find yourself stuck in stifling patterns? I offer facilitated inward journeys to increase personal agency, liveliness, and fulfillment. I offer sensitive, open-hearted, humorous, and real contact as you navigate all the inner and outer hardships of being human. I enjoy working with folks from all backgrounds, races, sexual orientations, gender identities, and abilities. Together, we will help you find a way forward that feels in alignment with your highest well-being.

Many people want to change some aspect of their life: to feel more joy, less anxiety, more freedom to act, or to say no! To find their authentic voice in relationships. To stop hating themselves. I offer a safe, welcoming environment for clients to explore their worlds. With equal parts gentleness and honesty, we discover their strategies and limitations. Through this clear seeing, choice emerges. We then work to stablize the tender, newer Self. I think of this process as cultivating "self-agency." It's one of the most important things we can do to increase our vitality and happiness.

Sometimes we’re not able to make the changes we want in life without additional support. Congratulations on taking this step! It is a scary one, especially when there can be cultural barriers and stigma to receive therapy. My goal is to support you to remove barriers to growth and change, so you align with your most authentic self, have healthier relationships, and feel a sense of peace. I am dedicated to creating a space that is warm, compassionate and accessible where you feel safe to explore the way in which you can build a more fulfilling life.

I'm Dr. Dean Leav, licensed psychologist and qualified medical evaluator (QME). I've been featured on NBC, KCAL, HLN, and other programs as an expert psychologist. I provide Evaluation Services, including (and not limited to): diagnostics (ADHD, Autism, Learning Dis.), cognitive/neuropsychological evaluations, workers' compensation (QME/AME), immigration-related evaluations, pre-adoption psychological evaluations, parenting/bonding assessments, drug & alcohol evaluations, pre-employment evaluations, and legal/forensics/criminal evaluations. These evaluations may be used to meet eligibility for certain services or accommodations.

Are you experiencing challenges dealing with anxiety, depression, relationship/family issues, and trauma/PTSD? Due to these symptoms, we can be in too much emotional pain and feel too stuck to reframe our perceptions or to find solutions to our problems. Childhood or recent trauma can cause emotional distress that can be difficult to process. I am here to support you in working through unresolved trauma and guide you toward healing. Therefore, you can feel empowered, rejuvenated, and enthusiastic about life again.

Therapy isn’t always easy, which is why feeling comfortable and safe with your therapist is most important to your success. I take a collaborative approach in therapy, starting where you are and working together to make positive changes. You are in the driver's seat and help to establish meaningful goals for your treatment.

Whether you are going through some difficult life transitions, are bogged down by stress, feelings of loneliness, are in a process of recovery and/or have experienced significant trauma, my therapy approach will support you in unpacking difficult emotions and restore a deeper connection to yourself, others and the world. I specialize in helping teens and their parents find hope and connection, as well as individuals of any age, who’ve struggled with self harm or any other maladaptive coping skill.

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.

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.

A clinical and developmental psychologist with over 35 years experience, I work with adults, parents and children from birth through adolescence. Development is a continual balance of equilibrium and disequilibrium; a lifelong process as our bodies, brains, relationships and societal expectations change. The discomfort, vulnerability and negative emotions that arise from life's challenges are the source of growth and change. From infancy on, we all have an inner vitality into which therapy can allow us to tap. Therapy provides a safe protected space that nurtures exploration, reflection, growth and change.

I have been in the field of social work since 2009. Since that time I have worked with a wide range of clients, from those who need temporary support during a transitional stage in their life to those managing chronic mental illness. My goal as your therapist is to create a warm and welcoming environment in which we can explore the issues that brought you to therapy. I want to help you build the insights and skills you need to live the life you have envisioned for yourself.

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.

Life has its ups and downs, ins and outs, mountains, plateaus, and valleys, and sometimes you just need someone to talk to. Is it a loss, feeling anxious, depressed, unaccepted, overwhelmed or fragile. Are some of these things holding you back? Together we can learn coping skills, healthy ways of living, and how to move forward in your life. I use a compassionate, non- judgmental, understanding, strength based approach by acknowledging and welcoming your whole person, body, mind, and spirit.

Relationships are big challenges. Who are we when we interact with those around us? Do we let others see us for who we really are? Can we see them? I specialize in working with individuals and couples as they try to manage their relationships: preserving them, ending them or changing them. This includes the effects of divorce and moving from a pre-divorce to a post-divorce family from deciding how to tell your children to determining how you want to define your co-parenting relationship.

I specialize in working with transitional-age youth and young adults age 14 and up. I guide each session with a social justice and trauma-informed lens to support your mental, emotional, and social development. This includes supporting you in managing practical life challenges such as education, employment, and interpersonal communication, as well as more complex obstacles like imposter syndrome, financial values, and intimate relationship dynamics/composition. If you are interested in beginning your journey toward becoming more a confident, introspective, emotionally balanced individual, I will be here every step of the way.

Change is often difficult. You might be seeking therapy because your best efforts to change yourself or your relationships have proven unsuccessful. You may be in the grip of emotions that seem beyond your control and understanding; these might include feelings of sadness, anger, loneliness, fear or self-destructiveness. We will work together to better understand the meaning of the feelings and behaviors that have become problematic, to help recognize old patterns that block growth, and make way for deep and lasting change.

Trying new things and new ways of being takes courage, and I am honored that I’ve gotten to share this journey with so many people throughout my career. I work with folks who are navigating life transitions and the mix of emotions that arise from them. I help individuals learn to listen to and trust their inner wisdom. I work with adults (18+) and primarily utilize family systems, mindfulness, and cognitive behavioral therapies. I believe that our early relational experiences have an impact on how we see ourselves, others and the world, and I think that exploring and referencing these experiences aids in overall self-discovery.

Deeper Than Color is a team of therapists who offer psychotherapy that addresses oppression, discrimination, and marginalization. We work with and empower Black people and other People of Color as well as LGBTQIA+, neurodivergent, performer, educator, and professional clients. We meet your needs and goals. We create a safe space where you can share without judgment. Then we help you heal from trauma, embrace your identity, and improve your relationships. We also help you cope with stress, overcome barriers, and achieve your aspirations. Whether you need individual or group therapy, we are here to support you.