Therapists in Pleasant Hill, CA

Welcome! My therapy practice offers services to families, adults, teens and children looking for guidance and support. I provide a blend of psycho-education, skill-building, deep listening and analyzation, client-centered reflection, and creative arts healing opportunities. I utilize evidence-based techniques such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and EFT. I also bring in elements of more traditional psychodynamic practices, and existential, spiritual & meaning-making inquiries. I believe that each client deserves a customized approach, based on their needs and desires.

A labyrinth enthusiast since 1999, I incorporate the powerful healing metaphor of the labyrinth journey in my work with clients. Honoring inner wisdom and intuitive guidance, I accompany individuals on the path to remembering and integrating the Truth — deepening and enriching their lives and relationships. I assist clients seeking to initiate healthy changes and to release barriers that have been limiting them enjoyment of life.

My work includes working with individuals coping with depression, anxiety, addiction, trauma, and chronic and severe mental illness. I have experience working with all age ranges and ethnicities. I welcome clients of all gender identities and sexual orientations. I have fifteen years plus experience of working within the field of psychology in a variety of settings including drug and alcohol therapy, psychiatric crisis stabilization, forensics, and individual and group therapies. I am certified through Harvard University for Trauma.

I have been a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in private practice in the East Bay for over 30 years, providing psychotherapy for adults, couples, families, adolescents, and groups. I work from a holistic perspective, creating a safe environment to encourage the therapeutic process. I specialize in working with: relationship issues, recovery from sexual, physical, and emotional abuse and other childhood traumas; depression; anxiety, low self esteem; codependency issues; parenting concerns; compulsive eating patterns; body image dissatisfaction, chronic illness, and perinatal loss. I integrate in-depth psychotherapy with EMDR, Expressive Arts Therapy, Somatic Experiencing, Jungian Sand Tray, and Dream Work.

I see therapy primarily as a process of self exploration which allows you to understand yourself better. Greater self awareness can help you either make different choices or experience where you are from a place of greater acceptance. We all had to go through a process to learn how to drive a car. Somehow we expect ourselves to figure out how to navigate our lives without fully understanding what drives us, how to get where we want to go, where the potholes are and how to avoid them. Before any of this can happen, you have to become more familiar with yourself through self exploration. My work is both thoughtful and practical.

Are you feeling stuck or overwhelmed? Feeling like talking with someone to get some relief and support? You have taken an important first step in finding a therapist that's right for you. I work with children, adolescents, parents, and adults who are experiencing issues related to anxiety, depression, self-esteem, grief and relationship struggles. I am here to help you face these challenges in a comfortable and nurturing way.

You may have often heard some people say that therapy is for only those with a mental illness or are "crazy". I'm Mark G. Koch and have been a licensed Marriage Family Therapist since 1996, and I can honestly tell you that those type of statements are a myth. Everyone has a view of how the world works and we use the tools we have to deal with our issues, but occasionally there comes a time when a problem arises that we have no answer to. At this point we become "stuck".

I have been a licensed clinician for over twenty years working with adolescent and adult clients. My work has included family therapy, individual therapy, group therapy, and life coaching. Although I have worked with a variety of clients, my preference is to work with females around life transitions, depression, anxiety, and general life stress.

Are you feeling overwhelmed with trying to keep your family together, your relationships, job demands and daily responsibilities? Are your children struggling with peer relationships and/or school functioning? Reaching out to get support takes courage. This is an unimaginable time. If you find yourself struggling with anxiety and depression or feeling isolated, you deserve to take care of your mental health and emotional well being. Your adolescent or teen can benefit from getting support with a trusted ally who will listen and help improve functioning.

Good Roots Psychotherapy provides a collaborative, safe, supportive space for adults, teens, and children to process and grow through life’s unique and sometimes difficult challenges. We work to provide a space for empowered healing, helping you identify your inner motivation and success. We offer individualized treatment to help to empower you on your path to wholeness. Working with individuals and thier families allows us to help the client focus on thier natural supports and strengths while supporting growth areas.

We understand many people feel ashamed having to seek therapy for their child, family or themselves. However, no one is perfect and we all need help from time to time. We have created a relaxing atmosphere where you will not feel judged. We are here to assist you through a difficult time and to make the changes you need to make. Teens need help to. It is very common for teens to need therapy to deal with an issue in their life.

You might want to: free yourself; move on; get better; grow; clarify; solve the problem; build skills; change the narrative; fight for what you believe; feel alive; be confident; know what you want; take chances; firm your resolve; strengthen resiliency; say what you mean; set boundaries; take responsibility; be flexible; find a way; accept yourself; establish a rhythm; lead with the breath; connect with others; refuse to apologize for what you want; allow love; integrate; be still; deepen; and leave meaning to come together on its own.

People looking for a therapist often have multiple areas of dissatisfaction. My training, experience and expertise is diverse, allowing me to work with a wide variety of clients and issues.

I can help you access your natural resilience and significantly reduce your stress symptoms. My approach is different than conventional talk therapy and people find me when they have tried talk therapy but did not receive the results that they had hoped for. I am a somatic trauma specialist and I am certified in the most advanced evidence based treatment for trauma. I offer Somatic Experiencing and Transforming Touch. I can help you feel significantly safer in your body and much more connected to yourself. The methods I incorporate are effective both online and in person.

My purpose as a therapist is to help clients feel less alone in their experiences and learn tools to live a life with more ease, insight, and awareness. I support children, teens, adolescents, and young adults in having a space to feel seen, gain deeper self-awareness, implement coping strategies and reach attainable goals to live life more fully. As a client myself, I aim to normalize the process of therapy and reduce the stigma around receiving mental health support. I acknowledge the bravery and courage it takes to start therapy and hold deep respect for those investing in this process.

Looking for clients who are interested in understanding themselves, developing further insight, and willing to challenge themselves. They enjoy my directive style and enjoy the therapeutic process.

Healing yourself, integrating body, mind, soul and spirit - realizing your highest Self. Living an authentic and adult life, facing the difficulties and clearing the obstacles to a healthier, fulfilling, connected and loving life. If these are some of your goals, then we are likely a good match for working together. Whether you are struggling with anxiety, depression, loneliness, grief, trauma, destructive behaviors, relationship problems, parenting challenges, general dissatisfaction, feelings of emptiness or unhappiness, these difficulties have within them the pointers of which way to go; the way is within.

I have been in private practice for over 30 years. I have had extensive experience with ethnically diverse women, men, couples, Veterans and immigrants, from young to older adults. I work with issues, such as depression, anxiety, relationships, marriage, work, disability, aging, loss, bereavement, identity and cross cultural/bi-cultural conflict. I am interested in exploring these issues through a dynamic process of understanding your emotional life and thoughts; and, how it manifests in your behavior in the world. Available for clinical consultation or supervising licensing hours. By appointment: Office, phone or virtual.