Christian Therapists in Pleasant Hill, CA
Bravery starts with one step. I provide Medi-Cal therapy for adults, teens, and families struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, and chronic stress. Many patients come to therapy feeling overwhelmed, burned out, and stretched thin by work, family, and life demands, while facing long waitlists and access barriers. They want real relief, fewer racing thoughts, steadier emotions, and practical tools they can use daily. I offer secure telehealth across California to reduce barriers and save time. Therapy is a judgment-free space focused on reducing stress, healing past wounds, strengthening relationships, and rebuilding confidence.
Bravery starts with one step. I provide Medi-Cal therapy for adults, teens, and families struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, and chronic stress. Many patients come to therapy feeling overwhelmed, burned out, and stretched thin by work, family, and life demands, while facing long waitlists and access barriers. They want real relief, fewer racing thoughts, steadier emotions, and practical tools they can use daily. I offer secure telehealth across California to reduce barriers and save time. Therapy is a judgment-free space focused on reducing stress, healing past wounds, strengthening relationships, and rebuilding confidence.
As a longtime educator, I have witnessed the growing need for mental health support, especially following the COVID-19 pandemic, through the stories and experiences of my students. In 2022, I also experienced the loss of my stepmother-in-law, whose end-of-life journey deeply impacted me and inspired my path toward clinical social work. Born and raised in the Philippines, I am fluent in Tagalog and Cebuano and understand Hiligaynon.
As a longtime educator, I have witnessed the growing need for mental health support, especially following the COVID-19 pandemic, through the stories and experiences of my students. In 2022, I also experienced the loss of my stepmother-in-law, whose end-of-life journey deeply impacted me and inspired my path toward clinical social work. Born and raised in the Philippines, I am fluent in Tagalog and Cebuano and understand Hiligaynon.
Does your life feel heavy and overwhelming at times? Waking up angry or anxious with no clear reason why? Having issues connecting with your family, others or yourself? Experiencing the many stressors and situations of life can become exhausting when you aren't properly supported. I would like to help you expand your awareness of what is affecting you, so you can become a more supported and resourced you, while learning to cope using healthy strategies and tools that best fit your lifestyle.
Does your life feel heavy and overwhelming at times? Waking up angry or anxious with no clear reason why? Having issues connecting with your family, others or yourself? Experiencing the many stressors and situations of life can become exhausting when you aren't properly supported. I would like to help you expand your awareness of what is affecting you, so you can become a more supported and resourced you, while learning to cope using healthy strategies and tools that best fit your lifestyle.
I work with first responders, military veterans, men, young adults, teens, couples, and families who seek strength, clarity, and stability in the most important areas of life. I serve those facing operational stress, trauma exposure, identity conflict, leadership strain, and the burden of carrying others while neglecting themselves. I also guide adolescents stepping into adulthood and couple facing relationship distress. In this work, struggle is not weakness but the training ground where virtue, discipline, resilience, and steady peace are formed through deliberate effort and honest self-examination.
I work with first responders, military veterans, men, young adults, teens, couples, and families who seek strength, clarity, and stability in the most important areas of life. I serve those facing operational stress, trauma exposure, identity conflict, leadership strain, and the burden of carrying others while neglecting themselves. I also guide adolescents stepping into adulthood and couple facing relationship distress. In this work, struggle is not weakness but the training ground where virtue, discipline, resilience, and steady peace are formed through deliberate effort and honest self-examination.
You may be reading this because you're feeling overwhelmed, scared, hurt, angry or even guilty and numb. Whatever the feelings, you wish someone can make it better. Absolutely. That's what therapy should do - Not only make your life easier, but also calmer, more fulfilled. Ideally, you want to talk to someone who gets it, gets you - someone who can help you, not only ease the pain, but also remember your dreams and even recapture them.
You may be reading this because you're feeling overwhelmed, scared, hurt, angry or even guilty and numb. Whatever the feelings, you wish someone can make it better. Absolutely. That's what therapy should do - Not only make your life easier, but also calmer, more fulfilled. Ideally, you want to talk to someone who gets it, gets you - someone who can help you, not only ease the pain, but also remember your dreams and even recapture them.
Also, if you embrace a Catholic Christian identity, I would love to address your issues from a Faith perspective.
What is it that causes you so much pain? Frequently our mental health is directly related to unresolved past hurts and traumas. These struggles can be from childhood and our family of origin, or perhaps they show up in the form of shame from choices we have made or choices other's have made against us. I encourage you to begin the work to overcome your negative experiences. Seek counseling if you want support and direction in gaining a positive perspective, want insight into managing difficult circumstances, or want to improve your communication or conflict resolution skills. You deserve to find fulfillment and joy.
Also, if you embrace a Catholic Christian identity, I would love to address your issues from a Faith perspective.
What is it that causes you so much pain? Frequently our mental health is directly related to unresolved past hurts and traumas. These struggles can be from childhood and our family of origin, or perhaps they show up in the form of shame from choices we have made or choices other's have made against us. I encourage you to begin the work to overcome your negative experiences. Seek counseling if you want support and direction in gaining a positive perspective, want insight into managing difficult circumstances, or want to improve your communication or conflict resolution skills. You deserve to find fulfillment and joy.
Annelise Miller, Men's Issues, Anxiety &
Marriage & Family Therapist, MS, LMFT
6 Endorsed
Serves Area
Dual License CA/OR Maybe you're carrying something you've never said out loud. Maybe grief doesn't look the way others expect it to, or you've been told you shut down when things get hard. If anxiety is running the show in your relationships, work, or daily life, you don't have to stay stuck. I work with people who feel like they're constantly walking on eggshells, shutting down, or reacting with anger when other emotions feel too overwhelming to express. I offer straightforward therapy for men, grief, and anxiety across California. No therapy-speak, no judgment. Whatever brought you here, there's a place to be honest about it.
Dual License CA/OR Maybe you're carrying something you've never said out loud. Maybe grief doesn't look the way others expect it to, or you've been told you shut down when things get hard. If anxiety is running the show in your relationships, work, or daily life, you don't have to stay stuck. I work with people who feel like they're constantly walking on eggshells, shutting down, or reacting with anger when other emotions feel too overwhelming to express. I offer straightforward therapy for men, grief, and anxiety across California. No therapy-speak, no judgment. Whatever brought you here, there's a place to be honest about it.
I believe healing is a return to wholeness, guided by creativity, nature, and the wisdom within. I hold a PhD and MA in Art Therapy, am a holistic chef, nutritionist, and MFT-in-training. My work weaves art, ritual, and somatic awareness to support individuals and families in releasing pain, restoring harmony, and awakening their innate capacity to heal. Together, we honor your story and grow what is ready to bloom.
I believe healing is a return to wholeness, guided by creativity, nature, and the wisdom within. I hold a PhD and MA in Art Therapy, am a holistic chef, nutritionist, and MFT-in-training. My work weaves art, ritual, and somatic awareness to support individuals and families in releasing pain, restoring harmony, and awakening their innate capacity to heal. Together, we honor your story and grow what is ready to bloom.
Are you a parent feeling worried about your child? A young athlete who seems angry, withdrawn, or like they “don’t care” anymore? A family experiencing ongoing conflict? Or someone simply wanting to improve their life and feel more at ease? Whatever brings you here, I'll help you navigate it with support, clarity, and direction.
I offer more than surface-level advice. Together, we’ll work in a thoughtful and supportive space to better understand what’s going on beneath the surface. This process is about building insight, strengthening communication, and developing tools that help you move through challenges with greater confidence.
Are you a parent feeling worried about your child? A young athlete who seems angry, withdrawn, or like they “don’t care” anymore? A family experiencing ongoing conflict? Or someone simply wanting to improve their life and feel more at ease? Whatever brings you here, I'll help you navigate it with support, clarity, and direction.
I offer more than surface-level advice. Together, we’ll work in a thoughtful and supportive space to better understand what’s going on beneath the surface. This process is about building insight, strengthening communication, and developing tools that help you move through challenges with greater confidence.
Thank you for reaching out and taking the first step to ask for help. I know it can be difficult, but I am confident you will not regret the decision. It's not easy navigating through the trials, challenges and stressors of life. We are often put in situations, whether balancing work or family responsibilities, being a caretaker or a student dealing with school and social pressures. You may be feeling overwhelmed, anxious, depressed, guilty or at a loss with yourself or your relationships. Perhaps, as a parent, you are feeling concerned about the changes in your child's mood, behavior or academic performance and need some support.
Thank you for reaching out and taking the first step to ask for help. I know it can be difficult, but I am confident you will not regret the decision. It's not easy navigating through the trials, challenges and stressors of life. We are often put in situations, whether balancing work or family responsibilities, being a caretaker or a student dealing with school and social pressures. You may be feeling overwhelmed, anxious, depressed, guilty or at a loss with yourself or your relationships. Perhaps, as a parent, you are feeling concerned about the changes in your child's mood, behavior or academic performance and need some support.
At Gonzales Family Counseling, it is our honor to develop a client centered relationship in order to promote hope, healing, and accessing one's best self. We work with children, adolescents, young adults, adults, couples, parents, and families.
At Gonzales Family Counseling, it is our honor to develop a client centered relationship in order to promote hope, healing, and accessing one's best self. We work with children, adolescents, young adults, adults, couples, parents, and families.
With more than 30 years experience as a psychologist in diverse settings, I gained valuable clinical work experience and improved my mastery of psychotherapy. I continue to enhance my skills on a variety of evidence-based therapy techniques. Working with a diverse group of clientele brings me a sense of fulfillment and reward. I believe that active listening, understanding, providing empathy and showing genuine compassion, walking with someone in their path to recovery/healing are ways that one can achieve a sense of awareness and clarity, then eventually find a balance between change and acceptance.
With more than 30 years experience as a psychologist in diverse settings, I gained valuable clinical work experience and improved my mastery of psychotherapy. I continue to enhance my skills on a variety of evidence-based therapy techniques. Working with a diverse group of clientele brings me a sense of fulfillment and reward. I believe that active listening, understanding, providing empathy and showing genuine compassion, walking with someone in their path to recovery/healing are ways that one can achieve a sense of awareness and clarity, then eventually find a balance between change and acceptance.
Motherhood changes everything - your identity, relationships, and sense of self. If you're feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, or unsure of who you are beyond mom, you're not alone. As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Certified Perinatal Mental Health Professional, I help mothers navigate this transition with compassion and practical support.
Whether you're struggling with anxiety, identity loss, or the juggle of trying to doing it all, I'm here to support. Together, we'll build coping skills that work for your life, strengthen your sense of self, and help you feel more connected to yourself and your family.
Motherhood changes everything - your identity, relationships, and sense of self. If you're feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, or unsure of who you are beyond mom, you're not alone. As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Certified Perinatal Mental Health Professional, I help mothers navigate this transition with compassion and practical support.
Whether you're struggling with anxiety, identity loss, or the juggle of trying to doing it all, I'm here to support. Together, we'll build coping skills that work for your life, strengthen your sense of self, and help you feel more connected to yourself and your family.
Annie LeClaire
Marriage & Family Therapist, MS, MFT
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
Not accepting new clients
Finding a safe place to process pain is crucial. I work with individual adults, teens, families and couples to overcome emotional difficulties and enhance their ability to connect with self and others.
Finding a safe place to process pain is crucial. I work with individual adults, teens, families and couples to overcome emotional difficulties and enhance their ability to connect with self and others.
Laura Madsen
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
Not accepting new clients
In today's world, adolescents are exposed to some overwhelming internal and external battles, such as peer pressure, self-esteem and body image, stress from home and school,
bullying, anxiety, and depression. I am passionate about coming alongside today's adolescents to create a safe, non-judgemental, understanding atmosphere, process their struggles and gain positive, healthy tools to use as they grow. In addition, I also have a heart for helping individuals examine their present life issues and deal effectively with the circumstances they are facing. Come visit us on Facebook under Hope Counseling Services
In today's world, adolescents are exposed to some overwhelming internal and external battles, such as peer pressure, self-esteem and body image, stress from home and school,
bullying, anxiety, and depression. I am passionate about coming alongside today's adolescents to create a safe, non-judgemental, understanding atmosphere, process their struggles and gain positive, healthy tools to use as they grow. In addition, I also have a heart for helping individuals examine their present life issues and deal effectively with the circumstances they are facing. Come visit us on Facebook under Hope Counseling Services
Kathy Shifflett
Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, MS, AMFT
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
Not accepting new clients
Most of us would agree that sometimes life is just hard. It is even harder when we try to face it alone. If you're feeling overwhelmed by life right now, please know that you don't have to get through it on your own. As a therapist, I see my role as coming along side you on your journey toward healing and self discovery. I will not try to "fix" you and I do not have all of the answers. With empathy, intuition and knowledge from my own lived experience, I offer a space for you to explore where you will feel safe and heard.
Most of us would agree that sometimes life is just hard. It is even harder when we try to face it alone. If you're feeling overwhelmed by life right now, please know that you don't have to get through it on your own. As a therapist, I see my role as coming along side you on your journey toward healing and self discovery. I will not try to "fix" you and I do not have all of the answers. With empathy, intuition and knowledge from my own lived experience, I offer a space for you to explore where you will feel safe and heard.
More Therapists Nearby
There are seasons when emotional pain feels endless—when your past disappointments make change seem more frightening than staying stuck, and the pressure of anxiety and constant worry begins to immobilize you. You don’t have to navigate that alone. Let's create a path to a more joyful life, healthier relationships, and a hopeful vision for the future. Together, we’ll help you live more authentically—aligned with who you truly are—so you can find deeper meaning and purpose that gently lifts the weight of depression, grief, anxiety, uncertainty, or scars of trauma. My experiential, attachment-based approach builds insight and growth.
There are seasons when emotional pain feels endless—when your past disappointments make change seem more frightening than staying stuck, and the pressure of anxiety and constant worry begins to immobilize you. You don’t have to navigate that alone. Let's create a path to a more joyful life, healthier relationships, and a hopeful vision for the future. Together, we’ll help you live more authentically—aligned with who you truly are—so you can find deeper meaning and purpose that gently lifts the weight of depression, grief, anxiety, uncertainty, or scars of trauma. My experiential, attachment-based approach builds insight and growth.
Early on, friends would often come to me for advice, and they told me I was a good listener. That made me curious about becoming a therapist. But once I started studying psychology, I realized therapy isn’t really about giving advice. It’s more about helping people explore their experiences, understand themselves better, and find their own solutions.
Early on, friends would often come to me for advice, and they told me I was a good listener. That made me curious about becoming a therapist. But once I started studying psychology, I realized therapy isn’t really about giving advice. It’s more about helping people explore their experiences, understand themselves better, and find their own solutions.
Are you feeling overwhelmed and anxious because of life events and stressors? Are you constantly worrying about the future or even your daily, mundane challenges? Or are you stuck ruminating about past mistakes and regrets? Do you have relationship problems? You are not alone, and you don't have to struggle alone...we can do this healing journey together. Tell me about your healthy, happy destination. I will help you get there with insights and skills to reach your goals. Using a collaborative approach, we will build on the strengths and tools you already have. All these will be done in a supportive, safe, and nonjudgmental space.
Are you feeling overwhelmed and anxious because of life events and stressors? Are you constantly worrying about the future or even your daily, mundane challenges? Or are you stuck ruminating about past mistakes and regrets? Do you have relationship problems? You are not alone, and you don't have to struggle alone...we can do this healing journey together. Tell me about your healthy, happy destination. I will help you get there with insights and skills to reach your goals. Using a collaborative approach, we will build on the strengths and tools you already have. All these will be done in a supportive, safe, and nonjudgmental space.
With 14 years of experience working with clients going through individual, relationship, and family issues, Celebrity Therapist Dr. Jeff Rocker has provided therapeutic services to clients nationwide. He is licensed in 25 states and has served clients from all age groups. Over the years, Dr. Jeff has organized lectures and various events in the community, including excursions and retreats for couples to improve their communication and better understand each other. He has experience working with athletes in the NFL, NBA, and MLB. In addition, Dr. Jeff has also worked with clients in the Movie, Music, and Entertainment Industries.
With 14 years of experience working with clients going through individual, relationship, and family issues, Celebrity Therapist Dr. Jeff Rocker has provided therapeutic services to clients nationwide. He is licensed in 25 states and has served clients from all age groups. Over the years, Dr. Jeff has organized lectures and various events in the community, including excursions and retreats for couples to improve their communication and better understand each other. He has experience working with athletes in the NFL, NBA, and MLB. In addition, Dr. Jeff has also worked with clients in the Movie, Music, and Entertainment Industries.
See more therapy options for Pleasant Hill
Christian Therapists
Why is it important for a therapist to be culturally sensitive?
Therapists and clients don’t need to share the same belief system or background to be able to work effectively together, but a therapist whose training includes a focus on cultural competence may be better able to form a therapeutic bond with individuals from a range of backgrounds, as they will have experience in tailoring their approach to each client—and will be prepared to acknowledge and consider the effects of culture, religion, and other factors on each individual.
Why is it important to find a therapist sensitive to Christian values?
Each person brings a unique history and background to therapy, making it important to find a licensed therapist who is trained in a broad range of treatment modalities. In addition, for people who grow up in a faith tradition that strongly influences the way they conduct their everyday life, finding a therapist who understands or shares that background can ease the disclosure of sensitive information and facilitate the therapeutic process. For some clients, a Christian therapist is likely to incorporate faith-based principles into emotional healing techniques.
How do I recognize an effective Christian therapist?
Christian therapists are licensed mental health professionals—holding a master’s or doctoral degree in medicine, nursing, psychology, counseling, social work, or marriage and family therapy—who are also familiar with Christian beliefs and values. They have an understanding of the importance that Christian principles play in the lives of individuals and families, which allows them to be especially sensitive to the kinds of struggles that can affect daily functioning. Like all effective therapists, a Christian therapist will have undergone training and certification in a variety of treatment modalities that help people through crises and enable them to master the challenges of life.
Why might someone feel comfortable with a Christian therapist?
While training, qualifications, and experience are always important, research has long established that a strong alliance between client and therapist is a major contributor to therapeutic success. An alliance is likely to be strengthened with a therapist who not only is responsive to questions and concerns but also shares a client’s faith and values. Sensitivity to spiritual matters as well as to everyday struggles can provide a welcome sense of safety and contribute to the bond between client and therapist, both of which support the therapeutic process.
Who is included in Psychology Today’s directory of Christian therapists?
The directory of Christian therapists includes professionals who have shared their background in their profiles. However, not all therapists choose to disclose this information, and they may not appear in search results for this reason. The directory also shows therapists who indicate that they have extensive experience working with Christian clients, regardless of their own background or religious affiliation.