Out of Network Therapists in Pleasant Hill, CA

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.

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.

I specialize in children, adolescents, and young adults, using evidence-based practices such as Cognitive Behavior Therapy and Mindfulness, as well as other treatment modalities to address needs and facilitate growth. Setting goals and planning treatment is a collaborative process with the client (and parents) and I aim to cultivate an open and non-judgmental relationship during the therapy process. My years of experience include supporting clients through a myriad of concerns, including trauma, depression, anxiety, grief and/or loss, relational issues, self-esteem and adjustments to changes.

We know when you call us that you, your family or child/teen are experiencing difficult emotional times. We at The Lucas Rubino Center are here to help you & support you through these times. We want to make sure you receive the therapy you need in a caring environment & at an affordable price. Dr Rubino started the Rubino Center, 18 yrs ago, so people could be treated as people not as a number. We are all dedicated therapists & we look forward to helping you & working with you. We also encourage your comments & any questions you may have about your therapy.

What if?. . . . What if you didn’t have to feel as though you had to hold all of those balls in the air by yourself? . . . .What if those stomach dropping, throat clenching, heart racing thoughts didn’t have to keep you up at night?. . . . What if you could figure out how to manage those difficult emotions rather than feel overwhelmed by them? What if your history didn’t have to equal your future story? I’ve got you covered! I'll help you to understand how your past got you to this place and how to use that information to connect the dots, figure things out, and design a new and better story going forward.

I offer holistic solution-oriented counseling and coaching with respect for your potential and the ideal you desire to live. I offer education and inspiration, practical creative solutions and options for you to consider to live your ideal life. I coach you in undoing sabotaging strategies, limiting beliefs and negative habits with effective tools and home work.. Our work together will validate what works for you and eliminate what is ineffective. With information, motivation and practical tools, you will experience an "immediate difference" in how you choose to relate, communicate and live what you desire everyday.

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.

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.

Dr. Nicolle Ionascu offers comprehensive neuropsychological assessments to a wide demographic age range focusing on in-depth treatment and therapeutic recommendations.

By seeking therapy you have begun your journey towards positive change. Counseling can help you create healthier choices, gain emotional self-awareness, and better communication and relationship patterns. I welcome individuals, couples, adults and teens who present with a variety of life challenges and from diverse backgrounds. I use an integrative approach to best fit the needs of each client. My style is empathic, supportive, interactive, collaborative and relational. I believe in creating a supportive space for each person to find their authentic self in order to live a more productive, peaceful, and joyful life.

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.

Something has you feeing off... You are a hardworking adult who gives it your all.  You want to feel good, connected, and supported.  But instead, it never feels good enough!  You are exhausted & overwhelmed day & night.  You find yourself constantly running on empty or on edge.  Simple tasks like scheduling and eating feel like chores. You can’t even enjoy a night out if it happens at all.  You get along with others, and so many people and communities rely on you. And yet, you feel like you don’t belong, or those you love don’t really see you. Let’s not even start with our society and world.

My approach to therapy is holistic and addresses mind, body, and spirit as essential, interwoven aspects of who we are. Through my years of practice, I've learned to integrate various somatic and mindfulness modalities into sessions because they go beyond strictly talk therapy in helping calm the nervous system, reduce the effects of trauma and overwhelm, foster new perspectives, and create a healthier relationship with the body. The result is greater resilience, self-compassion, fulfillment, empowerment, and joy. EFT Tapping and Embodied Mindfulness are two modalities that I use & teach so that clients have tools to use at home.

I work with couples, groups, and individuals. Do you isolate, feel misunderstood, or have difficult connecting to others? Have you been told you are "too sensitive" or "too intense"? Do you ever feel like no matter how hard you try - you can't catch a break? Do you want to hide parts of yourself? Do you want to build more connection in your relationships? Do you find you and your partner continuing to argue about the same things? You are not alone. Often times our old wounds and experiences get in the way of living.

Are you at a place in your life where you know things are not as satisfying as they could be? Do you enjoy life less than you did before? I can help. I help people get through difficult times in their lives. I believe everyone has the potential to successfully meet life's challenges and will collaborate with you to achieve the life you want. I can help you untangle those emotional knots by exploring with you those issues that may be interfering with the life you deserve to have.

Is your child experiencing challenging behaviors? Have you or a family member had a recent stressful event or transition? Having trouble with intense emotional responses or reactions? Has there been a trauma that is causing anxiety or upset in your family? Families can become overwhelmed by stage-of-life transitions, can be at a loss as to how to help their intensely emotional children, or address the special and behavioral needs of individual family members or children. I will help you assess and plan for these special needs and develop a family behavior plan that targets specific areas for positive change.

Are you too hard on yourself, driven to achieve or be perfect as though you might be in trouble otherwise? Do you find that constant striving is wearing you out? Maybe you're tired. Maybe you're in pain or dealing with chronic illness after ignoring your body's signals for rest, play, and comfort. Maybe you've been working your butt off to care for others or please them, only to find they don't really appreciate you. This is what we do when we feel not-good-enough. We work really hard, hoping that some achievement or accolade will finally make us feel okay.

I specialize in helping high-achieving people who excel in all areas of life but struggle with anxiety, depression, confidence issues, or difficulty in relationships. I work with individuals and couples to transform old patterns and create a life full of joy and meaning.

We all want to be happy, but sometimes happiness is elusive. I've spent over 20 years working with adolescents, adults, seniors and families to improve mental health, build resilience, enhance relationships and move through life transitions. Whether you're a teen or young adult trying to understand the world and your place in it, an adult moving through the challenges of life, an elder facing major life changes, or a family seeking better communication and understanding of one another, I have the tools and experience to help you through.