Addiction Therapists in Santa Rosa, CA

Marriage is complicated. When trouble starts, most couples try to fix it on their own. That's a good thing. The problems come when the couple isn't able to repair what's broken, yet they don't seek professional help soon enough. One study reports that most couples wait six years before going into therapy. By then, the layers of pain have piled up. <> After working with couples for many years, I've developed a unique method of untangling the hurt and getting to the heart of the matter. Most couples can heal relatively quickly and enjoy lasting results.

I welcome whatever you bring and offer an open compassionate space to explore those parts of yourself wanting attention. Through focused inquiry, you will gain a deeper sense of understanding and acceptance.

Are you ready to experience trust, intimacy, and love again? When these areas are compromised in any relationship, the health and vitality of that partnership suffers. When that relational damage is a result of infidelity, porn, affairs, on-line chats, or hook-ups, often, neither the partner nor the addict know where to turn for help. As a Certified Sexual Recovery Therapist, I am committed to providing a lifeline for both individuals and couples so that authentic communication and integrity can be restored.

Welcome. If you are feeling lost, struggling, overwhelmed or currently facing a painfully difficult time, I can help. Experiencing emotional pain and struggling with life issues are part of the process of living. Yet, when we find ourselves stuck in patterns, situations, or relationships that continue to be painful, we ask “Why can’t things be better?” or “What is wrong with me?” and eventually “Can I ever feel happy?” Often these are the issues that propel us to seek therapy. Emotional pain can show up as anger, fear, grief, confusion, anxiety, exhaustion, procrastination, etc. I believe, for change to occur, safety, empathy and respect are essential. I have come to experience an increasing sense of sacredness about our work together. It often takes courage to walk through the therapist’s door for the first time. As healing begins, I am reminded of the resiliency and courage of the human spirit.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with training in Anthroposophic Psychology and over 15 years of experience working with diverse populations and issues. I have worked on both prevention and treatment with adolescents, teens and adults struggling with mental health concerns, chronic medical difficulties, addiction, trauma and behavioral problems. I take an Anthroposophical approach in assisting individuals and families therapeutically. Inspired by the works of Rudolf Steiner on the physical, soul and spiritual development of the human being, I offer unique insight into the struggles adolescents, teens and adults encounter on our journeys to becoming whole and satisfied people.

Between my life experience and my years of clinical work, I bring a broad depth of knowledge to my work as a therapist. This helps me to better understand and help my clients with the dilemmas they bring. I combine a non-shaming atmosphere with careful listening, and then bring forth tools and knowledge for them to use in their life outside the therapy room.

Life can be difficult, but you shouldn't have to take on its challenges alone. I'd like to provide a safe, supportive space for you to deal with those challenges, so that life feels manageable and even beautiful.

Life can be extremely challenging and at times you might feel completely at a loss as to what to do and how to improve your relationships with others and quality of life. I would love to help you develop deeper connections, improve your quality in life, and learn skills to help you deal effectively with the hard times. My passion is to see families and individuals engage in more satisfying relationships with each other and find happiness and enjoyment in your life.

My clients over the past 20 years have found me to be warm, collaborative, authentic, active, non-judgmental, calm and grounding. I believe in the therapeutic value of our relationship, while using evidence-based treatment modalities such as CBT and CPT to reduce symptoms. My approach is trauma-informed and incorporates humanistic psychology and mindfulness to improve your relationship with yourself and others. In my practice I have treated a wide variety of challenges, including mood disorders, PTSD, gender and identity issues, postpartum depression, relationship issues, addictions, and the psychosocial impact of health problems.

I am passionate about working with individuals and couples who desire more vitality, depth and richness in their lives and relationships. My work focuses on helping you liberate your unique self by working with patterns that keep you stuck or suffering; and then to transform these patterns by evoking a deep embodied presence in you. We will work collaboratively in a supportive, empathic environment using imagination and creativity to help you deeply be yourself and experience your life in new ways! In couples, working on these individual patterns together can transform the relationship.

Psychotherapy is about freedom: Freedom from suffering, freedom to improve what is working poorly in one's life and freedom to develop as an authentic human being. It's also about exploration within a relationship where safety and trust are established; feelings are honored; pain is healed. My commitment is to listen carefully, provide support, understand your concerns, help you to gain insight and guide you to identify available options while respecting your right to make your own choices. My style: Engaged and interactive. Capacity for empathy: Substantial. Methodology is always matched to individual, couple and family needs.

I love helping adults from all stages and walks of life to understand the things that are holding them back in order to find ways through them. After recognizing underlying barriers, we can work towards fully realizing your strengths and adjusting certain behaviors and thoughts to see things and be yourself in a healthier way. In our first session together, we'll complete an assessment focused on exploring your past and present, current challenges and strengths, and specific problems that you hope to overcome. We'll discuss your specific goals for counseling as well as my recommendations for treatment to move towards those goals.

The clients that are drawn to working with me are individuals who are determined to free themselves from emotional oppression. Negative life experiences can hinder our ability to grow into our full potential and can cause us to engage in unhealthy relationships with ourselves, the ones we love and the world around us. It is with love and compassion that I work in partnership with my clients to discover what inner wounds and needs there are to be tended to.

I offer guidance and support to break free of harsh reoccurring experiences. If you suffer from couple's conflict, anxiety, depression, anger management or are experiencing life's transitions, you may think that you are lost in a hopeless battle against your own thoughts and feelings and are blocked from living your life fully. Fortunately, the more you learn about the commonalities behind these uncomfortable experiences, the more you will come to understand that there are ways to control your thoughts and relieve the emotional and physical effects.

I think that life is really about the relationships in our lives. Our earliest relationships were with our parent and/or caregivers. Siblings, friends, teachers and co-workers are added as layers upon layers. Seeking intimacy is a rite of passage. How we navigate the transitions in life with those relationships affects our whole being. I believe that therapy is about better understanding who we are first and then we can relate to others in a more healthy, well rounded way.

Do you have a yearning to live in truth and love? To be able to connect with what is really important in your life and find lasting happiness? It is my intention to assist you to explore your inner landscape and discover your own wisdom and guidance, to find your life direction and joy, thus healing the wounds of your heart, opening to peace, love and harmony in your souls journey. Whether you are struggling with life choices, losses and grief, sorrow or anxiety or other difficulties, if you believe in the power of your spirit to heal and support you and want to find a deep base for your healing, then this approach may assist you.

Dr. Kyser has extensive experience in Health Psychology, Behavioral Medicine, Chronic Pain Treatment, and Clinical Psychology. She is credentialed by the National Registry of Health Care Providers in Psychology based in Washington, DC. Dr Kyser has 30 years of experience in the field of clinical work. She has been trained in MBSR Chronic Pain, CBT, DBT, EMDR, ACT, PFACT, approaches to treatment. She values understanding the specific needs of her client and bases her treatment approach upon developing a trusting relationship, dependability,and a collaborative agreement to the goals of the therapeutic working relationship.

I believe that our moments of greatest struggle can also hold the most potential for growth and self-discovery. By giving ourselves a supportive space to explore the places that feel painful or stuck, we open ourselves to a wealth of information about our deepest desires, strengths, and wisdom. This makes it possible to live with greater self-compassion, freedom in our actions, and ease in our relationships. Whether you are navigating a significant life transition, suffering from anxiety, depression, or trauma, I am dedicated to providing a safe and respectful space to embark on this journey.

Life threatening experiences sometimes affect us long after the danger has passed. If you find yourself moving through the world in fear, avoiding situations that remind you, even remotely, of the past, EMDR can help. EMDR addresses the cycle of triggering and avoidance that can be so painful and disruptive. The typical course of EMDR is 1-10 sessions. It may sound unlikely that such powerful memories can soften and lose their hold in just a few sessions. But that is what you can expect from EMDR. It is why EMDR is the treatment of choice for PTSD.