Grief Therapists in Santa Rosa, CA

My 31 years of experience have entailed providing both psychotherapeutic counseling as well as case management support to disabled & elderly clients, Hospice & dialysis social work. I work with adults of all ages. Each decade has its own challenges. Anxiety, depression, addictions, insecurities, relational issues, health and other issues of all kinds can hamper us at any age. For my clients, I love to use my heart, experience, training & faith practices to create a safe place and provide support to overcome what’s holding them back---to help empower them to reach the fullness, freedom and joy of their own lives and relationships.

I’m a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and a Certified Child and Adolescent Trauma Professional and have been practicing for over 5 years. I have a passion for working with teens, children, young adults and families. I have spent the last 4 years of my career working in Residential Treatment supporting children and teens that have complex trauma and a variety of mental health concerns including: PTSD, attachment challenges, grief and loss , panic disorder, anxiety, depression, mood disorders and ADHD.

Is it easier for you to give than to receive? Are you a nurse, therapist, teacher, or in another "helping profession"? Are you tired of struggling with the daily life grind, while longing for a rich and vibrant life? Do you wonder why you often feel so depleted, while others are enjoying life? Are you in a relationship but are struggling with the same issues and can't find your way to a better way of relating? You are not alone! You deserve to be happy and fulfilled. You can heal and learn new ways of living! I hold the space in which a full and rewarding life is possible for you, even if you cannot yet imagine it for yourself.

My therapy approach is client centered and relational and helps to resolve childhood and adult traumas, decrease stress, lessen grief , clear phobias, free creativity and enrich relationships. I believe that therapy is a joint effort and a relational process. You will provide the material and we will work together to help you heal old or stuck emotions, beliefs and behaviors that impact your life today. Through your work in therapy, you can change negative beliefs to positive self concepts, find humor and change unwanted behaviors. I will witness, accompany and guide you on your journey.

Whatever is troubling you, anxiety or depression, a personal crisis or loss , difficulties with a partner or concern about a child's behavior - relief is possible. I work with individuals, children, teens, adults, couples and families, and treat a wide range of the human experience, including anxiety, depression, grief , PTSD, panic attacks, borderline personality disorder, bi-polar conditions and anger management. My approach is character analytic which offers an opportunity for clients to experience a wider range of feelings, resulting in more energy and an ability to move through life's difficulties and experience life's pleasures.

My practice specializes in mental health, family life, trauma and addiction recovery for teens and adults. I am experienced in treating co-occurring issues of addiction, depression, anxiety, grief , life transitions and trauma. I have worked with pervasive mental illness, substance abuse, eating disorders, mood and anxiety disorders as well attachment wounds and early childhood trauma. I help families and individuals untangle relationship and behavioral patterns and find new ways of relating to self and others, regulate emotions, identify core values and make meaningful and positive life changes.

Do you long to feel whole again? I am available to those who are struggling with grief , loss , personal trauma, or life circumstances. We will collaborate and help you find your center, strengthen your core, and equip you with tools to re-integrate your being.

I understand that human beings are multifaceted. It can be hard to understand why you think and behave the way you do. You may experience conflicting feelings that lead you in circles or undermine your deepest wishes or goals. You may also be grappling with loss , life transition, family conflict, and the end of a relationship. You may struggle with a new role as a step-parent or new spouse. Life events and transitions can be disruptive and confusing. In therapy, we discover that challenging times lead us to grow into ourselves more fully and authentically.

I focus on the underlining structure that contributes to a person's symptoms of anxiety and / or depression. During my 30 years as a therapist I have found that once an unworkable pattern is revealed and the emotions connected to that are expressed, your authentic self is more available. As the internal conflicts fade; relationships become more fulfilling and the meaning and purpose of your true nature becomes evident. I assist each person to create a plan that reflects their values and unique contributions in order to achieve that goal.

Do you find that you just can’t let go of your thoughts, feelings, or behaviors? Wouldn’t you like to just put it all behind you and move on to living a happier and fuller life? I can help you do just that. I help people who are struggling with anxiety, depression, anger, grief and loss , PTSD, trauma, behavioral challenges, stress, and much more. Whether caused by natural disaster, childhood abuse, domestic violence, sexual assault, betrayal, divorce, death , critical illness, military combat, violent crime, LGBTQ struggles, relationship issues, or something else, I understand, I care, and I have the clinical expertise to help you.

Do you wish you liked yourself better? Is it uncomfortable standing in your own shoes? Are you your own worst enemy? So often we carry around negative messages about ourselves that may not even be true. Nonetheless, they affect our lives on a daily basis. They may prevent us from entering healthy relationships. They may keep us from trying something new. They may hold us back in our career, or they may leave us feeling hopelessly anxious or depressed.

I offer a warm, engaged, relational approach. Through deep attunement and careful tracking of your story and nervous system I can work with you to tend to the places that need attention and help you care for the soul. As an integral therapist I work psychodynamically, with mindfulness and somatics (focus on the body's experience). I also utilize Brainspotting, which is a deep brain technique to efficiently process deeply rooted traumas. I draw on modern research in the areas of trauma, attachment, the brain and the body to ground my practice.

Whether you're seeking support for a more recent loss , transition or stressor, or looking to explore deeply while discovering more about yourself, allow me to accompany you through this time.

Loneliness is a trickster. It can disguise itself as depression or anxiety. It can get us to sabotage our relationships and jobs, make unwise decisions, neglect our health, turn to substances or food, lose faith in the future. It can decimate our self-esteem, without which we cannot give to others. Maybe once it was loss , grief , trauma, betrayal, being at the top, illness, misfortune, being different, oppression, distance, or age. But now, maybe it's loneliness. And with the requirements of Sheltering In Place and Social Distancing during COVID19, loneliness has become a heightened risk for all of us.

Are you struggling with anxiety or depression? Maybe you are feeling overwhelmed with work or life transitions and need support to manage the stress? Are you struggling with internal pain, grief and sadness due to a chronic illness or loss of a loved one? My goal is to create an environment that is supportive, safe, promotes self-growth and healing. I use certain therapeutic approaches to help meet your needs and goals for therapy. I also provide Advance Care Planning services and help to facilitate difficult conversations for patients and their family/caregiver.

Grief , sadness, worry, and loneliness, have any of these taken root in your life? Possibly, you arrived here grieving the death of a loved one. Maybe, you have recently undergone a change that has you questioning your life’s purpose and meaning. Perhaps, you have experienced: loss of safety, loss of trust, loss of personal power or loss of connection. Is there something here that speaks to you about your life right now? Seeking support is your first positive step towards relief and healing.

Life can be very demanding and leave us feeling overwhelmed. Finding the right therapist can return you to balance as you sort through what is troubling you and learn to manage difficult feelings. My goal is to create a safe and supportive environment, where you are free to speak openly and honestly. I have a genuine concern for the well being of all my clients and respect the needs of each individual while we explore issues and work together to gain greater clarity and resolve areas of conflict.

I accept you as you are, and believe in your ability to heal and to grow. You may be feeling overwhelmed or alone in your struggles. It can be hard to ask for help. I offer nonjudgmental support. I assist clients to deepen in self awareness, healing and growth as they struggle with grief & loss , trauma, personal identity issues, dysfunctional relationship patterns, and life stresses & transitions.

When you are searching for a therapist the many choices may be confusing. There are so many different ways to describe a safe place where one can explore options, learn to communicate more effectively, debrief from previous hurts, exploitations or resolve a current crisis. Achieving a higher standard of life through self awareness and for some, banishing the self talk of shame and low self esteem which brings many to seek help. As your therapist, I incorporate my own personal work, training and supervison and above all, the experience of working with clients for the past 30 years.

I specialize in the treatment of depression, anxiety, grief , chronic pain, disability, and life transitions. I have openings in my practice for children, adults and couples, for brief or long-term work.