Grief Therapists in Santa Rosa, CA

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.

Hello, and thank you for visiting my profile! I appreciate your courage in seeking therapy. This can feel like a huge step, but it's really like having skilled companionship on a safe, self-paced journey, customized specifically for you. Problems can feel overwhelming and that's when concentrated focus is important for relief. Sometimes just a "tune-up" is nice. Either way, you'll find me client-centered, compassionate, and non-judgemental. I'm a trauma recovery specialist (single incident or complex). I'm skilled in helping clients overcome depression, anxiety, grief , loss , relationship/parenting conflict, life transitions, & more.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

I offer a warm, relational, effective approach to therapy. So much can be healed with the careful attunement of a skilled therapist, and with the trust and safety that can built in the room together. I work as an integral therapist, combining modalities as needed for each Cl, including working with childhood wounds, with mindfulness, and depth work. I also utilize Brainspotting, a deep brain technique to efficiently process deeply rooted traumas and bring safety and relief to your nervous system. I draw on research in the areas of trauma, attachment, and the brain to ground my practice.

Humans are social animals - by nature we need to feel connected ("in relationship"). Life today is SO stressful! If we feel connected we can manage our stressful lives. If we don't feel connected then it doesn't matter what else is happening - life won't feel very satisfying. Through the therapeutic process you and I will work on improving your relationships with yourself and others, which can help you feel more safe and secure, and that your life is more meaningful and satisfying. When your relationships are better, you have more focus and energy for life!

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.

Life is full of ups, downs, twists and turns that are often unexpected, confusing, challenging, wonderful and even painful. 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.

Caring for a dependent person with whom you have a previous history is uniquely challenging. Family histories and dynamics do not go away when someone gets sick. In addition to juggling the tasks of helping a dependent family member get through the day, caregivers are balancing obligations such as work, parenting and other responsibilities. One's own health and wellbeing, finances, and other roles and relationships can all be affected by the demands of caregiving. Finding balance and coping with ambiguity can be challenging, especially in the presence of emotional undercurrents such as grief , loss , resentment, guilt and overwhelm.

I am a seasoned therapist with over 25 years of experience working with clients of diverse backgrounds and orientations. My approach tailored toward each individual. I draw on decades of bereavement work (directing a hospice program), trauma (including EMDR), and mindfulness training (as a meditation and yoga instructor and spiritual director). Recently, I have been certified as a psychedelic-assisted therapist, work with ketamine, and provide integration. I'm a visual artist and writer and enjoy working with creative folks. Many of my clients come to me in the midst of grief , trauma, or life transitions. See alissahirshfeld.com

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.