Emotionally Focused Therapists in Walnut Creek, CA

Are you and your partner stuck in a cycle of conflict that repeats over and over, leaving you both feeling disconnected, frustrated and alone? As a Certified Emotionally Focused Therapist, I use the most effective form of couples therapy, I help you improve communication, increased your understanding of yourself and each other, and build more trust, intimacy and connection.

Anxiety, depression, and boundary issues can stand in the way of healthy friendships, family relationships, and romantic connections. Attempts at creating connections can be overwhelming and create more anxiety, depression, in a seemingly a never ending cycle. You try so hard to make others happy so can't understand why you don't have more lasting friendships, deeper connections. With my help you can break out of the cycle and work towards having healthy, balanced relationships. In the process you will also learn skills to combat anxiety and depression as well as increase your self-esteem and confidence

I prefer to work mainly with individuals who are existentially challenged (death/grief, meaning, purpose, freedom, creativity, anguish/anxiety/depression) or individuals who are open to work on attachment/relational/trauma issues from mostly a non-directive approach: present-focused, person-centered. In addition, I work with couples who are looking to improve communication and intimacy mainly from an Emotionally Focused Therapy ( EFT ) lens and from a Mindful approach to Non-violent Communication (MNVC). Also, I utilize Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) for those looking for or open to it.

I am a psychologist for sport, health, and life. I have spent 15 years studying, writing, teaching, and coaching people on how to perform at their best. I have worked with world-class performers from the arenas of sports, business, healthcare, and the United States Army. I have special expertise in Performance Psychology and train clients on how to strengthen the mental and emotional skills that underlie human performance excellence and sustainable resilience. I am a subject matter expert in the field of self-regulation techniques that promote optimism, resilience, alertness, and composure in high-pressure situations.

At some point we all struggle to adjustment to life's changes; it's normal to feel stuck and I believe people have what it takes to adjust. For the past 20 years, I have been working with children and teens who are struggling to balance the demands of school and their social life. I integrate parents in my work as much as possible. I also work with adults and Couples often come to me for help in distress and are confused about how or why their relationship has derailed. I am dedicated to helping people build stronger; more intimate relationships and I use several modalities when attempting to help couples in distress.

The clients I work with are tired of feeling numb, overwhelmed, distracted, and like a supporting character in their own lives. They are beginning to question their lifetime of people-pleasing, self-sabotaging, soul-sucking tendencies. They are looking to experience major shifts in their thinking and major aha moments of discovering themselves. They want to live a full life where they are the main character – the one that gets to have the job they love, the relationships that are authentic, and the dreams that are reality.

Are you looking for an experienced therapist who has an open-mind and caring heart? I am here to help with anxiety, emotional reactivity, sadness, trauma, or any other needs. Through gentle, humanistic and action-oriented therapy, I will help you (and your partner) learn how to manage their feelings and incorporate positive coping. I provide careful listening and thoughtful guidance to help you (or your partner) learn about yourself and your strengths, to gain confidence and to achieve your goals. I want you to know that I'm here to meet you wherever you are in your journey!

If you are looking for change, support and a companion on your journey to self-discovery and growth, I would be honored to facilitate that for you. If you are reading this, chances are, you or someone you love is in pain. Pain can be expressed in many different ways: isolation, destructive/difficult relationships, drug use, overworking, overeating, over exercising, overcommitting, restricting food, negative self talk, self criticism, self harm,etc. I seek to empower you to change what you have identified as a problem, but I also seek to remind you of your strengths.

Are you experiencing: relationship issues, feeling overwhelmed, or stuck? Perhaps you are in a Neuro-Diverse relationship (you're wired differently) and stuggle to understand each other and get your needs met? Do you want to learn better commuication and problem-solving skills? Maybe you want a more fulfilling sex life - solo, or with your partner. There are many things that affect us and our sexuality over time - stress, age, life events, hormone changes... I can help you navigate these areas to find the answers you're looking for and get you to a better place!

Are you at a crossroads, wondering what it would take to turn things around? Are you having the same arguments, not knowing how to break the cycle? Or perhaps you've decided to end your relationship but want to do so in a peaceful, respectful way that won't cause more hurt, especially if you have children together. This is a serious, life changing decision and should not be made out of frustration. Isn't it better to look at all options, get an objective opinion, then make the best choice possible? This is where a neutral professional can help. Limited In-personal appts available Tu-Th in Palm Springs. Video sessions avail. M-F

Being a first generation Chinese-American immigrant, I am fluent in English, Mandarin, and Taiwanese, and I have passion, experience, and unique cultural understanding in resolving marriage and parenting issues. If you are considering filing for divorce or are wondering whether your marriage was the right choice, it is time to seek help. I will help you reevaluate your marriage, clarify your problems, release you from the constant quarreling wars, and guide you along the path of reconstruction and healing.

I am an active psychotherapist - listening, asking questions, exploring new ways to understand your experiences and helping you find new strategies. My approach to therapy is one of warmth, empathy, insight and a focus on goal setting. The goal of therapy is to establish internal clarity, more happiness and an increased sense of success. Some people seek counseling to feel happier and more connected in their intimate relationships or relationships with friends and coworkers. I believe one can experience movement towards a whole and satisfying life with yourself, significant others and the world at large.

Choosing a therapist can be a daunting process - you want to find someone you'll 'click with' and whose style meets your needs. I'm an interactive therapist and I do more than just ask "how does that make you feel?" A lot happens in a single session. I keep things moving along, edging towards your goals, and calling you on things that are in conflict with what you say you want. I offer a safe space for you to be heard, understood, and challenged.

I provide counseling services for all ages in individual, couples, and family therapy. I have extensive experience working with a variety of concerns including depression, anxiety, couples/marital issues, family conflict, trauma abuse, relationship issues, parenting support, self-esteem, co-parenting, and life transitions. I believe that the quality of the therapeutic relationship provides an opportunity to help you understand yourself and others better, which can lead to more satisfying relationships and fulfillment in life. In therapy, I work alongside you, at your pace providing a warm, nurturing, and safe space where you can feel heard, understood, and supported in your growth.

“Courage starts with showing up and letting ourselves be seen.” - Brene Brown. I provide a supportive space where you can explore and nurture your authentic self. When first meeting, I’ll be building trust and rapport and focusing on creating goals and desired outcomes for therapy. I’m able to provide short term targeted therapy as well as longer term in depth work. I start with the here-and-now and provide practical tools to enhance your life and most important relationships.

My main focus is working with couples to resolve long standing negative interaction patterns that repeatedly create distance and distress in the relationship. I have advanced training in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy ( EFT ), a model of therapy based on extensive scientific research proven to be highly effective in helping clients reconnect. I understand how hard making changes can be and I will provide a safe non-judgmental environment to help you and your partner overcome the difficulties you are struggling with.

Maybe you've been feeling confused, worried, or just in friction with work, your relationship, school, or your day-today activities. It's like the harder you try, the more stuck things get. Often, you understand WHAT is happening, but how it feels and why is very foggy. How much longer can I (or we) do this for? I'm exhausted; we're exhausted. I'd like to offer that this is not "just how life is". Your life can be easier. Your relationship can be more accessible & consistent. You can feel more confident, more at ease, & more aligned.