Therapists in Walnut Creek, CA

We all get stuck sometimes. Whether you're battling anxiety related to school or work, trapped in a stagnant job or deteriorating relationship, or grappling with feelings of depression or isolation, I am here to assist you. I work with teens, adults, and families and our big goal is to help you get "unstuck". Together, we'll figure out what a happy, meaningful life is for you and ways to overcome the obstacles that are getting in the way.

Feeling restless or easily distracted? Lacking energy, motivation, focus, or direction in life? Spinning your wheels in your career or relationships? Prone to pleasing others at all costs, yet feeling unhappy and misunderstood? Always too busy to stop and smell the flowers? I'd like to help you become more empowered, confident, and satisfied through facing and letting go of your fears, irritating beliefs, guilt, and suffering, so you can learn to communicate more effectively and have healthy relationships. For more than twenty-five years I have provided time-limited and in-depth psychotherapy to individuals, couples and groups.

Deciding to start therapy is a sign of strength. I believe all people have a natural inclination toward growth and wholeness and sometimes things get in the way. Exploring these obstacles with compassion and courage can help you cultivate the most important relationship of your life -- your relationship with yourself. Whether your challenge is depression, anxiety, grief and loss, relationships, addictions or career challenges, all you need to get started is the desire to change.

The interface between contemporary psychology and the wisdom of contemplative practice spirituality is central to my work with individuals and couples and to my general approach to therapy. With the use of MINDFULNESS based therapy and a non-judgmental and non-pathological approach I create a healing and supportive environment were growth and transformation can take place through our in depth process of exploration. From this general holistic and contemplative perspective I address a variety of issues of emotional, existential and relational nature with both individuals and couples and would be very happy to help you as well!

Therapy with me will have you leaving my office with tangible ways, for you or you and your loved ones, to facilitate changes in what you want in your life from the very first session. I will challenge you hard but with compassion. I enjoy helping people develop an enthusiasm for the process of self-discovery and healing. I make authentic contact with people help them cultivate a taste for their own Truths while making space to grieve the loss of old ways or relating to people and the world around them. I see starting therapy is a sign of intelligence.

Feeling stuck, immobilized and unable to change your life? What's holding you back from being your best self? Through a behavioral lens we work together to identify the behaviors and patterns that are holding you back from your goals and systematically relearn healthy patterns and coping mechanisms that will empower you to make the best decisions for yourself, your relationships or your family. I work from a person centered approach creating a safe space where we work together to help determine your needs and goals.

Dr. Embrey has practiced psychotherapy in Europe for 15 years and in California since 1990, emphasizing the possibilities of making life better. He has been educated in England and Sweden as well as his doctorate in California. Many choices in life are difficult. Trying to understand our choices, what motivates them and seeing clearly the patterns of our life is the start of choosing a new direction for ourselves or our relationships. I understand how to produce change. I work with individuals and couples mostly, with the utmost care, respect and consideration of situations we find ourselves in.

Therapy is an incubator for change. It's where you workshop how to initiate it, and digest the changes that have happened. As a therapist, I am 'issue agnostic' and willing to work with most challenges. What's important is your desire to create a change, and readiness to collaborate with someone to create it. Equally vital to me, as a therapist, is that you feel actively heard — something sorely missing for many of us. I feel that we need to be heard and our experience recognized, before we can move on to any sort of change.

Welcome and congratulations on taking this step to improve your life! For over 20 years I have been working with adults, teens, children & families on transforming their lives. I use a flexible approach to help people become more aware of their triggered thoughts, feelings and behaviors - in other words, the things that are causing us problems. I'm direct but easy going Psychologist with extensive experience which includes being a Program Director of 2 inpatient crisis units. Saturday appointments available. Convenient office on the boarder of Walnut Creek & Lafayette and only within a short drive from San Francisco.

My approach is a combination of talk-therapy and mindfulness practices such as conscious breathing, sensory awareness, and guided meditations. These techniques aim to teach you to learn how to regulate your nervous system and explore the parts of yourself that you wish to develop and grow. For those of you who might be looking to take your process even deeper, I also offer breathwork facilitation which combines powerful breathing techniques with evocative music.

I enjoy working with clients of all ages and gender to help them learn to cope with their unique psychological, emotional, and physical problems. I am trained in clinical psychology and psychoanalysis as well as in psychosomatics so I am able to treat a wide spectrum of disorders. I tailor my approach to the specific needs of the client rather than trying to make the client fit into a particular theoretical model or to work in a predetermined treatment modality.

Using insight-oriented and cognitive-behavioral approaches, I have developed an effective psychotherapeutic technique that has helped individuals gain relief from symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress, uncontrollable anger, obsessive compulsive disorder, alcohol/substance abuse, and child acting-out behaviors. I am a Licensed Psychologist and a member of the American Psychological Association and the California Psychological Association. My clinical focus is in providing psychotherapy to children, adolescents and adults. I see individuals, couples and families.

I help my adult clients (especially men) heal from bad relationship experiences and build better ones with those around them, whether those relationships are with peers, family or romantic partners. I also work with children, and use evidence based techniques to help with child behavioral issues and help parents create more peaceful relationships with their children. I have a breadth of experience working with children, teens and young adults in various capacities, and have something special to offer all people going through major life transitions.

I specialize in anxiety, including panic attacks and social anxiety. Through our work together, you will learn practical strategies to address your challenges. We will tailor evidence-based techniques for your unique context to help you manage stress and improve emotional well-being. My approach is compassionate and non-judgmental to ensure a safe space for your personal development. I have been a clinician since 2006 and use a variety of Mindfulness, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Evidence Based practices that I will personalize to fit your individual goals.

Although most people are depressed or angry at times, they generally find a way to deal with the situation. There are times, however, when a person loses hope or is overwhelmed. They or others decide they might use some help. Sometimes a woman or a man decides that they would like to adjust their life style and emphasize their sense of self. If you work in Silicon Valley, I can use my experience in industry to help you unblock your potential and design effective strategies for greater satisfaction. If you seek spiritual depth, my years as a guide may help unfold meaning.

I am not a “blank slate”, distant and analyzing therapist. I am present and “in it” with my clients. Being real helps my clients see and experience they aren’t alone. Compassion, empathy, emotional awareness, and heart-centeredness are the fundamental ingredients of my therapy. Mindfulness-based techniques are critical to how I help clients slow down, recognize what emotions are coming up, and better tolerate them. While I have experience working with a wide range of concerns, my main expertise is in couples work, trauma, anxiety, depression, and performance anxiety/stage fright.

For 25 years, I have assisted people with a variety of addictions, from the exogenous abuse of drugs and alcohol, to the ones that stem from the chemicals already inside the brain, such as sex and love addiction, abandonment patterns, sexual compulsions, gambling, internet, and workaholism. Unlike most psychotherapists, I’m a Board Certified Addiction Specialist, well versed in both abstinence and harm reduction strategies. Unlike most addiction professionals, I am also psychotherapist who also treats the anxiety, depression, and other psychological issues that often manifest after being uncovered through recovery.

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.

If you feel hopeless or unsupported, or you feel depressed or anxious...or if your husband or wife or partner isn't willing or able to talk about problems, I offer professional, supportive, empathic, and good-humored help. I'm a psychologist, researcher, and former clinical supervisor and professor at The Wright Institute, in Berkeley, California, who helps adults and teens facing difficulties and dilemmas, and couples with low to high conflict, including infidelity, who may want to save--or simply improve--their relationship.