Therapists in Oakland, CA

I am truly passionate about my work and believe it is important to find the right match. My goal is to meet everyone where they are at in their readiness and insights, and I work with a wide range of clients from various backgrounds. I have over a decade of experience in working with others, and will bring a comprehensive and eclectic approach to our time together.

I completed my Masters of Social Work at Smith College School for Social Work. I received my post-masters training at Kaiser Permanente Oakland Adult Psychiatry, where I practiced individual adult and group psychotherapy for six years before transitioning into private practice. Working at Kaiser afforded me experience with a wide range of client concerns and gave me the opportunity to work with clients from a wide range of socioeconomic, cultural, and relationship backgrounds. Before pursuing my MSW, I practiced as a corporate transactional attorney at two Bay Area law firms after completing my JD at Harvard Law School.

Welcome to my practice. I have been in practice since 2007 and have been featured on ABC, NBC, and KCAL as an expert psychologist. I work primarily with men who have hit “rock bottom” and would like help getting up. These men are often in crisis when we first meet. The issues I address are typically related to unhealthy sexual behaviors, infidelity, financial recklessness, gambling, drugs/alcohol, dishonesty/lying, and relational conflicts. My therapy approach is a combination of psychoanalytic, cognitive-behavioral, and the 12-Step recovery model. I also share insight from my own painful but redemptive recovery journey.

Taking the necessary steps towards mental, emotional, spiritual and physical well-being is not an easy task, and does not have to be done alone. My commitment is assisting and supporting you in finding the unique tool you need to move towards long term healing. My focus is on mind, body and spirit as we work together. I respect the unique and intricate experiences and identities you bring into the therapeutic relationship.

I work with clients to help them heal from symptoms of anxiety, depression, and trauma. Therapy provides an opportunity to be completely yourself, without regard to the pressures or demands of the world around you. When you feel safe, you're more free to talk about change. I'll help you build upon your strengths and support you in becoming more aware of patterns that hold you back from achieving your goals. Together, we take a close look at those patterns and work towards healthier options. I believe therapy is an important investment in health and will help you create the foundation for a satisfied life.

Bilingual, Culturally Sensitive, Trauma-informed, Relational Psychotherapy. I believe that engaging in therapy is an act of courage because change is by definition radical. An important goal of therapy is to connect to your authentic/creative self as a way to make meaning in times of suffering. Together we will explore your personal, family, cultural, and political history to understand the ways in which your experiences shape how you feel in the world. Whether you are struggling with life transitions, finding/keeping good relationships, or trying to integrate different identities, our work can help you find some sense of cohesion.

I am passionate about working with those who struggle with relationships and boundary setting, and clients who struggle with balancing differing sets of expectations due to cultural, physical, or mental factors. I also work with couples from differing backgrounds to deepen mutual understanding and couples struggling through a difficult phase in their relationship looking to increase communication and understanding. I work well with people from diverse cultural backgrounds, immigrant and first and second generation individuals and families, mixed race or multicultural individuals, and those who are struggling with chronic illness.

The line between what we want, need, and can deal with can be a juggling act. Striking a balance is not always easy. Think of your life as an overflowing suitcase. Consider what it would be like to have help opening that suitcase, and take out or adjust a few things in it to lessen the load. That's working with me. I aim to help you find and learn to value your truest self and work on how to release, shift, or find new ways to carry your experiences and move within - or break free from - the systems you're a part of (systems like: family, school, work, community, and society).

I work with individual women, men, couples & teens. I am particularly interested in the healing of men and women's relationships with each other, both in individual & couples work. My clients often desire to improve their relationships, communication skills, sexual intimacy, & identifying self-sabotaging patterns. Additionally, feeling stuck/misunderstood, low self-esteem, shame or anxiety may be present. My work here is often in uncovering how these issues were rooted, have function, where the strength lies, and how all are an opportunity for transformation into living a more fulfilling life. In the ways uniquely fulfilling to you

Are you your own worst critic? When you are hard on yourself, it becomes challenging to find joy in your work and relationships. Finally putting an end to beating yourself up will free up energy for you to fulfill your goals. I use mindfulness and IFS (Internal Family Systems) strategies to help clients do deep and meaningful work in sessions. "I learned a long time ago the wisest thing I can do is be on my own side..." Maya Angelou When my clients are begin to truly be a friend to themselves, they notice positive changes in many aspects of their lives.

I utilize a client centered approach in working with adolescents and adults who struggle with anxiety, depression, grief, relationship issues, and life transitions. In a safe, supportive, and non judgemental space we can explore the negative patterns in your life, work through any barriers, and move towards healing, growth, and change.

I strongly believe in the transformative power of personal storytelling. If you're navigating life transitions, grappling with anxiety, sadness, or feeling stuck, I'm here to offer support. Through Creative Arts Therapy and Mindfulness, I provide expressive, experiential avenues for change. My approach centers on fostering connections through self-expression and intuitive methods. By embracing a holistic and creative path to healing, I aim to help you rediscover the spark that fuels inspiration, adaptability, and stability in your life, relationships, and work.

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.

What is it you're trying to shift or change? What do you want more or less of? I start wherever you're at. It's a simple as that, while striving to do that in a profound way. My aim is to help you help yourself. The combined practices of psychotherapy & life coaching have allowed me to dive deeper with people to help them become their best selves. When I'm not doing therapy, I'm making music, hiking, surfing, or reading something thought-provoking. I may even recommend books, movies, etc. to help you dive even deeper and get the most out of our time together. Are you ready to work through your past and move forward in your life?

Finding a therapist that you connect with can be a daunting task. Making connections is one of my strengths. I have the utmost respect for each person seeking therapy and for the therapeutic process itself. Whether you are struggling, going through a transition, or looking to better understand your inner world our work can help you achieve new levels of awareness. My style is warm and non-judgmental. We can work together to uncover and understand how your unique individual life experiences shape how you feel and live. Together we can strive to make meaning, increase awareness, and minimize suffering.

Therapy is a highly transformative and fascinating process. It has the power to heal, enliven, and repair. I enthusiastically invite you to begin this process with me. My warm, engaging, curious, and playful approach can help you feel like your personal experience and unique point of view is consistently appreciated. From this place, you may begin to feel more empowered and liberated in your life. I am a doctor with over 20 years of professional experience treating adults, couples, and adolescents.

I am a psychotherapist in private practice in the East Bay since 1996. I offer a non-judgmental therapeutic relationship where individuals, couples or families can find self acceptance, safety, access insight and intuition, and cultivate an attitude of kindness toward the self and others. Recovery from trauma, working on communication and relationships, overcoming addiction, spiritual self-development and healing, and coping with depression/stress from major life transitions are common themes. I have taught and supervised therapists in training at various local agencies. I also have a background in holistic and shamanic healing.

Relationships are foundational. They are one of the deepest expressions of our essential humanity. As a sex-positive, LGBTQ-affirmative relationship therapist, I bring expertise in romantic relationships, supporting adult siblings and family dynamics, alternative lifestyles, sexuality, intimacy, and the inner workings of attachment. I invite you to bring forth what’s most real and true for you, with no fear of judgment. OFFICE HOURS: Tuesday-Friday, 9-5p

I believe that as human beings, we are hard-wired with the need to get our emotional experience into the mind of a trusted other. My work as a psychotherapist is to find emotional resonance with my clients' life experiences, deriving both from their family of origin and from present-day situations and relationships. Whether a client is depressed, anxious, struggling with relationship problems, trying to overcome traumatic experiences, or trying to find their own unique, personal voice in a complex world, talking in psychotherapy can help to expand your capacity for growth and happiness.