Therapists in Oakland, CA

If you’re experiencing anxiety or trauma, I can help. Trauma, particularly from early childhood can have a deep impact on your self-esteem, relationships and functioning. You may struggle with perfectionism, people pleasing or codependency. Your nervous system may be dsyregulated which can lead to feeling flooded with emotions and or exhausted. This can lead to adaptions which may have serious consequences. Some interventions I use with clients include EMDR, Internal Family Systems, somatic therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, art, sandplay and play therapy. Which interventions are based on your preferences and fit.

I am devoted to guiding those that are called to improve their lives, whether it is to become the first in their family to be a college graduate, to rise to the challenge of becoming a professional in their field of choice, or to overcome years of negative self esteem. My clients want to find positive connection with themselves, their partners, their families, and communities. My clients have often experienced traumatic events but I have taught them about and shared tools which give them control over how those events affect them, finding peace and strength out of difficult experiences. I offer counsel to adults, couples, & kids.

I am well trained as a licensed Clinical Psychologist with more than 20 years of experience providing individual therapy to children, adolescents and adults. I strive to create a genuine relationship with my clients to allow for collaborative exploration of the areas in their lives that interfere with personal fulfillment. My approach also involves listening actively, building trust, being curious, providing empathy, and making direct comments to help my clients develop greater awareness about themselves and the patterns in their lives that cause emotional distress or relationship difficulties. This allows my clients to grow and to live more meaningful lives.

I bring forth a comprehensive and compassionate approach to psychotherapy. My practice is rooted in embodiment and practicality, aiming to foster profound insights and sustainable growth. Through a collaborative journey marked by playfulness and genuine curiosity, you will embark on a transformative exploration of your inner world. Together, we will uncover the intricacies of your psyche, guiding you towards a deeper connection with your core self and a heightened sense of resilience.

I specialize in couples and relationship work. Clients I tend to work with are individuals, couples, and those in relationship who may identify as: unsure, big dreamers, creatives, somatically curious, spiritual seekers, longing for belonging, gender expansive, queer, non-heteronormative, neurodivergent, anxious, depressed, grieving, insecure, psychedelically-inclined, powerfully sensitive, emotionally dysregulated, substance users, attempting intimacy and deep relationship with others, and/or trauma survivors. I am offering ketamine-assisted therapy for NY residents. I am also an SEP.

Life guarantees each of us joy and despair. And yet, our highly individualistic culture seems to over promote self sufficiency. I've found that life transitions, relational and professional challenges are considerably more manageable with consistent support. Through reflection, collaborative brainstorming and guidance in noticing response patterns, clients in my care become more aware. This growing self awareness uncovers outdated beliefs, surfaces issues that need tending and, most importantly, gives folks more agency around their daily life choices. I enjoy this discovery process with individuals, couples and parent/child teams.

I have worked both personally and professionally, with children, teens, families, adults, and those with terminal illnesses. I have facilitated group work focused around Dreams and community-integration, and have a specialization in Ketamine-Assisted Therapy as an adjunct to psychotherapy. While I work with a variety of demographics and backgrounds, I’ve found my work most focused around those suffering from eating disorders, addictions, women’s issues, terminal illness, grief and spiritual emergence. Those whose realities feel tenuous, who want to take back control of their life. Who they are, and who they hope to be.

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.

Are you looking for a new creative way to deal with difficulties in life and get in touch with your best self? Do you feel like you’ve tried everything with your child, but they struggle to benefit from traditional talk therapy? As art therapists, we incorporate talk therapy with art making to help our clients unlock their creative potential, look at problems with fresh eyes, and develop new creative coping skills for managing with difficult emotions. If you or your child is feeling blocked by past trauma, stuck in destructive patterns, or overwhelmed by depression or anxiety, then I encourage you to reach out. You are not alone.

I work primarily with adults who are wanting to manage symptoms associated with depression, anxiety, and trauma. I will be with you on your path to discovery, recovery, and finding the person you would like to become. I approach therapy with a client-centered approach in order to create a safe, comfortable space for you to share and express yourself, and your vulnerabilities. We will explore healthy ways to process your trauma, regulate difficult emotions, and restore broken relationships. I believe the trust built between Client and Therapist is powerful, and necessary in order to help you through your healing journey.

Beginning therapy and reaching out for help can be an overwhelming and even scary process. So thank you for taking the first step toward getting the help and support you deserve. My approach is very relational in nature and I strive to create a safe and judgement-free space for all clients. Trust and relief do not often happen immediately in therapy. After some time of letting me come to know your story, though, we will develop a relationship that will help to empower your inner strength, expand your capacity for compassion, and support you in healing traumas that are impacting your overall health and quality of life.

I specialize in trauma-informed therapy for anxiety, depression, relational issues, childhood and lifespan trauma, and more. I understand that sometimes psychotherapy is sought out in a very challenging time of life, and I am here to offer support through that. I have specialized experience working with creatives of all kinds, in being a singer myself. With experience focusing on young adults as well, I offer guidance for the process of individuation that occurs during these formative years. I enjoy working with clients of all ages, ethnicities, abilities, gender identities, sexualities, and other intersectional identities.

I hold therapy as a sacred space, and I wholeheartedly believe that you have within you all of the resources and wisdom needed to guide your journey toward healing. My role is to make room for your inner wisdom to shine through and lead the way. We will collaborate and creatively explore what can be brought into our work. I integrate a liberation lens in my approach and utilize tools such as mindfulness, somatic awareness and experiencing, narrative therapy, dreamwork and ritual. I also honor the significance of reclaiming the practices and healing modalities that have served your ancestors, I welcome those here.

I am a warm and caring human being with a clear understanding that therapy is not a "one size fits all" process. I fully appreciate the uniqueness of each individual, couple and family and will work with you to develop a plan that makes sense to you and addresses the realities of your life. Whether your goal is to improve your relationships, alleviate undesirable symptoms, bring more purpose and fulfillment to your life, rid yourself of unwanted behaviors, or experience more joy in your life, I can help you achieve these goals. Experienced in working with the LGBTQ community.

You feel like something is off. You’re feeling overwhelmed, burnt out, disconnected, stuck. You want to understand your own reactions, build healthy and sustaining relationships, feel grounded and present in your day to day life. I can help! With over a decade of experience, I provide LGBTQIA-affirming and trauma-responsive therapy for youth, adults, and families. Using evidence-based techniques like expressive arts, somatics, and dialectical behavioral skills, I support people finding meaning and connection after trauma and chronic stress.

My work with every client and family is personalized, trauma-informed, rooted in strengths, collaborative, neurodiversity-affirming, and culturally tailored to your needs and experiences. I believe that each client possesses the intergenerational heirlooms of innate resilience, spirituality, and introspection that serve as tools to assist in your healing journey. You are the expert of your experience and I am here to offer hope and support you as you share your narrative and author a new chapter of healing, continuing to grow into your best self, discovering balance, serenity, joy, and connecting with yourself and surroundings.

Clients I work with tend to have experienced developmental trauma that interferes with their relationships to themselves, partners and family members; have taken on shame, blame, guilt or distorted thinking/gaslighting from their family systems often throughout generations; and therefore likely experience issues around trust, intimacy, vulnerability and self love. I am committed to helping my clients to gain more peace and safety within their personal bodies, their homes, their relations and their family systems so they can experience more choice, empowerment and joy in their lives.

My approach to counseling begins with careful listening to understand your unique situation and personal goals. I will listen without judging you or rushing to a quick fix that might not be applicable for your specific situation. Many of my clients enter counseling feeling alone or overwhelmed by feelings of sadness, anxiety, anger, or stress. They may feel stuck in painful relationships that aren't working, or stuck with intense feelings of hopelessness, helplessness, dread, or inner pain. My treatment approach is gentle, educational, and experiential.

Adulting is hard! So is being a kid! My therapy offers a safe space to strengthen you and/or your child’s resiliency and find the ease you’ve been seeking. Together, let’s deepen your self-understanding with therapy in a collaborative journey of compassion, healing, and skill building. We all need support at times to develop our strengths, gain guidance towards healing, and create space for positive change.