Photo of Jessica Michaelson, Psychologist in 94523, CA
Jessica Michaelson
Psychologist, PsyD
Verified Verified
3 Endorsed
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523  (Online Only)
I specialize in helping high-achieving people who excel in all areas of life but struggle with anxiety, depression, confidence issues, or difficulty in relationships. I work with individuals and couples to transform old patterns and create a life full of joy and meaning.
I specialize in helping high-achieving people who excel in all areas of life but struggle with anxiety, depression, confidence issues, or difficulty in relationships. I work with individuals and couples to transform old patterns and create a life full of joy and meaning.
(415) 521-1835 View (415) 521-1835
Photo of Audrey Silverman Foote, Marriage & Family Therapist in 94523, CA
Audrey Silverman Foote
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, MFT
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523  (Online Only)
I have been a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in private practice in the East Bay for over 30 years, providing psychotherapy for adults, couples, families, adolescents, and groups. I work from a holistic perspective, creating a safe environment to encourage the therapeutic process. I specialize in working with: relationship issues, recovery from sexual, physical, and emotional abuse and other childhood traumas; depression; anxiety, low self esteem; codependency issues; parenting concerns; compulsive eating patterns; body image dissatisfaction, chronic illness, and perinatal loss. I integrate in-depth psychotherapy with EMDR, Expressive Arts Therapy, Somatic Experiencing, Jungian Sand Tray, and Dream Work.
I have been a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in private practice in the East Bay for over 30 years, providing psychotherapy for adults, couples, families, adolescents, and groups. I work from a holistic perspective, creating a safe environment to encourage the therapeutic process. I specialize in working with: relationship issues, recovery from sexual, physical, and emotional abuse and other childhood traumas; depression; anxiety, low self esteem; codependency issues; parenting concerns; compulsive eating patterns; body image dissatisfaction, chronic illness, and perinatal loss. I integrate in-depth psychotherapy with EMDR, Expressive Arts Therapy, Somatic Experiencing, Jungian Sand Tray, and Dream Work.
(925) 892-3864 View (925) 892-3864
Photo of Cathy Bennett, Marriage & Family Therapist in 94523, CA
Cathy Bennett
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified Verified
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
I have been in private practice for over 30 years. My work is client-focused, compassionate, and impactful. I work with individuals, couples, adolescents, and children. I offer both in-person and telehealth sessions. My sessions are fee-for-service only. I accept cash, personal checks, and credit card billing at the time of service. I will provide a financial statement, or complete an insurance claim form so that my clients can seek reimbursement from health care spending accounts, or their insurance policy directly.
I have been in private practice for over 30 years. My work is client-focused, compassionate, and impactful. I work with individuals, couples, adolescents, and children. I offer both in-person and telehealth sessions. My sessions are fee-for-service only. I accept cash, personal checks, and credit card billing at the time of service. I will provide a financial statement, or complete an insurance claim form so that my clients can seek reimbursement from health care spending accounts, or their insurance policy directly.
(925) 798-9443 View (925) 798-9443
Photo of Dr. Krystal S Smith, Psychologist in 94523, CA
Dr. Krystal S Smith
Psychologist, PsyD
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
I have extensive experience in working with adults and adolescents who experience anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, burnout, psychological distress associated with code-switching, body image issues, as well as those simply seeking more fulfillment or life satisfaction.
Life can be rough sometimes, and it’s so easy to feel stuck, wondering where you’re headed. My goal is to help you find new perspectives and new ways of looking at any situation so that you can approach life with confidence and authenticity. Along with bringing a multicultural perspective to therapy as a therapist of color, I utilize an integrative approach of Narrative, Interpersonal, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapies, and other modalities that fit your unique life journey.
I have extensive experience in working with adults and adolescents who experience anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, burnout, psychological distress associated with code-switching, body image issues, as well as those simply seeking more fulfillment or life satisfaction.
Life can be rough sometimes, and it’s so easy to feel stuck, wondering where you’re headed. My goal is to help you find new perspectives and new ways of looking at any situation so that you can approach life with confidence and authenticity. Along with bringing a multicultural perspective to therapy as a therapist of color, I utilize an integrative approach of Narrative, Interpersonal, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapies, and other modalities that fit your unique life journey.
(775) 258-3242 View (775) 258-3242
Photo of Judy Wahl Talley, Marriage & Family Therapist in 94523, CA
Judy Wahl Talley
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified Verified
Concord, CA 94523
Judy Wahl Talley LMFT 109568. My approach is mindfulness-based and trauma-informed. I work primarily with individuals and couples, ages teens to seniors. My clients have commonly experienced traumas of different sorts, either in childhood or adulthood. Clients can be experiencing symptoms of depression, anxiety, worthlessness, hopelessness, ADHD, dissociation, PTSD, conflict in relationships, sleep disturbances, or struggling with addictions. Many feel alienated from this society and even their own families. I utilize therapies known to help heal these struggles.
Judy Wahl Talley LMFT 109568. My approach is mindfulness-based and trauma-informed. I work primarily with individuals and couples, ages teens to seniors. My clients have commonly experienced traumas of different sorts, either in childhood or adulthood. Clients can be experiencing symptoms of depression, anxiety, worthlessness, hopelessness, ADHD, dissociation, PTSD, conflict in relationships, sleep disturbances, or struggling with addictions. Many feel alienated from this society and even their own families. I utilize therapies known to help heal these struggles.
(310) 361-4143 View (310) 361-4143
Photo of Center for Modern Therapy, Psychologist in 94523, CA
Center for Modern Therapy
Psychologist
Verified Verified
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
Taking the step to reach out for help and support can be frightening and overwhelming, we commend you for making the move to take care of yourself. At our practice we provide care for individuals, couples, and families that present with a variety of struggles. We want to help you find understanding, growth, and balance in the complex lives we lead in today’s world. Life and relationships can be messy and complicated, we want to help you make sense of this and learn about yourself through the process.
Taking the step to reach out for help and support can be frightening and overwhelming, we commend you for making the move to take care of yourself. At our practice we provide care for individuals, couples, and families that present with a variety of struggles. We want to help you find understanding, growth, and balance in the complex lives we lead in today’s world. Life and relationships can be messy and complicated, we want to help you make sense of this and learn about yourself through the process.
(925) 320-3779 View (925) 320-3779
Photo of Mindful Path Counseling, Marriage & Family Therapist in 94523, CA
Mindful Path Counseling
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, MFT
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523  (Online Only)
In the best of conditions, orienting ourselves towards personal growth is challenging and requires focus, dedication, and support. During major life events, staying on this mindful path can become overwhelming and we may find ourselves unable to find our bearings. For over 12 years, I have helped clients navigate difficult life transitions, such as recovery from addiction, overcoming trauma, healing from grief, cultivating healthy relationships, and achieving developmental milestones.
In the best of conditions, orienting ourselves towards personal growth is challenging and requires focus, dedication, and support. During major life events, staying on this mindful path can become overwhelming and we may find ourselves unable to find our bearings. For over 12 years, I have helped clients navigate difficult life transitions, such as recovery from addiction, overcoming trauma, healing from grief, cultivating healthy relationships, and achieving developmental milestones.
(925) 268-7434 View (925) 268-7434
Photo of Gwynne Gilson, Marriage & Family Therapist in 94523, CA
Gwynne Gilson
Marriage & Family Therapist, MFT, SEP, OICC, MBA
Verified Verified
3 Endorsed
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523  (Online Only)
It's been too long since you felt peaceful, present, and comfortable-if ever. Your brain is always going–worried about the future, criticizing yourself about the past, & hyper-sensitive about what people think of you. The thoughts in your head affect your body, too, with tension in your muscles, uneasiness in your gut, and a heartbeat that amps up at the drop of a hat. You can barely remember what it's like to be relaxed; just getting through the day takes work, and sleep is a nightly struggle. Now it's impacting your health, work, parenting, and relationships. It's hard not to feel hopeless. You're looking for somewhere to turn.
It's been too long since you felt peaceful, present, and comfortable-if ever. Your brain is always going–worried about the future, criticizing yourself about the past, & hyper-sensitive about what people think of you. The thoughts in your head affect your body, too, with tension in your muscles, uneasiness in your gut, and a heartbeat that amps up at the drop of a hat. You can barely remember what it's like to be relaxed; just getting through the day takes work, and sleep is a nightly struggle. Now it's impacting your health, work, parenting, and relationships. It's hard not to feel hopeless. You're looking for somewhere to turn.
(925) 308-5289 View (925) 308-5289
Couples Counseling Therapists

Does couples counseling work?

Research shows that couples counseling is effective; it can reduce relationship distress and improve emotional awareness, communication, empathy, intimacy, and overall relationship satisfaction. For example, emotionally focused therapy was found to be effective for about 75 percent of couples, and those benefits lasted at least two years.

When should a couple seek counseling?

Couples can benefit from counseling if they consistently struggle in their relationship. They may have lost the ability to communicate effectively, become entrenched in harmful patterns, begun to fight more than usual, broken the other’s trust, suffered from a mental or physical illness, or faced any number of other challenges. Many therapists offer free consultations, so if a couple isn’t sure whether therapy is necessary, asking directly can provide clarity.

How can I get my partner to go to couples therapy?

The decision to seek couples therapy is often driven by one partner, who then convinces the other to participate. When discussing the idea, the initiator should be direct and assertive. They can state the problems they see and explain how the relationship would benefit from therapy. In more serious cases, they can also explain how their relationship may suffer without making any changes or seeking professional help.

How does a couple prepare for couples counseling?

The anticipation of beginning couples counseling can be difficult—sometimes more difficult than the first session itself. Taking a few moments to reflect can allay those concerns: What are the current challenges? When and how did they begin? What do they want the relationship to look like in the future? Reflecting on these questions can help individuals or couples articulate their goals. Of course, the therapist will also ask questions and guide couples through the process.