Therapists in Oakland, CA

Navigating life's challenges is never easy, but reaching out for help is a brave first step to living a more genuine and fulfilling life. I have expertise in working with individuals struggling with childhood trauma and trauma-related symptoms such as grief, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and relational conflict. I believe every client is unique and deserves to be listened to and understood in an empathetic way. I am passionate about creating a safe, kind, collaborative and judgment-free space where clients can attain new insights, experience new feelings, and find a renewed sense of physical and mental well-being.

Trauma leaves us feeling broken, overwhelmed, & anxious in our relationships. Perhaps you're fed up with constant triggers in everyday situations, feeling distant from loved ones, or overwhelmed by the nagging voice that whispers "you're not enough." Maybe you can't even recall a time when things felt different. But one thing's for sure- you're over feeling terrible all the time. You're ready for relief. You're ready to experience joy in daily life without the constant mind chatter. You're ready for deep, intimate relationships where you can feel safe, loved & connected. You're ready to finally feel good.

Do you struggle with upsetting memories that creep in day and night? Is the constant anxiety you experience causing you to become more and more isolated, lonely, and sad? A loss sense of self has emerged, and it feels like no one understands? This pain impacts your day-to-day life, your relationships, and your ability to function. Simple tasks feel overwhelming, you find it impossible to concentrate. You feel exhausted, overwhelmed, frustrated just trying to get through the day and feel there’s no light at the end of the tunnel, wondering will it ever stop? You feel yourself floating through life and know something must change now.

My focus is to help individuals and families heal from anxiety, depression, trauma, and relationship/family issues. As the therapeutic area of concern is introduced, we can begin to work together in developing empowerment of self as we set up together healthy and achievable goals. I aim to establish include compassion, good communication and trust. In our relationship then I will work alongside you to develop your own coping tools. My approach is a person-centered (positive type) direction to further your strengths and resilience which is tailored towards your specific goals and needs.

As a therapist, I would like to create a safe place to discuss and process your feelings. The most important thing for me is building trust and rapport so that the therapeutic process can commence. I am here to provide guidance and tailor my counseling interventions to address your specific needs. I identify as a therapist of color specializing in working with communities of color.

Has life Become a struggle for you? Are you looking to build better relationships? Are you feeling overwhelmed during a difficult life transition? Do you feel stuck in your past and unable to move forward? Through our work together, I can help you develop the tools needed to increase your confidence, feel better in your relationships and let go of your past.

My experience includes 15 years of helping clients heal themselves and their relationships.The essence of my counseling approach is each person has access to health and well being regardless of what is currently being experienced. I help clients regain that innate health through deep listening and non-judgmental feedback. I work deeply with current thoughts, beliefs and feelings about one's self to uncover deep seated self-judgment that blocks happiness. Anxiety, depression and unhappiness transform into greater peace and understanding. In turn, self awareness is enhanced which leads to greater understanding, compassion and empathy for self and others.

If you could change one thing about your life, what would make you happier? Maybe it would be making your relationships with others more satisfying or reducing your anxiety or depression. In individual therapy I help create a safe space to step back and observe your own emotions, beliefs, and patterns of relating to others. My approach is supportive, understanding, non-judgmental but also practical, honest and helpful in finding new solutions and ways to work through difficulties and problems.

As a Columbia-trained psychologist and trauma specialist, I offer treatment for post-traumatic stress, addiction, grief, anxiety, depression, insecure attachment, and other trauma-related conditions. I utilize a combination of EMDR, internal family systems (IFS), cognitive behavioral (CBT), and dialectical behavioral (DBT) therapies to provide a somatic and source-focused approach to healing. I educate my clients on the universality of traumatic and addictive experiences. I define trauma broadly as any past experience that remains charged and disturbing, and thus has value in alleviating mental health challenges in the present.

I work with individuals who have experienced trauma and are seeking relief through an integrative, relational, and somatic approach. Drawing on somatic techniques such as EMDR and Somatic Experiencing, I support my clients in connecting to the felt sense of their bodies as a source of information. I believe that a gentle inquiry into the body’s felt sense allows us to safely integrate the past into the present and clarify what’s true for us in any given moment.

Do you want to improve your emotional well being or to learn how to deal more effectively with stress, anxiety, depression or addiction? Do you want to improve your relationship and communication with your partner? For over 30 years I've provided psychotherapy in a supportive, caring and safe atmosphere helping individuals and couples to address emotional difficulties and achieve a better quality of life.

Has trauma, anxiety, or depression interfered with the potential to become the best version of yourself? We often feel defined by traumatic or emotionally difficult experiences then often leave us feeling stuck in place rather than moving forward towards our goals. I’m here to provide a safe, affirming space for you to develop an understanding of yourself to overcome past experiences or fears that define you. Our work together will be met with unconditional acceptance, creative approaches, and the utmost compassion.

Life can feel impossible to avoid struggling and we often don't feel we have the skills to cope successfully through. Unfortunately, sometimes we don't have all the resources we need for a given situation. Parts of us take on desperate roles trying to help us to survive. This might look like anxiety, depression, PTSD, addiction, and relationship/family issues. I aim to help you process unresolved issues and feelings and find solutions.

I specialize in whole-bodied therapy to heal anxiety and trauma for children, teens, and adults. I offer attachment-based, trauma-healing, body-oriented approaches (EMDR, Havening & Somatics), play therapy, integrative talk therapy, & nature-oriented outdoor therapy. I also provide therapy for hopeful, awaiting, and new parents who are navigating the fertility, pregnancy, and postpartum journey. I provide therapy online across CA and outdoors if you are local to the East Bay. In-home therapy is also available for children and families.

Are you struggling with work, relational, and life stressors that have overwhelmed you and you are unsure what to do next? You're trying to open the next chapter in your life, but your past traumas and anxiety stop you. This is where I come in and help guide you in making YOUR right decision. I will help you through your journey in becoming worry-free and assist you in processing unresolved feelings and learning healthy coping skills for emotional distress

People come to therapy with unique needs, concerns, and life circumstances. Through the process of self-inquiry, I help clients gain insight and develop effective coping skills to move through a challenge with greater ease and understanding. My therapeutic style is warm, compassionate and curious about one's experience. I use an attachment based, person-centered approach that offers individuals and couples clarity around repetitive patterns that cause pain, conflict, and limit growth.

Do you find yourself shut down or suppress your feelings? Do you struggle in relationships due to your trauma? Are you unsure of where you belong? I work with people of all identities to process unresolved feelings due to trauma. I strive to provide you a safe and non-judgmental space, in order for you to develop coping mechanisms for trauma symptoms (anxiety, depression, addiction, etc.) and to explore aspects of yourself. I can help you LET GO of past HURTS and develop tools to find RELIEF.

I care deeply about supporting my clients on their evolving journey towards healing and returning to the truth of who they really are, and I honor their autonomy and unique life experiences as essential to their growth and unfolding. Coming from a first-gen immigrant family, I know that our lives can often be impacted by layers of familial & cultural pressures, trauma, and childhood wounding. I hold compassionate space to explore these aspects of experience through a holistic and trauma-informed lens. As an integrative therapist, I use a variety of approaches including EMDR.

Are you struggling, feeling stagnate, having trouble moving beyond traumatic events or having relationship difficulties? I help people get past these all too common problems. I create a warm, safe, and nurturing environment using a client-centered and holistic approach. Together we will determine what the important issues affecting your life are. We will discover how you can resolve those issues so you can move on. For the past 20 years I have provided individualized, kind, solution-based therapy and life coaching for people of all ages.