Therapists in San Jose, CA

Carl Jung said: “It is what you are that heals, not what you know”. The journey of self-discovery is exactly that – getting to know and deeply appreciating your true and authentic self, even when that essence may be covered by trauma, hardship and suffering. It is this uncovering that many who experience psychotherapy to be transformative and healing refer to as a “re-birth”, a coming home to and an unfolding of who you truly are. Engaging in the process of self-inquiry can be a rewarding and even a life-changing experience, especially in the presence of an empathic and compassionate other.

I am a sex therapist and couples counselor. I provide expert care for couples’ issues, intimacy struggles, sexual struggles, infidelity, sexual compulsivity, sexual addiction and trauma. My goal is to create an intimate space where both partners can share their experience and feelings. I also work with individuals on their relationship issues. My intention is to share a journey that will allow you to unlock the whatever it is that is keeping you from having a happy, fulfilling life. The work that you do now can positively impact you and your partner for a life time. If you are serious about change deep transformation is possible.

Seeking solutions that bring balance and calm in your life? I offer guided mind body healing therapies such as Hypnotherapy and EFT, that empower you to find solutions for the following issues: PAIN, INSOMNIA, GRIEF, WEIGHT, ANXIETY, STRESS, TRAUMA, HABITS, CRAVINGS, RELATIONSHIPS, or PAST LIVES. Hypnotherapy can be effective in building a bridge between the conscious mind and subconscious mind in order to explore the source and solutions of emotional, mental, and physical issues. This expanded state of consciousness allows for genuine realizations and the motivation to implement lasting transformations.

Together we will explore the impact of your past history and beliefs. I bring an open-minded and introspective approach to exploring thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Many of our struggles internally and externally are due to unmet needs for empathy and understanding.

Welcome. If you’re reading this, it probably means you are looking for something different. If you are looking for individual therapy, I believe I can be of best support to those who have already begun their healing work and are ready to dive deeper. This might involve utilizing current high-tech approaches like Internal Family Systems (IFS) or Somatic Therapy (e.g. Hakomi), as well as mindfulness and present-moment focused therapy, or possibly delving deeper into your psychological history. However, I am confident, ready, and willing to meet people wherever they are at on their journey. Additionally, I enjoy working with couples.

There are a lot of reasons to seek therapy, and improved relationships can help most all of them. Repetitive patterns from trauma or a diminished connection with a loved one can drain the resiliency and joy from your daily life. It can seem like you're stuck with unmet needs, feeling like you can't get it right, or that you are the only one who cares about the relationship. You ever wonder how people who love each other so much can argue so intensely? I strive to help you move from ineffective dependency to effective dependence.

Are you in denial about getting support because you feel you can manage, but deep inside you know the help and support could benefit you so much? If you are feeling depressed, anxious, having negative, and racing thoughts, and you are dealing with emotional pains because of trauma, addiction, relationship issues, and interpersonal challenges, the pain does not go away. You are struggling with obsessive thoughts, and impulse control because of fear and feeling misunderstood because of the mental health struggles. We are here to support you, work with us, we listen, empower, and transform. Start today to take control of your life.

Dr. Dufford received specialized training and experience in treating anxiety disorders at the Anxiety Treatment Center with Dr. Bourne, author of The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook. Since 1993 Dr. Dufford is director of Anxiety Treatment Services treating Generalized Anxiety, OCD, PTSD, Panic Attacks, Agoraphobia, Specific Phobias, Social Anxiety and related issues: addiction, anger, depression, Trichotillomania/Excoriation, relationships, sleep/insomnia, grief and self-esteem. He is a professional member of the California Psychological Association, Obsessive Compulsive Foundation and EMDR International Association. Dr. Dufford is certified as a Cognitive-Behavioral Therapist, Clinical Hypnotherapist, Expert in Traumatic Stress and Addictions Counselor.

I specialize in the treatment of anxiety, depression, mood disorders, psychosis, PTSD, relationship, family and work-related stress. I treat all ages from children, teens, transitional aged youth, and adults. I have focused my work in the area of couples and family therapy in strengthening relational and attachment bonds between children/teens with caregivers. I also provide diagnostic testing for conditions like ADHD and executive functioning challenges.

First and foremost, therapy should make you feel cared for. A therapist needs to be insightful and honest with a huge dose of compassion. I always remember that it’s not easy for someone to reach out for help. I have over 17 years experience providing psychotherapy and counseling. I provide therapy for adults with anxiety, depression, self-confidence issues, grief and loss, addiction, intimacy, spiritual growth, and difficult life transitions. In addition to being a psychotherapist, I’m a best-selling author of several books and a published researcher. My approach to therapy is person-centered. I work in collaboration with clients,

Traumatic experiences, relationship attachment woundings, and the general pressure to conform to social norms during our younger years, can cause our being to create some truly magnificent coping strategies to remain standing. Unfortunately these strategies can be digested and integrated into our identity long after they've stopped serving their purpose. I am passionate about supporting people reconnect with their true nature, by exploring parts work and somatic experiencing. Our past does not define us, and this work makes it possible to access the inspired, motivated, wisdom that exists in abundance underneath our conditioning.

Are you feeling stuck in your marriage, family relationships, or personal growth? Even the strongest among us can feel lost, unsure, ambivalent, or unhappy at times. I can help you understand and manage whatever life throws at you, and how to do it successfully. I believe you have the strength not to just survive, but to truly THRIVE.

Writer John O'Donohue defines my view of being a therapist: "This is what therapy is about: helping people retrieve what has been lost to them, wakening and bringing home their fundamental wholesomeness.. Therapists are like poets: they draw on the power of words in the profoundly creative work of bringing people fully alive to themselves, awakening in them the human capacity for divine imagination that ‘dreams our completion’.”

NOT ACCEPTING CLIENTS AT THIS TIME. I am trained in EMDR and in the process of becoming certified. EMDR is an amazing tool to help heal the effects of trauma and complicated grief. I have an open minded and open-hearted spiritual approach. I am experienced in helping people who are experiencing loss/ grief, PTSD and anxiety/mood disorders. Life can be difficult, unpredictable and even tragic at times. Are you ready to develop the tools to cope with difficult emotions and heal?

I am currently accepting new clients for in person and video sessions. I am an experienced marriage and family therapist who is dedicated to helping couples, adult individuals and children struggling with difficult life transitions, trauma and depression find renewed hope in life.

I'm not in the business of instigating change. I am in the delicate and complex work of empowering it. Because I believe you have the wisdom to bring about change. Because change is your work and your choice; my role is to set the stage, empty it, illuminate what stands in the way and explore with you the possibilities for change. Ultimately you decide.The fact that you're here already ensures it. My job is to notice your process, reflect and honor it. In this space, I have seen amazing change happen.

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Are you finding it difficult to express your needs with someone in your life? Are you concerned that you and your loved one keep misunderstanding each other due to differences in cultural or gendered communication styles? Maybe you're going through a life transition that's adding to your stress levels, and leaving you both feeling in the dark about how to give and receive support? Or perhaps you are happy in your partnership, but are eager to grow together and deepen your bond even further? I can shine a light on those areas of difficulty for you both that remain obscured from view, and illuminate a new way forward.

I see us each born with a sense of ease, a sense of knowing that we are loved and worthy. Life sometimes challenges us with more than we can manage. We endure events and experiences that feel like cuts and bruises and we have to find ways to navigate threats to our well-being. Sometimes these cuts feel so deep that we’re not able to easily heal and we cringe in pain each time someone, knowingly or not, touches one of our open wounds. The pain can be unbearable and until we mend and heal the source of the suffering, the symptoms may persist in the form of physical, emotional or spiritual pain.