Family Therapy in 94702

I am a Bay Area-based Asian American clinical psychologist with a passion for working with adult children of immigrants, people of color, and historically marginalized folks. Many clients express struggling with perfectionism, people pleasing, self-criticism, and worry that they will never be "enough." There may be parts of themselves they feel unable to explore or express, and worry that these parts may not be understood or supported by others. Many may be navigating intergenerational trauma, and relationship issues with their family of origin or romantic relationships.

As a long-time practitioner, my way of working has evolved from a more traditional dynamic approach to a deep interest in the bridge between mind/body spiritual traditions and contemporary psychology. I have much varied experience working with both men and women who struggle with the challenges of loneliness and living a conscious, fulfilling and spontaneous life. If you are feeling stressed, or if anxiety or depression have you wrestling with problems that never seem to resolve, perhaps it's time to turn for help to a compassionate and engaged therapist.

The impact of adoption and foster care is lifelong. Whether you are an adopted person, a first/birth family member or an adoptive family member, it is critical to work with someone who understands the complex journey you have already been on and can help you navigate next steps. While I hold that your experience is unique, I also know that we are likely to encounter issues such as ambiguous loss, complicated grief, traumatic events, disrupted attachments, identity and belonging, search and reunion, open adoption, and dynamics of multiple families. I am passionate about helping you navigate these waters.

As a licensed clinical psychotherapist, I work with a variety of issues ranging from depression, grief, loss, & anxiety to more severe issues, & family conflict. I have extensive training and experience working with adults, elders, transitional/college age youth (18-26), & families. Here you will find a place to speak freely. By speaking freely, you can uncover the origins of your suffering, engage the healing process, & take up responsibility for your life. I work best with those who are interested in making lasting change in their circumstances & inner lives. For those interested in deeper work, I'm available for psychoanalysis.

We all need support during difficult times. If you have a history of trauma leaving you feeling overwhelmed or totally stressed, we can use EMDR and IFS to stop the past having such an impact on you now. Perhaps you grew up in a dysfunctional family and wonder "what's normal, what's healthy?" Even if you don't have major problems, talking through challenges and gaining perspective is important. If you are a parent I have specialized training to help build your confidence as a parent including play therapy for young children. I will meet in person under strict COVID guidelines.

I am Katie Mason, a bilingual licensed clinical social worker in California (#82916), specializing in therapeutic work with children, adolescents and families. I also enjoy providing therapy to adults at any stage of life, including young adults (18-25 year old) and parents. With a warm, authentic approach, I will partner with you to discover your unique strengths, develop areas of growth, and help you make positive new routines.

Therapy is a collaborative process that can help us move through painful situations and challenging transitions, finding meaning even in darker places. As the poet May Sarton wrote, 'without darkness/nothing comes to birth/As without light/nothing flowers.' Constructing a safe and supportive container for healing allows us to explore patterns in a different light. In this renewed relational field, development and choices take root. Grounded in Somatics, an approach that builds awareness of links between mind and body, I am influenced by Jungian analytic psychology, psychodynamic, cognitive/behavioral, and family systems frameworks.

You met someone; you fell in love…is it time to build a family together? What about all the fights you have been having recently? Now you are a mother/father, juggling childcare, professional development, housework… what about US? What about ME? How to teach our kids when we don’t even agree? Things are not working out; Shall we give it one last try before separating? My partner wants to open up the relationship/marriage. What does it even mean?

Navigating this thing called Life is truly a trip! My mission is to support you to have more effective communication and coping skills, develop an uncompromising and joyful sense of self, develop stronger life skills, increased healthy coping with life transitions and heal traumas so that you can be the person you need to be.

Dr. Ponting is a licensed clinical psychologist specialized in treating anxiety, traumatic stress, and depression in adults and children. In her roles as a researcher and clinician, she focuses on improving mental health during the transition to parenthood, including pregnancy and the postpartum period. Dr. Ponting also works with families with young children ages 2-6 who have experienced a recent traumatic event.

Conflicts in our relationships, parenting hurdles, stress, loneliness, grief, and old emotional wounds can block us from fully enjoying our lives and our loves. With warmth and humor, I actively guide and support clients to reach their therapeutic goals. As a certified Emotionally Focused Therapist I am highly skilled at assisting couples to identify the patten of communication that keeps them stuck, explore its roots, normalize it, and transform it so that each person can reach for the other in a new, more heartfelt way.

You may be feeling unhappy, lonely, or unmotivated. Perhaps a relationship is in crisis or an important part of your life is changing. Therapy practiced well by the right professional is an effective way to sort out a wide range of problems. My goal is to create a space where we can talk and think together about the particular difficulties you are experiencing and how to find a way through. I have learned to listen carefully and will approach our conversations with an attitude of curiosity and acceptance. Although getting started is often a big step, you’re likely to find it a valuable opportunity to reflect and move forward.

Making the decision to seek out and find the right therapist either for you or for a loved one can be tough. There are many variables to consider and the task can be overwhelming. I work with people who struggle with issues related to identity, mood, life transitions, conflict, trauma and resistance to therapy often because it is mandated. I provide a safe space where you can discuss the details of your challenges and ground the clinical work in the context of the therapeutic relationship.

While I work with a diversity of people, I specialize in working with LGBTQ individuals, couples and youth. As a Marriage and Family psychotherapist, I seek to help my clients find their way through the hardships that life can bring. I believe in the healing power of the therapeutic relationship as well as each individual having the power to heal themselves. I believe in a strength based, solution focused approach to therapy and work with my clients to not only overcome their current circumstances but to also develop tools and strategies that they can use moving forward in their lives.

I am a licensed clinical psychologist with over thirty years of experience. I have helped people navigate a variety of different life transitions such as divorce and separation, job loss, leaving home, starting a family or new career or both, as well as end-of-life issues. I have helped children deal with school and peer issues as well as parental loss and separation. My therapy style is interactive and psychodynamic and may entail short or long-term therapy, individual psychotherapy or couples work.

Through counseling, I support individuals, couples and families to identify patterns in behavior and communication. Our work together will be collaborative and strengths-based. It will encourage shifts in the family to promote healthy expression of emotions and communication to improve relationships. I use a directive style of communication and an active and integrative approach. I encourage parents, caregivers and other family members to be involved in the therapeutic process.

If your life feels diminished by chronic anxiety, panic, depression and just feeling out of place, I can help you. As a seasoned therapist, I will collaborate with you to shift from a life of limitations to one of choice and options. Using an integrative approach of IFS (Internal Family Systems), Somatic-Attachment and Relational Psychotherapy, our work will help you change your personal narrative to be aligned to who you want to be in the world in the present. You'll gain confidence and skills to support your emotional regulation and comfort in living in the present.

I am a leading authority on healing shame. I co-created the Healing Shame – Lyon/Rubin method and am the Co-Director of the Center for Healing Shame, a continuing education provider that offers workshops to therapists and other helping professionals. In my private practice, I developed therapy techniques integrating somatic and expressive processes to work with the all-pervasive shame and trauma that underlie toxic family dynamics, depression and eating disorders. I integrate Emotionally Focused Therapy and AEDP with Drama Therapy, Hakomi, Focusing and Expressive Arts. I work with the imposter syndrome and voracious inner critics.

You may be feeling temporarily overwhelmed by the situation, in your relationship, at work, in the culture you live in or you may have felt emotionally distressed over a long period of time. In both cases, therapy can be the first step to bring relief, self actualization and happiness to you and your loved ones.