Family Therapy in San Rafael, CA

We all wish to live happy, successful and meaningful lives. Yet, life often challenges us in unexpected ways. In these moments, we may feel overwhelmed, confused, and filled with doubt. Difficulties in health, relationships, employment, or a child's development are some of the circumstances I have been contacted about for assistance. Through active listening and thoughtful inquiry, I will assist you in developing tools and strategies to address your concerns. Over the course of my years as a psychotherapist, I have frequently been moved by the persistence, courage and inner strength my clients have uncovered in the midst of their struggles.

I specialize in working with adolescent males who are experiencing externalizing behaviors (e.g. oppositional defiance, aggression, truancy, delinquency, etc.). In addition, I have extensive experience working with families struggling with attachment, attunement, and communication issues. I also work with couples dealing with relational problems and life transitions.

Engaging in psychotherapy is an ideal way to work on understanding yourself and others and increasing satisfaction with life. If you are feeling overwhelmed, if every day you are weighed down with conflict or heavy emotions, talking to a professional, and someone outside your family, friends and loved ones, can help in gaining perspective and getting the bigger picture.

How you feel today is important to me. Many people coming to therapy believe that something is missing. It might be love, understanding, support, meaning, a sense of purpose, lack of control, a job, or a partner. Therapy can help. I would be honored to guide you through a self-empowering journey that could help you enable the changes you would like to achieve in your personal life or within your family. I work directly with individuals, couples, children, and families. My style is gentle, compassionate and authentic, and I provide unconditional acceptance, optimism, patience, and trust.

There are times in our life when we might feel overwhelmed and confused when trying to manage today's stressors. Fortunately, because you are seeking help, you don't have to go through it alone. Often we need guidance when navigating the challenges and feelings that come when difficulties arise. In a supportive and empathetic environment, issues such as: grief and loss, sadness/depression, anxiety, life transitions, personal growth, low self-esteem, trauma, chronic pain, ADHD difficulties, as well as child/parent struggles, can be addressed through a strength-based and solution-oriented approach.

In the first few sessions together, my goal is to understand what struggles you are currently experiencing that are causing you distress, and then provide you tools to help minimize those stressors to get to a more stabilized place. Once you are feeling more grounded and able to manage your current stressors, then I encourage the exploration of why these things are present in the first place, where they are coming from, and ultimately when they were initially learned and began. I believe that helping you uncover these important pieces of information are vital to your long-term success in becoming the best version of you possible!

Welcome to CIP… We are here to help. Founded in 1977, CIP has provided quality, affordable mental health services to individuals, families, and couples for more than 40 years. We offer a full range of services designed to meet a variety of needs, including long-term depth psychology as well as short-term counseling, therapy groups, and psychological testing. We work with depression, anxiety, trauma, PTSD, co-occurring disorders, addictions, and in-depth work with clients with axis II disorders. CIP is a welcoming place, attentive to the needs of our diverse community.

As a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, I thrive on connecting with clients in a way that provides them with the safety and support needed to achieve desired goals, explore and change problematic behaviors, and process experiences that are proving to be challenging. I work with clients to establish a strong therapeutic alliance that is both genuine and non-judgmental, utilizing humor, warmth, and compassion.

Therapy is a collaborative relationship, as individual as the people in the room. Often the work involves slowing down and creating a secure space for being open, curious and able to revisit and make sense of thoughts, memories and feelings that give rise to present difficulties. I'm especially attentive to your higher powers of perception and positive self determination. Together we resolve present-day problems with roots in the past, changing patterns that produce familiar and unwanted results so you are freer to choose the life you want.

As an intuitive therapist, my mission is to assist you in reconnecting with your inner wisdom and rediscovering your true Self. In this journey through life, it's easy to lose sight of who we truly are amidst the noise and distractions of the world. Our sessions offer a sanctuary for authentic self-expression, free from judgment. Together, we explore the tapestry of your life, forming connections between your present reality and the experiences of your past, as well as the generational patterns you might have inherited.

I have over ten years experience working with clients in their teens or twenties who have: attachment issues; ADHD, Anxiety, and Depression. They suffer relational trauma for a variety of reasons, such as: emotional abuse and neglect; physical or sexual abuse; and sexual assault. I help my clients resolve past trauma; heal attachment wounds; replace unhealthy habits with healthy ones; and to progress towards their life goals. This results in them having healthier and more satisfying relationships; a greater sense of connection and belonging; and higher functioning in every day life.

We specialize in the treatment of children, teens, adults and families. We use ACT, CBT, art and play therapy to work with children who are struggling with friendships, impulse control issues, the effects of divorce, low self-esteem, anxiety, and depression. Our evidence based practices are especially helpful for children with OCD, separation anxiety, fears and phobias, attachment and adoption issues, sleep issues, and post traumatic stress. As a parent you can also benefit by gaining new insights about your child and getting guidance and consultation.

I offer transpersonal alternatives to talk therapy. I specialize in Internal Family Systems (IFS), Ketamine-Assisted Therapy, Inner Child work, Brainspotting Trauma Therapy, and other somatic, mindfulness-based and energy modalities. My expertise spans complex trauma, addiction, relationship issues, life transitions, anxiety, depression, professional transitions, empowerment/self-worth, grief/loss, and spiritual/existential challenges. I love to work with people from diverse backgrounds, live alternative lifestyles, are spiritually inclined, and/or face marginalization. I honor and value your authentic true nature.

Family Matters Of Marin is a trauma informed group practice focused on supporting children and families. We help clients create more joy, love, and harmony in their lives. We are deeply interested in learning how our clients would like to change and grow, and supporting them in this process. We work collaboratively with clients to improve their relationships and resolve any trauma from their past that maybe holding them back from living the life they yearn for. We are experienced therapists who use a variety of therapeutic modalities to resolve issues that are hindering our client's ability to be their best selves.

I believe in storytelling, and that the act of telling one's own story can be one of the most therapeutic experiences possible. As a therapist, I am a skilled listener, able to help clients understand their own stories. My style is interpersonal, open, and communicative, recognizing that each person is inherently valuable, possessing an innate capacity for wisdom and wholeness. Please ask for me when you call.

My approach stems from an understanding of systems theory and how it impacts individuals within a family system. I also utilize a person-centered approach, emphasizing that each person within that system has the capacity to be the expert in their own life. When forming a new therapeutic alliance with me, I begin by helping you unpack any barriers to treatment such as trauma or ongoing issues with substance use disorders. I consider the complexities that stem from the family system and how this impacts each individual, their beliefs, motivations, and past experiences in treatment.

I have extensive experience working with individuals families and couples impacted by trauma, co-dependency, addiction and co-occurring disorders. Having worked in residential drug and alcohol treatment for over 10 years I bring those years of resources and compassionate experience to my work. My focus on family systems and attachment allow me to treat the entire family, offering the best possible outcomes. I am a Certified Trauma Specialist, a Gottman trained couples therapist and I am one of the few therapists working with Internet and Gaming Addiction.

I believe that therapy is a partnership between client and therapist and that listening, understanding and respecting each clients story is necessary for bringing about positive change. In my therapy sessions I use my training and my life experiences to help my clients navigate through life's more difficult times. I use an integrative approach to therapy that tailors sessions to the clients needs.

Welcome to my in private practice (virtual and in person). Do you feel distressed and need more support? Many seek therapy to end or alleviate often life long or long term painful symptoms or patterns. They may be too complex to address on your own but be very treatable. I provide a safe, nonjudgmental, supportive place. I work collaboratively to help develop awareness and skills and through therapeutic modalities. This is to improve or eliminate distressing symptoms or problems and assist you in reaching your full potential. Education: UC Berkeley-BA in Psychology and a Doctorate from California School of Professional Psychology.