We know how important it is to find the right match when choosing a therapist for yourself or a family member. At the Pacific Anxiety Group, we select therapists who are experts in their fields. Our members are affiliated with prestigious institutions in the Bay Area, including Stanford University, Palo Alto University, the University of California, San Francisco, and the VA Palo Alto, and they have received training at some of the top graduate programs in the country.

Everyone needs help sometimes. In therapy, we join together to achieve your goals. Many of my clients are working on issues with anxiety and depression brought on by life transitions and past traumas. Together we examine patterns of thinking and behaviors that are no longer serving you. New coping skills help clients tolerate their feelings and improve their interpersonal communication.

I am a licensed psychologist with over 20 years of experience I provide individual and couples therapy using Attachment Theory and Emotion Focused treatment. I also treat behavioral issues such as sleep, eating disorders and chronic pain. I practice evidence-based treatments supported by scientific research primarily Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). My focus is on helping people improve their coping resources to better manage life stress, illnesses, and relationships. Working with your thoughts, feelings and behaviors, I teach you skills that you can use ongoing.

Deciding to make that first call or email inquiring about counseling, can be a difficult step. My goal is to make this process as easy as I can for you and to be as supportive as possible throughout the process. That includes listening intently in order to understand how you got to where you are today and what you would like to change. Then, with the many tools in my toolbox, I will help you make those changes. If you are dealing with anxiety, trauma or relationship issues, contact me. I will answer any questions you may have. Please note: I am only doing teletherapy at this time and for the foreseeable future.

Are you struggling with overwhelming emotions, negative self-talks, and reactions/behaviors that have landed you in the dire situation over and over again, but not sure how to get out of the cycle? Are you struggling with intimacy or sexual concerns and not sure how to improve the situation? Many adults and couples we work with struggle with overwhelming emotions, negative self-talks, work stress, ADHD, anxiety/panic attacks, low self-esteem, sleep problem, relationship concerns, sexual concerns, identity concerns, and family pressure/boundary concerns.

I specialize in working with couples and individuals who want to strengthen their relationship, positive communication, conflict management, and improvement in intimacy and self-embodiment. I also work with individuals experiencing anxiety and stress, as well as those experiencing distress due to abandonment feeling. I have career counseling experience with the most up to date education and career assessment tools to help in career path planning. I believe that practicing self-care and understanding a work/life balance are essential to survival in this day in age. Let’s collaborate and create balance.

I look forward to helping you feel better. I provide counseling support to individuals, couples, families & teens. I work collaboratively with you, using evidenced based methods to create lasting change. I will help you shift negative thought & emotion patterns to give you relief from persistent anxiety and depression. We can process, resolve and move on from trauma, relationships & painful family experiences in our work together. Let's secure a stable recovery from substance use by defending against relapse. In our sessions, you can make decisions from authentic values and build esteem/confidence personally & professionally.

My clinical approaches include Neurodevelopmental Art Therapy (NDAT) with bilateral restructuring, Mindfulness-Based Art Therapy (MBAT) with breathing and meditation techniques, and the metaphor-based Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). I also teach mindful self-compassion which is strongly predictive of well-being, and lower levels of anxiety and depression. The emotional right brain is dominant in all forms of psychotherapy which is especially true in child and adolescent therapies. Therapeutic change happens when there is trust and connection between therapist and client in a safe, supportive, and judgment-free environment.

You are worried about your children and teenagers and wish they would listen to you and talk with you. You want a peaceful and happy home. I can help! I believe in a team approach where parents are partners in the process of helping to make the family a happier and better place to grow. I respect kids and teens as they express their thoughts and feelings. My ultimate goal is for each member of the family to feel seen, heard and understood as we work together to solve issues and improve relationships.

Are you unhappy in your primary relationship? Have you suffered the loss of a love? Are addictions (yours or your partners) hurting you and the people you love? Would you like to have a more fulfilling sexual relationship with your partner? I have been helping couples increase emotional and physical intimacy for over 20 years. I take a directive approach to helping couples communicate more effectively. Often they find this results in more frequent supportive and loving interactions. Therapy can help you become more empowered in all your relationships. This often results in being more productive at work as well.

Whether you are having a hard time sorting things out for yourself or communicating with your partner, coworkers or family members, I believe I can help you feel better and improve your relationships. Extensive training and experience in Clinical Psychology and Marriage and Family Therapy has given me the expertise to conduct psychotherapy both at an individual and at a relational level. Integrating the theoretical orientations most appropriate for solving particular issues, I generally achieve good results within a reasonably short time. I also specialize in issues of acculturation and cross-cultural interactions, both at work and in interpersonal relationships.

You’re considered to be quite successful in many areas of your life. Even though you know this is true, you don’t feel like you’re doing well at the moment. You’re smart, capable, and usually able to solve your problems, but trying to “fix” your emotional struggles just hasn’t worked. The demands of your work and personal life feel like they're just too much for you to handle right now. Your relationship with your partner might be a struggle. You may feel burned out.

Dr. Steele has twenty years in the South Bay Area, CA of specializing in professional couples counseling, and individual therapy. An integrative psychological, relational science and directive approach where many couples and individuals visibly, substantially and permanently are transformed and report going from good to great and changing patterns that have plagued couples and individuals for years. Counseling individuals and couples to courageously transform life's obstacles into extraordinary opportunities for personal, relational and vocational growth. Dr. Steele provides a safe, confidential, humorous and caring environment designed around your personal goals.

As life unfolds, it often presents challenges that require us to adjust and adapt. Good therapy facilitates a clearer understanding of the obstacles and how to overcome them to create the life we want. My approach is empathic and intellectually curious and collaborative, always keeping your goals in mind. My clients describe me as warm, active, nonjudgmental, direct, and a gifted listener. I am also highly attuned to children and teens, and have developed strong relationships with even the most "difficult to reach" kids. I've watched relationships with family members, peers, and teachers shift and become less problematic.

Most of my clients are looking for effective strategy to navigate through crisis, relationship concerns, deal with depression, anxiety or other emotional states. Many clients see me for a brief period and others return periodically as they implement changes or encounter new concerns. I help clients maneuver through life transitions, parenting challenges, and exploring their potential as well as their life purpose.

When coping styles or life experiences challenge our ability to navigate the world, we often need a guide to help get a different perspective and learn new skills. Chronic distressful emotions/stress, burnout, negative inner dialogue, communication and relationship problems, problematic conflict styles, unmet needs/desires, trauma symptoms, and other difficulties lead to emotional distress and disease. Decode your emotions, manage stress/anxiety, cultivate wisdom, move from depression to finding your passion, resolve grief/trauma and help reclaim your joy, transform unhealthy habits, improve relationships while focusing on what's meaningful for a lifetime of self-awareness and acceptance.

I specialize in couples therapy and grief work (death/loss/trauma, end of life, and major life transitions). Additionally, as a bilingual therapist (Mandarin/English), I work with Chinese/Asian/multi-race families to address multigenerational issues, parenting challenges and cultural conflicts. In addition to my training and experiences in psychotherapy, my work is informed by my prior career in the intensely demanding law/finance/startups sectors which has helped me appreciate the enormous stress and complexity in the work/life dynamics facing many of my clients, sometimes seemingly as a result of their very own success.

I focus on helping you build healthy and rewarding relationships with yourself and others. My clients tell me that they benefit from my unique ability to transform psychological principles into practical tools they can use every day to better their lives. Some of my clients are experiencing grief, loss and anxiety. Others are navigating major life transitions. Clients I see want to improve their inner and outer world, and learn more about themselves in order to feel more joy, love, and fulfillment in their lives.

I have practiced in the Frederick, New Market, Carroll County, and New York areas for twenty years and I specialize working with individuals, couples, and families. For four years I successfully managed an outpatient clinic for children and families with Catholic Charities in Carroll County. I held the key positions of Clinical Supervisor and Program Director. My decision to build a full time private practice was made after numerous years of client satisfaction with running a clinic.

I help clients with anxiety, depression, burn-out, work-life balance, stress, and trauma. My focus is on helping you resolve underlying issues that have led to current challenges and providing you with tools and skills to build a more satisfying life and greater well-being. I support clients who: • Feel stuck in negative behavior, beliefs, and thought patterns • Experience elevated levels of anxiety, including panic attacks • Need to feel more empowered and confident • Want to address traumatic experiences and memories • Are going through challenging life changes and transitions • Want to improve communication, boundary setting, etc