Therapists in 94710

I help men who feel stuck and disconnected. For some, anxiety, depression, grief, or trauma is holding them back from going for what they want or feeling connected. For others, something just feels off: they don’t feel comfortable in their own skin; they feel separated from others and from the sense of ease, fun, confidence or inner peace they long for. As men, we get a lot of messages about what I like to call the “myths of masculinity”: don’t ask for help, be confident, don’t be emotional, etc. These myths are all around us: in our families, our cultures, and society at large. Sometimes they serve us; sometimes they don’t.

Many of the clients I work with have either lost or struggled to develop a sense of control in their lives and relationships– having fallen into destructive patterns of substance abuse/addiction and impulsive and/or self-harming behaviors. Others may be struggling with an excess of self-imposed control– leading to a sense of isolation and fear of taking healthy risks. Some are confronting a major life-transition, loss of identity, divorce, death of a loved one or faced with a pervading sense of meaninglessness. All are, in one way or another, seeking to increase their sense of personal agency and effectiveness in daily life.

My approach consists of assisting people in identifying and exploring the stressors, issues, or losses that are causing pain, in order to begin to address them. I have a warm, direct communication style and will support you in developing a practice of self-care and self-reflection, while also implementing practical solutions, and coping skills. Building a healthy curiosity about your behavior, thoughts, and feelings will be encouraged in order to achieve a better understanding of the conscious and unconscious influences that perpetuate difficulties and conflicts. Deepening a self-understanding strengthens an ability to build healthier, more satisfying relationships with others and with yourself.

People seek therapy at important junctures in their lives - the loss of a loved one, major career shifts, or unexpected life events. Others do so for less specific reasons, including a vague sense of unease or continual frustration and disappointment in life. Whatever the reason, the act of seeking help is a profound one. It typically means that we recognize we are at the limits of our own abilities to cope on our own. It also is a sign of very good instincts. My recommendation to anyone who has reached this point is to trust those instincts and seek a therapist that feels suitable, curious, supportive and kind.

Life can be challenging in the best of circumstances, and during the pandemic (and since then,) we all know how much harder things became for so many people. Isolation. Frustration. Depression. Grief. Relationship conflict. Job stress. These stressors can be overwhelming for anyone. My therapeutic approach is flexible based on the needs of my clients. I frequently draw on clinical techniques from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Attachment Therapy. I am also committed to helping couples navigate relationship difficulties using components of Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and DBT.

Life can resemble an ocean. Distress may seem like waves coming ashore, back and forth, sometimes so large they knock us off balance. In one's pursuit of discovering calm waters, the unforeseen tides of life can make peace and relief difficult to grasp. The silver lining is that you don't have to navigate these waters alone. Whether your goal is to heal, process grief and loss, repair a relationship, navigate difficult life transitions, better manage your emotions, address unprocessed trauma, unpack racial and cultural life factors, experience relief from depression and anxiety or to just rediscover YOU, hope is here for you!

People are often taught not to show their feelings. You may feel bottled up, on edge, and stuck in life. Through counseling, there is relief from the nervousness and constant stress that you're feeling. My approach helps you connect with the innate wisdom of your body and assists you in developing a relationship with yourself that can provide comfort from constant anxiety and overwhelm. Working together, we can help you develop the relationships and long-term goals that align with your values. By creating an environment of ease and acceptance, your nervous system can heal itself and return to its natural state of balance.

My practice emphasizes integral, psychodynamic psychotherapy and consultation for a variety of psychological, relational, medical, cultural, and spiritual issues. I specialize in working with adults who grapple with anxiety, depression, loss, stress, health, disability, identity, sexuality, relationships, transitions, trauma, creativity, spirituality, life path/purpose/meaning and fulfillment. I also enjoy providing consultation to colleagues. Building on my fifteen years of private practice experience during my twenty years as a licensed clinician, it is my joy to combine private practice in Oakland with my teaching at CIIS.

Are you looking to heal from trauma, grief, depression, anxiety, experiences with abuse and family violence? Or years of navigating systemic oppression? Are you motivated to develop into your most joyful and resilient self? Let me help you metabolize pain into triumph. I’ve been helping individuals, families and groups transcend trauma, abuse and grief for over 10 years in California and Hawai’i. I have a liberatory and integrative approach that is authentic, collaborative, warm, creative and joyful.

Common themes that I address in my practice are anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, low self-esteem, obsessive thoughts, PTSD/ trauma, LGBTQ+, gender & identity concerns, substance use & addiction, grief & loss, and anger, intimacy and sexuality. I take an integral approach to support my clients with exploring the connections that are not readily seen. I listen very deeply to what you want and encourage you to take steps to obtain that.

All life is a relationship. From our very first moments and onward, what happens in relationship teaches us about how to be in the world. We continually form certain core beliefs, ways of thinking, patterns of tension, and ways of moving our body that can be both healthy and limiting. Trauma, abuse, neglect, and other wounding contribute to how we form our relationship with the world and with ourselves. All of our past experiences have an impact on our present experience. Our day to day life can then be full of a sense of meaninglessness, emotional and physical pain, chronic anxiety, mistrust, or general unease.

Pain and suffering in life is often caused by feeling stuck. With over ten years of experience, I love helping people get unstuck! I can bring skillful support to help yield the change you seek. I believe that everyone has the keys to unlocking themselves from within. However, that doesn’t mean you are on your own. A collaborative, therapeutic relationship can cultivate, restore and strengthen the connection to your own inner wisdom, bringing freedom and greater ease into your life.

Therapy is a private space for you to get help with issues that have become overwhelming to you, out of your control, or urgent in some way. Sessions are designed to help you clarify the nature of the problem, identify clear goals, and set a course for recovery/healing. Talking together in ways which nurture curiosity and compassion, we will look at what troubles you, what brings you hope. We will be attentive to the past, but our focus will be on how the past's legacy is impacting your life now. Our work will be relieving of past pains/traumas and will bring more calm and ease, a greater sense of connectedness in present time.

Hi. My name is Katie and I'm so glad you found me. I am here to support you on your journey - whatever that might look like. Clients say that they are surprised at how quickly they can be themselves when they work with me. Let's learn to set boundaries, develop self-compassion, identify your values, and assert your power!

I believe that insecure relationships (of many forms!) are the root of most suffering. As a result, my work is focused on those who wish to improve their relational lives. This includes single people who aspire to having a romantic relationship, but who seem to encounter difficulties in securing one; those who are already in a romantic relationship, but are facing challenges; people contending with struggles with friends or family; or people who aren't so sure about how they relate to, well, themselves. I also work with those who aren't even necessarily sure what has them down or anxious, but who hope to learn and to get unstuck!

Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy, Internal Family Systems, and EMDR are 3 evidenced based approaches I use that can help heal relationships, trauma, depression, and anxiety. My personal recovery from trauma symptoms and substance utilizing IFS and community support have helped me hold a wider space for the pain that drives the behavior of addiction. I hold no judgment for the person seeking help. I hold this view within the context of relationship therapy as well.

Deciding to start therapy marks the start of a meaningful journey. Life is full of transitions that can make us feel lost, untethered, and stuck in limbo. My goal as a therapist is to help individuals thoughtfully navigate these crossroads and feel empowered to take steps towards a life they want to live.

I support individuals who may have experienced confusing and distressing familial relationships either in childhood or adulthood. This may manifest as painful interpersonal dynamics later in life, and can create complex feelings about "home." I specialize in trauma work for adults, children and adolescents. Our work together can facilitate transformation and create new possibilities. It would be an honor to support you.

Thank you for taking the time to review my profile. Finding a therapist is easy, but finding the "right" therapist during a difficult time in your life is not at all easy. I've been in private practice for over 35 years and have seen individuals, couples and families dealing with a wide spectrum of issues. Over and over again, I've been pleased to hear how quickly my clients felt a sense of "connection" with me in working on their problems. This connection is an essential element of a successful outcome.