Health Net Therapists in Walnut Creek, CA

My theoretical orientation is a combination of Psychodynamic therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and mindfulness. What this means is we do spend time looking at our past, but also focus on what's not working in the present and building the skills you need in order to start making changes and to live a more fulfilling life.

Beyond knowing a therapist has degrees and a license, a list of credentials do not matter much in your choosing. Therapy is more art than science. Nor may you be impressed with a long series of my professional accomplishments. What you want to know is: Can I stop the pain? Can I make your depression and anxiety go away? Can I fix your career or relationship problem? The answer is: No, I cannot. But together we can. If you will bring the motivation and some willingness to trust I will bring knowledge and the ability to shift things. And perhaps, with the help of an unseen grace, together we can heal the hurt and find a solution.

I have over 35 years experience as a clinical psychologist. I work primarily with individual adults but also have considerable experience working with children and adolescents. My focus is forming a trusting relationship in which together we work to improve your own sense of well being as well as connection to others. Above all I view our work as collaborative and mutually respectful. Clients have described me as highly empathetic, while helping them to achieve real life goals. I work with depression, anxiety, trauma, intimacy, health, and habit disorders including addictions.

I'm a solution-focused therapist passionate about helping individuals with life's challenges and building fulfilling lives. My approach is direct, caring, and collaborative, with a strong emphasis on identifying your strengths and empowering you to find lasting solutions. Whether you're struggling with generalized anxiety, social anxiety, Relationship challenges, or work-related stress, I am here to support you in reaching your therapeutic goals.

I take a collaborative approach to working with my clients. You are not alone. Many benefit from the empathetic and nonjudgmental support of a trained professional. I provide individual, couples, and family therapy for those seeking to increase self-awareness, insight into one’s patterns both with ourselves and with others. I am devoted to helping you connect to your truth and deeper knowledge of yourself; build stronger relational bonds and improve communication challenges; and overcome crisis, awakening the warrior within you.

A bit about my approach to therapy: As an LMFT specializing in trauma, my therapeutic approach is founded on a holistic and client-centered perspective. My chosen treatment modalities and interventions are selected and adjusted based on you, your goals, and what we are focusing on. Collaboration plays a vital role in our work together, as I deeply value your expertise in your own life. What you can expect from our first session: I believe in tailoring each therapy session to your unique needs and experiences, ensuring that your quest toward healing is personalized and meaningful.

Using a multicultural perspective, I focus on understanding you as a whole person to inform and tailor a guided treatment plan that comprehensively addresses your concerns. My gentle, compassionate, curious approach fosters discovery and insights into how you perceive yourself, others, and the world and use these to be effective and successful throughout life's ups, downs, and in-betweens. I practice evidence-based therapies, which means treatments that are proven to work and improve your symptoms and whole mental health and wellness.

I believe in the transformative power of self-acceptance and genuine connection. My approach is rooted in humanistic principles, emphasizing your strengths and wisdom. Becoming your authentic self is the key to unlocking your full potential and experiencing genuine well-being. Together, we'll embark on a collaborative journey to address your challenges. I'll guide you in exploring your thoughts, emotions, and experiences with compassion and understanding. Within each of us lies the power to heal, grow, and achieve goals. Ready to embark on your journey of self-discovery?

Each client I have worked with has unique strengths that I have used to create a plan to address their concerns. It might be hard to see that you have strengths right now, but I'm confident that I can help you see strengths within yourself. As we move along the healing process and improve areas in our lives, sometimes we may feel challenged or unsure. I enjoy helping my clients visualize the future they want and then take steps to seize that future with small, attainable steps that lead to progress and positive outcomes.

Participating in therapy can be a uniquely beneficial process for improving overall health and wellness. Whether it's healing from past traumas, adjusting to changes in life, implementing new ways of thinking and feeling, or working to define our sense of self and value system, therapy can be an invaluable support along the way. My approach can be helpful in many ways, including processing past traumas, managing and improving depression, anger, and anxiety, addressing self-judgment and guilt, and identifying ruminative and false thoughts.

Years of experience have taught me that you already know who you are and what you need. We will work together to bolster and grow that healthy part of you who knows how truly amazing you are. I approach each treatment plan with care. I listen to what is getting in your way such as distressing symptoms (ex: sleep problems, intrusive thoughts, stress, worry) so that you can fully embrace your whole self. With my special focus in using techniques including Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), trauma-focused care, and more, I integrate my approach to meet your needs.

I utilize techniques to help alleviate symptoms, keep you grounded in the present, challenge unhelpful thoughts and work on plans for a more hopeful future. I work with adults and older teens. I offer a BIPOC & LBGTQ+ Safe Place.

Welcome and congratulations on taking this step to improve your life! For over 20 years I have been working with adults, teens, children & families on transforming their lives. I use a flexible approach to help people become more aware of their triggered thoughts, feelings and behaviors - in other words, the things that are causing us problems. I'm direct but easy going Psychologist with extensive experience which includes being a Program Director of 2 inpatient crisis units. Saturday appointments available. Convenient office on the boarder of Walnut Creek & Lafayette and only within a short drive from San Francisco.

I have 6 years of experience providing therapy to individuals, families, and group settings. I have worked with a wide range of concerns. I love helping my clients set goals, make changes, and find hope and understanding in their process. This is their journey and I want them to feel empowered to trust the process.

I have over 30 years' experience as a clinician, published researcher and educator. I hold a Masters Degree in Clinical Psychology and a Masters in Health Psychology. I have developed programs including Stress Management, Insomnia control and Meditation for programs such as Kaiser Permanente. This diversity of experience, allows me to help people understand their thinking processes, identify patterns of behavior and make sustainable changes. I strive to empower people to change both their behaviors and beliefs to allow them to achieve overall well-being and happiness. My philosophy stresses personal insight and responsibility, - integrating the physical, intellectual and spiritual.

My approach to therapy is that this is a path to recovery that involves the mind, body, and soul. Therapy is not a one-stop shop; it is hard work. I will help you master a variety of techniques. One of my goals as your therapist is to have you feel in charge of how you respond and how you conduct your life. I help you do this by learning to become aware of your inner experience and learning to befriend what is going on inside of yourself. I truly believe that therapy is a collaborative process where you need to feel 100% comfortable with your therapist.

Dr. Embrey has practiced psychotherapy in Europe for 15 years and in California since 1990, emphasizing the possibilities of making life better. He has been educated in England and Sweden as well as his doctorate in California. Many choices in life are difficult. Trying to understand our choices, what motivates them and seeing clearly the patterns of our life is the start of choosing a new direction for ourselves or our relationships. I understand how to produce change. I work with individuals and couples mostly, with the utmost care, respect and consideration of situations we find ourselves in.

I have a varied background in treating many concerns including trauma, marriage, intimacy issues, and mood disorders, just to name a few. I take an eclectic approach and use a variety of tools to help clients, (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy being one,) a person-centered approach using warmth and empathy is highlighted.

I am a strong believer in taking an active approach to feeling better. Having better control over your mood can often seem hopeless, but you can make things better. Achieving a healthier approach to the way you think, make decisions, and relate to others can help clear a path towards a new direction in your life.