Photo of Shanna LoPresti, Marriage & Family Therapist in 94618, CA
Shanna LoPresti
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified Verified
3 Endorsed
Oakland, CA 94618
You can thrive, feel more freedom and peace, and you don't have to do it alone. Relationship challenges, confusing emotions, and transitions can leave us feeling shaky. Somatic (body-centered) therapy can help you understand yourself while healing past hurts. Every relationship you have had with others and society influences your well-being. I can help you navigate relationships with self, loved ones, and the wider world with confidence and ease. You possess tremendous inner strength, courage, and determination. If you are willing to work, you can have the change you desire. You deserve to be your best self.
You can thrive, feel more freedom and peace, and you don't have to do it alone. Relationship challenges, confusing emotions, and transitions can leave us feeling shaky. Somatic (body-centered) therapy can help you understand yourself while healing past hurts. Every relationship you have had with others and society influences your well-being. I can help you navigate relationships with self, loved ones, and the wider world with confidence and ease. You possess tremendous inner strength, courage, and determination. If you are willing to work, you can have the change you desire. You deserve to be your best self.
(415) 528-3513 View (415) 528-3513
Photo of Heidi F Yoder, Marriage & Family Therapist in 94618, CA
Heidi F Yoder
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified Verified
Oakland, CA 94618
I work with Individuals and Couples developing better skills for communication, coping with stress and life transitions, and relationship building skills. I offer deeply attentive and compassionate Therapy that doesn't shy away from hard conversations and is culturally responsive. I am active in your sessions, asking thoughtful questions, observing strengths and progress, and checking in. I use an eclectic mix of Attachment Theory, Somatic Therapies, Gottman, and RLT. I help people reconnect with their inner knowing to become their best selves. I work with lots of LGBTQ Clients in Couples, who work in Security, and who are teens.
I work with Individuals and Couples developing better skills for communication, coping with stress and life transitions, and relationship building skills. I offer deeply attentive and compassionate Therapy that doesn't shy away from hard conversations and is culturally responsive. I am active in your sessions, asking thoughtful questions, observing strengths and progress, and checking in. I use an eclectic mix of Attachment Theory, Somatic Therapies, Gottman, and RLT. I help people reconnect with their inner knowing to become their best selves. I work with lots of LGBTQ Clients in Couples, who work in Security, and who are teens.
(510) 560-7108 View (510) 560-7108
Photo of Celine Williams Thea Integrative Therapy, Marriage & Family Therapist Associate in 94618, CA
Celine Williams Thea Integrative Therapy
Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, AMFT
Verified Verified
5 Endorsed
Oakland, CA 94618
You have the power to harness your unique experiences and strengths to truly thrive, and I can show you how. Hi, my name is Celine, and I will support your in-depth self learning to embrace the joy of your individuality. Taking a strengths-based and trauma-informed approach, I will meet you in your stage of healing to empower you to integrate and understand your formative life experiences. If you feel that your lifestyle or mental health is not matching who you would like to become, I can guide you there. Together, we will make a plan to help you imagine and achieve your most Authentic Self and live a fulfilling life.
You have the power to harness your unique experiences and strengths to truly thrive, and I can show you how. Hi, my name is Celine, and I will support your in-depth self learning to embrace the joy of your individuality. Taking a strengths-based and trauma-informed approach, I will meet you in your stage of healing to empower you to integrate and understand your formative life experiences. If you feel that your lifestyle or mental health is not matching who you would like to become, I can guide you there. Together, we will make a plan to help you imagine and achieve your most Authentic Self and live a fulfilling life.
(925) 722-5853 View (925) 722-5853
Photo of Barry Steven Friedman, Marriage & Family Therapist in 94618, CA
Barry Steven Friedman
Marriage & Family Therapist, PhD, MFT
Verified Verified
Oakland, CA 94618
The essence of effective psychotherapy is found in the therapist's understanding, empathy and caring for you. Trust in our relationship develops from that foundation. My primary commitment to you is to help you grow in self-awareness and self-empowerment, and to help you take the necessary actions that will actualize your growth and development in the world. If you struggle with feelings of fear, shame, helplessness, worthlessness and anger; traumatic emotional, physical and sexual experience; challenges in relationship; dysfunctional behaviors; unfulfilled aspirations; questions about your life's meaning; and physical illness and aging, I can help you.
The essence of effective psychotherapy is found in the therapist's understanding, empathy and caring for you. Trust in our relationship develops from that foundation. My primary commitment to you is to help you grow in self-awareness and self-empowerment, and to help you take the necessary actions that will actualize your growth and development in the world. If you struggle with feelings of fear, shame, helplessness, worthlessness and anger; traumatic emotional, physical and sexual experience; challenges in relationship; dysfunctional behaviors; unfulfilled aspirations; questions about your life's meaning; and physical illness and aging, I can help you.
(510) 499-6900 View (510) 499-6900
Photo of Jamie Rizzo, Marriage & Family Therapist in 94618, CA
Jamie Rizzo
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified Verified
Oakland, CA 94618  (Online Only)
You realize what you're doing no longer works for you. You are ready to learn new coping skills and techniques to reduce stress and anxiety. Life transitions have led you to this point, and you are seeking therapy to assist you in healing and moving forward into the life you want to live. You long to thrive! I believe that each person carries the resources within themselves to create the life they envision. You will learn to access your inner resources to navigate life experiences and deepen your connection to Self.
You realize what you're doing no longer works for you. You are ready to learn new coping skills and techniques to reduce stress and anxiety. Life transitions have led you to this point, and you are seeking therapy to assist you in healing and moving forward into the life you want to live. You long to thrive! I believe that each person carries the resources within themselves to create the life they envision. You will learn to access your inner resources to navigate life experiences and deepen your connection to Self.
(510) 768-7252 View (510) 768-7252
Photo of Camara Meri Rajabari, Marriage & Family Therapist in 94618, CA
Camara Meri Rajabari
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified Verified
Oakland, CA 94618  (Online Only)
Do you experience a constant and unyielding inner critic that points out every mistake and every flaw you have. Do you often feel like an imposter—not good enough and unqualified? Like you, my clients are people at the top of their class, leaders in their career, recognized creators, yet they feel unaccomplished and undeserving. They describe many moments feeling panicked and alone in their feelings. Their anxiety causes them to overextend themselves to get validation from others. They experience cycles of burnout and depression. They put their own needs last—every time. They find it hard to say no and practice healthy boundaries.
Do you experience a constant and unyielding inner critic that points out every mistake and every flaw you have. Do you often feel like an imposter—not good enough and unqualified? Like you, my clients are people at the top of their class, leaders in their career, recognized creators, yet they feel unaccomplished and undeserving. They describe many moments feeling panicked and alone in their feelings. Their anxiety causes them to overextend themselves to get validation from others. They experience cycles of burnout and depression. They put their own needs last—every time. They find it hard to say no and practice healthy boundaries.
(341) 766-0889 View (341) 766-0889
Photo of Carmen Aceves-Iñiguez, Marriage & Family Therapist in 94618, CA
Carmen Aceves-Iñiguez
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified Verified
Oakland, CA 94618  (Online Only)
Waitlist for new clients
**Women, BIPOC, and the Queer & Trans community are the heart of my practice.** You are a high achiever, successful, & persevering. Despite outward signs of success – ‘being the first in your family to ___' or 'having made it’ – you are suffering from imposter syndrome, low self-worth, and non-acceptance (yours or your family). You're longing for relief from high-stress levels, crushing anxiety, or depression. Your relationships are strained & you have difficulty setting boundaries. You feel like nobody understands you. You don't feel truly seen. You rely on avoidance to escape feeling this way. Except that it's no longer working.
**Women, BIPOC, and the Queer & Trans community are the heart of my practice.** You are a high achiever, successful, & persevering. Despite outward signs of success – ‘being the first in your family to ___' or 'having made it’ – you are suffering from imposter syndrome, low self-worth, and non-acceptance (yours or your family). You're longing for relief from high-stress levels, crushing anxiety, or depression. Your relationships are strained & you have difficulty setting boundaries. You feel like nobody understands you. You don't feel truly seen. You rely on avoidance to escape feeling this way. Except that it's no longer working.
(510) 592-6284 View (510) 592-6284
Marriage Counseling Therapists

How does marriage counseling work?

Marriage counseling works by teaching couples concrete skills to communicate with one another and solve disagreements in healthy ways. A trained mental health professional works with both members of a couple to explore difficulties the couple may be having and helps them develop skills to address these matters. Couples who don’t have any difficulties but want to prepare for marriage may develop skills for the future.

How long does marriage counseling typically last?

Marriage counseling is a short-term form of therapy; the process may last between four and eight sessions. Other forms of relationship guidance from mental health professionals, such as couples therapy, are longer lasting, may focus on the past rather than just the present, and are tailored to the individual couple and their emotions, history, and patterns in the relationship. Couples therapy often lasts for 12 weeks or longer.

Is marriage counseling effective?

Marriage counseling helps many couples develop relationship skills that may not have been acquired or tested in a relationship; partners may be better able to communicate and address conflict following counseling. However, there are many different forms of marriage counseling, and this form of counseling does not have as strong an evidence base as other modalities such as couples therapy.

Is marriage counseling effective if only one partner wants to go?

Yes, marriage counseling can still be effective if one partner convinces the other to engage in the process. Of course, whether counseling is effective depends on the couple’s commitment to work on their relationship; however, the short-term, skills-based nature of marriage counseling makes it a relatively easy “ask” of a partner, and the hesitant individual may see its value once counseling begins.