Therapists in San Jose, CA

I provide trauma-informed therapy grounded in principles of relational attachment, existential psychotherapy, feminist multicultural psychotherapy, and harm reduction. My practice is affirming of neuro-, sexual, gender, and relational (monogamy, non-monagamy/polyam, kink) diversity. I predominantly work with queer and neurodivergent adults.

“Everybody has a story—ask them about it." This philosophy has allowed me to connect with people from all walks of life and has inspired me to want to listen to, help, and serve others. Using my former background in marketing and communications—coupled with my intersectionality and drive for social justice—I am passionate about advocating for diverse, underserved, and underrepresented populations who may be experiencing anything and everything from life transitions to crisis management. As your therapist, I strive to meet you just where you are and treat you holistically as an individual who is uniquely and wonderfully created.

Therapy is essential to healing from crisis-related trauma, however it does not always have to be crisis responsive. You may want to change self-defeating behaviors or develop or improve your sense of purpose. While the influence of life experience from infancy through adulthood is undeniable, I specialize in using person-centered therapy that focuses on the present with strengths-based, solutions-oriented emphasis and holistic and mindfulness practices that nurture self- awareness.

We all go through emotional storms where we feel emotionally and physically stuck; we worry too much and lose control of ourselves. Do you find yourself thrown off balance by your childhood trauma? Childhood traumatic experiences such as abandonment, abuse, and neglect lead to social anxiety. My approach is solution-focused and tailored to your needs and goals. I am committed to providing a profound sense of safety and offering compassionate and actionable guidance to all my clients.

Do you struggle with anxiety and depression due to your childhood trauma? Are you having problems with your partner or family members due to life transition issues? Are you experiencing increased stress, fears, and doubts around the future? I believe that we all have the capacity to heal our emotional wounds and create meaningful changes. My goal as a therapist is to offer you a safe place in which you can process insights, concerns, and emotions associated with trauma.

For many years, I worked as a software engineer at finance and tech companies, uniquely enabling me to understand the work challenges that can lead to stress, anxiety, depression, and relationship issues.

Psychotherapy is a way of creating safe/trusted relationship with a therapist while discovering different views of what clients face in their life.

After decades in the healthcare field as a staff, student, psychologist, educator and executive leader, I am embracing a new chapter by providing psychological and consultation services. Over time, I have worked, supervised, taught, and mentored successful individuals who have called me, “visionary, strategic, results oriented, culturally and emotionally attuned, practical, funny and caring” among many others. I appreciate the fact that no one size fits all. I also understand that cultural, environmental, and contextual factors are integral in our decisions whenever we come to a fork on the road and must be make one.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my profile. Adversity is a part of life and we all experience it and feel isolated. However, I believe it can be an opportunity to grow stronger. I use strength-based supportive approaches that promote growth and healing. My approach focuses on deep care and respect for you. I value your experiences, thoughts and feelings and apply a non-judgmental stance making my sessions a comfortable experience. I focus on providing a collaborative and supportive environment where you can express yourself freely.

As a clinician I am devoted to uplifting my clients by providing a culturally competent warm space for their therapeutic journey. Through the creation of this safe space, we can engage in a collaborative explorative process to focus on achieving and maintaining desired outcomes. As a therapist, I value your unique experiences and embracing your individuality in order to further your personal growth. I enjoy working with multicultural individuals and families by empowering them to embrace all aspects of their identities and owning their unique stories.

Welcome to my bio! The decision to pursue therapy is a courageous one, & finding the right therapist can feel daunting but it is possible. I'm a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in CA with 15+ yrs experience serving clients who desire to heal from anxiety, depression & challenging life transitions across the lifespan. I'm passionate about empowering others to bring their life, career, & relationships into thriving alignment in order to experience more authentic joy, abundance & fulfillment. You are more than capable & worthy of experiencing the change you deeply desire, & I would be honored to be a part of your healing journey.

Is anxiety, depression, or trauma holding you back from being your true self? Do you feel stuck in managing difficult life transitions? Now, every little thing becomes super overwhelming. Those negative experiences reopen old wounds and cause new ones. You tried burying your pain hoping it would go away. You feel lonely and tormented. You feel exhausted, stressed, and angry all the time. You wonder how much more you can take. You are unsure of who or where to turn for help. In the midst of this painful journey, you do not have to go through it alone.

Therapy can be intimidating and unfamiliar, which is why I aim to create a safe space for my clients to express their emotions, experiences, and challenges. I believe a non-judgmental environment and a trusting relationship are fundamental in fostering the therapeutic alliance. In the therapy process, I invite my clients to engage in exploration to help them gain insight into their patterns of behavior. My approach encourages self-empowerment by allowing clients to be active participants in the change process and ultimately reach the personal growth they desire.

I work with a wide range of people who are often feeling stuck or overwhelmed facing life’s challenges. My clients are often motivated and resourceful, looking for support, insight, and tools to help them cope with problems. Typically, they have been struggling for a long time and are looking for extra support to improve their children's lives or their own. I also work with families who are looking for a diagnostic evaluation of their child's ADHD symptoms

Do you feel stressed or stuck? Do you wish things were different? You can utilize therapy to build alternative ways to cope with life problems and live your life fully.

Dr. Arce is a licensed clinical psychologist, experienced in working with multicultural individuals, catering treatment to patient's needs. She has worked in multiple settings including: university counseling, hospitals, medical school, and community mental health agencies. Most recently she has worked with couples in pre-marital counseling. Dr. Arce specializes in life transitions, anxiety disorders, depression, heath-related difficulties, relationships, and spiritual development. Communication of needs and progress are reviewed regularly to ensure that each patient finds value in the time spent in treatment.

Do you ever struggle with feeling like you’re not enough? Do you feel like you have to prove yourself? Do you feel stuck and triggered by childhood trauma? The symptoms of trauma include anxiety, depression, high conflict relationships, occupational impairment, addiction, and much more. I believe therapy can help you develop a more self-awareness and actionable plan to alleviate these symptoms. I specialized in working with people who are willing to explore past, present, and future challenges and to find tools for personal growth.

Are you worried, frustrated, or just plain disappointed with certain situations in your life? Perhaps your issues are current, or maybe they have been resurfacing, with no resolution. Seeking help is a big step, but it's a step in the right direction. I specialize in the treatment of anxiety and depression. My clients learn to consider all aspects of their functioning as human beings (biological, psychological, spiritual, etc.). I will assist you with developing a plan for working through the past or current situations that are hindering your progress in life, so that you can begin to function more effectively, and thrive.

When we are exposed to trauma at an early age, it can seriously impact how we feel about ourselves and our relationships with others. Trauma can also profoundly affect whether we feel this is a safe world and can contribute to depression, anxiety, and relational/familial issues. My practice is from a strengths-based, trauma-informed perspective with a non-judgmental framework. I aim to understand clients’ internal responses and to provide more options for emotional regulation and problem-solving.