Narrative Therapists in Oakland, CA

My work with every client and family is personalized, trauma-informed, rooted in strengths, collaborative, neurodiversity-affirming, and culturally tailored to your needs and experiences. I believe that each client possesses the intergenerational heirlooms of innate resilience, spirituality, and introspection that serve as tools to assist in your healing journey. You are the expert of your experience and I am here to offer hope and support you as you share your narrative and author a new chapter of healing, continuing to grow into your best self, discovering balance, serenity, joy, and connecting with yourself and surroundings.

As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker since 2001, I am deeply committed to supporting the well-being of each client, providing culturally competent services and helping clients improve their quality of life.  I see older and disabled adults, often dealing with chronic illness or a new diagnosis.  I have an extensive history working in medical settings and am also available to assist caregivers with navigating the health care system. I believe that positive change is possible at any age and at any juncture in a person's life.  I believe you can have a more fulfilling life, and I can help you.

I help clients gain clarity on their dreams and what they perceive to be the obstacles. I am a relational therapist, who enjoys supporting clients who are feeling stuck, sad, traumatized, who are struggling, and feeling overwhelmed. Are you looking for a therapist that incorporates themes of social justice with strength-based, energy-based, and evidence-based practices?

Mental health challenges are due to the aftereffects of traumatic experiences. Trauma can place a strain on your family, work, relationships, and even cause issues with self-worth. I specialize in trauma therapy along with treating personality disorders, depression, anxiety, ADHD, and addiction. All these disorders can look different from person to person, and that is where our therapeutic journey of empowerment and self-exploration begins. I concentrate on creating a safe space of growth and self-discovery through unconditional positive regard, emotional regulation, and guided activities.

I have over 10 years of experience working as a clinician in a variety of settings. I am adept at working with patients affected by addiction, complex trauma, as well as depression and anxiety. I have also helped many people who have experienced medical trauma, as well as life-changing illness and injury. My counseling style is warm and engaging. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. My approach is client-centered and trauma-informed, combining psychodynamic therapy and narrative counseling with mindfulness to meet your unique and specific needs.

Are you stuck somewhere? Did you hit a wall? Do you want to heal an old wound? Restore access to yourself? Cultivate a deeper understanding of the world around you? Explore repeating patterns? Break toxic cycles? Come as you are. Do you want to adjust to the changes in your life? Absorb a loss? Reassess your life goals? Overcome a challenge? Increase your self awareness? Be more present in the moment? Find your voice? Feel more empowered, more vibrant, more whole? Come as you are. I specialize in trauma, attachment wounding, adverse childhood experiences, dysfunctional narratives and toxic relationship cycles.

Are you unsure about how to solve a problem? Feeling anxious or depressed? Hate yourself? Do the same problems keep reoccurring? Are you struggling with a transition? Do you have concerns about your relationships and struggle to express your needs with partners, friends, or family members? Struggling with a part of your identity? Are you having difficulty sleeping? Do you have no appetite or find yourself overeating? Feeling tired, lacking concentration, and having difficulty motivating yourself? IF SO, I can help you. Therapy will ignite change in your life, and I look forward to supporting you in seeking that change.

As an Integrative Psychotherapist, I base my approach from the relational work of Psychodynamic Therapy and integrate forms of Attachment Therapy, Narrative Therapy, CBT, DBT, Mindfulness Practices, Parts Work, Addiction and Trauma work - all based in Social Justice. I fully believe that every individual has the power and strength they need to actualize the changes they want, and can shift the old and new narratives of established stories and patterns of their daily lives.

I am trained to listen deeply, assess the cause of symptoms, and assist in developing strategies to reduce suffering. I have experience helping people cope with depression, anxiety, trauma, chronic health issues, acculturation/adaptation issues, and couple/family relationship problems.

My therapeutic intention is to cultivate a safe and supportive space for clients to connect with themselves and express their deepest truths in order to foster personal growth, healing, and self awareness. Together, we will sort through difficult emotions, major life changes, past trauma, negative belief patterns, work stress, relationship challenges, grief and loss, and any other issue that is leaving you feeling stuck, distressed, or not like yourself. We will explore the roots of what is going on, implement tools to promote balance and resilience, process unresolved trauma, and learn how to be more loving to yourself and others.

Our life experiences can lead us to question our identity and purpose in the world we live in. This can lead us to anxiety, depression, and trauma. Do you want to improve how you face challenges, function in your relationships, and face overwhelming feelings? I place heavy importance on addressing trauma. Trauma disintegrates the parts that make up your whole self, which can leave aspects of who you are hidden from your awareness. Left unaddressed, anxiety and depression can worsen, which can rob you of the necessary connection that all human beings need to thrive. I aim to help you process unresolved trauma.

I use a warm, down-to-earth approach in my work with children, teens, adults and couples. I collaborate with clients to develop a whole view of challenges and strengths, which is informed by my wide breadth of clinical experience across the lifespan. I have expertise in working with infants and parents, developmental disabilities, trauma, and both anticipated and unexpected crises across all ages. I integrate these perspectives so that I can attune to your needs and provide responsive support. My hope is to help you water the seeds of your inner strengths, push through stuck situations, and live with more connectedness and vitality.

During challenging times, people often feel defeated and focus on what is wrong. I want to shift the focus from what is "not working" to identifying what is "working." We will work to uncover patterns (behavioral, thought beliefs, relationship), that will lead you to making better decisions. I want to offer a safe place to process thoughts and feelings around issues that can be challenging. I am interested in helping people who experience stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, grief/loss and challenges with relationships (social or romantic). Many conversations are around “adulting” and how to manage life, career, relationships, etc.

I provide therapy in a comfortable and welcoming space to help develop insight, stability and hope for the future. Whether, you are dealing with a challenging situation, a sudden life transition, a recent crisis or past trauma, it can be worked through in a safe and patient environment. I have over 30 years of experience in working with children, individuals and families. I am an EMDR trained therapist and licensed in the States of California and Nevada. You may be new to therapy, but it can be life changing!

I work well with clients who are navigating life transitions, grief, infidelity, unmet expectations and shifting priorities in our modern world. I specialize in working with men who are curious about therapy, mental health and their expressions of masculinity - I pride myself on holding gender identity with an expansive frame. We will work together with my clinical and professional knowledge and skills sets in tandem with your own unique worldview and context, to create and facilitate healing and change in the modality that works best for your life.

Feeling overwhelmed, burnt out, or stuck? Feel unseen or undervalued? Going through a big transition or feel like you need something to change? Let's unpack this together. We'll delve into what's holding you back, challenge societal expectations, and rewrite your story authentically. In sessions, I offer autonomy and acceptance, creating a safe space for deep exploration. My aim is to walk beside you as you discover yourself, heal, and flourish. It's time to find balance and joy in your life.

Whether you are coping with stress, going through a major transition or loss, or seeking to better understand yourself, therapy can be a powerful experience. It is a journey that can include healing, learning new skills, coping with difficult things from your past and preparing for the future. Many things can get in the way of being your own preferred version of yourself. Sometimes it is relationship challenges, sometimes it's an unhealthy pattern that you learned in the past, or something else entirely. We can work through these challenges so that you feel more in touch with person you want to be.

I am a therapist who believes that healing is done within the context of relationship. This includes an individual’s relationship to their body, their environment, and interpersonally. I seek to help empower my clients in order for them to gain confidence in their own capacity to be successful. I hope to offer individuals an opportunity to enrich and find deep meaning in their lives

I am a clinical counselor who focuses on Women’s Health, Substance Abuse, Anxiety, and Depression. I enjoy working with clients to find meaning in their experiences and take control of the narrative of their life, with the goal of minimizing suffering and moving toward greater happiness or contentment. Whether discussing difficult emotions related to women’s experience of pregnancy, relationships, or menopause; identifying possible approaches to achieve freedom from addiction; or relieving the pain of depression or anxiety, I aim to provide a safe and welcoming space for clients to freely express needs and concerns.