Pacific Islander Therapists in Novato, CA

Gellaine (Jeh-lane) is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor and board certified Art Therapist who centers her work through creativity and authentic connections with her clients. In addition to talking, therapy with Gellaine is a dynamic collaborative process. Using art therapy, play therapy, movement, and a strengths-based approach, she encourages clients to use their imaginations and curiosity to explore struggles and concerns.

To others, it seems like you have it all. But underneath lives a different story. Despite your outward success, you feel haunted sometimes by feelings of failure, conflict, self-doubt. At certain moments, a gnawing sense overcomes you, telling you: Something is not right. You've made changes but somehow still end up in the same unsatisfying patterns, repeating the same unhelpful behaviors -- feeling more and more alone. You want to understand your patterns and your past so you can create a different future. You want to learn to feel differently about yourself and how you relate with others. You want to find a different way.

The type of therapy that I specialize in would likely be a good match for you if you're interested in integrating practices like meditation, mindfulness, self-compassion, and loving-kindness with contemporary psychotherapy to address current issues in your life. In the past I have successfully worked with individuals struggling with anxiety disorders, depression, trauma, anger, addiction, chronic pain, marital and other relational issues including LGBT relationships. My specialty is working with anxiety and stress related disorders.

In my 30+ years practicing psychotherapy, I have had extensive experience working with adults who are trying to adjust to the problems that life presents to us---a difficult childhood, trauma, anxiety, depression, postpartum depression, stress, working with a child who has a difficult mental illness, sexual abuse,couples' relationship struggles (heterosexual, gay, and lesbian), and grief from the loss of someone treasured. Always my treatment goal is to facilitate the improvement in the quality of life for each individual and to look for the creative aspect within the destruction. Healing is a natural process, but sometimes it is difficult to remember that fact.

I provide compassionate and caring evidence based treatment using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). I treat problems including generalized anxiety disorder, depression, panic, PTSD and OCD, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. I work primarily with adults, older adults, adolescents (ages 16+) and their families. Cognitive therapy is active, directive, and structured- each session focuses on a specific set of problems. I am especially interested in helping young adults who are experiencing more complex and serious mental illnesses (such as bipolar disorder, psychotic disorders) and their families.

As a psychologist, it is my goal to empower people to live fulfilled and happy lives. I work with individuals to help them become active participants in meeting their therapeutic goals. My experience includes treating individuals struggling with general psychiatric symptoms, life transitions and trauma.

I work with individual and couples who want to see and FEEL a shift in their lives. Some clients start therapy with a clear idea of what they want to work on including feelings of depression, anxiety, communication, infertility, somatic symptoms, trauma, etc. Others come to therapy describing that something just feels "off", and we discover the roadmap together. It's my role to help you establish clear goals for therapy which I will track over our time together. I value collaboration, authenticity, curiosity and safety in the therapeutic process, and work well with people who are open to exploring different techniques.

"​Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says I’ll try again tomorrow.” Mary Anne Radmacher My ideal client is having issues with past traumas, life transitions and troubles. They want to see their life get easier and more joyful. We can figure out therapeutically what's needed and negotiate the number of sessions. With my own life and professional experiences, I bring a wealth of treatment options and resources. I offer a free initial phone (call 15-20 minutes) to help you determine if I'm the therapist for your needs at this time. Sessions are virtual due to COVID-19.

I am an integrative therapist, using a holistic model and techniques from somatic, relational, inter-subjective, and transpersonal psychology, as well as techniques from my own long-standing spiritual practices, such as drumming, chanting and Vipassana Buddhist meditation practice. I got my masters in Psychology with a Somatic Concentration from JFK, Orinda, CA in 1997. As LGBTQIA identified and a Pacific Islander, I know that both trauma and healing can come from our individual and cultural histories. I welcome anyone seeking growth or healing and I'm committed to healing within marginalized communities. My areas of specialty include people with histories of trauma and/or addiction, people looking to integrate spiritual experiences, people of color and members of the LGBTQ community.

Do you identify as an Asian, Pacific Islander or Filipino woman? Have you experienced sexual or relational trauma and need a place to speak your truth? Do you find yourself stuck in challenging relationship patterns in friendships and romantic relationships? Are you searching for a therapist who can witness your healing with humor, realness & love? You’ve come to the right place. This protective space is intended to support the Filipino, Asian American & Pacific Islander community in connecting with their authentic emotional and spiritual selves as they navigate through trauma recovery.

Hi, I'm Miya! I specialize in working with LGBTQ+, Asian American & Pacific Islander, and other POC/immigrant communities. I support clients who are exploring their identities, processing trauma and grief, making sense of family patterns and cultural influences, struggling with anxiety or depression, or just wanting to become a better version of themselves.

I consider myself a nerdy-geeky person who incorporates storytelling techniques in my therapy sessions. If you're seeking relief from your symptoms, a safe space to work through personal issues, or simply a place to vent, I can be of assistance. My ideal client is someone who understands that therapy requires active participation and engagement, rather than a passive experience. They also appreciate the power of humor in building authenticity. While I wish I could solve everything, we need to work together to bring about the desired changes. I meet you where you are and support you in your personal journey.

I recognize that making a decision to come to counseling is not always easy, and will partner with you at your own pace to engage your natural capacity for healing and change. My style is warm, collaborative and non-judgmental. The way our time is spent together will be unique to your interests & needs. My practice is eclectic and may include mindfulness, expressive arts, nature, as well as traditional talk therapy, which we will discuss in our first meeting together. I'm passionate about providing therapeutic services to youth and young adults; and also work with adult clients & parents.

My approach is based on principles from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, a mindfulness-based behavioral approach that has been empirically-validated to be effective across a wide range of diagnoses, age groups and cultural backgrounds. I enjoy working with tweens/teens, individual adults, parents and families struggling with challenges related to parent-child issues, ADHD, grief, transgender, adoption, trauma, life transitions, spirituality and diversity/race-related issues. I also have a passion for working with Asian/Pacific Islander and BIPOC women.

Sometimes you can sail through your life issues just fine without any professional therapy help. Other times, therapy can help you navigate difficult times, which are inevitable given that life is sometimes unpredictable, odd, and even painful. Therapy can help smooth the bumps in the relationships that you have: both within your own self and with others.

Are you feeling stuck in life? Does stress at work, from life, from family, your partner or friends, feel overwhelming? I believe that we all deserver to live happy, healthy lives. I help adults and adolescents who are struggling with depression, trauma, anxiety, stress, anger, life transitions, or grief. Together we untangle what is holding you back and keeping you from being your best self. Whether you are feeling anxious, depressed, or at your wits' end there is help for you. Together, we will help you get unstuck and cope with your life’s challenges. Let's bring happiness back to your life!

Imagine a therapeutic space where warmth meets skillfulness, where healing is accompanied by laughter, and where each challenging step forward is a step closer to joy and relief. That is what you'll find with me. My approach blends evidenced-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy techniques with empathic connection and a touch of humor to create a safe and uplifting environment for your healing journey.