Therapists in Oakland, CA

It takes a great deal of courage to begin therapy, and thus I strive to create a space in which individuals feel truly seen, heard, and deeply understood. I believe that people are intrinsically resilient, and I will work with you to gain a deeper understanding of yourself so that you can make meaningful changes in your life. Together, we will work toward navigating difficult transitions, improving the quality of your relationships, and developing more effective coping skills. My style is warm and collaborative, and I always tailor treatment to individual needs.

The journey of becoming and being a mother does not always look like we imagined. This time can feel overwhelming, lonely, and uncertain. I specialize in supporting women as they navigate the emotional complexities of infertility and the challenges of adjusting to motherhood. Whether your journey includes fertility treatments, coping with the grief of pregnancy loss, contemplating alternative family planning options, or struggling with the transition to your new role as a mother, I'm here to provide a safe and nurturing space for you.

Psychotherapy offers us an opportunity to better understand ourselves and to create important and meaningful changes in our lives. It also offers an effective way to address questions and feelings that we may find confusing or painful. I approach this work with empathy, warmth, curiosity, and a collaborative spirit. I tailor my approach to the particular needs of each client, offering both the opportunity to reflect and explore as well as down to earth, pragmatic tools to address difficult feelings or behaviors.

Sometimes the coping strategies that we use no longer work for us. And the usual support systems we turn to, are at times just not enough. Therapy can be an added support to help us figure out new strategies to cope with the challenges and times of transition in our lives. I provide a calm and reflective space, where together we will reach a deeper understanding of what holds you back and what changes you need to make to live your life more fully. Some areas of specialization include women's issues, perinatal and postnatal disorders, early parenting and cancer.

I work with folks in the intersection of being neurodivergent, BIPOC, and queer to navigate the oppressive structures that prevent us from expressing ourselves authentically. Together we can process intergenerational trauma to truly meet your needs. My areas of focus include conscious parenting, eating disorders, and postpartum/perinatal mental health. In our therapeutic relationship, genuine, empathetic care and connection come first. I understand that healing is not only individual but also systemic.

I specialize in working with individuals suffering from symptoms of anxiety and depression, both circumstantial and life-long, perinatal/maternal mental health struggles, challenging life transitions and developmental stages, relationship building/separating, parenting, first-time, brave therapy seekers and an essential desire to be understood. It can be intimidating to begin the process of self-exploration. It is not a simple endeavor. Each individual is unique as is one's process of self discovery and improved mental health. With the right match between psychotherapist and therapy seeker, the process can feel immensely useful.

My approach to psychotherapy is collaborative, empathic, and oriented toward achieving the results my clients desire. I provide skills to increase awareness of problematic patterns that can lead to feeling stuck. Left unaddressed, these patterns can take a toll on relationships, work, health, and self-worth. My goal is to create a non-judgmental and supportive space for exploration and change and to help people get back to living a more meaningful and enjoyable life. In addition, I emphasize a "strength-based" approach, in which I help clients identify and build from strengths and other positive qualities they already have.

I specialize in whole-bodied therapy to heal anxiety and trauma for children, teens, and adults. I offer attachment-based, trauma-healing, body-oriented approaches (EMDR, Havening & Somatics), play therapy, integrative talk therapy, & nature-oriented outdoor therapy. I also provide therapy for hopeful, awaiting, and new parents who are navigating the fertility, pregnancy, and postpartum journey. I provide therapy online across CA and outdoors if you are local to the East Bay. In-home therapy is also available for children and families.

I can’t change the world around you, but I can help you find your footing. Whether you want to feel comfortable in your own skin, struggle to set boundaries, get trapped in a cycle of people pleasing, or seek meaning and connection—therapy is a place to listen deeply to your inner wisdom and experience. Together, we can access the resources to understand who you are and make the changes you’ve been struggling to make. While I have specialized training in perinatal mental health, I work with adult clients (18 years and older) from a wide variety of backgrounds, in all phases and transitions of life.

My ideal client is one who is ready and willing to become the best version of themselves. I am a down to earth psychotherapist, that will meet YOU where you are! I work with individual adults ages 18 and up, who have issues with anxiety, depression, self-esteem issues, pregnancy, post-partum, mood disorders, trauma, family conflict, relationships and stress. I can also support those who have challenges with adjusting to new situations, and career stress.

Difficult life transitions can lead to anxiety and/or depression, making it a time in our lives when we need support, guidance, and a holistic self-care plan. Therapy can provide the opportunity to discover what we really need to be our best selves. I’m a trauma-informed clinical psychologist, a certified yoga instructor, and a certified perinatal mental health specialist. I have extensive experience working with adults, facilitating groups and providing clinical supervision to graduate students. I use strengths-based interventions, and work through a multicultural lens.

Sometimes, things happen in life that cause us significant pain, whether this stems from early life experiences, life transitions, mental illness, interpersonal difficulties or unexpected crisis. Navigating through these experiences in a therapeutic setting can make the difference between tolerating the pain (or even resorting to methods of easing the pain that create more problems) and coming through it more resilient with the ability to live a life with meaning.

It is in our nature to change and grow. Our relationship to our bodies, sexuality, gender, friendships, environment, community, romantic partnerships, and ways of thinking is constantly evolving and transforming. This is the ebb and flow of our lives. In order to embody and dream the future we desire, we need to be in relationship with where we come from: presencing individual, inherited, and cultural practices that have contributed to the context we are in today. As your therapist, I offer unconditional presence, curiosity, and capacity to support exploration, embodiment, and learning to tune to the body's wisdom and experience.

Transitions in our lives need to be marked and held to be integrated. The journey through can be dark and confusing, and how we adapt, grow, and who we look to for support, will illuminate our paths. I have had a focus on those contemporary rites of passage within my own experience, coming into adulthood, birth and parenthood, through relationships, my own identity, and facing our last goodbyes to loved ones. My work as a birth doula drew even more emphasis on the importance of our experiences around pregnancy and childbirth, and how celebrating the changing of our seasons was crucial to our sense of self.

The decision to pursue therapy is often not an easy one. However, in working with a therapist, most people find a sense of relief that comes with learning that change is possible. Whether your concerns are long-standing patterns or new adjustments, through collaborative exploration within a therapeutic relationship, new ways of relating and coping can develop.

I aim to create a space where you feel recognized, understood, and safe enough to explore whatever pain or experience you need help with. My style is warm, collaborative, and compassionate. I use an individualized approach and tailor my interventions to your unique and specific needs. I combine down to earth, practical support with a depth-oriented approach focused on symptom relief and shifting long-standing patterns that have gotten in the way. I also focus on creating a strong therapeutic relationship in which each person I work with feels heard and understood.

I look forward to hearing from you and beginning your journey of healing and insight together. I work with clients facilitating a deeper understanding of themselves and helping them work towards greater liberation and ease in their lives. Some specialties that I work with are perinatal and postpartum care, trauma and PTSD, recovery from narcissistic or domestic abuse, Brainspotting, couples counseling, gentle parenting skills, and mindfulness training. I employ somatic explorations and narrative and art therapy where possible.

Evening, weekend, early morning appointments available. If you are struggling with stress, anxiety, parenting or relationship issues, give me a call. Together we will get clear on what results you want to see, and create a potent “healing space” for initiating positive change. Whether you’re wanting a fresh perspective on patterns that are no longer working for you in your relationships, need support for you and your partner or child, or feel stuck in terms of creating the life you’ve envisioned as a result of anxiety or other issues, together we will find a way forward.

I believe that deep down, everyone has the answer they are looking for; it’s about working with the right person to help you uncover it. I specialize in helping people navigate parenthood/postpartum, depression and anxiety. I also enjoy working with people coping with ADHD, trauma, folks who are longing for a stronger sense of self, and can help develop stronger boundaries and reduce people pleasing behaviors.