Therapists in Oakland, CA

My work with every is client rooted in their natural strengths and tailored to their needs and experiences. You are the expert of your experience. I hold space to make meaning out of your thoughts, feeling and experiences. I believe that everyone possesses the tools to empower you in the next step of your healing journey. I simply help you to access those tools.

I specialize in working with folx who identify with the following communities: ethical non-monogamy (ENM), polyamory, kink, BDSM, and LGBTQA+ and who are struggling with anxiety, depression and a history of trauma. I think of psychotherapy as a necessary form of social activism toward a larger goal of equity for people of all races, genders, sexual/relational orientations, levels of ability, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Let's work together to bring you back to yourself, your relationships and your community!

I hold therapy as a sacred space, and I wholeheartedly believe that you have within you all of the resources and wisdom needed to guide your journey toward healing. My role is to make room for your inner wisdom to shine through and lead the way. We will collaborate and creatively explore what can be brought into our work. I integrate a liberation lens in my approach and utilize tools such as mindfulness, somatic awareness and experiencing, narrative therapy, dreamwork and ritual. I also honor the significance of reclaiming the practices and healing modalities that have served your ancestors, I welcome those here.

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!

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.

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've been working as a clinical social worker/therapist for 18 years, with individuals and groups, from youth through adulthood, in a diverse array of settings. This includes my current private practice, many years at a school-based health center, several at a family therapy clinic, also a jail, an SRO - oftentimes offering writing as a vehicle for healing. My calling and gift is to hold sacred, safe + brave spaces for people to be truly seen and known, and from there to support them stepping into their unique and authentic selves. It is my great privilege to meet people in this courageous place. I love working with all populations.

Through counseling, I support individuals, couples and families to identify patterns in behavior and communication. Our work together will be collaborative and strengths-based. It will encourage shifts in the family to promote healthy expression of emotions and communication to improve relationships. I use a directive style of communication and an active and integrative approach. I encourage parents, caregivers and other family members to be involved in the therapeutic process.

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.

My approach is relational, healing-centered, strengths-based, and collaborative. I support parents, caregivers, and families to find their inner strengths and nurture their relationships with their children. I specialize in helping the parent-child dyad through attachment theory, empathy, and connecting communication. I aim to provide therapy based on the cultural and diverse needs of individuals, parents, families, and children. I am committed to providing emotional support and creating a safe environment where parents, families, and children can better understand themselves.

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.

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.

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.

Welcome. You have arrived. Now what? Something brought you here. Perhaps the burden of pain that weighs on your body, mind and spirit. What is the nature of this pain? How is it impacting different parts of your life, your sense of identity, your relationships, your sense and purpose as a human being? Psychotherapy is an offering, a kind of healing art, a form of medicine that may help transform various symptoms of pain, manifesting in unhealthy, hurtful or even harmful thoughts and behaviors into something more healthy, wholesome and functional.

My expertise lies in grief and issues related to aging and end-of-life, exploring the multifaceted nature of grief that extends beyond the traditional understanding. Life's ebbs and flows, be it in work, family, friendships, aging, illness, or loss, are all aspects we can navigate together. Whether you seek probing questions, assistance in achieving specific goals, or simply a listening ear to help you hear your voice, each session is crafted to meet your unique needs and style. I specialize in a relational and client-led approach, tailoring each session to follow your lead and delve into the patterns and areas you wish to explore.

I have a strong passion for helping individuals feel empowered and strive to live their best lives by finding meaning and purpose within themselves. Let’s face it, life can be difficult, but those difficult experiences do not have to define you as a person. By creating a safe and healing space my goal is to tap into your own personal power and natural strengths to focus on what is most important to you and your wellness.

Whether you are going through some difficult life transitions, are bogged down by stress, feelings of loneliness, are in a process of recovery and/or have experienced significant trauma, my therapy approach will support you in unpacking difficult emotions and restore a deeper connection to yourself, others and the world. I specialize in helping teens and their parents find hope and connection, as well as individuals of any age, who’ve struggled with self harm or any other maladaptive coping skill.

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.

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.