Therapists in San Rafael, CA

I can help if you are struggling with: anxiety, depression or other mood issues; aging or life-threatening illness; or relationship difficulties; or the consequences of living with serious mental disorders. I help people affected by loss including people dealing with grief, facing death, or serious illness, but if you think of your own situation you might realize that loss is playing a role in your search for a therapist. I also work with people who aren't deeply troubled, but are searching for growth in their work, relationships, or who are feeling the absence of a spiritual center in their lives.

I thoroughly enjoy supporting teens, parents, individuals and couples reach their full sense of being at ease in themselves. I believe in neurodiversity; that each individual is "wired" in their own particular and unique way, and that therapy supports making the best of one's neurology. I assist clients discover their inner wisdom, and engage in exploration of thoughts, emotions, and behaviors that impede, and augment, the creations of harmonious relationships, and full potential. I offer a warm and caring presence, and yet engage dynamically, and authentically.

I have worked more than 30 years w individuals & families with serious psychological and relational problems including the mood, behavior and substance problems that tear families apart. I help individuals and families navigate the perilous course of finding solutions while we work to improve serenity and sanity for all. Individual work is relational w/psychodynamic and a Real World approach. I have developed the “Stress-Induced Impaired Coping" model for family system distress and recovery. See my 2019 book: “Freedom From Family Dysfunction: A Guide for Families Battling Addiction or Mental Illness.” http://bit.ly/FreedomFamHC

Many challenges we experience in daily life relate to conflict between parts of ourselves. Each part reflects our body’s own loving attempts to care for us in the ways it knows. When we shift one part of the feedback loop, the whole system rearranges - in our bodies, & in our relationships. My approach to individual & couples therapy is holistic, somatic & client-centered. I start with creating a non-judgmental, inclusive space for you to come as you are. As we form & reach for your goals, our work may include movement, developmental psychology, trauma work, regulation practices, behavior/communication coaching, & creative guidance.

Any scary event or even a medical diagnosis can wreak havoc & any daily routine is quickly found unmanageable. If the physical body fails you, it affects your mood. If emotions are out of wack, it affects your health. Either way, you deserve to feel in control and you can reclaim control. The goal is to highlight your strengths and minimize or eliminate any obstacles to healthy wellness. A direct benefit of engaging in effective help elevates your protective factors against emotional decay now a known correlate with disease. Together we can restore a sense of control, balance, and develop your future goals. You deserve to be happy.

Most people suffer from unconscious guilt and shame stemming from their childhood traumas. Guilt causes us to unconsciously do self-destructive things. Shame causes us to isolate ourselves and hide our true selves. Both guilt and shame make people feel undeserving and isolated. My approach to therapy is to help patients find relief from their irrational guilt and feelings of shame and to develop a realistic sense of pride in who they are.

In 40 years of clinical practice I have come to think of what I do as a unique form of education. Psychotherapists "teach" not so much by telling people what to do (although good advice is often useful), but by helping clients to find the strength within themselves, and the needed support from those around them, to address the difficulties in their current lives in new and more effective ways. A therapeutic environment enables clients to develop a new way of understanding their life experiences that promotes higher self-esteem, increased capacity for intimacy, and greater effectiveness in work.

I seek to provide a thoughtful and reflective setting where clients develop greater understanding of their problems and limitations through honest exploration of themselves, and to bolster strengths/foster growth. I provide a friendly and open atmosphere to invite sharing of whatever thought or feeling that comes up so that they can be explored, analyzed and ultimately changed if you want. I work in a collaborative way and do not necessarily see my role as an advice giver, but as a thoughtful companion in helping you find your own solutions and understanding. I use a flexible blend of clinical techniques and theories.

Like any new endeavor, beginning therapy can bring both anxiety and hope. Whether you're seeking therapy to address specific concerns or to engage in personal exploration, I bring many years of experience working with a broad range of issues and people. I see therapy as a unique opportunity to help my clients gain a deeper understanding of themselves, develop greater awareness and insight, and make meaningful changes that lead to greater fulfillment in their lives, relationships, and careers.

I offer low-fee counseling for people looking to heal their pain and transforms their lives. People who come to me find a safe, supportive, non-judgmental environment where they are free to work through difficulties with someone capable of really listening, holding space, and who sees them and the struggles they are living with. It is my passion to help guide people through the courageous process of healing the past and moving forward into greater health and well-being. I offer sessions both in-person and through telemedicine.

Lasting change occurs in therapy when one identifies and works through their concerns that have been outside their awareness. I develop a non-judgmental, intimate working alliance with my clients, in order to facilitate this self-understanding, both emotionally and intellectually. Such work fosters growth and creative responses to long standing difficulties in relationship to one's self and others. In return for investing themselves fully, my clients are offered the freedom to be more completely who they are, while also being able to maintain close and fulfilling relationships.

People come to see me when they feel challenged by life circumstances, by depression, anxiety, or because they know that life holds more for them than they are currently experiencing. We can come to understand the roots of these experiences and to see where the blocks are to either living a life that feels like your own, or being more of yourself in the life that you have. I have found there to be a wide range of people who feel comfortable working with me, quite varied with regard to gender, age, stage of life, cultural background and sexual orientation.

Whether your decision to make changes involves freedom from painful limiting beliefs, release from repetitive relationship patterns, or transformation through sincere self-examination, I help people to fully realize the person they are destined to become. I work with adults, couples, teens, and families, helping them to successfully attain short-term goals and craft long-range solutions by utilizing a variety of approaches matched to their specific needs or expressed desires as they learn new ways to address life's challenges. As a level 3 Gottman couples therapist, I work with couples utilizing John Gottman's evidence-based theory.

I offer a unique effective approach working with your psyche-body-soul through somatic and spiritually based inquiry. We start with wherever you are and whatever your particular issues are. All you need is curiosity and a desire to know yourself in a real way. Our work together is experiential which allows you to holistically understand and deepen your connection with your most precious inner self. naturally unfold and your perspective of yourself and who you are and your concerns are transformed in this process. It truly becomes an adventure of discovery. You are held in a compassionate and heartfelt way which allows your psychological body tension armor and defenses to relax enough so your inquiry explorations can deepen. You come to know yourself in an authentic way. I incorporate the great heart wisdom of the Spiritual Dimension of the Enneagram which potentiates our work together. You need not know anything about the enneagram to benefit from our work together. Give me a call and we can see if this approach and if I am the right person for your journey. I work with individuals, couples and coming soon an Enneagram Inquiry Group.

You may be educated, even outwardly successful, but struggle to feel good about yourself, have difficulties with close relationships or just want more out of life. I believe it's human to struggle and that we all can benefit from self exploration. You stand to gain, and so does your partner, children, friends, even co-workers when you're bringing more of your best self to the game. My style is active and I bring humor and compassion to help you develop solutions as well as grow from your struggles. A seasoned therapist, my approach is flexible and practical, tailored to meet your needs. I'm LGBTQIA sensitive and welcoming.

Asking for help takes courage when you find yourself overwhelmed and not sure what to do. I approach my work with compassion and understanding. I strive to create an environment for you that is free of judgement. I believe that the purpose of therapy is to learn more about ourselves by expressing ourselves openly and honestly without emphasis on what is "right" or "wrong." This can help us identify deep patterns that keep us stuck and create new ways of dealing with life's challenges and being in relationships.

Find out more about my psychotherapy practice at: www.counselingpacificheights.com