Therapists in Los Altos, CA

As an integrative therapist I combine tools from cognitive-behavioral, psychodynamic, interpersonal, and mood regulation therapies. I treat adults and older adolescents battling mood, anxiety, eating, interpersonal and life transition challenges. I consider treatment options as they relate to a patient's needs given the empirical support available. I find the psychotherapy process to be most effective when done collaboratively. For the past 22 years in addition to maintaining a private practice, I worked as a Clinical Associate Professor at Stanford's Department of Psychiatry until July 2015. I was trained at UCLA (Ph.D) and at Oregon Health Sciences University (post-doctoral fellowship).

Are you experiencing challenges dealing with anxiety, depression, relationship/family issues, and trauma/PTSD? Due to these symptoms, we can be in too much emotional pain and feel too stuck to reframe our perceptions or to find solutions to our problems. Childhood or recent trauma can cause emotional distress that can be difficult to process. I am here to support you in working through unresolved trauma and guide you toward healing. Therefore, you can feel empowered, rejuvenated, and enthusiastic about life again.

Do you find yourself having a difficult time coping with anxiety, depression, and trauma? Do you have a hard time communicating and setting boundaries with others? Life is full of obstacles and hardships that may be difficult to overcome without the right tools, resources, and, guidance leading to the manifestation of these symptoms. I specialize in working with adults, couples, and adolescents using a Psychodynamic approach to explore unconscious thoughts and behaviors. In doing this, we are able to collaboratively recognize old ineffective patterns and process unresolved feelings and trauma.

Navigating life's challenges is never easy, but reaching out for help is a brave first step to living a more genuine and fulfilling life. I have expertise in working with individuals struggling with childhood trauma and trauma-related symptoms such as grief, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and relational conflict. I believe every client is unique and deserves to be listened to and understood in an empathetic way. I am passionate about creating a safe, kind, collaborative and judgment-free space where clients can attain new insights, experience new feelings, and find a renewed sense of physical and mental well-being.

Experiencing anxiety, depression, and trauma can be hard to navigate on one’s own. Through the use of integrative modalities, my goal is to help you find your way so that you can manage symptoms, feel your best, discover who you truly are, and move forward in the direction of your dreams whereby your past no longer holds you back. Using warmth and compassion, I also aim to provide trauma-informed care to discuss your struggles without judgment and safely process unresolved trauma and feelings.

There are many reasons why you might be seeking help at this time, and it is an act of strength and bravery to take this step. Together we can work together to foster healthy coping, connect to your feelings, align the heart with the mind, create vision and clarity, and discover inherent confidence, wisdom and worthiness. If you find yourself struggling with having vision and clarity, grief and loss, have been engaging in unhealthy behaviors and are having difficulty making the changes you desire, or you or a loved one are struggling with a chronic illness, we can work together to address your needs.

I focus solely on males' and men's issues. I take an integrative approach and am trained in various forms of therapy. My niches include Christian Counseling, College Counseling, EMDR, multicultural struggles, depression, and anxiety. I am most sought for Christian Counseling, but I love working with non-Christians! My therapy style is Down to earth, Compassionate, Simple Language, Practical Examples, laid back, comical, and modern at times. I use plain language and simple examples. I maintain a relaxed and safe environment. I encourage people to be themselves and not put on a “front.”

In many ways good psychotherapy is like a successful remodel, frequently resulting in a stronger and more spacious sense of one's self, lovely new rooms, remarkable views and better access to the world outside (and in). The journey of self-discovery takes courage, but increasing one's awareness of old limitations and obstacles, and developing the ability to gently and carefully dismantle and rebuild where necessary is incredibly rewarding -- often beyond what we can imagine. I believe that it's a collaborative journey on which we embark, moving together towards creating a more fulfilling and rewarding life for you.

My belief is that we are constantly evolving and this faith in our capacity for great change is at the core of my therapeutic approach. My goal is to help you be your best self. I do this by providing a judgment free space, in which you can explore your thoughts, feelings, and motivations for actions. I will partner with you to help you set goals for change, to learn new skills to regulate unwanted emotions, communicate effectively, untangle negative thinking patterns, and ultimately discover a new way of being. By promoting self-acceptance, I will empower you to harness your positive attributes to achieve your desired growth.

If you are struggling to find purpose and direction in your life, improve your personal relationships, find peace with food and your body, or increase self-acceptance, you’re not alone. I help teens and adults who are also anxious, depressed, or unhappy with themselves or their relationships. Some are trapped in unhealthy eating patterns or are overwhelmed with a new chapter in their lives. I’d like to help you, too.

As a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, and Art Therapist, I offer a genuine and non judgmental approach to helping individuals who are seeking to improve their relational and emotional well being. My experience includes working with adults, couples, adolescents, and school aged children.

Dr. Smith is a licensed clinical psychologist whose patients include adolescents, adults, and families. She uses insight-oriented and supportive techniques to help patients work through difficult events and feelings. While Dr. Smith defines herself as a generalist in the field of psychology, she does have areas of further experience, including but not limited to the following: Depression, Anxiety, Anger Management, Drug and Alcohol Treatment, Academic or Work Difficulties, Parent/Adolescent Conflicts, Family Conflicts and Resolution of Grief Issues. Dr.Smith also works with Transgender and Gender Diverse Children and Adolescents.

I believe in your potential for personal growth toward a more satisfying relationship with others. My style is warm, compassionate, and non-judgmental. I respect your uniqueness. People who come to me are often experiencing depression and anxiety; major life transitions; cultural dislocation; loss and grief. By practicing solution-focused and client-centered psychotherapy, I help people embark on the journey of self-understanding, acceptance, and finding what they seek.

With 15+ years of therapy experience, I enjoy helping clients realize their potential and believe that creating a supportive and caring environment is essential to this process. My areas of expertise include treating depression, anxiety, and relationship/interpersonal issues. I view therapy as a partnership where I have the privilege of helping clients navigate their lives more effectively. Clients seek my help for a variety of reasons, including adjusting to major life transitions, better coping with emotions, breaking old behavior patterns, or better understanding themselves.

It has been my privilege to provide counseling and psychotherapy services to individuals and couples for over 20 years. I work with clients experiencing a wide variety of issues including anxiety, depression, life transitions, stress related to work, family, or relationships, parenting, grief and loss, addiction, and medical and aging concerns. I view therapy as an active partnership in which my clients and I work together to identify core concerns, solve problems, and reach goals. With guidance and support, my clients make the changes they desire to feel healthy and satisfied.

I am licensed clinical psychologist with over 15 years of experience in counseling with adult individuals. I work with a wide range of emotional and behavioral issues including depression, anxiety, relationship issues, grief and loss, life transitions, trauma, work stress and cultural diversity issues. I also have a specialty interest in women’s issues including prenatal and postpartum mood disorders, fertility issues and traumatic losses.

Are you feeling stuck in habitual, repetitive, and painful thought patterns? Feeling anxious and on edge, struggling with emotional overwhelm and burnout? Or have you lost your motivation and passion and are feeling sad and alone? I can help you develop insight into why you are struggling, and teach you how to turn your pain into growth and strength. Life can be difficult and painful, and we all, at times, struggle. You are not alone, and you can feel better; you deserve to feel better.

I was trained at Yale and Columbia University. I was a professor at Columbia University and Stanford University (15 years). Currently, I am a Distinguished Professor at the California School of Professional Psychology. I am a licensed Clinical Psychologist in CA and NY and I have over 20 years of experience working with individuals and families from diverse backgrounds and on extremely challenging issues. In addition to my clinical experiences, my knowledge from many years of teaching also enables me to work with your unique preferences and personality. I focus on your strengths to maximize your gains in therapy.

Are you feeling stressed and anxious? Do the task of day to day living feel overwhelming? Do you have difficulty making decisions about relationships and career? I may be the right therapist for you. I offer a free 15 minute phone consultation so I can learn more about your issues and concerns and you can determine if my approach fits your needs.