Therapists in Kensington, CA

I specialize in working with individuals, couples, and families. If you've encountered tough experiences, difficulties in work and relationships, traumas, or addiction, I am available to help. I've done extensive work at the crossroads of trauma and mental health, and specialize in helping clients move from crisis into stabilization. I use modalities such as attachment focused EMDR, IFS, DBT skills, somatic interventions and insight oriented talk therapy. I am here to partner with you so that we can work together to help you feel better. Getting you to a place where you can live the life you want to is my primary goal!

Folks reach out because there is something they want to shift in their life and they need some support in making the changes they wish to see. Most commonly, people share with me that they seek therapy because of an increased sense of overwhelm, feelings of hopelessness, changes in social dynamics and relationships, a newfound or returned sense of hopelessness, feelings of loss or grief, and more. My role is to help tap into what you already know, identify the patterns you may want to shift, and develop a greater trust in yourself to enact change in our relationship and in the outside world as well!

My approach as a relational and somatic therapist is to create a collaborative space to explore your relationship with yourself, others, and the world. We will unearth unconscious beliefs and patterns to help you live a more connected and fulfilling life. Our work together will, hopefully, help you relieve suffering, foster growth, and develop insight in all dimensions of your life.

I work with adult therapy clients. Common issues include depression and anxiety, relationship and attachment patterns, loneliness and loss, body acceptance and disordered eating, childhood trauma, grief work, and ADHD. I also work with lawyers and clients with spiritual backgrounds. My experience conducting psychological evaluations helps me provide more thorough explanations regarding potential psychological and neuropsychological diagnoses and underlying dynamics. I am an interactive therapist who offers information and feedback, as well as deep listening.

In my work as a therapist, I hold space from a place of deep love, care and respect. I aspire to channel a grounding, loving and playful energy that can guide you through your experiences, no matter how overwhelming and challenging. I trust your inner healer and hold a non-judgmental and warm space where you can have your own experiences without needing to change anything. I approach the process of therapy as collaboration and exploration. Together, we can work towards your vision of growth and healing.

Do you feel stuck in the same loops, repeating old patterns, and self-defeating behaviors? Through a mindfulness-based, somatic, and trauma-sensitive approach, I support you to break these cycles, let go of limiting beliefs and be free to live the life you want. I specialize in supporting individuals who struggle with issues related to anxiety, perfectionism, low self-esteem and depression. My style is warm, authentic and direct - I'm here to help you feel more grounded and self-assured so that you can better navigate relationships, life transitions, and daily stressors.

With a background including a Stanford B.A./ UC Berkeley J.D., a previous career as an innovation leader and startup founder, and journeys through heartbreak and illness, I bring eclectic personal experience to therapy practice. I combine formal training in psychodynamic therapy, dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), EFT couples therapy, mind-body/ somatic work, meditation, and yoga therapy to provide an integrative, holistic approach to healing and personal growth. My work is informed by modern, evidence-based methods of psychotherapy as well as spiritual wisdom and practices from Buddhism, Hinduism, and Judaism.

In the journey towards healing and self-discovery, finding a therapist who truly understands the intersectionality of your experiences is key. As a therapist and part of the trans, queer, ethnic minority, multicultural, immigrant, trauma survivor, and (dis)ability communities, I'm dedicated to honoring all that makes you - you. The uniqueness of your journey, recognition of your experiences, and collaboration will be at the core of our work.

If your life feels diminished by chronic anxiety, panic, depression and just feeling out of place, I can help you. As a seasoned therapist, I will collaborate with you to shift from a life of limitations to one of choice and options. Using an integrative approach of IFS (Internal Family Systems), Somatic-Attachment and Relational Psychotherapy, our work will help you change your personal narrative to be aligned to who you want to be in the world in the present. You'll gain confidence and skills to support your emotional regulation and comfort in living in the present.

First, my clients know I deeply care about them. If you are often triggered and/or battle anxiety, a harsh inner critic or self-sabotaging behavior, I might be a right for you. I've helped multitudes find freedom from anxiety, depression, toxic shame and PTSD. My aim is to "update" symptoms like panic, perfectionism, emotional overwhelm in a gentle and supportive environment. Often, this work improves a sense of ease, inner trust and compassion with "tools" like EMDR, Somatic therapy (focused awareness), and child parts work. My role is to facilitate your own wisdom and healing. I trust the rest will unfold from there.

I believe that the soul has an innate drive toward healing. We each have the capacity to heal ourselves if we can slow down enough to notice what is asking for our attention. I approach therapy as a weekly collaborative ritual in which clients can become more skilled at listening and giving voice to their inner knowing. Weaving together tools from expressive arts, somatic experiencing, and trauma-informed relational psychotherapy, I offer an integrated, whole-person approach in which we work as a team to uncover your intuitive guidance and learn how to tap in to the wisdom of your higher self.

Thank you for finding your way here. I believe we all have the innate ability to heal. My goal is to support clients in expanding their awareness of themselves and deepening into here-and-now experiences. When we meet, I will offer you an opportunity to work experientially, as well as to share through talking. Whatever approach we employ, I hope you will leave each session feeling supported and accompanied on your journey. I'm passionate about offering support to parents in the perinatal period (including trying to conceive, fertility treatment, pregnancy & pregnancy challenges/loss, birth, loss, postpartum and early parenthood.

Regardless of our histories, healing is possible. I know because I have experienced it myself & have accompanied people in untenable conditions deepen their awareness & access what they need to heal. I provide therapy for people who want to transform limiting beliefs & patterns, heal attachment trauma and abuse, navigate relationships & complex families, & take accountability for past harm. I support people to feel compassion for all parts of themselves & live with more resilience and joy. My clients are queer & transgender people, social justice organizers, survivors, people impacted by the legal system, addiction, and/or violence.

We all deserve to feel safe and connected. Sometimes, overwhelming things happen that prevent us from feeling safe and settled in the world. In therapy, we support the strengths that have helped you survive and grow your capacity to move towards the life you long for. Whatever you are experiencing, be that anxiety, depression, or the pain of trauma or oppression, together we will collaborate to tend to what hurts and to nurture the vitality that exists inside you.

Are you feeling lost on how to support your family? Perhaps you're watching your child struggle with anxiety, isolation, or risky behaviors, and it feels like every conversation just widens the gap between you. You might be navigating the aftermath of a divorce or a significant loss, wondering how to guide your family through these uncharted waters. You're not alone. Using my extensive training in family psychotherapy and my experience as an immigrant and a partner in a multi-cultural family, we will address your family's unique needs. I provide services in Spanish, Portuguese and welcome all types of families in my practice.

Maybe you're struggling with anxiety, depression, relational challenges, or looking for more meaning and purpose. Maybe you're feeling stuck in perfectionism, self-doubt, or a harsh inner critic. I have seen over and over again that therapy can help. Regardless of your circumstances, change is possible. Together, we can get curious about what's happening, identify patterns and strategies that are no longer working, find ways to cope with hard and uncomfortable feelings, and create new possibilities in your relationships and in your connection to yourself.

Do you feel stressed and overwhelmed? Are you longing for more balance, connection, and meaning in your life? I would love to help you reclaim feelings of leadership in your life and move towards more healing, self-compassion, and joy. I have experience working with adults, families, and teens, especially those struggling with extreme ways of coping. I use Internal Family Systems (IFS), drama therapy, and a relational approach to support you to get to know all parts of yourself, release burdens you may be carrying, and find more ease, balance, connection, and aliveness within yourself and in your relationships with loved ones.

To me, therapy is about coming into intimate relationship with yourself, others, and the universe. This might take the shape of me guiding you to slow down and feel your body, or tuning into the dynamics happening between us and how they connect to greater longings and fear in your life. It's all about being finding, moment to moment, the ingredients that you need to feel safe and seen in connection with yourself and another. I work best with queers, gender-explorers, teens, families, millennials, creatives, and broken-hearted seekers of a better world.

The quality of our relationships determines the quality of our lives. Many of us didn't witness fulfilling romantic relationships growing up. Conflict, silence, disappointment, and heartbreak, you are not alone with these struggles. Fortunately, in-depth research has revealed core skills that lead to safe, fair, loving, passionate, and fulfilling relationships. You can learn these skills, and discover ease in bringing out the best in yourself and your partner. This is a game changer.