Stress Therapists in Oakland, CA

I am a licensed psychologist with expertise in neurofeedback, neuropsychology, chronic pain treatment, individual psychotherapy, meditation, and qEEG brain mapping. I am board certified in neurofeedback and I use cutting-edge techniques to determine the best treatment and to improve outcomes.

The focus of my practice is working with folks from various communities figure out how to best navigate their lives. As we get older and work towards becoming more successful, it can become harder to figure things out, while also staying true to ourselves and prioritizing our needs. Sometimes we just need a mirror to help us see what is working well for us, and to help us figure out what is next. Whether you are experiencing life transitions, work stress, relationship challenges, anxiety, imposter syndrome, depression, grief or other challenges-I am here to partner with you to help you live your best life.

My style of therapy is to meet my clients where they are and provide Solution-Focused treatment to support learning how to manage your emotional self outside of therapy. I have worked as a therapist since 2014 with adults, families, and couples so I have a wide range of experience providing individual therapy to a diverse population.

I am a father of three children with an appreciation for multiculturalism, I strive to include in my practice social justice and anti racism. I believe that the mental health challenges we experience, typically, do not exist on a vacuum and are often tied to the context in which we live. I am also a veteran with particular fondness for marginalized communities.

My practice focuses on individual therapy for adults with anxiety and stress-related issues. My style is warm and collaborative. I encourage self-compassion, curiosity, and acceptance throughout the therapeutic process. I offer two main approaches that have been shown to be effective in treating anxiety: Talk Therapy and Exposure Therapy.

It is a privilege to help others who are seeking support on their journey. As a licensed psychologist who enjoys working with adults, children, families, couples, as well as groups, I appreciate a holistic approach to lifestyle changes. It is important to consider physical, mental and emotional health to increase our quality of life. We don’t have control over some circumstances in life, but we can work to optimally navigate what comes our way. Cognitive behavioral therapy, solution focused therapy, mindfulness for stress reduction, managing occupational strain and psychoeducation are some of the techniques I find helpful.

I work with individuals and couples in any stage of relationship. If we work together, my goal is to help you access and understand the root causes of your struggles so you can truly heal. In my experience, when the origin of conditioned thoughts, feelings and behaviors are fully felt and understood, they no longer have power, can be let go, and in their place comes a sense of freedom, choice and empowerment. Whether you struggle to manage stress, anxiety, and/or depression, or have found the goal of creating a satisfying relationship or career to be elusive, I believe you can move past any limitations with the right help.

When making the complex and vulnerable choice to begin therapy, you should be able to trust your therapist and feel safe sharing your story. This is why compassion and empathy are my priorities when building our therapeutic alliance. Together, we will collaborate on an individualized plan for change and growth that is consistent with your values and cultural identities. Every human is a unique mix of identities, experiences, fears, dreams, and values. I am well-versed in theory and operate from a foundation of science. However, I also believe that it is essential to recognize the humanity behind everyone’s struggles and actions.

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.

I am a clinical psychologist specializing in anxiety problems like stress, worry or OCD as well as health problems such as illness or chronic pain. If you are coping with any of these conditions, I can help you. Anxiety and pain can leave you feeling stuck, and overwhelmed, especially when you feel pressure to perform or make life decisions. I have a strong background in evidence-based treatments and focus on practical, results-oriented treatments that have been proven effective. No matter what challenges you are facing, we can work together to reduce uncomfortable feelings and help you live a happier and more fulfilled life.

Therapy can offer you the chance to increase your sense of personal satisfaction, improve your relationships and resolve specific concerns. Whether you are struggling with a recent challenge, or dealing with long term difficulties, I'd be glad to speak with you. I offer a collaborative, compassionate, depth-oriented therapeutic style in a confidential private practice setting. I meet with and welcome individuals of all ethnic, cultural and religious backgrounds who may identify with traditional or non-traditional gender roles and sexual identities. Please contact me for more information, or to schedule an appointment.

You don't have to struggle with day-to-day life difficulties alone. Are you facing personal growth blocks, depression, anxiety, self-esteem, grief/ loss, life transitions, family challenges, health or injury problems, work stress, or other types of emotional pains? My clients are diverse and I take the time to get to know your unique needs and goals. My approach is warm, sincere, and direct. You can expect a safe space to express yourself, relief from overwhelming thoughts and emotions, learn tools and get the right support to aid in healing. We can work together to help you regain balance in your life and feel empowered.

Clients who typically feel drawn to work with me tend to prefer a more action-oriented and present-focused approach to therapy. While developing self-understanding in therapy can be very powerful by itself, I like to try to empower my clients to use their insight to create concrete change in their lives. I also like working with clients who are interested in setting goals, willing to experiment with new behaviors and thinking patterns, and motivated to do homework between sessions. My specialty areas include anxiety, perfectionism, impostor syndrome, low self-esteem, disordered eating, stress, and work-life balance.

Everybody has a story to tell, and I want to hear yours. I work with adults & teens struggling with a range of issues (anxiety, depression, trauma, neuroatypical related challenges, disordered eating, body image issues, substance use, and burnout/perfectionism). Whether you are experiencing a challenge or you are interested in finding more balance in your life, I am here to support you. My clients often to come from a variety of marginalized communities: LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, Latinx/e, bi/multi-racial/cultural, Fat, neurodivergent, kinky, poly/ENM, people who use alcohol/drugs, performers/creatives, black sheep, brujx and witchy folk.

Do you feel disconnected from yourself? Like you're just not "you" anymore or you're not sure who you are now? Maybe you are in an abusive relationship, just left one, or have undergone a traumatic event or major life transition. You need help rediscovering and reconnecting with yourself. You might feel disappointed with what your life looks like and where you are headed in life. Depression and anxiety have taken the forefront in your life and you want a way back to feeling like yourself, a way back to feeling healthy and interested in life again.

I help people manage their mental health by creating a safe space to process difficult emotions because: "...being human's hard - on the boulevard." - André L. Benjamin

Seeking support can feel vulnerable – especially when the culture around us glorifies “self-made” success stories and aspires to a seemingly effortless, perfectly curated social media existence. The reality of course is that life is messy, and that we all benefit from support. We are impacted by world events, our environments, relationships, the histories of our people (our families, ancestors, communities), and our own unique collection of lived experiences. As a therapist I view my role as that of an ally, confidant, collaborator - and very occasionally a guide.

Accepting New Clients - Are you finding it difficult to navigate stress and anxiety? Are you coping with struggles on your own and looking for additional support? You may be encountering worry, sleeplessness, panic attacks, or general lack of direction. Perhaps your life doesn’t feel authentically consistent with your values. It may be difficult to connect with others or engage in activities you once enjoyed. You may feel stuck. Expect a warm, authentic, and mindful approach when working with me.

You feel like something is off. You’re feeling overwhelmed, burnt out, disconnected, stuck. You want to understand your own reactions, build healthy and sustaining relationships, feel grounded and present in your day to day life. I can help! With over a decade of experience, I provide LGBTQIA-affirming and trauma-responsive therapy for youth, adults, and families. Using evidence-based techniques like expressive arts, somatics, and dialectical behavioral skills, I support people finding meaning and connection after trauma and chronic stress.