Therapists in Oakland, CA

I specialize in working with individuals, couples, and families struggling with overcontrol/excessive self-control. This can show up as rumination, hyper-perfectionism, rigidity, difficulty relaxing, and emotional loneliness (even with loved ones around). These challenges can intersect with substance abuse, suicidal ideation or attempts, and/or self-harm. Often, an overcontrolled coping style is central to conditions such as chronic anxiety/depression, eating disorders, and personality disorders like obsessive-compulsive and avoidant personalities. This way of coping may exacerbate or perpetuate trauma and grief symptoms as well.

Making changes is challenging, but together we can work to find ways to make it more possible. If you are wanting to discover why you do what you do and why you choose the people to do it with that you do, we may work well together. I am very warm and empathic, and enjoy working with you to address the problems that you want to change without judgment.

Mental health challenges are due to the aftereffects of traumatic experiences. Trauma can place a strain on your family, work, relationships, and even cause issues with self-worth. I specialize in trauma therapy along with treating personality disorders, depression, anxiety, ADHD, and addiction. All these disorders can look different from person to person, and that is where our therapeutic journey of empowerment and self-exploration begins. I concentrate on creating a safe space of growth and self-discovery through unconditional positive regard, emotional regulation, and guided activities.

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.

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!

Are you struggling to process depression, anxiety, relationship/family issues, and trauma? These emotional ruptures can cause major disruptions in our lives. The work to process these types of life events is multifaceted, and I can help you identify your feelings and potential relational patterns, build tolerance and acceptance around challenging ones, and set meaningful goals. In order to do so, I utilize various therapeutic approaches consisting of ACT, CBT, and Problem Solving Therapy and somatic interventions.

Psychotherapy is unique & takes courage. It's fulfilling-yet challenging. Using empathy, collaboration, intuition, open mindedness & humor, we will identify automatic ways of thinking, & behaving- that show up as internal conflict, self sabotage, low self esteem, depression, relationship struggles & anxiety. I have a wide array of experience, working with diverse populations, including POC, people diagnosed with personality disorders, those experiencing psychosis, queer identified folks, folks with learning differences, & students with achievement struggles and imposter syndrome. My practice is trauma informed.

If previous attempts at stopping substance use have failed or if you want to learn to manage your use rather than abstain, call us for a free phone consultation. We approach addiction as a biopsychosocial phenomenon and can help you understand the biological, emotional, and behavioral factors of your drug use using evidence-based interventions. Our therapeutic style is compassionate and non-judgmental but we will also be direct and challenge you to deeply examine your choices. We strive to create a safe, confidential environment where you feel comfortable exploring your choices.

Though I work with most issues, I specialize in helping people recover from complex trauma. People with narcissistic, abusive, or neglectful parents or partners sometimes develop issues with trusting themselves, have difficulty maintaining close relationships, struggle with an inner critic, vacillate often between depression and anxiety, lack a solid sense of identity, or feel a sense of emptiness when their lives seem great on paper. Sometimes that trauma can even become part of one's identity - I work with clients to build insight, boundaries, self-compassion, and acceptance to free themselves from it & live more fulfilling lives.

I bring to my work understanding, compassion and extensive training as a psychotherapist and psychoanalyst. I have years of experience working with issues related to addiction; depression and anxiety; trauma; relationship, parenting, and family issues; life transition and questions like "What do I really want?" and "What is important to me?" I believe psychotherapy is a process that offers a way to understand troubling experiences and relationships that result in unhappiness, disappointments, and dissatisfaction, which build up over the course of life. Working with me offers new ways of thinking, feeling and relating.

I have been practicing as a therapist since 2015 and have worked in clinical settings, non-profit, and in a private practice. Each person generates their own understanding of life. My goal is to help each individual create their own meaning of life and gain a better understanding of the challenges that they may face. From a small child to a grown adult, there is the capacity for change within each one of use. Regardless of age, I look at each client as an individual and treat each person for who they are and the struggles that they may be facing. I offer a supportive. healing environment that is catered around each person's needs.

With 20 years of experience, I work with individual adults, adolescents and couples from a trauma-informed model that integrates DBT, psychodynamic, family systems and Mindful Self-Compassion perspectives. Through therapy I can help you to achieve your goals, develop an increased understanding of yourself and build new ways of coping with life’s challenges. As a Certified Mediator with a background in divorce mediation I can lend informed support to those struggling with divorce-related challenges. Furthermore as a transracially adoptive mom of two I hold a strong interest in helping others navigate the world of parenting.

As Psychology Today's "Ask Our Therapist" columnist and executive director/psychologist for our Ask Our Therapist online service, every day I learn about and respond to the very diverse and meaningful struggles that people share.

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.

Hi there! Finding a therapist can be a daunting task. Perhaps you're seeking extra support during a hard time, wanting to enhance your relationship(s), or feeling ready to explore some shadowy areas in your self. Maybe you are facing some existential or spiritual questions, and seeking personal transformation. All of these are vulnerable pursuits, and you want to find a therapist that feels comfortable for you! I'd love to talk with you and see if our connection feels right for the special work ahead of you.

Welcome! It is so nice to meet you. I work best with clients who are motivated to change and looking for a short-term and skills-based approach. You can expect sharp clinical precision, collaboration, deep human kindness, realness, and radical open-mindedness. I am a licensed clinical psychologist and professor at USC Keck School of Medicine. I am also a certified Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR) teacher with 15+ years of formal mindfulness training. I specialize in research-supported Cognitive Behavioral and Mindfulness-Based therapies.

Our life experiences can lead us to question our identity and purpose in the world we live in. This can lead us to anxiety, depression, and trauma. Do you want to improve how you face challenges, function in your relationships, and face overwhelming feelings? I place heavy importance on addressing trauma. Trauma disintegrates the parts that make up your whole self, which can leave aspects of who you are hidden from your awareness. Left unaddressed, anxiety and depression can worsen, which can rob you of the necessary connection that all human beings need to thrive. I aim to help you process unresolved trauma.

I provide insightful and compassionate psychotherapy for individuals and couples struggling with unhealthy recurrent patterns in relationships and/or with compulsive/ addictive behaviors involving eating, substances, spending, working, etc. I also work with depression, anxiety, 12-step recovery, traumatic childhood experiences, the particular concerns of being an artist, and issues of identity.

It is easy to feel stuck, confused, or overwhelmed, when dealing with the many challenges that life throws at you. Often there is not a quick and easy solution when dealing with life's more complex challenges, however having a supportive ally throughout the twists and turns can make all the difference. I am committed to supporting people who have experienced oppression, trauma, or other difficult experiences. Figuring out how to live one's life with a sense of meaning, satisfaction, and authenticity can be difficult, and I am here to support you on that journey.