Therapists in Soquel, CA

Walk talk therapy is a unique approach to therapy that combines the benefits of physical activity with the power of conversation. Instead of sitting in a traditional therapy setting, clients and therapists engage in sessions while taking a leisurely walk outdoors. This form of therapy not only provides all the psychological benefits of traditional talk therapy, such as improved mental health and emotional well-being, but it also incorporates the physical benefits of exercise. Walking side by side, clients often find it easier to open up and express their thoughts and feelings.

Therapy is a chance to explore your feelings and thoughts, to gain a better understanding of yourself, and to make positive changes that will allow you to experience life more fully. I will provide a safe environment for your exploration, and draw on my knowledge of theory and technique to help you access untapped or forgotten resources. I believe that through a respectful therapeutic relationship you will be able to explore beliefs that limit your life, and ultimately you will be able to choose, with awareness, how you want to be in the world.

I support you in remembering yourself and allowing your inner healing intelligence to return you to connection with your wholeness.

We all deserve to feel seen, accepted, and cared for, and to feel empowered to live our best lives. It can be profoundly helpful to have an ally in the journey of being human. My work as a holistic therapist is to support clients in their growth as individuals and in relationships. Together we uncover what is most present and in need of care and attention. Anxiety and depression may be seen as invitations for deep change and healing. Struggles in relationships can be doorways to greater intimacy.

I work with couples with challenging relationship issues (including infidelity). I work with teenagers and their families (including various "addictions" drug/alc, computer/video games, social media, pornography). I work with people who have been sexually and physically abused. I work with people experiencing grief and loss. I work with couples and individuals who are conflict avoidant and provide skills to work through conflict. I also work with family of origin unresolved hurt and trauma. I help identify the origin of auto-pilot buttons and defenses. Lastly, self-esteem and personal growth challenges. Change is hard not impossible.

My work as a therapist is to create a safe, supportive space for clients to open up, experience life as it is right now, and explore whatever is calling out for attention from within or from outer challenges. This work is empowering to my clients as they connect with a flow of healing and transformation from within themselves and learn new tools for living more fully-tools that they can carry into their lives long after our time together has passed.

Humans are creatures of habit, but not all habits support us in being the best versions of ourselves. Want to feel better? Want to do better? Want to feel like you are thriving and not just surviving? Learn more tools for speaking, listening, feeling, experiencing and healing. Feel more calm and increase your sense of connection to yourself, family and friends. Learn how fear can be overcome through strategic action and utilizing growth mindset strategies.

Entering into the right therapeutic relationship is the first step toward healing and change. Working collaboratively we will explore the origins of any problems or pain you have be struggling with, at a pace that is safe and comfortable for you. As mental and emotional material is explored, the ability to experience greater freedom and enjoyment in your relationships, work, and family life will become more readily accessible and tangible in daily life.

All walks of life experience challenges, hardships, and discomfort. While it is human nature to want to avoid the discomfort, fix the pain, and escape the hardships, our attempts to do so often lead to more suffering and intensify our sense of fear and helplessness. Yet when we feel connected with our true selves, I believe we all have the power to make positive changes in our lives. With compassion and understanding, I strive to meet my clients where they are along life’s journey, providing tools and resources to help navigate the best path forward.

Grief is messy. One minute you feel numb; the next minute you are sobbing. Or maybe you feel relieved and then feel guilty for feeling relieved. You expect yourself to be sad but surprise yourself by feeling angry and then scared. It’s a wild ride. It’s unpredictable and unwieldy. It’s as unique as the relationship (or situation) that launched it. Most of us don’t “get over” our losses, but we can integrate them into our lives in a meaningful way that allows us to move forward with a sense of peace.

When a couple comes to see me, there is most often a feeling of safety. Because they know that the model I use for the healing of couples' relationships brings such a high percentage of satisfaction. The model is EFT ( Emotionally Focused Therapy for Couples). Even though EFT does not need the teaching of communication skills, I am also, a communication teacher. For the couple and myself, it is always thrilling to see workable interventions that give them more freedom and safety because life is so much easier living within a secure relationship.

Do you want to understand more about how and why you are the way you are? Are you contending with difficult and painful symptoms in your emotional and mental life? Do you need a safe, neutral, and compassionate third party to hear you, reflect your story, offer feedback, and try to make sense of your life together with you? Everyone contends with painful experiences and emotions in their lives. Often times we are confused by our pain because despite our best efforts, we can’t seem to make sense of why we are hurting so much or what to do about it. So often the pain in life is a result of unconscious energies within us.

I provide counseling for people of all ages who are struggling to find peace within themselves. We often find ourselves stuck within the grip of anxiety and depression due to the impact of unresolved trauma. These traumatic events can be either "big" or "small," yet they can interfere with the ability to live and love fully. It is possible to learn to love the unlovable and accept the unacceptable through a growth in awareness and compassion towards all that we are. I specialize in the treatment of trauma using EMDR therapy, the Hakomi Method and a compassionate presence.

“Why?”, you ask, “does my life seem so hard?” Anxiety and depression, constant companions, you wonder why you aren’t feeling better after all the hard work you have done on yourself. The voices in your head - “You’re not good enough” or “No one cares” are getting louder - again. You are certain others will see through you and your “imposter syndrome”, get annoyed, and eventually leave. Most of the time you're taking care of others' needs. Often a welcome distraction, you're tired of feeling invisible to those closest to you.

From a spiritual reality, I believe that we humans are "gems of inestimable value". Coming to therapy to learn about your own gem-like nature is an act of courage. I ask curious questions and wonder about non-verbal signals, so that you may safely explore the depth and breadth of your own nature. My background is in Process Oriented Psychology (with Jungian roots) and Developmental Psychology. I'm excited to include Internal Family Systems and Intimacy from the Inside Out. I'm passionate about helping you discover your inside parts and access your own Self energy to aid you in your healing journey

How can I be of help to you? What has you looking through these profiles? If circumstances are overwhelming you, loaded with challenges coming too rapidly, and you're doubting your ability to handle it all, this may be the right time to enlist the dedicated help of a trained and caring therapist. Depression and anxiety are common reactions when change, loss or discouragement overwhelm you. I work with each client to assist him or her to see their own value and strength as well as the blindspots that can sap your energy and joy.

I am currently only accepting new neurofeedback clients through the Santa Cruz Neurofeedback Center, www.scneurofeedback.com. I will be supervising a LPCC Associate starting Fall 2023. + + Feeling overwhelmed or stuck? I can support you in the process of moving forward. Using present moment experience, we'll explore how you relate with yourself and others. In this way, you can learn to set boundaries, expand your emotional capacity, as well as give and receive love more deeply.

Welcome! My name is Heather Rodriguez, and I am a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist with over 10 years of experience working with teens, at-risk youth, adults, parents, and families. I help with issues like Depression, Anxiety, Sexual abuse/trauma, Sexual Identity, Stress, Grief, Trauma, Relationships, Self-Harm, and Coping Skills. I incorporate many modalities including Crisis Intervention, Solution Focused Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, Psychodynamic therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. I recognize that seeking therapy is a difficult decision, and I am proud of you for taking the first step!

Dr. Dufford received specialized training and experience in treating anxiety disorders at the Anxiety Treatment Center with Dr. Bourne, author of The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook. Since 1993 Dr. Dufford is director of Anxiety Treatment Services treating Generalized Anxiety, OCD, PTSD, Panic Attacks, Agoraphobia, Specific Phobias, Social Anxiety and related issues: addiction, anger, depression, Trichotillomania/Excoriation, relationships, sleep/insomnia, grief and self-esteem. He is a professional member of the California Psychological Association, Obsessive Compulsive Foundation and EMDR International Association. Dr. Dufford is certified as a Cognitive-Behavioral Therapist, Clinical Hypnotherapist, Expert in Traumatic Stress and Addictions Counselor.