Emotionally Focused Therapists in Soquel, CA

People often come to therapy blaming each other or themselves for their problems. I work to help you identify and stand up to the real problems in your lives. If you're experiencing difficulties in your relationship, I'll help you and your partner become allies to join together to understand and change the problems undermining your connection. If you're dealing wtih individual problems, such as depression, anxiety or loss, I'll help you to inquire into and challenge negative self-blaming beliefs and old stories that keep you on your case instead of on your side.

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.

I can help you solve your problems and achieve the quality of life and love that you seek. I believe in your potential and the potential of your relationships to go to the next higher level of functioning. I can help you with practical solutions (behavioral changes) to relationship, career and parenting issues as well as personal issues that lead to anxiety and depression. Insight, emotional healing, and inner wisdom are the deeper forces that you can access in our healing work together. Advanced psychotherapeutic techniques (EMDR Trauma Reduction, Somatic, Transpersonal, Mindfulness) are available as well as supportive, nurturing counseling.

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.

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.

Do you get the feeling that there are parts of yourself that are blocking you from the life you want to live? Do you feel like you over-react to common things? Do you sometimes feel that you just can't get past your past? I offer an opportunity for you to change how you see yourself. Challenges can be seen as opportunities for growth. Aspects of the self and experiences that are feared can be understood as windows to greater wisdom. Through this healing, past wounds are seen as openings for understanding to grow.

I'm an experienced therapist of over 25 years having spent thousands of counseling hours with individuals, couples and groups. Women's issues such as sexual abuse, miscarriage, abortion, traumatic events, marital/relationship issues, depression, anxiety, grief and PTSD - are my specialty. I have counseled hundreds of couples to improve communication, intimacy/connection issues, trust; and to heal from infidelity, addictions and wounds that threaten the relationship. Issues of teens and young adults are important to address early in life: school, career, sexuality, relationships, traumas. Better to get help sooner than later!

The majority of my work has been centered around the neurobiology of trauma, and early attachment experiences that form and shape relationships, beliefs, feelings and behaviors in the present. Our physiologic state facilitates either connection and intimacy or defense (fight/flight, hypervigilance, dissociation, shutdown, etc.). We may work with each hemisphere individually, a dual brain approach, to deepen awareness of internal patterns and facilitate integration. My job is to create the environment and provide the tools to help us uncover, explore and integrate the unconscious and conscious parts of the psyche and the body wisdom

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.

People experiencing sensitives, trauma, depression, anxiety need supportive facilitation. Compassion, honor of the unique individual, plus methods to navigate positively, heal wounds, make valuable shifts offered. People seek ways to change emotional, spiritual and mental habits internally, while navigating real life difficulties. Respect for uniqueness and privacy given. I have effectively helped people from a vast array of cultural backgrounds with positive life change. Go deeper than talk therapy with tools. IFS, EMDR, hypnotherapy, somatic, expressive arts, cognitive/emotional, spiritual, and additional modalities offered.

Are you or someone you love dealing with a life-threatening illness? Whether newly diagnosed, in active treatment or nearing end-of-life, the uncertainty and fear can be overwhelming. I offer counseling to help you find peace and fulfillment in this experience, to enable you to give and receive love in ways that might previously have seemed impossible. We can explore the impact illness is having on your life and develop strategies for managing the challenges you are facing. I work with families to improve communication and I offer guidance and support to caregivers, enabling them to provide the best care possible.

I believe we all go through difficult periods in our lives where we need someone to talk to who can give clarity, understanding, guidance, tools and support. I love my work and feel honored to help people work through whatever is in their way of living their best lives. The therapeutic relationship is key to the healing process. I meet each client where they are at and build on their strengths, passions & talents to empower them while working through their struggles. When appropriate, I think it is imperative to bring joy and laughter into session.

As I see it, the primary role of a counselor is to serve as a mirror to help reveal what the client hasn't yet been able to see-especially those patterns of relating to self, others, and the environment that might be causing suffering. At the same time, the counselor is there to reflect, affirm, and strengthen the client's unique gifts and talents.One of the biggest impediments to healing, growth, and creativity is shame. To help clients move through this debilitating emotion, I use a combination of mindfulness, body awareness, and other healing modalities.

I believe that therapy is a partnership between the therapist and you, the client. I will work with you to support the process of growth and discovery as well as to work toward the goals which brought you to therapy. In my work with couples, individuals, families, and children, I use a strengths based, collaborative approach. Whether you want to improve your relationships, learn new coping skills, develop your parenting skills, or work toward other personal goals, I encourage you to give me a call so we can develop a plan which will work for you.

People experiencing sensitivies, trauma, depression, anxiety, relational challenges or complicated experiences need supportive facilitation. Looking for a way to change patterns that do not support your well-being? Desiring a comfortable and supportive session in which to share intricate and personal experiences and challenges? Ready for positive change and needing some new clarity and tools to navigate in happier ways? In order to make changes we need a safe place to talk about intricate personal matters, help with clarity on what we do wish to experience instead, and facilitation of how to get there. This is available to you now.

This is my passion and my clients feel at ease with me quickly with my empathy and humor. I help relationship stress, anxiety, PTSD, neurodiversity, grief, recovery from child and narcissistic abuse, finding their true authentic self and passion. I use client-centered Rogers, Kohut, EMDR, Beck and Ellis CBT, DBT. ACT, Jung... I am a Christian and I also respect people with other faiths or no faith. I help therapists, interns too.I am 72 years old and I have been married for 48 years to my beautiful wife singer Christina Purcell and we did individual and couple therapy too. We write songs such as the songs on her CD "Love's Calling."

“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.

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.

Feeling anxious or worried? Too busy for therapy during the work week? I'm available for Friday afternoon and Sunday appointments. I provide support and practical feedback to help clients effectively address personal life challenges, reduce stress levels, and lead richer, fuller lives. I am an interactive, solution-focused, cognitive behavioral therapist. In a comfortable and supportive atmosphere I work with a wide range of emotional and behavioral issues.