Trauma and PTSD Therapists in 94611

Often clients come into therapy with me when they are stuck in life, in a crisis, or in transition in a relationship or job or when emotions are just becoming too much to cope with. They want a change but are not always sure how to go about it. Taking the step to begin therapy is not easy for most people, but starting therapy often leads to a real opportunity to change, in ways that are not always expected. My style is warm, inviting and engaging, and I seek to connect to each person where they are at in life.

Feeling alone while surrounded by people intensifies the loneliness. No matter how much you try to do everything right, you somehow always feel like you're looking through a piece of glass. Maybe you've kept a few friendships but lost more than you can count without any reason provided. You'd rather be home than go out because socializing is exhausting. You've been diagnosed with anxiety, depression, or more in the past, and while some symptoms have subsided with treatment, it doesn't seem to fully leave you. You've always felt like an outsider even when you try your hardest to fit in.

Are there experiences or challenges in your life that have left you feeling stuck, lost, disconnected, or alone? Are you struggling with your job, relationships, family, or just life in general? Do you need help making sense of the world around you and your place within it? Is it time to begin living your best life? All journeys begin with the first step.

During challenging times, people often feel defeated and focus on what is wrong. I want to shift the focus from what is "not working" to identifying what is "working." We will work to uncover patterns (behavioral, thought beliefs, relationship), that will lead you to making better decisions. I want to offer a safe place to process thoughts and feelings around issues that can be challenging. I am interested in helping people who experience stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, grief/loss and challenges with relationships (social or romantic). Many conversations are around “adulting” and how to manage life, career, relationships, etc.

I believe in healing ourselves and each other as the first step toward healing our planet. My intention as a therapist is to guide people toward empowerment and healing in order to live their fullest and most joyful lives possible. I believe that we all have this capacity within us, and therapy can help us to move through our past trauma, oppressive social conditioning, anxieties and other stresses to be our best selves.

Parenting can be a deeply conflictual experience. Sometimes we agree with Bette Davis who said "If you have never been hated by your child, you have never been a parent." Other times we identify with Anne Lamott's notion that "There really are places in the heart you don't even know exist until you love a child." The seemingly unpredictable alternation of positive and negative feelings that come with raising a family can be painful and bewildering, and our self-esteem as parents suffers most when it becomes difficult to access the good in our closest relationships.

I am a therapist who is deeply committed to understanding and respecting different cultures. With my background as a trauma-informed therapist, I have extensive experience working with adults, marginalized communities, and individuals who find themselves trapped in a cycle of shame, blame, and guilt. As a therapist trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, you can expect me to be goal-oriented, collaborative, and actively involved in your healing process. I take a holistic approach that does not pathologize my clients, but rather sees them as capable individuals who have the power to make positive changes in their lives.

Even living in progressive California, being part of the LGBTQ+ community can be beautiful, exciting, challenging, and heartbreaking which makes finding a LGBTQ+ friendly therapist that much more important. You might be questioning your sexuality. You might wonder where you fit in. You might simultaneously love your queer life, but feel like an outsider from your biological family or the rest of the world. You might be mislabeled or misgendered by others and it’s painful to not be seen for who you are. Being part of the LGBTQ+ community might only be one part of who you are and it might not be why you’re coming to therapy at all.

Thank you for taking the time to read my bio. I bring over 25 years of experience in mental health, ranging from addiction to trauma. I believe in a strength-based approach in providing clients support because everyone has skills, talents, and abilities to tap into to assist them in overcoming life's challenges. I am a firm believer in a nonjudgmental approach to therapy so you, the client, feel safe, accepted, and empowered. I use a broad array of therapy techniques such as trauma-informed care, strength-based, systems solution-focused or brief therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, grief therapy, and much more.

Many of my clients describe me as compassionate, open-minded, and patient, while maintaining a good sense of humor. I utilize these traits to build rapport with clients, while also drawing upon my knowledge and skill in research-supported interventions to alleviate mental and emotional distress. I specialize in working with adults and adolescents struggling with depression, anxiety, stress management, and life transitions. I also work with people to accept and tolerate their emotional distress, to appropriately communicate their needs in relationships, and to find meaning and purpose in their work, academic, and personal lives.

I have immediate openings for couples and teens! Telling your story, and making space for the feelings, in front of another person is courageous and can be healing. The human experience is an exhausting one. Acknowledging its impact on your functioning, and where that comes from, can help you access the meaning and beauty life has to offer. My aim is to help you alleviate your pain by fostering a non-judgmental, safe space. With curiosity, we’ll explore your story to become more aware of your feelings and patterns of relating to yourself and to others toward deeper fulfillment.

Many clients come to work with me at a time in their lives when they feel disconnected from themselves, stuck in their relationships, or when they are experiencing a major life transition. During these times, people often believe something is wrong with them and fear that others will judge them if they open up about their true feelings. As a result, many people stay quiet about their pain and feel lonely. Being a therapist has taught me that the struggles we encounter in life are far more common than we realize and your healing can be possible with my support.

I believe I have a unique approach to therapy as I utilize compassionate confrontation to streamline recovery. I am hands-on and direct, meaning I may not tell you what you want to hear but what you need to hear. I utilize multiple therapy modalities, but my favorites are Solution-focused and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy as I feel these approaches help create an improved quality of life and get you to where you want to be faster. I specialize in working with individuals who struggle with severe mental illnesses such as anxiety, ADHD, depression, PTSD, anger, identity issues, codependency, mood disorders, and substance use.

Many of my clients are disabled, queer, and trans. I love to support individuals and families in finding and shifting cycles that keep them stuck. This can look like a cycle of anxiety that keeps swirling and growing no matter how much you try to avoid or reassure it. Or like families that are caught in challenging cycles of communication, who are working to shift things but feel caught in old patterns. My clients are often impacted by multiple layers of social and internalized stigma. Specific issues my clients seek care for include OCD, ADHD, depression, trauma, bereavement, and identity development around disability and gender.

Hi, I’m Alli, a trauma-informed relational therapist, specialized in working with individuals, couples, parents, parent-child, and siblings. You may be seeking effective communication and conflict management in your relationships. You desire to build trust and connection, enhance your relational intelligence, and cultivate a deeper understanding of yourself and others. Perhaps you're navigating challenging moods such as anxiety, depression and loneliness, or you're dealing with recurring problems that keep you feeling stuck. You recognize these experiences are deeply intertwined with the quality of your relationships and life.

Every person that enters into therapy wants the same thing; to give and receive love more freely and fully. I believe this is not only possible it is your divine birthright. I am here to partner with you on your healing journey - to help guide you back to a state of greater freedom, wholeness and connection. In our work together, we aim to activate your innate resiliency, repair old relational injuries and release oppressive binds of shame-based conditioning. I see our work through a lens of possibilities. Most importantly, I already see you as a whole being.

A good therapist helps us get to know ourselves fully. Better understanding our motivations, thoughts and feelings reveals more fulfilling, effective choices. Exploring what is getting in our way of having deeply satisfying relationships is essential to living a full life. I often address issues of: understanding a partner's motivations, life purpose & transition, transparent vulnerable & authentic communication, finding/creating fulfilling relationship, confidence & leadership, men in relationship, trauma, and integrating presence in daily living.

Are there topics you're nervous or scared to discuss with your partner, friends or family due to embarrassment or fear of judgement? Do you continue to tell everyone you're "fine" when internally you may be experiencing a variety of emotions that you're unsure how to manage? Were you raised in a family that did not discuss emotions or perceived them as "weak"? These are very common thoughts that I would love to unpack with you. I understand the difficulty in being vulnerable and discussing your emotions. My purpose is to create a comfortable environment for you to work through these feelings and practice coping skills.

It's an honor to help others live more whole and integrated lives. I guide clients to explore and work through life's challenges from a body-mind-spirit framework. I have 20 years of experience in supporting clients experiencing: depressive and anxious symptoms, grief & loss, trauma, relationship concerns, cultural negotiations, life transitions, and spiritual concerns. I work with BIPOC and LGBTQ working professionals, first-generation and immigrant college students, and clients who are already or interested in Indigenous healing practices including Danza, Sweat Lodge, Temazcal ceremonies.