Photo of Stacy E Banks, MD, Psychiatrist
Stacy E Banks
Psychiatrist, MD
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Oakland, CA 94618
I am a psychiatrist working in the Rockridge neighborhood of Oakland. My treatment philosophy embraces a holistic approach to helping clients explore their lives and grow. I offer medication evaluation and management as well as individual therapy, utilizing the latest treatment approaches. I employ an integrative style of psychotherapy, utilizing psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, interpersonal, and mindfulness techniques to provide individualized treatment to each client.
I am a psychiatrist working in the Rockridge neighborhood of Oakland. My treatment philosophy embraces a holistic approach to helping clients explore their lives and grow. I offer medication evaluation and management as well as individual therapy, utilizing the latest treatment approaches. I employ an integrative style of psychotherapy, utilizing psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, interpersonal, and mindfulness techniques to provide individualized treatment to each client.
(650) 492-6793 View (650) 492-6793
Photo of Anna Budayr, MD, Psychiatrist
Anna Budayr
Psychiatrist, MD
Verified Verified
Oakland, CA 94618
I have a unique practice style combining the use of psychotropic medications with psychodynamic psychotherapy, and a unique treatment plan is formulated for every individual patient. For more information please feel free to call my office.
I have a unique practice style combining the use of psychotropic medications with psychodynamic psychotherapy, and a unique treatment plan is formulated for every individual patient. For more information please feel free to call my office.
(510) 878-4521 View (510) 878-4521
Photo of Kate Benham-Suk, MD, Psychiatrist
Kate Benham-Suk
Psychiatrist, MD
Verified Verified
Oakland, CA 94618
I am a Columbia and UCSF trained psychiatrist and psychotherapist working in Oakland. I believe psychotherapy helps individuals attain greater self-understanding, feel more fully alive, and develop stronger relationships. I utilize a variety of modalities, but with an emphasis on psychodynamic psychotherapy. This means we will explore your conscious and unconscious thoughts and motivations. Medication is also a tool that can be helpful, and I prescribe it where indicated, in collaboration with the goals and preferences of my patients.
I am a Columbia and UCSF trained psychiatrist and psychotherapist working in Oakland. I believe psychotherapy helps individuals attain greater self-understanding, feel more fully alive, and develop stronger relationships. I utilize a variety of modalities, but with an emphasis on psychodynamic psychotherapy. This means we will explore your conscious and unconscious thoughts and motivations. Medication is also a tool that can be helpful, and I prescribe it where indicated, in collaboration with the goals and preferences of my patients.
(510) 272-7374 View (510) 272-7374
Photo of David A Atkins, MD, Psychiatrist
David A Atkins
Psychiatrist, MD
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Oakland, CA 94618
I am a Harvard-trained board certified general psychiatrist with over 30 years experience treating a wide variety of conditions and disorders associated with my specialty. I strive to provide the highest standard of care and compassion to each of my patients via psychotherapy and psychotropic medication treatments.
I am a Harvard-trained board certified general psychiatrist with over 30 years experience treating a wide variety of conditions and disorders associated with my specialty. I strive to provide the highest standard of care and compassion to each of my patients via psychotherapy and psychotropic medication treatments.
(925) 633-5926 View (925) 633-5926
Photo of Heather Muhr, DO, MPH, Psychiatrist
Heather Muhr
Psychiatrist, DO, MPH
Verified Verified
Oakland, CA 94618
Welcome. I am a board-certified child, adolescent and adult psychiatrist.
Welcome. I am a board-certified child, adolescent and adult psychiatrist.
(510) 683-5409 View (510) 683-5409
Photo of Miriam Lundy, MSN, NP, Psychiatric Nurse
Miriam Lundy
Psychiatric Nurse, MSN, NP
Verified Verified
Oakland, CA 94618
I am a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner and I have extensive experience in individual psychotherapy and medication management. I believe in healing and growth through self-knowledge and that care must be individualized to suit each client's needs. I work with clients suffering from depression & mood disturbance, anxiety and addiction. My other specialties include young adult issues/college students, relationship issues, eating issues, women's health and perinatal mental health concerns.
I am a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner and I have extensive experience in individual psychotherapy and medication management. I believe in healing and growth through self-knowledge and that care must be individualized to suit each client's needs. I work with clients suffering from depression & mood disturbance, anxiety and addiction. My other specialties include young adult issues/college students, relationship issues, eating issues, women's health and perinatal mental health concerns.
(510) 254-3506 View (510) 254-3506
Photo of Catherine Stayer, MD, PhD, Psychiatrist
Catherine Stayer
Psychiatrist, MD, PhD
Verified Verified
Oakland, CA 94618  (Online Only)
INTEGRATIVE PSYCHIATRY for CHILDREN, TEENS, ADULTS, and COUPLES. I see my role as one who accompanies you on a journey towards optimal health, vitality, and personal growth. Depending on your unique needs, my approach combines conventional modalities (i.e., medications and therapy) with complementary (i.e., botanicals, nutriceuticals, nutrition, acupuncture, guided imagery, etc.). The goal is not merely to treat symptoms, but to address the matrix of underlying causes and the obstacles that keep you from living your best life.
INTEGRATIVE PSYCHIATRY for CHILDREN, TEENS, ADULTS, and COUPLES. I see my role as one who accompanies you on a journey towards optimal health, vitality, and personal growth. Depending on your unique needs, my approach combines conventional modalities (i.e., medications and therapy) with complementary (i.e., botanicals, nutriceuticals, nutrition, acupuncture, guided imagery, etc.). The goal is not merely to treat symptoms, but to address the matrix of underlying causes and the obstacles that keep you from living your best life.
(510) 206-2620 View (510) 206-2620
Photo of Sara K Sheriff, MD, Psychiatrist
Sara K Sheriff
Psychiatrist, MD
Verified Verified
Oakland, CA 94618  (Online Only)
I am a board certified psychiatrist with a focus on in-depth psychotherapy. I have experience treating a wide variety of psychological and emotional difficulties with both psychotherapy and medication. I am particularly interested in working with those seeking a greater sense of well being, satisfaction in relationships, and understanding of self. I offer treatment for adults including individual psychotherapy, psychiatric consultation and medication management. Treatment begins with a comprehensive evaluation typically lasting one to three sessions. During this time, we will attempt to understand and refine the nature of existing difficulties and discuss treatment options.
I am a board certified psychiatrist with a focus on in-depth psychotherapy. I have experience treating a wide variety of psychological and emotional difficulties with both psychotherapy and medication. I am particularly interested in working with those seeking a greater sense of well being, satisfaction in relationships, and understanding of self. I offer treatment for adults including individual psychotherapy, psychiatric consultation and medication management. Treatment begins with a comprehensive evaluation typically lasting one to three sessions. During this time, we will attempt to understand and refine the nature of existing difficulties and discuss treatment options.
(510) 953-4802 View (510) 953-4802
Photo of Ravi Chandra, MD, DFAPA, Psychiatrist
Ravi Chandra
Psychiatrist, MD, DFAPA
Verified Verified
2 Endorsed
Oakland, CA 94618
Experience, insight, integrity, depth, support. I specialize in understanding you and what's happening: your culture, current dilemmas, patterns, strengths, interests, relationships, life history, and visions of yourself and the world. Our work will be tailored to fit your individual needs, through therapy, medications, or both. I have advanced training and interest in depth work, including psychodynamic and mindfulness approaches. The goal is to help you cope with life, grow, enjoy fulfilling relationships, achieve your potential and develop resilience. Board Certified Distinguished Fellow of the APA, active writer, and member of Asian American committee of the Northern California Psychiatric Society.
Experience, insight, integrity, depth, support. I specialize in understanding you and what's happening: your culture, current dilemmas, patterns, strengths, interests, relationships, life history, and visions of yourself and the world. Our work will be tailored to fit your individual needs, through therapy, medications, or both. I have advanced training and interest in depth work, including psychodynamic and mindfulness approaches. The goal is to help you cope with life, grow, enjoy fulfilling relationships, achieve your potential and develop resilience. Board Certified Distinguished Fellow of the APA, active writer, and member of Asian American committee of the Northern California Psychiatric Society.
(415) 763-5921 View (415) 763-5921
Photo of Michael B Murphy, MD, Psychiatrist
Michael B Murphy
Psychiatrist, MD
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Oakland, CA 94618
Not accepting new clients
I take a collaborative approach toward helping patients achieve their goals, which begins with a full evaluation process that can last from one to a few sessions, until we have reached an understanding of what the difficulties are and we can discuss treatment recommendations. I believe strongly in both understanding and treating symptoms and difficulties in living in the context of a whole person. I have had training in multiple approaches to psychotherapy and work with patients to broaden their emotional and cognitive experience, gain insight into their psychological functioning, and make improvements in their qualities of life.
I take a collaborative approach toward helping patients achieve their goals, which begins with a full evaluation process that can last from one to a few sessions, until we have reached an understanding of what the difficulties are and we can discuss treatment recommendations. I believe strongly in both understanding and treating symptoms and difficulties in living in the context of a whole person. I have had training in multiple approaches to psychotherapy and work with patients to broaden their emotional and cognitive experience, gain insight into their psychological functioning, and make improvements in their qualities of life.
(415) 562-7205 View (415) 562-7205
Photo of Rachel Vinkey, MD, Psychiatrist
Rachel Vinkey
Psychiatrist, MD
Verified Verified
Oakland, CA 94618
Not accepting new clients
I completed my residency training at Harvard’s Cambridge Hospital and I am a former UCSF faculty member. I am Board Certified with over twenty-five years experience in psychotherapy and medication management. I see adults who are working their way through life stressors and transitions and may be experiencing symptoms of depression and anxiety.
I completed my residency training at Harvard’s Cambridge Hospital and I am a former UCSF faculty member. I am Board Certified with over twenty-five years experience in psychotherapy and medication management. I see adults who are working their way through life stressors and transitions and may be experiencing symptoms of depression and anxiety.
(510) 405-1934 View (510) 405-1934
Self Esteem Psychiatrists

When should a person seek therapy for low self-esteem?

When self-esteem problems begin to disrupt the healthy daily functioning of an individual, it may be a good time to look into therapy. If a person finds that they are not engaging with friends for fear of being judged, not completing work assignments because they don’t think they’re capable, or not finding romantic love because they don’t feel they’re worthy of it, a therapist may be able to help.

What are the signs of low self-esteem?

Low self-esteem is a common issue that can affect a person's mental and emotional well-being. Some common signs of low self-esteem include negative self-talk, perfectionism, social anxiety, difficulty making decisions, an inability to set boundaries, people-pleasing, and others. A lack of belief in oneself or one’s abilities and a feeling of not being worthy or deserving underlie most of these characteristics.

What causes low self-esteem?

Feelings of low self-worth can begin in childhood or adulthood. Being raised by a highly critical parent or growing up feeling constant disapproval can stay with a person well into adulthood. Specific issues in adulthood may also be a cause of low self-esteem. An unhappy relationship, a dysfunctional work or school experience can impact a person’s feelings of self-worth.

How can therapy improve self-esteem?

Therapists can help identify negative thought patterns that keep the client stuck in a loop of destructive self-talk and develop coping skills to change the voice in their head. A therapist can help with goal-setting, so that clients are better able to stay on task and build confidence from successfully completing work they’re proud of. Coaching a client on how to better communicate can improve relationships. These skills can result in someone with low self-esteem feeling empowered and living with less fear.