Therapists in Alameda County, CA
Melissa K Bowman
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, MS, LMFT
Verified Verified
Alameda, CA 94501 (Online Only)
My specializations include: working with older adults through life transitions, grief counseling, treatment-resistant depression, individuals with disabilities and/or chronic pain, and trauma.
I love what I do! I have the pleasure of working with clients from five to 105-years-old! Having the opportunity to work with an expansive age range has taught me that at any age: we want to be loved and we want to love, we want to belong, we want to have purpose, we want to experience joy, and we don't want pain. My goal as a therapist, is to help my clients find ways to reduce, restructure, and remove obstacles that cause pain; while building on our individual resources to promote health, happiness and well-being.
My specializations include: working with older adults through life transitions, grief counseling, treatment-resistant depression, individuals with disabilities and/or chronic pain, and trauma.
I love what I do! I have the pleasure of working with clients from five to 105-years-old! Having the opportunity to work with an expansive age range has taught me that at any age: we want to be loved and we want to love, we want to belong, we want to have purpose, we want to experience joy, and we don't want pain. My goal as a therapist, is to help my clients find ways to reduce, restructure, and remove obstacles that cause pain; while building on our individual resources to promote health, happiness and well-being.
Monica Z. Nowakowski
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, MSW, LCSW
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Berkeley, CA 94705
With compassion and humor I provide a safe place for adults to get help with personal situations such as relationship/work stress, break-ups, retirement, chronic/ life-threatening illness and disability, depression, anxiety, dementia, care-giving of people of all ages, and "coming out". Life transitions have a common thread - loss, grief, and opportunity. Even joyful experiences can be difficult. You may feel stuck, out-of-control or have worrisome regrets and anxiety. You may feel "at a loss", you can't just "shake it off", or feel "it's taking a toll" on you.
With compassion and humor I provide a safe place for adults to get help with personal situations such as relationship/work stress, break-ups, retirement, chronic/ life-threatening illness and disability, depression, anxiety, dementia, care-giving of people of all ages, and "coming out". Life transitions have a common thread - loss, grief, and opportunity. Even joyful experiences can be difficult. You may feel stuck, out-of-control or have worrisome regrets and anxiety. You may feel "at a loss", you can't just "shake it off", or feel "it's taking a toll" on you.
I work with clients to acknowledge their strengths, address impacts of culture and oppressive systems on mental health, and build skills rooted in their goals and values. I work with adults experiencing anxiety, perfectionism, burnout, life transitions, depression, grief, insomnia, and trauma. I also work with individuals adjusting to neurocognitive symptoms and family members of loved ones with dementia. Amidst life's toughest moments, finding clarity, connection, and joy is still possible.
I work with clients to acknowledge their strengths, address impacts of culture and oppressive systems on mental health, and build skills rooted in their goals and values. I work with adults experiencing anxiety, perfectionism, burnout, life transitions, depression, grief, insomnia, and trauma. I also work with individuals adjusting to neurocognitive symptoms and family members of loved ones with dementia. Amidst life's toughest moments, finding clarity, connection, and joy is still possible.
There is a crisis of meaning and purpose in our society and far too few communities of support to guide us through the difficulties of modern life. I work with clients using psychodynamic, interpersonal and mindfulness-based approaches to help people move from lives of loneliness and alienation to lives of connection and purpose. Creating a safe and nurturing relationship with my clients is of primary importance in my work.
There is a crisis of meaning and purpose in our society and far too few communities of support to guide us through the difficulties of modern life. I work with clients using psychodynamic, interpersonal and mindfulness-based approaches to help people move from lives of loneliness and alienation to lives of connection and purpose. Creating a safe and nurturing relationship with my clients is of primary importance in my work.
As a developmental psychologist and depth counselor, I am best suited to working with people experiencing the trials and tribulations that accompany the major passages experienced throughout life. I am a warm and experienced counselor who works with people representing all ages and social identities. I work with individuals, couples and families, and have much experience working with addiction, depression, anxiety, anger, grief and forgiveness.
As a developmental psychologist and depth counselor, I am best suited to working with people experiencing the trials and tribulations that accompany the major passages experienced throughout life. I am a warm and experienced counselor who works with people representing all ages and social identities. I work with individuals, couples and families, and have much experience working with addiction, depression, anxiety, anger, grief and forgiveness.
We provide neuropsychological assessment and psychotherapy for adults. Common concerns for our clients include: Autism, ADHD, depression, anxiety, trauma, post-concussion syndrome, TBI, aging, and cognition. Specialty areas of competency include: neuropsychological assessment, gender diversity, gender affirming evaluations for medical care, veterans, and longstanding medical care.
We provide neuropsychological assessment and psychotherapy for adults. Common concerns for our clients include: Autism, ADHD, depression, anxiety, trauma, post-concussion syndrome, TBI, aging, and cognition. Specialty areas of competency include: neuropsychological assessment, gender diversity, gender affirming evaluations for medical care, veterans, and longstanding medical care.
When making the complex and vulnerable choice to begin therapy, you should be able to trust your therapist and feel safe sharing your story. This is why compassion and empathy are my priorities when building our therapeutic alliance. Together, we will collaborate on an individualized plan for change and growth that is consistent with your values and cultural identities. Every human is a unique mix of identities, experiences, fears, dreams, and values. I am well-versed in theory and operate from a foundation of science. However, I also believe that it is essential to recognize the humanity behind everyone’s struggles and actions.
When making the complex and vulnerable choice to begin therapy, you should be able to trust your therapist and feel safe sharing your story. This is why compassion and empathy are my priorities when building our therapeutic alliance. Together, we will collaborate on an individualized plan for change and growth that is consistent with your values and cultural identities. Every human is a unique mix of identities, experiences, fears, dreams, and values. I am well-versed in theory and operate from a foundation of science. However, I also believe that it is essential to recognize the humanity behind everyone’s struggles and actions.
I offer both short and long-term therapy with adolescents, adults and seniors. I am experienced with anxiety, grief, depression, identity exploration, relationship issues and trauma. I strive to create a comfortable, accepting and encouraging space, and I believe that the quality of the relationship between therapist and client is essential to the work.
I offer both short and long-term therapy with adolescents, adults and seniors. I am experienced with anxiety, grief, depression, identity exploration, relationship issues and trauma. I strive to create a comfortable, accepting and encouraging space, and I believe that the quality of the relationship between therapist and client is essential to the work.
Maya M Carlson
Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, AMFT
Verified Verified
2 Endorsed
Berkeley, CA 94705
Hey! My name is Maya. I'm an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist practicing in Berkeley, CA. I offer therapy to teens, adults and relationships of all kinds. I love working with people who sit with big questions. People who grapple with longing, and who deeply want to experience something different in their life. I see therapy as a process of uncovering and exploring together, over time inviting in more felt experiences of aliveness, self-knowing and belonging. This world is a wild one and it's a gift to get to walk alongside you in the wilderness of your unique experience.
Hey! My name is Maya. I'm an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist practicing in Berkeley, CA. I offer therapy to teens, adults and relationships of all kinds. I love working with people who sit with big questions. People who grapple with longing, and who deeply want to experience something different in their life. I see therapy as a process of uncovering and exploring together, over time inviting in more felt experiences of aliveness, self-knowing and belonging. This world is a wild one and it's a gift to get to walk alongside you in the wilderness of your unique experience.
Cathy Swift Nagel
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified Verified
2 Endorsed
Oakland, CA 94609 (Online Only)
As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker since 2001, I am deeply committed to supporting the well-being of each client, providing culturally competent services and helping clients improve their quality of life. I see older and disabled adults, often dealing with chronic illness or a new diagnosis. I have an extensive history working in medical settings and am also available to assist caregivers with navigating the health care system. I believe that positive change is possible at any age and at any juncture in a person's life. I believe you can have a more fulfilling life, and that I can help you.
As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker since 2001, I am deeply committed to supporting the well-being of each client, providing culturally competent services and helping clients improve their quality of life. I see older and disabled adults, often dealing with chronic illness or a new diagnosis. I have an extensive history working in medical settings and am also available to assist caregivers with navigating the health care system. I believe that positive change is possible at any age and at any juncture in a person's life. I believe you can have a more fulfilling life, and that I can help you.
While life does have it's challenges, I am here to remind you that there is a path to a gentler, brighter, more playful future, both with our own selves and with our partners and loved one. Therapy can be a wonderful way to rediscover joy, aliveness and connectedness.
While life does have it's challenges, I am here to remind you that there is a path to a gentler, brighter, more playful future, both with our own selves and with our partners and loved one. Therapy can be a wonderful way to rediscover joy, aliveness and connectedness.
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Alice Hua
Cathy Swift Nagel
Zelaika Hepworth Clarke
Nancy Sarah Rothschild
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified Verified
Berkeley, CA 94702
Waitlist for new clients
As a long-time practitioner, my way of working has evolved from a more traditional dynamic approach to a deep interest in the bridge between mind/body spiritual traditions and contemporary psychology. I have much varied experience working with both men and women who struggle with the challenges of loneliness and living a conscious, fulfilling and spontaneous life. If you are feeling stressed, or if anxiety or depression have you wrestling with problems that never seem to resolve, perhaps it's time to turn for help to a compassionate and engaged therapist.
As a long-time practitioner, my way of working has evolved from a more traditional dynamic approach to a deep interest in the bridge between mind/body spiritual traditions and contemporary psychology. I have much varied experience working with both men and women who struggle with the challenges of loneliness and living a conscious, fulfilling and spontaneous life. If you are feeling stressed, or if anxiety or depression have you wrestling with problems that never seem to resolve, perhaps it's time to turn for help to a compassionate and engaged therapist.
Neda Nguyen Baraghani
Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, MA, AMFT
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Oakland, CA 94610 (Online Only)
I am passionate about working with those who struggle with relationships and boundary setting, and clients who struggle with balancing differing sets of expectations due to cultural, physical, or mental factors. I also work with couples from differing backgrounds to deepen mutual understanding and couples struggling through a difficult phase in their relationship looking to increase communication and understanding. I work well with people from diverse cultural backgrounds, immigrant and first and second generation individuals and families, mixed race or multicultural individuals, and those who are struggling with chronic illness.
I am passionate about working with those who struggle with relationships and boundary setting, and clients who struggle with balancing differing sets of expectations due to cultural, physical, or mental factors. I also work with couples from differing backgrounds to deepen mutual understanding and couples struggling through a difficult phase in their relationship looking to increase communication and understanding. I work well with people from diverse cultural backgrounds, immigrant and first and second generation individuals and families, mixed race or multicultural individuals, and those who are struggling with chronic illness.
An exploration of your childhood, relationships and deepest self can be a beautiful and powerful journey.Together we can develop a curiosity and exploration of vulnerabilities and resilience in the face of challenges and hardship. I work with you in a collaborative way to understand together the obstacles to having healthy and meaningful relationships. If you feel stuck and unable to understand some of your own behaviors and choices we can talk together and begin to find words to understand your experience. I have a warm style of relating and can at times bring humor to our work.
An exploration of your childhood, relationships and deepest self can be a beautiful and powerful journey.Together we can develop a curiosity and exploration of vulnerabilities and resilience in the face of challenges and hardship. I work with you in a collaborative way to understand together the obstacles to having healthy and meaningful relationships. If you feel stuck and unable to understand some of your own behaviors and choices we can talk together and begin to find words to understand your experience. I have a warm style of relating and can at times bring humor to our work.
We all want the same things. To be understood, recognized, treated with kindness and respect. To feel like we belong. We share the same path to growth through self-effort in overcoming challenges in our life’s journey. Are you mastering the game of life? You are more powerful than your past or stories. Truth be told, “life is simply what you create it to mean.” Imagine yourself as the eagle that soars up into the sky with Wisdom as a compass. I can help you with self-esteem, family, career, trauma, grief, chronic illness, depression, anxiety, womens’ empowerment, life transitions, relationships, death/dying, and pet loss.
We all want the same things. To be understood, recognized, treated with kindness and respect. To feel like we belong. We share the same path to growth through self-effort in overcoming challenges in our life’s journey. Are you mastering the game of life? You are more powerful than your past or stories. Truth be told, “life is simply what you create it to mean.” Imagine yourself as the eagle that soars up into the sky with Wisdom as a compass. I can help you with self-esteem, family, career, trauma, grief, chronic illness, depression, anxiety, womens’ empowerment, life transitions, relationships, death/dying, and pet loss.
All life is a relationship. From our very first moments and onward, what happens in relationship teaches us about how to be in the world. We continually form certain core beliefs, ways of thinking, patterns of tension, and ways of moving our body that can be both healthy and limiting. Trauma, abuse, neglect, and other wounding contribute to how we form our relationship with the world and with ourselves. All of our past experiences have an impact on our present experience. Our day to day life can then be full of a sense of meaninglessness, emotional and physical pain, chronic anxiety, mistrust, or general unease.
All life is a relationship. From our very first moments and onward, what happens in relationship teaches us about how to be in the world. We continually form certain core beliefs, ways of thinking, patterns of tension, and ways of moving our body that can be both healthy and limiting. Trauma, abuse, neglect, and other wounding contribute to how we form our relationship with the world and with ourselves. All of our past experiences have an impact on our present experience. Our day to day life can then be full of a sense of meaninglessness, emotional and physical pain, chronic anxiety, mistrust, or general unease.
Ali Joy Sideroff
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT, LMHC
Verified Verified
6 Endorsed
Berkeley, CA 94704
Support for depression, anxiety, trauma and relationship struggles with mindfulness. Clear obstacles that obstruct authenticity and peace. We may work through past traumas that shape your experience or address present issues from a solution-focused perspective to develop tools with application to daily life. I work holistically which means I'm interested in you as a whole person, including the physical, emotional, mental, psychosocial, spiritual and other components. Expertise in LGBTQ+ communities and straight clientele. In-person Seattle, virtual anywhere in California and Washington.
Support for depression, anxiety, trauma and relationship struggles with mindfulness. Clear obstacles that obstruct authenticity and peace. We may work through past traumas that shape your experience or address present issues from a solution-focused perspective to develop tools with application to daily life. I work holistically which means I'm interested in you as a whole person, including the physical, emotional, mental, psychosocial, spiritual and other components. Expertise in LGBTQ+ communities and straight clientele. In-person Seattle, virtual anywhere in California and Washington.
Zelaika Hepworth Clarke
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, PhD, MSW, MEd
Verified Verified
Oakland, CA 94610 (Online Only)
I am a non-judgmental listener that can assist you in creating new alternatives for overcoming life's obstacles. I enjoy facilitating liberation, decreasing internalized oppression, disrupting trauma, transforming survivors into thrivers, sparking empowering epiphanies, overcoming challenges, increasing self-awareness, support healing and growth. In addition to being a clinical social worker, I am also a clinical sexologist that specializes in sexual literacy, treating sexual challenges, affirming pleasure and diversity.
I am a non-judgmental listener that can assist you in creating new alternatives for overcoming life's obstacles. I enjoy facilitating liberation, decreasing internalized oppression, disrupting trauma, transforming survivors into thrivers, sparking empowering epiphanies, overcoming challenges, increasing self-awareness, support healing and growth. In addition to being a clinical social worker, I am also a clinical sexologist that specializes in sexual literacy, treating sexual challenges, affirming pleasure and diversity.
Welcome. Do you feel stuck or overwhelmed? Do you have trouble expressing your needs? Do you put a lot of pressure on yourself, and feel anxious about not meeting your expectations? Do you feel uncertain about how to manage feelings of distress? I am a psychologist that can help guide you toward relief. I aim to help individuals understand their concerns, strengths, and help them identify the tools necessary to manage distress, push through challenges, and understand how to become the best version of themselves.
Welcome. Do you feel stuck or overwhelmed? Do you have trouble expressing your needs? Do you put a lot of pressure on yourself, and feel anxious about not meeting your expectations? Do you feel uncertain about how to manage feelings of distress? I am a psychologist that can help guide you toward relief. I aim to help individuals understand their concerns, strengths, and help them identify the tools necessary to manage distress, push through challenges, and understand how to become the best version of themselves.
Gaylesta, Psych Assn for Gender & Sexual Diversity
Marriage & Family Therapist, PhD, PsyD, LMFT, LCSW, LPCC
Verified Verified
Oakland, CA 94601
WELCOME to Gaylesta: The Psychotherapist Association for Gender and Sexual Diversity.
Our members provide mental health services including therapist referrals, education, and consultation. We offer a wide range of specializations, allowing us to serve as a unique resource both the LGBTQ communities and to other service providers.
Explore our site to find a therapist, learn more about us, or become a valued member.
WELCOME to Gaylesta: The Psychotherapist Association for Gender and Sexual Diversity.
Our members provide mental health services including therapist referrals, education, and consultation. We offer a wide range of specializations, allowing us to serve as a unique resource both the LGBTQ communities and to other service providers.
Explore our site to find a therapist, learn more about us, or become a valued member.
See more therapy options for Alameda County
Dementia Therapists
Can dementia patients benefit from counseling?
Dementia patients can often benefit significantly from counseling. While neurologists typically treat dementia itself, counselors provide crucial emotional support for patients and their families. Therapists specializing in dementia can help clients navigate aging, end-of-life issues, social isolation, sleep challenges, and grief. They can also assist clients in adapting to the disease by addressing caregiving concerns and supporting family members. Counselors will often also collaborate with a patient's neurologist or other medical providers to manage dementia symptoms and medication needs.
How can you tell if someone has dementia or Alzheimer's?
To determine if someone has dementia or Alzheimer's disease, there are several signs and diagnostic methods that medical professionals use. Early signs of dementia often include memory loss, difficulty with problem-solving, and challenges in completing familiar tasks. Diagnosing dementia or Alzheimer's requires a comprehensive approach, as there is no single definitive test, and initial diagnosis can sometimes be difficult as symptoms tend to worsen progressively over time. To make a diagnosis, medical professionals typically use a combination of methods, including standardized questionnaires and cognitive tests to assess memory, attention, and problem-solving skills, psychiatric evaluations to understand mental health status, brain scans to look for physical changes in the brain, as well as other medical tests to rule out other conditions.
What are the first-line treatment options for Alzheimer’s disease?
There is no cure for Alzheimer's disease, but catching the disease in its early-to-moderate phases can be beneficial in order to initiate first-line treatments to help manage symptoms. Medications such as galantamine, rivastigmine, and donepezil are examples of cholinesterase inhibitors that are commonly prescribed for Alzheimer’s disease. In addition, working with a therapist or social worker can also often help patients with the disease address common behavioral and lifestyle concerns, such as anxiety, depression, irritability, sleep problems, social support, and housing changes.
When to seek treatment for Alzheimer’s?
It’s best to seek treatment at the first signs of Alzheimer's. Early warning signs of Alzheimer’s include memory problems, such as forgetting appointments or directions, as well as trouble concentrating, paying attention, retrieving words, and carrying out daily household tasks. An early diagnosis can help people slow the progression of the disease with medication and plan for the future in terms of housing, social/caregiving support, and finances.