Narrative Therapists in Alameda, CA

Welcome to a space where we together can co-create the healing that you need. I have 20 years of experience as a psychotherapist and recently implemented a more holistic approach by adding intuitive healing, reiki and massage therapy. Whether you dealing with depression, anxiety, panic, phobias, obsessions, life transitions, spiritual issues, attachment issues, trauma (recent or childhood), relationship issues, or other environmental stressors (political, financial, housing, racial or other) . My passion is to help individuals heal trauma. I understand your pain. Let me meet you where you are and support your healing.

So many people today feel that they are just going through the motions, unsure of what truly matters to them. Culture and upbringing can shape our behaviors and beliefs, but sometimes they don't align with what we truly value and this conflict can cause deep suffering. Knowing what’s important to you and having easy access to your “true north” can completely change the way you approach and experience life.

My name is Richard Lenchner, LMFT and I have been a practicing therapist for approximately 31 years. I believe that everyone deserves a happy and healthy life. This can be achieved when you learn how to balance your life emotionally, spiritually, physically and mentally (ESPM). I specialize in helping individuals deal with addiction/recovery, grief/loss, depression, anxiety, codependency, motivation, self-esteem/worth and finding their balance. Together we can work on helping you achieve confidence, happiness and a fulfilling life.

I specialize in treating adults living with a disabling health condition, caregivers who are supporting someone with a health condition, and those grieving the loss of a loved one. Living with a serious illness or grief can bring out difficult feelings of uncertainty, anxiety, depression and fear. I use an integrative approach with elements of narrative therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, and mindfulness. Together, let's create a safe space to help you cope while attending to your heart, mind, and body.

Our life experiences can lead us to question our identity and purpose in the world we live in. This can lead us to anxiety, depression, and trauma. Do you want to improve how you face challenges, function in your relationships, and face overwhelming feelings? I place heavy importance on addressing trauma. Trauma disintegrates the parts that make up your whole self, which can leave aspects of who you are hidden from your awareness. Left unaddressed, anxiety and depression can worsen, which can rob you of the necessary connection that all human beings need to thrive. I aim to help you process unresolved trauma.

Mental health challenges are due to the aftereffects of traumatic experiences. Trauma can place a strain on your family, work, relationships, and even cause issues with self-worth. I specialize in trauma therapy along with treating personality disorders, depression, anxiety, ADHD, and addiction. All these disorders can look different from person to person, and that is where our therapeutic journey of empowerment and self-exploration begins. I concentrate on creating a safe space of growth and self-discovery through unconditional positive regard, emotional regulation, and guided activities.

My name is Stephanie and I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. I work with adult individuals who want more balance in their lives and to improve their relationship with themselves and others. The clients I work with want to understand how to feel better, how to think more productively, and how to utilize their strengths in a way that will bring them closer to their goals. As a therapist, I am committed to creating a safe and inclusive space for all individuals to explore their thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Central to my practice are the principles of anti-racism, LGBTQ+ allyship, and a feminist perspective.

I think Leo McGarry says it best in an episode of The West Wing - A doctor passes by & the guy shouts up, "Hey you! Can you help me out?" The doctor writes a prescription, throws it down in the hole, & moves on. Then a priest comes along & the guy shouts up, "Father, I'm down in this hole; can you help me out?" The priest writes out a prayer, throws it down in the hole, & moves on. Then a friend walks by. "Hey, Joe, it's me. Can ya help me out?" The friend jumps in the hole. Our guy says, "Are ya stupid? Now we're both down here." The friend says, "Yeah, but I've been down here before & I know the way out."

My passion is working with clients from unique backgrounds and/or experiences who often contact me because they want to work on or through complex trauma, such as oppression based and/or inter-generational trauma. Modalities used addresses the concerns of those whose race, ethnicity, gender identification, income, disability/accessability, and other social factors which often go unrecognized/disavowed. Issues that arise for minority groups, such as oppression, racism, and marginalization, are relevant, recognized, validated, safely contained, and honored by me.

My personal and professional experience is broad and colorful, and provide me with the love, patience and understanding that have fueled my passion for a career as a psychotherapist. I am a California native, and although I have traveled the world, Oakland and the San Francisco Bay Area have always been my home. I am a well-seasoned mother of two, and a curious and compassionate woman.

You navigate this world each day doing the best you can, but life's biggest sources of pain, confusion, or stress can leave you lost and overwhelmed. You have to just "figure it out". Therapy provides a space to step back and examine yourself: intentionally, and with a plan and goal in mind. I believe that therapy should ultimately allow you to "become" your own therapist, bringing what you learn from our work back into your own world. I will challenge your long-held beliefs and habits in therapy and encourage your honest self-reflection, but always with elements of humor and compassion.

After being a therapist for over 20 years, I have learned that each person is unique. I can help you foster that aspect of yourself and grow to be your authentic self and make decisions that support your best interest and growth. By clearing the path, relieving you from your pains and wounds, detaching you from the stories that harm you and are not true, you can make the decisions that will empower you to live your life in the way that brings you the most pleasure and happiness. After years of experience and healing my own wounds, I have found that talk therapy alone may not suffice. That is why I specialize IFS and EMDR.

Each of us has complicated ways of protecting ourselves from being vulnerable, and those self-protective tendencies are often outside of our awareness. Although powerfully protective, these old inner systems get in the way of living with ease with self and others. I will help you either individually or within your relationship dynamics to understand and heal yourself and your relationships by helping you become more self aware and better resourced. Becoming aware of your habits of disconnection and choosing connection is an unfolding process. I am here to walk with you on that journey with compassion, presence, and perspective .

I am a licensed clinical psychologist in California who is experienced in working with adolescents, young adults, and individuals with trauma histories. I believe clients can overcome any problem or challenge in life by experiencing the benefits of a genuine connection with a non-judgmental, supportive person. The experience of having our personal stories truly witnessed by another human being can be incredibly powerful and can often lead to healing and growth.

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.

Virtual sessions ONLY. Taking this first step of looking for a therapist might feel difficult and overwhelming, yet it is crucial in order to begin to feel better. Fostering your healing will come from our ability to work together and our capacity for real dialogue on how effective our work is. I will strive to both support and challenge you as we strengthen your capacity for mindfulness, insight and greater joy in your life. We will collaborate to discover ways in which you are already resilient against challenges while encouraging you to tap into your capacity for growth and change.

You are struggling and you feel alone. I can help. Have you ever been told you are too sensitive? Do you often feel judged or alone? Are you interested in looking within, learning more about yourself and creating the life you deserve? If so, I am here to help. I support clients struggling with depression and anxiety, learning about and coping with the highly sensitive trait, as well as grief and difficult life transitions. I specialize in older teens, college students, young adulthood/emerging professionals. and women around issues of fertility, pregnancy, postpartum and family life.

I am a licensed clinical professional counselor and a registered dance movement therapist. My expertise encompasses postpartum, pregnancy, parenting, as well as support for infants, children, and families. My therapeutic approach is rooted in harnessing the body's wisdom, allowing us to explore and effect change through the body. I guide you in understanding body signals and collaboratively develop strategies to facilitate the desired transformations. I believe in the power of nonverbal communication and self-expression to foster emotional growth and strengthen connections within these vital relationships.

Often times when we consider mental health, we may feel that we’re supposed to leave our spiritual experiences at the door. However, when we bring our fullest selves into the therapy room, it can add a layer of richness to our understanding of our own stories and the world around us as we strive to make meaning out of it all. As we begin our work together, I will start by creating a safe and sacred space for you to feel heard, understood, and accepted. I am committed to providing warm and empathetic guidance as you learn to access your inner wisdom and intuition; I firmly believe that YOU are the expert of your own life experiences.