Play Therapy in Albany, CA

I am direct, genuine and collaborative, and bring a natural curiosity and empathy to my work with clients. I use a relational depth-oriented therapeutic approach with a focus on present moment bodily and emotional experience to help my clients work through hard places, release emotional blocks and feel more creative and free in their lives.

Are you ready for change and personal growth? Would like to explore and experience more fulfilling relationships? People seek therapy for many reasons, often it is when they are confronted by a challenging life circumstance or interested in resolving familiar issues or breaking destructive patterns. Whatever your reason for wanting therapy at this time, chances are you would like to feel happier more of the time.

Are you worried about your child? Not sure if you are doing too much or too little on your kid’s behalf? Maybe you yourself got lost in a maze of work, school and carpools. Or your family struggles to connect.

Are you worried that your child is not showing the expected growth this year? Do you have concerns about your child's development, academic progress, or social development? Don't lie awake at night worrying. Call me for a free consultation and we can discuss your child's needs. I have been effectively and compassionately helping children with learning, behavioral, or emotional difficulties for over 30 years.

I specialize in working with those who identify as women, using somatic methods that increase awareness of the body in the present moment. These methods allow past experiences that remain "stuck," within us to be contacted in the present and internal states can begin to shift. "Stories," or habitual patterns, that keep us from experiencing optimal well-being are interrupted and replaced with new possibilities. Somatic methods are effective in addressing a variety of treatment needs such as trauma, anxiety, depression as well as challenges with children and in families.

You may be experiencing acute emotional pain due to an unexpected change in your life, or you may feel that the suffering has been there for a long time and coping on your own is no longer enough. You may find yourself feeling stuck, overwhelmed, disconnected, or lonely, repeating the same patterns without being able to find your way out. You may be wishing for deeper relationships, a more satisfying and creative job, or relief from inner turmoil. If you continue to feel insecure, anxious, or depressed, no matter what you try, therapy can help.

Are you experiencing marital conflict? Do you worry about how conflict with your mate affects your children? I have over 20 years experience working with clients dealing with a wide variety of issues, including family conflict, divorce, child custody, parenting issues, depression, addiction, and anxiety. Research has proven that the parental relationship directly impacts a child's self esteem and social skills. I am a warm, dynamic and solution oriented therapist. I work along side you, to help you identify and overcome the problems which are causing pain in your life.

I welcome those into my practice who are struggling with a range of issues, including depression, anxiety, and PTSD. I am trauma-informed, with twenty years of experience working with adults, children and families. I have worked with adults and teens who have come to seek treatment for various types of developmental traumas such as childhood physical and sexual abuse, neglect, as well as single incident trauma. I welcome anyone who is looking to create a safe working alliance through which to explore issues with boundaries and self care, whereby I can assist you in the cultivation of a compassionate inner awareness.

I am a licensed clinical psychologist with specialized training conducting psychological assessments of children and adults, identifying and tailoring therapeutic goals to each individual in order to provide compassionate and effective psychotherapy and psychological consultation. I earned my doctorate at UC Berkeley and completed my clinical training, working with children and adults, at the Veterans Administration Healthcare System, UCSF Medical Center and UC Davis Medical Center.

Hello, thanks for stopping by...how can I help? Perhaps, KAP? As a Certified Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapist, I work in partnership with Journey Clinical's medical team, who'll determine eligibility to prescribe, in advance of our KAP work together. Or, if you're unsure if KAP is right for you, or are curious about other, non-medicated methods for creativity enhancement, trauma processing or anything in-between, let's talk! For 20 years, I've been providing creative, playful and novel best-approaches to serious issues like grief/loss, depression/anxiety, life's traumas and transitions, to make meaning in ways that work for you.

You met someone; you fell in love…is it time to build a family together? What about all the fights you have been having recently? Now you are a mother/father, juggling childcare, professional development, housework… what about US? What about ME? How to teach our kids when we don’t even agree? Things are not working out; Shall we give it one last try before separating? My partner wants to open up the relationship/marriage. What does it even mean?

The decision to begin psychotherapy can come about for a variety of reasons. This may be your first time in therapy or it’s just the right time to get a fresh perspective. You may be struggling with feelings and experiences that are hard to make sense of, like grief, anxiety, loneliness, stress, exhaustion, shame, anger, and/or emptiness. You may feel stuck, like you’ve tried everything, and nothing is working. It’s getting to be more difficult to stay motivated, to stay focused, and to enjoy the things that you love. Psychotherapy can help to relieve these stressors and reduce anxiety and depression.

Whether you are going through some difficult life transitions, struggling with stress, feelings of loneliness, are in a process of recovery and/or have experienced significant trauma, my therapy approach will support you in unpacking difficult emotions to restore a sense a safety and a deeper connection to yourself, others and the world. I am passionate about empowering you to understand and speak your feelings. I work really well with adults in relationship & life-transitions; teens & parents in need of a repaired relationship, and with children who’ve experienced trauma, struggle with big behaviors and/or feelings & their parents.

I support individuals who may have experienced confusing and distressing familial relationships either in childhood or adulthood. This may manifest as painful interpersonal dynamics later in life, and can create complex feelings about "home." I specialize in trauma work for adults, children and adolescents. Our work together can facilitate transformation and create new possibilities. It would be an honor to support you.

I offer you an open space in which together we can explore and understand difficult feelings and thoughts. Through this collaborative process you will have the opportunity to deepen your understanding of yourself, allow your emotions to be processed, and work through uncomfortable/ difficult feelings. As a result, life becomes easier to navigate and more meaningful. Like any relationship, it has to feel right to you. What I bring to the relationship is my warmth, curiosity, compassion, honesty, years of expertise, and the ability to dive deep into issues without judgment leading to long-term change.

My work with every client and family is personalized, trauma-informed, rooted in strengths, collaborative, neurodiversity-affirming, and culturally tailored to your needs and experiences. I believe that each client possesses the intergenerational heirlooms of innate resilience, spirituality, and introspection that serve as tools to assist in your healing journey. You are the expert of your experience and I am here to offer hope and support you as you share your narrative and author a new chapter of healing, continuing to grow into your best self, discovering balance, serenity, joy, and connecting with yourself and surroundings.

We all go through difficult times at some point in our lives. How we adjust, cope, and learn from these experiences will help us regain the sense of empowerment, inspiration and resilience to endure the many stages in life. Todos pasamos por momentos dificiles en nuestras vidas, pero el como nos ajustamos y lo que aprendemos de esas experiencias, es lo que nos ayudara a volver a sentir la capacidad, inspiracion y fortaleza para sobrellevar las diferentes etapas de nuestra vida.