Self Esteem Therapists in Albany, CA

Do you know that something needs to change in your life? Does your heart or your stomach hurt when you think about your relationship or your job or just the direction your life is going? Are you feeling overwhelmed, tired, or stuck and don't know where to turn? I specialize in working with people like you who are in transition in their lives. Together we can use this moment as an opportunity. We can identify your strengths and build on them to spark change and get you moving forward again.

I offer support in coming into greater clarity, connection, self assuredness, ease and peace about the past, where you are now, and where you hope to go or get to within yourself and relationships. If you are feeling stifled by anxiety, depression or overwhelm, are trying to navigate decisions about your life and relationships, are wanting to change patterns, heal from trauma, or are processing grief, loss and change, I may be the therapist for you. I love supporting individuals through these sorts of challenges and more. Email me to setup a free consultation. Whatever you are experiencing, you do not have to go through it alone.

I help adults, teens, and parents move through painful challenges and learn how to improve their relationships with themselves and others. Together, we will work to understand patterns of thoughts and behaviors, and their underlying root causes, so that they can be disrupted and replaced by self-compassion and intentional choices and actions.

I strongly believe in people's resiliency and motivation to live a full life despite difficult experiences. I'm dedicated to helping my clients achieve desirable and lasting change. We will look closely at what holds you back and what feels painful in your life. Whether it is a cycle of difficult emotions, unwanted behaviors, or relational difficulties, I believe it is crucial to discover the meaning in these experiences. Through our work together we will develop new tools to transform your life and make it more satisfying.

You may long to live wholeheartedly - and to feel loved and connected - but struggle with anger, depression, loneliness, or inexplicable sadness and anxiety. You may find the stress of work, life, running a household, or parenting has diminished your capacity to feel joy and be creative. Once a source of comfort and pleasure, your intimate relationship may now be disappointing, frustrating, or even deadening. Therapy can help relieve the symptoms of debilitating feelings by uncovering the underlying (and sometimes unconscious) causes, and empower individuals - and couples - to become the authors of the lives they want to live.

I have seventeen years experience as a clinician and have been licensed for the past 14 years. I enjoy working with adolescents (16 and older), adults and couples. I work collaboratively with clients to clarify what they want to get out of therapy and then work towards those goals with compassion, creativity, and a large tool box.

Do you want to heal from your past and find greater peace and joy in your life? I applaud you for taking the first step in seeking therapy. I'll help you to move through your self-blame and embrace your magnificence. I provide a free 20-minute initial consultation to see if we are a good fit. If you are struggling with work, relationship or parenting stress, childhood abuse, life transitions or loss I will teach you how to shift old patterns, heal, and make positive changes. You can feel better and thrive!

You may be feeling temporarily overwhelmed by the situation, in your relationship, at work, in the culture you live in or you may have felt emotionally distressed over a long period of time. In both cases, therapy can be the first step to bring relief, self actualization and happiness to you and your loved ones.

During these stressful times, more than ever people need support for positive change. Being able to connect with someone can open up the possibilities for better relationships, and a better life. Finding someone to partner with can help make the shift from suffering in silence to working together to create solutions.

I am a psychotherapist in private practice in the East Bay since 1996. I offer a non-judgmental therapeutic relationship where individuals, couples or families can find self acceptance, safety, access insight and intuition, and cultivate an attitude of kindness toward the self and others. Recovery from trauma, working on communication and relationships, overcoming addiction, spiritual self-development and healing, and coping with depression/stress from major life transitions are common themes. I have taught and supervised therapists in training at various local agencies. I also have a background in holistic and shamanic healing.

I specialize in working with parents, families, and youth ages 7-25. My work can support an assortment of childhood issues, including: somatic complaints (stomach aches, headaches, etc.), behavioral issues (defiance, aggression, inattention), neurodivergent issues (autism, ADHD, sensory processing), problems with friendships, attachment issues, separation anxiety, depression, excessive worrying, or panic attacks. Childhood can be a magical, joyful time, but it can also bring a host of issues, unique to each child or family.

Welcome and bienvenidos. Do you want help in dealing with big changes, loss, and the unexpected turns in life? Are you feeling stuck or unsure of how to move forward? Would you like to break free from depression, anxiety, grief or unproductive thoughts? Are you struggling with the challenges of intergenerational conflict, identity, culture shock, or discrimination? I create a compassionate, non-judgmental and welcoming space to help you better understand yourself and uncover your own strengths. I support you in building confidence and skills to make life changes, find healing and self-acceptance.

Summer used to be (and sometimes still is) a chance to rest and enjoy, but this does not diminish work stress, residual academic pressure, parenting challenges, or feeling disconnected from relationships! I often work with folks who are feeling a range of emotions, from numb to overwhelmed, due to life stressors. I have special training and experience working with new parents, students of all ages (college and graduate school included) and people with disabilities. In all stages of life, I hope to offer a supportive space for you to process your experiences and determine next steps.

Would you like to feel less anxious, depressed and/or overwhelmed? Do you want to feel more joy, motivation and/or hope? If so, I'd love to support you with compassion, insight & encouragement to live your best life, emphasizing your strengths, needs/desires, as well as acknowledging and minimizing the challenges. Sustainable personal growth and healing is rarely easy, but with experienced support there is hope, lots of it. What I most want for you is to feel much better emotionally, as well as authentically and fully enjoy the life you've been given from the inside out. Let me know if you'd like this too.

"Are you worrying that you are stuck in old patterns of thinking and behaving regarding yourself and others that make you unhappy, depressed, anxious, or irritable? Are you trying to connect and communicate with a partner, friends, or co-workers, but find youself misunderstood, angry, or lonely? Are you longing to be happier yet unable to figure out how to change? I have helped hundreds of people with similar concerns to experience more joy and success in their lives. Together we can examine your concerns from new perspectives and overcome the obstacles preventing you from achieving your innermost goals.

You want to make positive changes that will last. I’ll work with you, or you and your child, to address whatever is getting in the way of living the life you’d like. There may be feelings that run the show, behaviors that seem unchangeable, or relationships and jobs/school that don’t meet your needs and dreams. Whatever your history and current challenges, there are ways to move forward. Even in this period of pandemic uncertainty, we can build your resilience, developing strengths and capacities that lead to a more fulfilling life.

My approach to therapy emphasizes self knowledge, empowerment and insight helping move towards a more integral, meaningful and gratifying life. It is with passion and kindness that I witness the healing transformation a person goes through in the therapeutic relationship. Originally from Brazil, I speak English, Spanish, and Portuguese working with clients who speak these languages. Three theories permeate my work: the Integral theory of Ken Wilber, Psychodynamic theory, and Hakomi. I integrate into the analysis the physical, mental, emotional, and social parts of the self (Integral) in a mindfulness-based, body inclusive, and experiential perspective (Hakomi).

Evening, weekend, early morning appointments available. If you are struggling with stress, anxiety, parenting or relationship issues, give me a call. Together we will get clear on what results you want to see, and create a potent “healing space” for initiating positive change. Whether you’re wanting a fresh perspective on patterns that are no longer working for you in your relationships, need support for you and your partner or child, or feel stuck in terms of creating the life you’ve envisioned as a result of anxiety or other issues, together we will find a way forward.

The discomfort of facing life's challenges may set off an impulse to hide. We may turn our backs on ourselves through isolation, sleep, or running away into busyness or substances to take our minds off "the problem." Yet these discomforts are quite often our body's way of trying to get our attention, telling us that it's time to look at something we have put away for too long and that is now ready to come into the light. Like martial artists, our movement toward the thing we fear allows the energy to shift and lighten.