Self Esteem Therapists in Albany, CA

We are all born whole, in lovingkind perfection. But life produces obstacles that sidetrack our becoming ourselves. Obstacles take any forms: trauma in the body, inauthentic identities, existential fears, beliefs indoctrinated but in conflict with one's essential values, or anxiety that something is wrong with oneself. The result can be alienation, grief, substance use issues, depression, anxiety, difficulty connecting, or incapacity to speak or create from the heart. Reconnecting with ones body, the natural world, and with an unconditional community are the foundations re-emerging into the Self you've always been.

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).

My practice combines both mind and body approaches to support change. I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and a Registered Dance and Movement Therapist. I have experience treating a wide variety of psychological and emotional difficulties in adult, teenagers and children. I feel very grateful for the opportunities to work with those seeking a greater sense of well-being, satisfaction in relationships, and understanding of self. In therapy, I am working in both verbal and non-verbal ways, including somatic psychology techniques for adults and play therapy for children.

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.

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.

If your child is experiencing tantrums or aggression, feels anxious, angry, or sad, has a low tolerance for frustration, or has poor relationships with other children or adults, I can help. I am a therapist specialized in working with young children and their families. I work with parents to help them understand their child's behavior and know how to respond during difficult parenting moments. I work with children to help them build social skills, understand and regulate their emotions, and overcome traumatic experiences (ex.death, illness) or difficult life transitions (ex. birth of a new sibling, divorce, school expulsion).

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.

While it can be intimidating to think about beginning therapy, it’s my hope that my warm and collaborative style of engaging with you will offer some ease in initiating our work together. Having dedicated space for understanding and learning about you by speaking can feel relieving, and starts with a good amount of courage in your initial reaching out. In our work together, I will carefully listen to you while building a collaborative relationship based in warm curiosity, offering you my thoughts and connections related to the barriers that may be holding you back from moving towards your known and yet-to-be-known goals.

Therapy Without the Angst! Therapy doesn't have to take years and be intensely painful. I help clients to develop the skills to feel better soon. I'll teach you to calm your anxious mind, feel more confident, and find meaning in life challenges. As a licensed psychotherapist for over 30 years, I've culled the best of many different techniques, for instance: CBT helps change unproductive thinking and behavior; insight therapy offers awareness; and DBT helps to regulate intense emotions and reactions. I offer not just therapeutic techniques but good-old common sense!

"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.

Do you feel stressed and overwhelmed? Are you longing for more balance, connection, and meaning in your life? I would love to help you reclaim feelings of leadership in your life and move towards more healing, self-compassion, and joy. I have experience working with adults, families, and teens, especially those struggling with extreme ways of coping. I use Internal Family Systems (IFS), drama therapy, and a relational approach to support you to get to know all parts of yourself, release burdens you may be carrying, and find more ease, balance, connection, and aliveness within yourself and in your relationships with loved ones.

We’ll make use of my professional training, life experience, imagination and intellect to gain perspectives on your relationships, your past, and your present. We’ll experiment with ways for you to manage difficult emotions, feel compassion toward yourself and others, and live with integrity and purpose.

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.

Many people are struggling to live purposefully in the tension of our changing world. You may feel overwhelmed with emotions and experiences that are difficult to bear. Painful issues and conflicting feelings inside yourself and in your relationships are good reasons to seek a therapist. I provide a safe and thoughtful place where you can face your obstacles and increase your ability to live your life with more fullness and meaning. My approach is engaged and collaborative. I offer empathy, knowledge, and tools to help you understand yourself and others in new ways.

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 believe that we are shaped, known, and grow in relationships. Therapy can help you better understand your thoughts, feelings, and experiences—and find freedom and meaningful connection with yourself and others. With curiosity and openness, I work to create a supportive and collaborative environment. Together, we can explore who you are and the experiences that shape you. We can address your present concerns, and explore how your early experiences impact you.

Overcoming issues can sometimes involve using strategies to change our thinking and behavior. We all have developed habits of thinking and behavior that are not serving our needs. Therapy can help by identifying these patterns, introducing strategies to reduce them, and increasing more helpful patterns.

Summer used to be (and sometimes still is) a chance to rest and enjoy, but this does not diminish stress related to residual academic pressure, parenting challenges, or feeling disconnected from relationships. I often work with people who notice themselves feeling overwhelmed, numb, or burned out 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.

I am a bicultural/bilingual, latinx psychologist with extensive experience working with youth of all ages who are struggling with mood, anxiety, and impulse control, and families who have experienced trauma. Key to this work is the relationship we build together. My goal is to help your family better understand what is happening for your child based on what research has taught us about how our brains work, while honoring your child’s unique experience and normalizing that we all have struggles. I use a strengths-based collaborative approach to get to know your family and identify and practice skills to help your child cope.