Family Systems Therapists in Berkeley, CA
Victoria Julita Spiers
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified Verified
10 Endorsed
Berkeley, CA 94705
Waitlist for new clients
As a non-pathologizing humanistic-existential Gestalt therapist, I will meet you exactly where you are. I recognize that you are the expert of your own experience and that you already possess the skills that will aid you in healing your pain. As your empathic witness, advocate, and guide, I will help you increase your self-awareness, self-acceptance, and sense of agency. Essentially, I will help you re-examine your life and re-experience yourself and others, in different as well as new meaningful and healing ways. My approach is mindful, intuitive, and tenderhearted.
As a non-pathologizing humanistic-existential Gestalt therapist, I will meet you exactly where you are. I recognize that you are the expert of your own experience and that you already possess the skills that will aid you in healing your pain. As your empathic witness, advocate, and guide, I will help you increase your self-awareness, self-acceptance, and sense of agency. Essentially, I will help you re-examine your life and re-experience yourself and others, in different as well as new meaningful and healing ways. My approach is mindful, intuitive, and tenderhearted.
I specialize in working with individuals in high stress professions and those with deep interpersonal relationships, such as being a parent or guardian, sibling, manager, employee, partner, etc. It's difficult to manage ones' own wants, needs, and values while attempting to maintain these complicated relationships. Typically, I help individuals analyze their own patterns of behavior and help dispel myths transmitted to them through their past and current environments. I
I specialize in working with individuals in high stress professions and those with deep interpersonal relationships, such as being a parent or guardian, sibling, manager, employee, partner, etc. It's difficult to manage ones' own wants, needs, and values while attempting to maintain these complicated relationships. Typically, I help individuals analyze their own patterns of behavior and help dispel myths transmitted to them through their past and current environments. I
Come as you are! Your truth, whatever that may be, has a place in therapy. Growth occurs when we confront our personal experiences and how they have impacted us. I want to support you in exploring and realizing the full potential of your life while building practical tools to promote self healing and joy.
Come as you are! Your truth, whatever that may be, has a place in therapy. Growth occurs when we confront our personal experiences and how they have impacted us. I want to support you in exploring and realizing the full potential of your life while building practical tools to promote self healing and joy.
I provide depth-oriented psychotherapy for people from all walks of life who are struggling with a loss of meaning, confusion about one's place in the world and spiritual stagnation. This could manifest in hopelessness about one's career, a life crisis, various depressions and anxieties, loneliness and isolation, or feeling stuck in a relationship, too frozen to make a change.
I provide depth-oriented psychotherapy for people from all walks of life who are struggling with a loss of meaning, confusion about one's place in the world and spiritual stagnation. This could manifest in hopelessness about one's career, a life crisis, various depressions and anxieties, loneliness and isolation, or feeling stuck in a relationship, too frozen to make a change.
Aviva Wolman
Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, AMFT
Verified Verified
2 Endorsed
Berkeley, CA 94704
Effective 11/1/24: Currently coaching while waiting for BBS to process LMFT application. It is only human to let the trials and tribulations of life weigh us down, and pull us away from our personal growth. We can feel stuck in old patterns and it is hard to see a way out. Therapy allows us to see our struggles from a new perspective, and find new paths towards positive change, and create a more harmonious interaction with our world. I work with couples and individuals on a variety of mental health issues including depression, anxiety, trauma, grief, relationship issues and more.
Effective 11/1/24: Currently coaching while waiting for BBS to process LMFT application. It is only human to let the trials and tribulations of life weigh us down, and pull us away from our personal growth. We can feel stuck in old patterns and it is hard to see a way out. Therapy allows us to see our struggles from a new perspective, and find new paths towards positive change, and create a more harmonious interaction with our world. I work with couples and individuals on a variety of mental health issues including depression, anxiety, trauma, grief, relationship issues and more.
Maria-Paz Gonzalez Cordero
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified Verified
Berkeley, CA 94709
I know what it's like to feel lost on what to do when your inner critic gets cruel after those challenges come up. My own experiences have encouraged me to focus my professional work on helping people like yourself experience self-compassion, reconnect with your inner strength and build successful relationships during life transitions. I’m MariPaz, a bicultural and bilingual therapist living in California for the past 10 years. I specialize in working with people living abroad or far away from their village that are struggling with depression, anxiety, parenting issues and adjustment difficulties during life transitions.
I know what it's like to feel lost on what to do when your inner critic gets cruel after those challenges come up. My own experiences have encouraged me to focus my professional work on helping people like yourself experience self-compassion, reconnect with your inner strength and build successful relationships during life transitions. I’m MariPaz, a bicultural and bilingual therapist living in California for the past 10 years. I specialize in working with people living abroad or far away from their village that are struggling with depression, anxiety, parenting issues and adjustment difficulties during life transitions.
Robert l Gorden
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, MA, LCSW
Verified Verified
Berkeley, CA 94705 (Online Only)
I am expert in cognitive behavioral therapy and have been a field instructor and guest lecturer for the graduate MSW program at U.C. Berkeley.
I am most interested in treating depression, marital problems,work-related problems, family issues, health concerns,grief and panic attacks.
I have maintained a private practice for over 20 years. I believe that being interactive and having a strong and caring connection with clients is essential to providing successful therapy. My style combines collaboration, empirical knowledge and humor. I specialize in working with physicians, nurses and other health care providers.
I am expert in cognitive behavioral therapy and have been a field instructor and guest lecturer for the graduate MSW program at U.C. Berkeley.
I am most interested in treating depression, marital problems,work-related problems, family issues, health concerns,grief and panic attacks.
I have maintained a private practice for over 20 years. I believe that being interactive and having a strong and caring connection with clients is essential to providing successful therapy. My style combines collaboration, empirical knowledge and humor. I specialize in working with physicians, nurses and other health care providers.
Jess Semaan
Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, MA, MBA
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Berkeley, CA 94705
Being human is hard. We grow up often not taught how to feel, or be in healthy relationship with self and others. The isolation and loneliness make it even harder to process life's hardships. In turn, we develop ways of coping with stress and uncertainty, that become painful and limiting over time. Psychotherapy can be a space to unlearn these ways that are harming you, including systemic ones, dive deep into yourself, to meet all the parts of you, heal past traumas, personal, cultural and intergenerational.
Being human is hard. We grow up often not taught how to feel, or be in healthy relationship with self and others. The isolation and loneliness make it even harder to process life's hardships. In turn, we develop ways of coping with stress and uncertainty, that become painful and limiting over time. Psychotherapy can be a space to unlearn these ways that are harming you, including systemic ones, dive deep into yourself, to meet all the parts of you, heal past traumas, personal, cultural and intergenerational.
Every journey.. your first thought to call a therapist when you need to talk to someone, begins with a single step. When anxiety, depression, stress, personal, family, work relationship problems lead you to reach out, I will listen and help you find the best way through. Experienced licensed psychotherapist, 40+ years in general psychotherapy practice, I provide a safe place to talk, explore, resolve, heal what is challenging or troubling. I bring compassion, perceptiveness combined with patience, curiosity and many years of knowledge and skill to our collaboration to help you find effective solutions and make better life choices.
Every journey.. your first thought to call a therapist when you need to talk to someone, begins with a single step. When anxiety, depression, stress, personal, family, work relationship problems lead you to reach out, I will listen and help you find the best way through. Experienced licensed psychotherapist, 40+ years in general psychotherapy practice, I provide a safe place to talk, explore, resolve, heal what is challenging or troubling. I bring compassion, perceptiveness combined with patience, curiosity and many years of knowledge and skill to our collaboration to help you find effective solutions and make better life choices.
Dr. Akshay Naresh is a clinical psychologist and has worked with patients across the lifespan in various contexts including community mental health clinics, hospitals, and educational facilities (secondary, community colleges, & universities). He has experience working with a wide range of mental health concerns including stress, anxiety, depression, chronic pain, body image issues, eating disorders, relationship issues, gender and sexual identity, and multi-cultural issues. He uses an integrative approach to create a space for meaningful life changes by helping patients develop self-compassion, self-acceptance, and self-awareness.
Dr. Akshay Naresh is a clinical psychologist and has worked with patients across the lifespan in various contexts including community mental health clinics, hospitals, and educational facilities (secondary, community colleges, & universities). He has experience working with a wide range of mental health concerns including stress, anxiety, depression, chronic pain, body image issues, eating disorders, relationship issues, gender and sexual identity, and multi-cultural issues. He uses an integrative approach to create a space for meaningful life changes by helping patients develop self-compassion, self-acceptance, and self-awareness.
I am a licensed psychotherapist providing holistic counseling to individuals and couples. In my practice I help people understand themselves better through a lens of curiosity, kindness and compassion. Through this exploration you will learn to access your inner strength and resources, helping you to live a richer and more fully expressed life. I create a safe and non judgmental space for you to do this important work.
I am a licensed psychotherapist providing holistic counseling to individuals and couples. In my practice I help people understand themselves better through a lens of curiosity, kindness and compassion. Through this exploration you will learn to access your inner strength and resources, helping you to live a richer and more fully expressed life. I create a safe and non judgmental space for you to do this important work.
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Center for Creative Growth
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, MFT
Verified Verified
Berkeley, CA 94706
My name is Daniel Lesny, and I'm a therapist, supervisor, and Training Director at Center for Creative Growth. I see myself as a catalyst who helps you to be with, heal, and grow in the areas of life that are most important to you. For over 25 years, I have offered individual, couples, family, and group therapy, including our Center's acclaimed "Healing Your Past - Transforming Your Future" 20-session Intensive, now available to California residents via Zoom. Our Program helps you heal these painful legacies of growing up in a family where there was emotional, verbal, physical, or sexual abuse, neglect, abandonment, or addiction.
My name is Daniel Lesny, and I'm a therapist, supervisor, and Training Director at Center for Creative Growth. I see myself as a catalyst who helps you to be with, heal, and grow in the areas of life that are most important to you. For over 25 years, I have offered individual, couples, family, and group therapy, including our Center's acclaimed "Healing Your Past - Transforming Your Future" 20-session Intensive, now available to California residents via Zoom. Our Program helps you heal these painful legacies of growing up in a family where there was emotional, verbal, physical, or sexual abuse, neglect, abandonment, or addiction.
I have been working or volunteering with adolescents and adults for the past 25 years. In my most recent position as group psychotherapist/treatment coordinator in an adolescent partial hospitalization program, I have provided individual, group, and family therapy for teens struggling with an array of mental health challenges. These include depression, anxiety, chronic suicidal ideation, self-harming behaviors, PTSD, family strain, and self-esteem issues. My work with adults has centered around many of the issues mentioned above, as well as life transitions, marital conflict, loss, and parenting.
I have been working or volunteering with adolescents and adults for the past 25 years. In my most recent position as group psychotherapist/treatment coordinator in an adolescent partial hospitalization program, I have provided individual, group, and family therapy for teens struggling with an array of mental health challenges. These include depression, anxiety, chronic suicidal ideation, self-harming behaviors, PTSD, family strain, and self-esteem issues. My work with adults has centered around many of the issues mentioned above, as well as life transitions, marital conflict, loss, and parenting.
Elizabeth Anne Nielsen
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Berkeley, CA 94705 (Online Only)
I have 26 years of experience as psychotherapist specializing in Somatic Experiencing trauma work which helps to regulate your nervous system and discharge trauma. My body based approach is empowering and compassionate, & gently takes you beyond symptoms and difficulties into your wholeness. I am flexible in my approach and can offer you a chance to talk through your issues or to go deeper into profound healing states.
I have 26 years of experience as psychotherapist specializing in Somatic Experiencing trauma work which helps to regulate your nervous system and discharge trauma. My body based approach is empowering and compassionate, & gently takes you beyond symptoms and difficulties into your wholeness. I am flexible in my approach and can offer you a chance to talk through your issues or to go deeper into profound healing states.
Karena Henrietta Montag
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, MFT
Verified Verified
Berkeley, CA 94703 (Online Only)
I am relational & direct, collaborative & holistic in my approach, and understand that society, systems, power & culture - in addition to family, community & self - are essential & inseparable ingredients when exploring our histories, present experiences, narratives & beliefs. I encourage my clients’ natural resilience & support integration & sustainability. I believe that we all inherently have what we need. Through the intentional creation of a safe, dignifying, empathetic & courageous therapeutic environment, clients move towards understanding, satisfaction, healing & transformation.
I am relational & direct, collaborative & holistic in my approach, and understand that society, systems, power & culture - in addition to family, community & self - are essential & inseparable ingredients when exploring our histories, present experiences, narratives & beliefs. I encourage my clients’ natural resilience & support integration & sustainability. I believe that we all inherently have what we need. Through the intentional creation of a safe, dignifying, empathetic & courageous therapeutic environment, clients move towards understanding, satisfaction, healing & transformation.
It has been my experience that all people need some support at times with understanding themselves and their relationships better. Most people interact with all types of relationships throughout the day. How we manage, interpret, and reflect about these experiences with ourselves and the one's closest to us matters. It is an important step towards understanding ourselves when we can gain insight on how we affect others and how others affect us in our daily lives. How we see ourselves and the meaning we make of our experiences can support a deeper knowing of oneself.
It has been my experience that all people need some support at times with understanding themselves and their relationships better. Most people interact with all types of relationships throughout the day. How we manage, interpret, and reflect about these experiences with ourselves and the one's closest to us matters. It is an important step towards understanding ourselves when we can gain insight on how we affect others and how others affect us in our daily lives. How we see ourselves and the meaning we make of our experiences can support a deeper knowing of oneself.
Winifred M Reilly
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, MFT
Verified Verified
2 Endorsed
Berkeley, CA 94709
By the time most couples come to my office, they're frustrated, discouraged, and tired of going in circles. Many think their problems are insurmountable, that they're beyond help. Very few couples are beyond help. If your relationship is in trouble, don't wait. And don't give up.
I have been in practice for nearly 30 years, specializing in psychotherapy with couples. I bring extensive training in relationship dynamics, marital systems, and sex therapy. I use a collaborative, positive approach that makes sense of what's hard and offers tools and encouragement to even the most troubled relationship.
By the time most couples come to my office, they're frustrated, discouraged, and tired of going in circles. Many think their problems are insurmountable, that they're beyond help. Very few couples are beyond help. If your relationship is in trouble, don't wait. And don't give up.
I have been in practice for nearly 30 years, specializing in psychotherapy with couples. I bring extensive training in relationship dynamics, marital systems, and sex therapy. I use a collaborative, positive approach that makes sense of what's hard and offers tools and encouragement to even the most troubled relationship.
Tristan Destry Saldaña
Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, MA
Verified Verified
Berkeley, CA 94709 (Online Only)
Perhaps no one can ever inhabit fully the lived experience of another, nor would I presume that I could know it, yet our therapeutic relationship can—without disrespecting the integrity of your lived experience—present the opportunity to take your perspective. I hope to imagine your experience because, as Carl Jung articulates: “Loneliness does not come from having no people around you but from being unable to communicate the things that seem important to you," and in the memory of childhood’s loneliness and solitude, creative power resides.
Perhaps no one can ever inhabit fully the lived experience of another, nor would I presume that I could know it, yet our therapeutic relationship can—without disrespecting the integrity of your lived experience—present the opportunity to take your perspective. I hope to imagine your experience because, as Carl Jung articulates: “Loneliness does not come from having no people around you but from being unable to communicate the things that seem important to you," and in the memory of childhood’s loneliness and solitude, creative power resides.
I offer neurodiversity-affirming, client-focused care to children, adolescents and adults. My clients tend to have several of these qualities: They are highly intelligent and verbal. They often feel like they don’t fit in, but may form fewer and deeper friendships. They throw themselves enthusiastically into the things they’re passionate about. They struggle to find appropriate outlets for intense emotions. They often have “geeky” hobbies. Many identify as neurodivergent, autistic, or ADHD, with or without a diagnosis.
I offer neurodiversity-affirming, client-focused care to children, adolescents and adults. My clients tend to have several of these qualities: They are highly intelligent and verbal. They often feel like they don’t fit in, but may form fewer and deeper friendships. They throw themselves enthusiastically into the things they’re passionate about. They struggle to find appropriate outlets for intense emotions. They often have “geeky” hobbies. Many identify as neurodivergent, autistic, or ADHD, with or without a diagnosis.
Lee Townsend
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT, MA, he/him
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Berkeley, CA 94707
I provide culturally sensitive, empirically validated psychotherapy services to individuals, couples and families, ranging from adolescents to seniors. I am committed to the therapeutic process as a collaborative journey and consider it a great privilege to be entrusted with my clients' most deeply-held thoughts and feelings. I am actively engaged with those who are grappling with issues of anxiety, depression, bereavement, relationship problems, life transitions, trauma, interpersonal difficulties and creative blocks, addressing my client's concerns in a humanistic and holistic manner that transcends preoccupation with pathology to work toward a life of deep meaning, creativity and interpersonal fulfillment.
I provide culturally sensitive, empirically validated psychotherapy services to individuals, couples and families, ranging from adolescents to seniors. I am committed to the therapeutic process as a collaborative journey and consider it a great privilege to be entrusted with my clients' most deeply-held thoughts and feelings. I am actively engaged with those who are grappling with issues of anxiety, depression, bereavement, relationship problems, life transitions, trauma, interpersonal difficulties and creative blocks, addressing my client's concerns in a humanistic and holistic manner that transcends preoccupation with pathology to work toward a life of deep meaning, creativity and interpersonal fulfillment.
