MHNet Behavioral Health Therapists in Berkeley, CA

When working with clients, I have a warm, collaborative approach that is rooted in an honest, non-judgmental stance. I approach treatment using a Cognitive Behavioral framework while also integrating interventions based on Internal Family Systems and Narrative therapy. With compassion and curiosity, we will explore your story and the core beliefs that shape your experiences.

Finding a therapist who you feel comfortable with and who fits your needs can be a challenging task. My hope is that the information provided here will allow you to move closer to finding the therapist that is right for you, or continuing your search elsewhere. Therapy can be scary, vulnerable, difficult, exciting, unexpected, rewarding, and completely life changing. I’m here for all of that and whatever else our work brings us. I love being a therapist. While I can serve and help many people with a variety of life’s challenges, I am currently working towards a certification in Sex Therapy.

As a first-generation born Filipino and raised by parents that immigrated to America from the Philippines, I developed a culturally sensitive lens, and have treated clients from various backgrounds. I am passionate about providing therapy that is inclusive to many different ethnicities, view myself as an ally for the LGBTQIA+ community, and value social justice for BIPOC clients. Throughout my experience in the mental health field, I have found that most ailments are linked back to traumatic events, which encouraged me to become an Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapist, and help those with PTSD and/or trauma

I believe what leads people to seek therapy is the feeling of uncertainty about life choices, the ineffective behavioral and thinking patterns that are acted on over and over again. These patterns can show up in our relationship to ourselves, to substances, and especially to others. I approach therapy with the genuine belief that all people are worthy and capable of breaking these patterns and creating healthy relationships with themselves, with others and creating an authentic life.

My work with my clients is largely oriented toward Somatic (of the body) Mindfulness as a tool to help manage the distress often experienced with trauma and mood-related struggles. I approach my work from the perspective that increased self-awareness and Mindfulness coupled with the refinement of coping skills can assist us in finding more fulfillment and ease when managing our life stressors. I put particular emphasis on self-esteem and self-reliance to empower my clients to access their own sense of safety, stability, and ability.

I have worked in health and human services in different parts of California for the past 25 years. I have specifically worked with people who need support around housing and food insecurity, opioid use or dependency, as well as child welfare and grief or loss. I have a good understanding of social services and mental health resources in the San Francisco Bay Area, especially Contra Costa County. I have been providing virtual therapy since January 2021.

My approach as a therapist is affirming, collaborative, Strengths-Based, and tailored to each client I work with. I focus on providing a judgment-free zone so that clients have space and support to work on their personal goals. I hope to build a strong relationship with each client because I believe that a strong relationship is important to our ability to work together and helps to strengthen the client's ability to reach their goals. Therapy can sometimes be hard work and often means facing difficult experiences from our past. My hope is that I am providing a space where the client never feels alone in the process.

I am a strengths-centered therapist that focuses on a person as a whole. I enjoy working with people via Telehealth with the ease of technology. I have worked with the use of Telehealth since July 2020. I am passionate about serving people in my community who identify as Latinx being I am bilingual and bicultural. I understand the importance of maintaining a healthy mind and body to better function in life; I began my journey with a therapist as a teen and saw the benefits.

I would describe my therapeutic approach as empathic, compassionate, non-judgmental, collaborative, and empowering. It is important that my clients feel seen, heard, understood, and empowered. I believe that fostering a safe and secure therapeutic relationship is crucial in the therapeutic process. I also believe in meeting the clients where they are at any given moment and empowering them to discover insights and skills that work best for them.

I am a compassionate and experienced therapist who combines solution-focused, processing-oriented, and empathetic approaches. I create a supportive environment where clients feel understood and empowered to make positive changes. My approach is grounded in empathy, respect, and collaboration, aimed at supporting clients in achieving their therapeutic goals. I believe that every individual enters this world with inherent worth. However, in life, a person may encounter obstacles or setbacks hindering their desired path. Using my wealth of experience, I strive to offer a safe and supportive space for growth and healing for all.

I have been working as a mental health clinician for nearly two decades. I take a client-centered, strength-based approach to working with clients. I draw from a variety of approaches but tend heavily toward evidence-based treatments such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). I incorporate useful aspects from several research-based modalities, including Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Motivational Interviewing. I am trained in Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR).

I am a Doctor of Social Work and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in California with 9 years of professional work experience. My background involves working with anxiety, depression, interpersonal conflict, and difficulties with self-worth. My experience population spans with a variety of ages and cultures, including minority communities, the LGBTQ community, and alternative lifestyles. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion.

I have extensive experience working with adults of all ages. Since receiving my Master’s from Columbia University, I’ve been trained in various therapeutic models and utilize an integrative and client-centered approach. For the past several years my training is in the model of Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy. My relational approach helps to create a safe space to undo aloneness and bring solace to pain. As a compassionate guide, together we will work on your therapeutic journey to help you manage and move through difficult emotions, get unstuck from self-defeating patterns and regain access to your innate strengths.

I am an experienced therapist with a compassionate and nonjudgmental approach. I have extensive experience using evidence-based practices. I use these techniques to help you evaluate and work through difficult issues and behaviors that may be keeping you from moving forward. I work collaboratively with you to create a treatment plan that is uniquely tailored to your therapy goals. I believe that the most effective therapy combines nurturing support, concrete tools, and a results-oriented approach. I specialize in helping individuals who struggle with anxiety, depression, stress, life transitions, and relationship issues.

I have worked with a variety of clients dealing with depression, anxiety, life transitions, and other life challenges, primarily in community mental health with marginalized and underserved communities. I see people seeking support for many difficulties, including imposter syndrome, self-esteem, boundaries, communication skills, and more. Reducing self-judgment and increasing curiosity about yourself will help you to make better decisions that are aligned with your core values. This will ultimately unhook you from negative thoughts or worries so you are more fully available for all the important things in your life.

I believe in evidence-based therapies and utilize Cognitive Behavioral Therapy as I strive to help my clients process their emotions and feelings to reach a place where they can work through their struggles in a healthy, productive way. I understand that therapy can be a new experience for some people, and would love to help to find ease in your everyday stressors with the use of my knowledge, care, and passion for this work. I am well versed in co-occurring disorders and realize that there is usually more than one issue present in a person's life causing them to experience stressors.

Hello! I'm delighted that you're here. My approach is grounded, open-minded, and centered around you as an individual. I incorporate evidence-based practices such as Emotion-Focused Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, as well as Mindfulness and Meditation techniques. I strive to create a safe, non-judgmental environment where you can be yourself. My goal is to ensure you feel heard and leave with greater self-confidence. I deeply respect autonomy and value each person's unique background. Whether you're clear about your needs or seeking clarity, I'm here to support you on your journey!

I think we all have moments where we feel like we don't fit in. I decided to embrace that feeling. I help my clients promote and accept that feeling of otherness through the therapeutic process. After all, that has to be what makes us each unique. The principles of authenticity, self-love, self-care, self-acceptance, believing in oneself, operating from a place of integrity, and self-determination are important factors in healing and wellness.

Life will present us now and then with the unexpected.  This clearly is a time of major change for all of us. Not all of this is new nor is it novel. Even in the most normal of times we often do experience unwelcome events, the loss of a loved one, disability, addiction, economic insecurity, loneliness. To live is perhaps also to suffer. But we need not suffer alone. You will find me to be a compassionate, capable psychotherapist. Working together, I can help you to live a happier, more contented and fulfilling life. So then, where are you now? Where would you like to go from here? Would you like to create a new narrative?