Therapists in Contra Costa County, CA
![Photo of Christine R Melendres, LCSW, Clinical Social Work/Therapist](https://photos.psychologytoday.com/9a72aca4-39aa-4ab3-8952-274b721c24e0/2/320x400.jpeg)
Christine R Melendres
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified Verified
5 Endorsed
San Ramon, CA 94582
Are you a burned out, high-achieving woman of color? Does it seem like you are constantly overwhelmed and have been putting your mental health last on your “to do” list? Are you struggling with placing healthy boundaries and making yourself a priority? Have you tried to solve the problems in your life on your own and realized you need help from someone else? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you have made the right choice by being here. I know seeking help can be hard. You’ve likely been debating seeking help for months, if not years, but I'm so glad you have taken the courageous step of being here.
Are you a burned out, high-achieving woman of color? Does it seem like you are constantly overwhelmed and have been putting your mental health last on your “to do” list? Are you struggling with placing healthy boundaries and making yourself a priority? Have you tried to solve the problems in your life on your own and realized you need help from someone else? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you have made the right choice by being here. I know seeking help can be hard. You’ve likely been debating seeking help for months, if not years, but I'm so glad you have taken the courageous step of being here.
![Photo of Nicole Abeleda, LCSW, Clinical Social Work/Therapist](https://photos.psychologytoday.com/721fa99c-7e4f-47f4-b92a-7907a78dc36f/2/320x400.jpeg)
Nicole Abeleda
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
San Ramon, CA 94582 (Online Only)
Hello there! I'm Nicole "Nikki" Abeleda, and I'm thrilled to connect with you. I proudly identify as a First-Generation Queer Filipinx, embracing she/they/siya pronouns. If you’re navigating the intricate intersection of mental health and identity as an LGBTQIA+, BIPOC individual, remember you’re not alone. My ideal client is someone prepared to embark on a journey of self-discovery and healing. I collaborate with those recognizing the significance of their unique narrative, eager to (re)imagine their space in the world.
Hello there! I'm Nicole "Nikki" Abeleda, and I'm thrilled to connect with you. I proudly identify as a First-Generation Queer Filipinx, embracing she/they/siya pronouns. If you’re navigating the intricate intersection of mental health and identity as an LGBTQIA+, BIPOC individual, remember you’re not alone. My ideal client is someone prepared to embark on a journey of self-discovery and healing. I collaborate with those recognizing the significance of their unique narrative, eager to (re)imagine their space in the world.
Online Therapists
![Photo of Larry Santiago, MA, MFT, Marriage & Family Therapist](https://photos.psychologytoday.com/439fc8a3-46cd-11ea-a6ad-06142c356176/2/320x400.jpeg)
I have a particular expertise in working with clients who have diverse cultural backgrounds (e.g. ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation.) I also have a deep association working with artistic/creative type individuals and can address particular issues that arise being an artist confined to a conventional/mainstream worldview.
I have a particular expertise in working with clients who have diverse cultural backgrounds (e.g. ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation.) I also have a deep association working with artistic/creative type individuals and can address particular issues that arise being an artist confined to a conventional/mainstream worldview.
![Photo of Maggie B. de Vera, PsyD(c), LMFT, CCHT, CLC, Marriage & Family Therapist](https://photos.psychologytoday.com/3f6d0ccf-46cd-11ea-a6ad-06142c356176/2/320x400.jpeg)
Maggie B. de Vera
Marriage & Family Therapist, PsyD(c), LMFT, CCHT, CLC
Verified Verified
2 Endorsed
Pacifica, CA 94044
Maggie de Vera is a respected Holistic Practitioner, Therapist, Clinical Supervisor, Life Coach, Trainer & Consultant in the Bay Area. Backed with over 30+ years of extensive experience, education/training and leadership, Maggie is acclaimed in her field for effective work with the most challenging cases and runs a private practice as a Psychotherapist, Clinical Hypnotherapist, Sex Therapist, Life Coach, Speaker/Trainer, Consultant and also the Founder & President/CEO of a Non-profit Agency serving the disadvantaged & high-risk. Maggie focuses on supporting/ empowering her clients to heal and grow to create a healthy & positive life
Maggie de Vera is a respected Holistic Practitioner, Therapist, Clinical Supervisor, Life Coach, Trainer & Consultant in the Bay Area. Backed with over 30+ years of extensive experience, education/training and leadership, Maggie is acclaimed in her field for effective work with the most challenging cases and runs a private practice as a Psychotherapist, Clinical Hypnotherapist, Sex Therapist, Life Coach, Speaker/Trainer, Consultant and also the Founder & President/CEO of a Non-profit Agency serving the disadvantaged & high-risk. Maggie focuses on supporting/ empowering her clients to heal and grow to create a healthy & positive life
See more therapy options for Contra Costa County
Chronic Pain Therapists
How does chronic pain therapy work?
Engaging with a psychotherapist to help treat chronic pain does not mean that one’s pain is all in their head. Therapy for chronic-pain patients has been shown to benefit both the mind and the body, targeting physical symptoms and increasing daily functioning. In other words, for many, addressing their emotional health through therapy affects their physical health. A therapist can help a client challenge unhelpful thoughts about pain and develop new ways to respond to it, such as distraction or calming breathing techniques. Studies have found that therapy can be as effective as surgery for certain cases of chronic pain and many doctors recommend trying psychotherapy in advance of considering invasive surgery.
What are the most effective treatment options for chronic pain?
Stress, anxiety, depression, catastrophizing, ruminating, lack of activity, and social withdrawal all make chronic pain worse. Addressing these issues, research shows, can help people gain control over their pain symptoms. Therapeutic approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy, biofeedback, and mindfulness-based stress reduction, along with greater pain-management education, have been found to help people reduce fear and disability.
Are there new treatments for chronic pain?
Many cases of chronic pain, particularly those involving back pain, remain medically unexplained. But there is evidence that changes in the brain or nervous system are caused by previous physical ailments such as tissue damage; in such cases, the brain may continue to send out pain signals despite the physical cause having healed. To aid patients under these circumstances, a recently developed treatment known as pain reprocessing therapy (PRT) is designed to help the brain “unlearn” this response. A PRT practitioner helps individuals to reduce the “threat value” of their ongoing pain signals until they can reappraise them as less threatening and fear-inducing. They also help an individual to develop new emotional regulation skills.
How long does therapy for chronic pain take?
There is no set timeline for recovery from chronic pain, especially as there may be a range of physical and psychological causes for any individual’s discomfort, but most patients should expect to see a therapist for a number of weeks or months, typically spanning at least 12 sessions. Studies of pain reprocessing therapy found that many individuals’ experience of pain lessened in eight sessions over four weeks.