Domestic Abuse Therapists in El Cerrito, CA
We are an incorporated psychotherapy group practice established in 1985. We specialize in working with children, adults, families who are dealing with issues of sexual abuse and/or other forms of trauma. We also provide co-parenting, custody evaluation, forensic evaluation, family reunification, and general psychotherapy services, including couples counseling.
We are an incorporated psychotherapy group practice established in 1985. We specialize in working with children, adults, families who are dealing with issues of sexual abuse and/or other forms of trauma. We also provide co-parenting, custody evaluation, forensic evaluation, family reunification, and general psychotherapy services, including couples counseling.
My specialty areas include working with survivors of trauma/neglect/ abuse; relationships and relating with self/others; oppression/ discrimination/ intersections of identities; LGBTQ+ folks; poly/kink folks; self-care for activists and helping professionals, immigrants, asylum seekers; imposter syndrome; and use of mindfulness, emotion, body awareness.
Stress and trauma can take many forms. Sometimes we survive an event such as a car accident, wildfire, assault, or military-related event. Or we may notice chronic struggles with trusting others and ourselves, and feeling stressed and unsatisfied in our relationships. The experience of trauma can significantly impact how we change or grow in each present moment, how we connect and separate from others, and how we experiment, take risks, and resource our creativity. Let's co-create a therapy relationship that works to support the development of loving relationships with self and others.
My specialty areas include working with survivors of trauma/neglect/ abuse; relationships and relating with self/others; oppression/ discrimination/ intersections of identities; LGBTQ+ folks; poly/kink folks; self-care for activists and helping professionals, immigrants, asylum seekers; imposter syndrome; and use of mindfulness, emotion, body awareness.
Stress and trauma can take many forms. Sometimes we survive an event such as a car accident, wildfire, assault, or military-related event. Or we may notice chronic struggles with trusting others and ourselves, and feeling stressed and unsatisfied in our relationships. The experience of trauma can significantly impact how we change or grow in each present moment, how we connect and separate from others, and how we experiment, take risks, and resource our creativity. Let's co-create a therapy relationship that works to support the development of loving relationships with self and others.
Lise Serrie Stern
Marriage & Family Therapist, MFT
Verified Verified
El Cerrito, CA 94530 (Online Only)
People have come to me for problems with depression, anxiety, abuse trauma, addictions and relationship issues.
Whatever it is that brought your here, whether it is a personal crisis, long term wounds of trauma, or the disappointment of a life not fully lived. You are not alone. These are the very human concerns that we all share. Along with a desire to heal into greater fullness, authenticity, creativity and more meaningful connection with ourselves and others. I believe that we all know what want most deeply - and even, how to get there. But we are blocked by limiting beliefs about ourselves, often from the past.
People have come to me for problems with depression, anxiety, abuse trauma, addictions and relationship issues.
Whatever it is that brought your here, whether it is a personal crisis, long term wounds of trauma, or the disappointment of a life not fully lived. You are not alone. These are the very human concerns that we all share. Along with a desire to heal into greater fullness, authenticity, creativity and more meaningful connection with ourselves and others. I believe that we all know what want most deeply - and even, how to get there. But we are blocked by limiting beliefs about ourselves, often from the past.
I am a bilingual (English/Spanish) psychologist with experience working with issues ranging from anxiety and depression to trauma, family problems, and relationship issues. I approach treatment in a direct, dynamic, culturally sensitive, and client focused way. I am particularly interested in issues of diversity, couples, families, work stress, and helping you overcome patterns and obstacles that hinder your personal transformation.
I am a bilingual (English/Spanish) psychologist with experience working with issues ranging from anxiety and depression to trauma, family problems, and relationship issues. I approach treatment in a direct, dynamic, culturally sensitive, and client focused way. I am particularly interested in issues of diversity, couples, families, work stress, and helping you overcome patterns and obstacles that hinder your personal transformation.
Welcome! If you are a parent, or an adult struggling with depression, anxiety or memories of painful events, I can help you. I can help you with difficult child behaviors. If your child is angry, if they are fighting in school, or has learning difficulties, I can help you. For many years, I have been investing all my professional skills and my heart into helping wonderful children and families to heal. Please, tell me about your relationship with yourself, and with the world. Please, tell me how I can support and nurture you.
Welcome! If you are a parent, or an adult struggling with depression, anxiety or memories of painful events, I can help you. I can help you with difficult child behaviors. If your child is angry, if they are fighting in school, or has learning difficulties, I can help you. For many years, I have been investing all my professional skills and my heart into helping wonderful children and families to heal. Please, tell me about your relationship with yourself, and with the world. Please, tell me how I can support and nurture you.
Anna Billings
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified Verified
El Cerrito, CA 94530
Waitlist for new clients
Are you facing difficult challenges in your life? In your relationships, your work, or life in general? Trying your best but tired of struggling with the pain and frustration on your own? Do you find yourself thinking it shouldn't be this hard? Longing for the freedom and joy to simply be yourself and live the life you were meant to live?
Are you facing difficult challenges in your life? In your relationships, your work, or life in general? Trying your best but tired of struggling with the pain and frustration on your own? Do you find yourself thinking it shouldn't be this hard? Longing for the freedom and joy to simply be yourself and live the life you were meant to live?
Nancy Sarah Rothschild
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified Verified
El Cerrito, CA 94530
Waitlist for new clients
As a long-time practitioner, my way of working has evolved from a more traditional dynamic approach to a deep interest in the bridge between mind/body spiritual traditions and contemporary psychology. I have much varied experience working with both men and women who struggle with the challenges of loneliness and living a conscious, fulfilling and spontaneous life. If you are feeling stressed, or if anxiety or depression have you wrestling with problems that never seem to resolve, perhaps it's time to turn for help to a compassionate and engaged therapist.
As a long-time practitioner, my way of working has evolved from a more traditional dynamic approach to a deep interest in the bridge between mind/body spiritual traditions and contemporary psychology. I have much varied experience working with both men and women who struggle with the challenges of loneliness and living a conscious, fulfilling and spontaneous life. If you are feeling stressed, or if anxiety or depression have you wrestling with problems that never seem to resolve, perhaps it's time to turn for help to a compassionate and engaged therapist.
Stephen Adair Vernon
Marriage & Family Therapist, MFT
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
El Cerrito, CA 94530
I have always found the more relational and emotionally based this work is then the more rewarding and successful it is for clients and myself. I work with a wide range of clients. Their basic desire is to connect with themselves and others. Of late, it seems, many of my clients are couples; men ; adolescents; and mid-life and elderly of both sexes. Each are addressing important problems and/or transitional stages of life. Our work can be fearful and/or fearless, exciting and/or slow and always the challenge of facing not-knowing, making choices and exploring ourselves.
I have always found the more relational and emotionally based this work is then the more rewarding and successful it is for clients and myself. I work with a wide range of clients. Their basic desire is to connect with themselves and others. Of late, it seems, many of my clients are couples; men ; adolescents; and mid-life and elderly of both sexes. Each are addressing important problems and/or transitional stages of life. Our work can be fearful and/or fearless, exciting and/or slow and always the challenge of facing not-knowing, making choices and exploring ourselves.
Do you find yourself at a crossroads, with recent events or longstanding issues to sort through and understand? Are you experiencing a challenged relationship, a sadness lingering from Covid isolation, anxieties, a shake up of self esteem, or a desire to re-calibrate life/career goals? What do you want to release and what to retain as learning? I offer compassionate, supportive, resourceful, pragmatic collaboration to help you balance these awarenesses. Together, we will set achievable goals and reclaim your resources within, so that you, and your relationships can move forward in a positive way.
Do you find yourself at a crossroads, with recent events or longstanding issues to sort through and understand? Are you experiencing a challenged relationship, a sadness lingering from Covid isolation, anxieties, a shake up of self esteem, or a desire to re-calibrate life/career goals? What do you want to release and what to retain as learning? I offer compassionate, supportive, resourceful, pragmatic collaboration to help you balance these awarenesses. Together, we will set achievable goals and reclaim your resources within, so that you, and your relationships can move forward in a positive way.
When we are exposed to trauma at an early age, it can seriously impact how we feel about ourselves and our relationships with others. Trauma can also profoundly affect whether we feel this is a safe world and can contribute to depression, anxiety, and relational/familial issues. My practice is from a strengths-based, trauma-informed perspective with a non-judgmental framework. I aim to understand clients’ internal responses and to provide more options for emotional regulation and problem-solving.
When we are exposed to trauma at an early age, it can seriously impact how we feel about ourselves and our relationships with others. Trauma can also profoundly affect whether we feel this is a safe world and can contribute to depression, anxiety, and relational/familial issues. My practice is from a strengths-based, trauma-informed perspective with a non-judgmental framework. I aim to understand clients’ internal responses and to provide more options for emotional regulation and problem-solving.
Cathy Trenary
Associate Professional Clinical Counselor, APCC
Verified Verified
El Cerrito, CA 94530
Our life experiences can lead us to question our identity and purpose in the world we live in. This can lead us to anxiety, depression, and trauma. Do you want to improve how you face challenges, function in your relationships, and face overwhelming feelings? I place heavy importance on addressing trauma. Trauma disintegrates the parts that make up your whole self, which can leave aspects of who you are hidden from your awareness. Left unaddressed, anxiety and depression can worsen, which can rob you of the necessary connection that all human beings need to thrive. I aim to help you process unresolved trauma.
Our life experiences can lead us to question our identity and purpose in the world we live in. This can lead us to anxiety, depression, and trauma. Do you want to improve how you face challenges, function in your relationships, and face overwhelming feelings? I place heavy importance on addressing trauma. Trauma disintegrates the parts that make up your whole self, which can leave aspects of who you are hidden from your awareness. Left unaddressed, anxiety and depression can worsen, which can rob you of the necessary connection that all human beings need to thrive. I aim to help you process unresolved trauma.
Justine Gordon
Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, AMFT, EMDR
Verified Verified
El Cerrito, CA 94530
Navigating life's challenges is never easy, but reaching out for help is a brave first step to living a more genuine and fulfilling life. I have expertise in working with individuals struggling with childhood trauma and trauma-related symptoms such as grief, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and relational conflict. I believe every client is unique and deserves to be listened to and understood in an empathetic way. I am passionate about creating a safe, kind, collaborative and judgment-free space where clients can attain new insights, experience new feelings, and find a renewed sense of physical and mental well-being.
Navigating life's challenges is never easy, but reaching out for help is a brave first step to living a more genuine and fulfilling life. I have expertise in working with individuals struggling with childhood trauma and trauma-related symptoms such as grief, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and relational conflict. I believe every client is unique and deserves to be listened to and understood in an empathetic way. I am passionate about creating a safe, kind, collaborative and judgment-free space where clients can attain new insights, experience new feelings, and find a renewed sense of physical and mental well-being.
Life can feel impossible to avoid struggling and we often don't feel we have the skills to cope successfully through. Unfortunately, sometimes we don't have all the resources we need for a given situation. Parts of us take on desperate roles trying to help us to survive. This might look like anxiety, depression, PTSD, addiction, and relationship/family issues. I aim to help you process unresolved issues and feelings and find solutions.
Life can feel impossible to avoid struggling and we often don't feel we have the skills to cope successfully through. Unfortunately, sometimes we don't have all the resources we need for a given situation. Parts of us take on desperate roles trying to help us to survive. This might look like anxiety, depression, PTSD, addiction, and relationship/family issues. I aim to help you process unresolved issues and feelings and find solutions.
Do you find yourself having a difficult time coping with anxiety, depression, and trauma? Do you have a hard time communicating and setting boundaries with others? Life is full of obstacles and hardships that may be difficult to overcome without the right tools, resources, and, guidance leading to the manifestation of these symptoms. I specialize in working with adults, couples, and adolescents using a Psychodynamic approach to explore unconscious thoughts and behaviors. In doing this, we are able to collaboratively recognize old ineffective patterns and process unresolved feelings and trauma.
Do you find yourself having a difficult time coping with anxiety, depression, and trauma? Do you have a hard time communicating and setting boundaries with others? Life is full of obstacles and hardships that may be difficult to overcome without the right tools, resources, and, guidance leading to the manifestation of these symptoms. I specialize in working with adults, couples, and adolescents using a Psychodynamic approach to explore unconscious thoughts and behaviors. In doing this, we are able to collaboratively recognize old ineffective patterns and process unresolved feelings and trauma.
Throughout our lives, we all have experienced feelings of depression, anxiety, and anger. These emotions leave you feeling insecure, shameful, lonely, unworthy and stuck in unhealthy patterns of behavior. Trauma can have negative emotional and physical effects and can lead to family/relationship issues. I specialize in solution-focused brief therapy, motivational interviewing, mindfulness and CBT. These approaches allow me to work with the client to decrease symptoms of anxiety and depression and other health/behavioral issues.
Throughout our lives, we all have experienced feelings of depression, anxiety, and anger. These emotions leave you feeling insecure, shameful, lonely, unworthy and stuck in unhealthy patterns of behavior. Trauma can have negative emotional and physical effects and can lead to family/relationship issues. I specialize in solution-focused brief therapy, motivational interviewing, mindfulness and CBT. These approaches allow me to work with the client to decrease symptoms of anxiety and depression and other health/behavioral issues.
Kathleen Lellis
Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, MA, AMFT
Verified Verified
El Cerrito, CA 94530
Kathy is a former teacher & mother of 3 adult children. She has volunteered with animal rescue. She has her Masters in Counseling Psychology from JFK University. She is focused on being a therapist for women, but also for those who have experienced trauma. She is certified in EMDR. She will be taking courses to do advanced EMDR and using EMDR for children.
Kathy is a former teacher & mother of 3 adult children. She has volunteered with animal rescue. She has her Masters in Counseling Psychology from JFK University. She is focused on being a therapist for women, but also for those who have experienced trauma. She is certified in EMDR. She will be taking courses to do advanced EMDR and using EMDR for children.
Melissa C Anderson
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, MFT, PhD
Verified Verified
4 Endorsed
El Cerrito, CA 94530 (Online Only)
Not accepting new clients
PLEASE NOTE: MY PRACTICE IS CURRENTLY FULL. Anxiety and depression often signal that something important is going on . . . just beneath the surface. Making sense of this pain, how it's guided you in the past, and its current role in perceiving the world, your place in it, and how to get what you truly desire is at the core of our work. Meeting weekly, or more frequently, therapy provides an environment to help reflect,understand, and grow. My experience and interest encompasses formal diagnoses ( abuse history, serious mental illnesses, and trauma) or that less defined, more pervasive sense that something is just a little off.
PLEASE NOTE: MY PRACTICE IS CURRENTLY FULL. Anxiety and depression often signal that something important is going on . . . just beneath the surface. Making sense of this pain, how it's guided you in the past, and its current role in perceiving the world, your place in it, and how to get what you truly desire is at the core of our work. Meeting weekly, or more frequently, therapy provides an environment to help reflect,understand, and grow. My experience and interest encompasses formal diagnoses ( abuse history, serious mental illnesses, and trauma) or that less defined, more pervasive sense that something is just a little off.
Three Bridges Psychology & Mediation, Inc
Psychologist, PsyD
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
El Cerrito, CA 94530
Not accepting new clients
2020 has brought multiple life-changing events. COVID-19 forced you to rethink your physical and emotional health, how you conduct business, and how you interact with everyone in your life. All of your relationships shifted in some important way. It's possible your role was shifted from an active co-worker to a former co-worker, from a supportive parent to a confused teacher, or from a loving spouse to a frustrated housemate. in addition to COVID-19, we are also faced with an unprecedented look at how America's social structure impacts race relations in our country.
2020 has brought multiple life-changing events. COVID-19 forced you to rethink your physical and emotional health, how you conduct business, and how you interact with everyone in your life. All of your relationships shifted in some important way. It's possible your role was shifted from an active co-worker to a former co-worker, from a supportive parent to a confused teacher, or from a loving spouse to a frustrated housemate. in addition to COVID-19, we are also faced with an unprecedented look at how America's social structure impacts race relations in our country.
More Therapists Nearby
I work extensively with victims/survivors of abuse and violent crimes.
Your life matters. Your pain matters. You can get better by learning techniques to manage your pain, whether emotional or physical. At my practice, we will work together to achieve your health and life goals whether it be managing stress, coping with illness or repairing a broken relationship. As a client, you will experience a safe and supportive environment where you can explore and work through emotional and interpersonal issues brought on by life transitions including relationships, work, family and/or societal/cultural pressures.
I work extensively with victims/survivors of abuse and violent crimes.
Your life matters. Your pain matters. You can get better by learning techniques to manage your pain, whether emotional or physical. At my practice, we will work together to achieve your health and life goals whether it be managing stress, coping with illness or repairing a broken relationship. As a client, you will experience a safe and supportive environment where you can explore and work through emotional and interpersonal issues brought on by life transitions including relationships, work, family and/or societal/cultural pressures.
We will process your trauma, give voice to the person who may have been silenced, and encourage your transformation from " victim" to empowered "survivor".
Have you been experiencing heightened levels of stress? Challenges focusing on your college courses? Microaggressions in the workplace that you aren’t sure how to address? Were you ever sexually assaulted or the victim of intimate partner violence (IPV)? Has your grief paralyzed you? Do you have negative thoughts that prevent you from moving forward in life? If you answered yes to any of those questions, I can help. I work with adults (18+) throughout California from all ethnic and cultural backgrounds who want to heal and live a life filled with joy, purpose, healthy relationships, abundance, and laughter.
We will process your trauma, give voice to the person who may have been silenced, and encourage your transformation from " victim" to empowered "survivor".
Have you been experiencing heightened levels of stress? Challenges focusing on your college courses? Microaggressions in the workplace that you aren’t sure how to address? Were you ever sexually assaulted or the victim of intimate partner violence (IPV)? Has your grief paralyzed you? Do you have negative thoughts that prevent you from moving forward in life? If you answered yes to any of those questions, I can help. I work with adults (18+) throughout California from all ethnic and cultural backgrounds who want to heal and live a life filled with joy, purpose, healthy relationships, abundance, and laughter.
See more therapy options for El Cerrito
Domestic Abuse Therapists
What are the most effective ways to recover from domestic abuse?
Leaving an abusive relationship requires tremendous courage, so survivors in treatment should recognize that they have already completed the most important step. Still, the trauma of physical or emotional abuse can be difficult to process and overcome. Therapy can help survivors process trauma, grief, and difficult emotions, treat relevant mental health symptoms, and create a new framework for boundaries and relationships in the future. For some, support groups can also be an invaluable outlet for healing.
When should an individual seek help for domestic abuse?
Victims of intimate partner violence should seek help immediately. It can take substantial time, planning, energy, and courage to leave an abusive relationship, but starting the process—by seeking therapy, calling the domestic violence hotline, or simply confiding in a loved one—will help them get there. Those who have left abusive relationships but haven’t sought treatment can also greatly benefit from therapy to process and heal from the experience.
What are the consequences of staying in an abusive relationship?
Remaining in an abusive relationship has serious repercussions. In addition to the ongoing threat of physical danger and emotional abuse, research shows that intimate partner violence is associated with a range of mental health disorders including depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and substance abuse. Therefore it’s important for individuals in an abusive relationship to seek help as soon as possible.
How can you get domestic abuse treatment for someone else?
It can be very complicated to identify and leave an abusive relationship; barriers include the threat of violence, financial instability, and family pressures. Those concerned about a loved one in an abusive relationship should talk to them about the situation, provide them with resources such as the domestic violence hotline, and introduce the idea of seeing a therapist due to their concern for the person’s safety and well-being.