Therapists in Emeryville, CA

I work on all sorts of issues and specialize in adult autism and new moms. You want a life you love. I'll work with you through difficult feelings and tough situations that block you from that life. Expect compassion and expect to laugh. We will work through tough stuff, but I will be down to earth and real with you- and you can do the same with me. Our work will be practical-- finding real solutions and strategies for your unique situation. Holistic therapy recognizes that our minds, emotions, bodies, and spirit are inherently connected and influence one another.

It isn't difficult to feel scared, vulnerable and not good enough in our complex world, let alone if you have a history of being abused or neglected. Therapy can help you slowly make sense of the past so that you can encounter the present moment with more awareness and vigor. I am psychotherapist with an abiding love of the arts and often work with sensitive and creative individuals, many of whom have histories of abuse/neglect and are struggling to make sense of their past and present lives in order to find a greater sense of freedom/comfort within their own skins.

My work is based on a positive theoretical orientation which assumes that all individuals possess an innate desire for emotional/mental health. A person enters therapy with a strong wish, whether conscious or unconscious, to overcome obstacles and free themselves from constraints that are holding them back. I find that each individual needs a slightly different approach in order to accomplish these goals, so I make adjustments in technique for each specific case. I truly enjoy the experience of guiding my clients through this process and consider it a privilege to play such an important role in a person's life.

I have over 20 years of experience with a individuals, couples and families. I also have a background in chemical dependency and codependency.

My practice emphasizes integral, psychodynamic psychotherapy and consultation for a variety of psychological, relational, medical, cultural, and spiritual issues. I specialize in working with adults who grapple with anxiety, depression, loss, stress, health, disability, identity, sexuality, relationships, transitions, trauma, creativity, spirituality, life path/purpose/meaning and fulfillment. I also enjoy providing consultation to colleagues. Building on my fifteen years of private practice experience during my twenty years as a licensed clinician, it is my joy to combine private practice in Oakland with my teaching at CIIS.

I see therapy as an opportunity to have a new kind of relationship, a relationship in which you come to know yourself in a new way. In therapy we work together to uncover and make sense of confusing or conflicting desires, thoughts, and feelings. With understanding, awareness, and the practicing of new skills comes the freedom and capacity to make conscious choices, relate to difficult feelings and situations differently, and change entrenched patterns or habits that are no longer working for you. Many people come to see me after years of trying to "feel better" or "fix things" on their own. You don't have to do this alone.

Do you feel lost, questioning who you are or where you're going with no easy answers? Sometimes life takes an unexpected turn, we hit a bottom, or we just realize that something in us is different...or something must change. Such times of confusion and crisis are often the meeting point for our work together. They are also openings to self-discovery and real change. I listen deeply for what you want, develop a relationship of trust, and work WITH you to establish the clarity and direction you need.

Using methods that quickly get to the heart of your struggles with relationships, depression, low self esteem, or loss, I can help you find relief when we work together in therapy. Very often, knowing the deeper truth and inherent logic of our problems leads to uprooting and transforming them. You can feel more creative and joyful.

Do you have relationships in your life that are not working, and no matter what you do, it doesn't seem to get better? Are you looking for a partner, but find that it never seems to work out? Do you feel disconnected from others and are longing for relationships that are solid and fulfilling? Relationships take work and psychotherapy is an opportunity to understand who you are in relationship and how to create and healthy and supportive connections. I work with both individuals and couples to explore, cultivate and sustain intimacy.

My love for human development and growth and my outmost trust in human potential inspire me to facilitate effective, meaningful and ever-transformative change in my own life and in the lives of those who become my therapy clients. Through collaborative, respectful, compassionate and daring processes, I am here, with my talents and skills, to support you in finding your ways to live and love successfully. I am highly experienced and skilled at working with individual adults, couples and families, towards significant healing from anxieties, depression, relationship-challenges, major life adjustments and transitions, minor or significant trauma, grief and loss.

I work with individuals and couples on issues related to anxiety and depression, trauma, relationships, parenting, grief, transitions, body-image, and navigating the ups and downs of ones 20s and 30s.

As a clinician, I have been privileged to work with people as they transform their difficulties from the past into a richer, more functioning fabric of the present. I have been in practice for over 30 years, working with adults, adolescents and couples. I utilize EMDR for the treatment of trauma, anxiety, and for performance enhancement. I also work extensively in the treatment of alcoholism and other addictions, often treating family members of the addicted/alcoholic individual. In recent years I have been involved in the treatment of firefighters, police, and other First Responders.

Making the decision to seek out and find the right therapist either for you or for a loved one can be tough. There are many variables to consider and the task can be overwhelming. I work with people who struggle with issues related to identity, mood, life transitions, conflict, trauma and resistance to therapy often because it is mandated. I provide a safe space where you can discuss the details of your challenges and ground the clinical work in the context of the therapeutic relationship.

Life is too short and too precious to suffer needlessly, and therapeutic self-discovery should be joyful at least some of the time. Learning to recognize, communicate, accept,and manage our emotions leads to success and satisfaction in love, health, work, play, and all parts of life. There is no greater satisfaction than learning to be the full, authentic, robust version of yourself in the world. To help you get there, I offer thorough assessment, interactive therapeutic approach, empathy, humor, and flexible technique. Your choice-- come individually, or with your spouse or family. I especially enjoy helping couples communicate better.

Dissatisfied with your relationship to a partner, boss, or yourself? Do things feel out of control? Finding a good fit with a therapist can play a vital role in getting more of what you want in life. I see myself as someone who guides and facilitates a committed, compassionate and confidential space where we can clarify what is most important to you, and discover the blocks that get in the way of having the life that you want. In my practice I help individuals and couples find their own way to lasting changes.

I consider it a privilege to work with you to explore aspects of your life experience which have diminished your satisfaction with life or otherwise left you feeling lost or alone. Challenges around loss, aging, illness, trauma or relationships can feel too frightening to tackle alone. As a seasoned and compassionate psychotherapist, I can help you bear and work with what may feel unbearable. Together, we will create a protected space that fosters the trust, aliveness and self-expression that are essential to growth and success in love and work, where you can ultimately reclaim your life and joie-de-vivre.

Living well - mind, body & spirit - is the goal many strive for daily. However, sometimes life throws you a curve ball and you find it hard to keep all the balls of life going. Working as a professional Social Worker for many years in hospitals and various other settings has afforded me the opportunity to have extensive experiences with clients that have had multiple needs. My specialties include: general life adjustments, crisis intervention, grief and loss, substance abuse, trauma, mild to chronic medical conditions and illnesses, interpersonal violence (Domestic Violence, Abuse and Sexual Assault), community violence, re-entry and adoption/foster care issues.

Most folks who find their way to me are incredibly hard workers. They’ve survived by striving to manage their emotions, overcome their fears, and hold back problematic impulses. By the time they meet me, they may be exhausted, or they may be so entrenched in the endless struggle to feel well that it just feels normal. But they’re stuck because the level of effort is not sustainable, and they need something else. They need a soft place to land. To slow down and be present. To listen and feel heard. To heal, so that wellness blooms naturally rather than as a constant project.

Are you the outsider of your family of origin? You might be the family scapegoat. If so, you've probably experienced some of the following: treated as less-than, blamed, excluded, gossiped about, disowned, and more. And then, if you'd tried to address things, you might have been met with gaslighting, denial, or being dismissed. Your healthy anger might have been used as further "proof" of your badness or a narrative that you're mentally ill. And around and around it goes. But there is a way out.