Chronic Pain Therapists in Foster City, CA
Alena Y. N. Gittens
Psychologist, PhD
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Foster City, CA 94404 (Online Only)
Sometimes in life we get overwhelmed, feel stuck, and hopeless. Sometimes it can feel as though things keep piling up against us and it can be hard to feel complete. Some people may experience this emotionally, others more physically. Different things trigger these responses in us and make it hard for us to thrive. Whether it is the pandemic, trauma, depression, anxiety, family or relational conflict, self-esteem issues, racial injustice, or grief, having an outlet to make space for this discomfort can help alleviate the pain and move you towards a place of healing.
Sometimes in life we get overwhelmed, feel stuck, and hopeless. Sometimes it can feel as though things keep piling up against us and it can be hard to feel complete. Some people may experience this emotionally, others more physically. Different things trigger these responses in us and make it hard for us to thrive. Whether it is the pandemic, trauma, depression, anxiety, family or relational conflict, self-esteem issues, racial injustice, or grief, having an outlet to make space for this discomfort can help alleviate the pain and move you towards a place of healing.
I work from a culturally humble, science-backed framework and specialize in health and wellness, chronic stress, chronic illness, corporate burnout, and women's health.
Have you been trying to make changes to your mental or physical well-being but find the impact to be short-lived? In the age of podcasts and self-help gurus, we are often bombarded with advice on living healthier and happier lives but lack the “how” or “why” components that help us maintain change. After spending nearly a decade in the Bay Area, I understand both the joys that come from living in such an innovative, growing community and the pressures associated with the fast-paced, ever changing, high-stress lifestyle.
I work from a culturally humble, science-backed framework and specialize in health and wellness, chronic stress, chronic illness, corporate burnout, and women's health.
Have you been trying to make changes to your mental or physical well-being but find the impact to be short-lived? In the age of podcasts and self-help gurus, we are often bombarded with advice on living healthier and happier lives but lack the “how” or “why” components that help us maintain change. After spending nearly a decade in the Bay Area, I understand both the joys that come from living in such an innovative, growing community and the pressures associated with the fast-paced, ever changing, high-stress lifestyle.
Lynda Lynette Johnson-Basuino
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, BCPC
Verified Verified
Foster City, CA 94404
"Sometimes a little insight makes all the difference." I'm an experienced counselor who overcomes the obstacles of every day living despite vision loss. My specialty is helping people navigate through life altering crises such as the trauma of chronic health issues, divorce, job loss, behavior concerns in children, adolescence and teens. In my practice, I see people who are experiencing depression, anxiety, anger, PTSD, and the emotional responses to vision loss and blindness. I've been counseling for 25 years and I'm in the examination process of licensure. This is my passion. I look forward to working with you.
"Sometimes a little insight makes all the difference." I'm an experienced counselor who overcomes the obstacles of every day living despite vision loss. My specialty is helping people navigate through life altering crises such as the trauma of chronic health issues, divorce, job loss, behavior concerns in children, adolescence and teens. In my practice, I see people who are experiencing depression, anxiety, anger, PTSD, and the emotional responses to vision loss and blindness. I've been counseling for 25 years and I'm in the examination process of licensure. This is my passion. I look forward to working with you.
Hi. My name is Linda Mach, I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in the state of California. Are you seeking a therapist who can create a therapeutic environment to process thoughts and emotions, heal, and grow? I believe that the most important part of starting your journey to achieve your goals and thrive is ultimately feeling safe and supported by your provider. My approach is being authentic, empathic, compassionate, and understanding; while having a genuine interest in your well-being toward reaching your goals. I will provide a judgment-free zone and encourage self-determination.
Hi. My name is Linda Mach, I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in the state of California. Are you seeking a therapist who can create a therapeutic environment to process thoughts and emotions, heal, and grow? I believe that the most important part of starting your journey to achieve your goals and thrive is ultimately feeling safe and supported by your provider. My approach is being authentic, empathic, compassionate, and understanding; while having a genuine interest in your well-being toward reaching your goals. I will provide a judgment-free zone and encourage self-determination.
Hello! I'm Gustavo Olvera and I am a Licensed Marriage Family Therapist (LMFT), serving clients via telehealth throughout the State of California. My long time approach to therapy is to meet the client where they are and work with them to identify goals that will help them improve their quality of life. I believe that we all have the potential to succeed in life and the potential to achieve greatness. A healthy mind is key to success, as we often have to make critical decisions on a daily basis. I believe we can all achieve our desired goals by increasing and maintaining a positive outlook on our mental health.
Hello! I'm Gustavo Olvera and I am a Licensed Marriage Family Therapist (LMFT), serving clients via telehealth throughout the State of California. My long time approach to therapy is to meet the client where they are and work with them to identify goals that will help them improve their quality of life. I believe that we all have the potential to succeed in life and the potential to achieve greatness. A healthy mind is key to success, as we often have to make critical decisions on a daily basis. I believe we can all achieve our desired goals by increasing and maintaining a positive outlook on our mental health.
Janelle Tamm Magnuson
Marriage & Family Therapist, MS, MFT, CLC
Verified Verified
2 Endorsed
Foster City, CA 94404
As a therapist, my goal is to help my clients form better relationships, understand the patterns in their life, recognize their potential, and increase their resilience. To truly "know thyself" can be a difficult task, and I am committed to helping others embark upon their journey of self exploration. If you are facing depression, anxiety, strained relationships, feelings of helplessness, low self-esteem, poor performance at school or work, or other challenges, you may be a good candidate for therapy.
As a therapist, my goal is to help my clients form better relationships, understand the patterns in their life, recognize their potential, and increase their resilience. To truly "know thyself" can be a difficult task, and I am committed to helping others embark upon their journey of self exploration. If you are facing depression, anxiety, strained relationships, feelings of helplessness, low self-esteem, poor performance at school or work, or other challenges, you may be a good candidate for therapy.
Sarah Proemsey
Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor , MS, LPCC
Verified Verified
6 Endorsed
Foster City, CA 94404
Life can be tough and sometimes you find yourself overwhelmed facing challenging relationships, stressful changes, and painful past experiences. It can be difficult to know who to turn to for support and how to hold on to hope. Along the way, you can lose yourself and the ability to connect with those you love, often pushing away your needs and not taking time for yourself. All of this can lead to long-term issues for your mind and body. I believe there is hope for you to take a step back from it all and learn to build a life you love living.
Life can be tough and sometimes you find yourself overwhelmed facing challenging relationships, stressful changes, and painful past experiences. It can be difficult to know who to turn to for support and how to hold on to hope. Along the way, you can lose yourself and the ability to connect with those you love, often pushing away your needs and not taking time for yourself. All of this can lead to long-term issues for your mind and body. I believe there is hope for you to take a step back from it all and learn to build a life you love living.
At some point we all struggle to adjustment to life's changes; it's normal to feel stuck and I believe people have what it takes to adjust. For the past 20 years, I have been working with children and teens who are struggling to balance the demands of school and their social life. I integrate parents in my work as much as possible. I also work with adults and Couples often come to me for help in distress and are confused about how or why their relationship has derailed. I am dedicated to helping people build stronger; more intimate relationships and I use several modalities when attempting to help couples in distress.
At some point we all struggle to adjustment to life's changes; it's normal to feel stuck and I believe people have what it takes to adjust. For the past 20 years, I have been working with children and teens who are struggling to balance the demands of school and their social life. I integrate parents in my work as much as possible. I also work with adults and Couples often come to me for help in distress and are confused about how or why their relationship has derailed. I am dedicated to helping people build stronger; more intimate relationships and I use several modalities when attempting to help couples in distress.
More Therapists Nearby
Anyone who has ever experienced trauma cannot overlook the excruciating pain and fear it instills in the body and mind. Such pain, if left unattended may morph into depression, anxiety, chronic physical pain, and profound sense of loss and continuous grief. It can mask our identity and destroy our lifestyle. We turn out to be disoriented, stuck, and confined. Our lives become foreign to us. We find ourselves witnessing its broadcast, as opposed to fully experiencing it in the moment. Hence, we turn to our defenses in the form of compensatory behaviors, such as addiction and compulsions or lose the meaning of life.
Anyone who has ever experienced trauma cannot overlook the excruciating pain and fear it instills in the body and mind. Such pain, if left unattended may morph into depression, anxiety, chronic physical pain, and profound sense of loss and continuous grief. It can mask our identity and destroy our lifestyle. We turn out to be disoriented, stuck, and confined. Our lives become foreign to us. We find ourselves witnessing its broadcast, as opposed to fully experiencing it in the moment. Hence, we turn to our defenses in the form of compensatory behaviors, such as addiction and compulsions or lose the meaning of life.
You can clear patterns at a deeper level that create problems in your relationships, or learn to lessen pain and worry from loss,body image issues, addiction, trauma, ADD and more.
Your mind and body make a powerful, interwoven pair. Is your body expressing what the thoughts are repressing? Easing and gently lifting your sense of heaviness from anxiety, depression, grief, isolation and emptiness of spirit can be closer than you ever believed! Let me guide you to the other side of "stuck" in your personal and professional relationships, emotions, body issues, and success. When we are in a session all the focus is on being fully present for,and deeply listening to you, offering a clear, kind and soothing direction, towards releasing unhealthy thought patterns by integrating with body feelings.
You can clear patterns at a deeper level that create problems in your relationships, or learn to lessen pain and worry from loss,body image issues, addiction, trauma, ADD and more.
Your mind and body make a powerful, interwoven pair. Is your body expressing what the thoughts are repressing? Easing and gently lifting your sense of heaviness from anxiety, depression, grief, isolation and emptiness of spirit can be closer than you ever believed! Let me guide you to the other side of "stuck" in your personal and professional relationships, emotions, body issues, and success. When we are in a session all the focus is on being fully present for,and deeply listening to you, offering a clear, kind and soothing direction, towards releasing unhealthy thought patterns by integrating with body feelings.
Michelle Stupar-Integrative Mind Body Solutions
CHT, RMT
Verified Verified
San Mateo, CA 94404 (Online Only)
Suggestions; statements pertaining to the success of the client's goal, tap into the brain mechanisms involved in attention, motor control, pain perception, beliefs and volition.
Helping to uncover the root cause of distress by uncovering negative patterns and addressing painful mental states such as avoidance, isolation, people-pleasing, low self-esteem, confusion, worry, stress, and anxiety while working together to come up with a customized plan to manage the situation to feel more in control and live a happier more fulfilling life. Our approach is direct, positive & uplifting using a customized therapeutic approach in a supportive and accepting manner. We believe that through education along with a focused therapeutic approach yields the most successful results and I am there every step of the way.
Suggestions; statements pertaining to the success of the client's goal, tap into the brain mechanisms involved in attention, motor control, pain perception, beliefs and volition.
Helping to uncover the root cause of distress by uncovering negative patterns and addressing painful mental states such as avoidance, isolation, people-pleasing, low self-esteem, confusion, worry, stress, and anxiety while working together to come up with a customized plan to manage the situation to feel more in control and live a happier more fulfilling life. Our approach is direct, positive & uplifting using a customized therapeutic approach in a supportive and accepting manner. We believe that through education along with a focused therapeutic approach yields the most successful results and I am there every step of the way.
Sarah Rose Nagle
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified Verified
Redwood City, CA 94065 (Online Only)
With 22 years of experience of working with family upheaval, foster care and physical and sexual abuse, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and domestic violence, I enjoy being present for those working on the above issues. Issues of loss and grief, parenting skills or a new life direction. In recent years, I have come to love working with families and siblings of children diagnosed with Autism. Many times these family members are left with no support in the day in and day out living with a child or sibling with Autism. Chronic pain is also a major interest of mine.
With 22 years of experience of working with family upheaval, foster care and physical and sexual abuse, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and domestic violence, I enjoy being present for those working on the above issues. Issues of loss and grief, parenting skills or a new life direction. In recent years, I have come to love working with families and siblings of children diagnosed with Autism. Many times these family members are left with no support in the day in and day out living with a child or sibling with Autism. Chronic pain is also a major interest of mine.
Zar Getz
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, MSS, LCSW, LICSW
Verified Verified
4 Endorsed
San Mateo, CA 94403 (Online Only)
I cannot move mountains for you, but I can help you climb. Facing fears, healing from loss, finding meaning and joy - these are the inevitable tasks of life. Therapy may be your first step or your last resort. Often people avoid it all together because they believe their pain is too great, worry they will be judged or that their situation is too complicated. Some people believe they should solve problems on their own or only with family and friends. However, while family and friends may want the best for us, they often come with opinions or past hurts. Sometimes it helps to have a safe space outside your daily experience.
I cannot move mountains for you, but I can help you climb. Facing fears, healing from loss, finding meaning and joy - these are the inevitable tasks of life. Therapy may be your first step or your last resort. Often people avoid it all together because they believe their pain is too great, worry they will be judged or that their situation is too complicated. Some people believe they should solve problems on their own or only with family and friends. However, while family and friends may want the best for us, they often come with opinions or past hurts. Sometimes it helps to have a safe space outside your daily experience.
Dr. Ranjan Patel
Marriage & Family Therapist, PsyD, MFT, CPC
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
San Mateo, CA 94403 (Online Only)
Psychotherapy is a sacred process where you trust the therapist and make a pact to enter a private world of pain. You're visiting this site and seeking help: I admire that you're acknowledging your needs-this reflects your strength and commitment to yourself. Rather than avoiding, you're confronting stuff--it takes extraordinary courage. We are born resilient, and though we might feel deflated, life cannot knock this resilience out of us. With your resourcefulness, you're looking for a therapist . . . you're reading this sentence, and you're taking the first step . . . congratulations!
Psychotherapy is a sacred process where you trust the therapist and make a pact to enter a private world of pain. You're visiting this site and seeking help: I admire that you're acknowledging your needs-this reflects your strength and commitment to yourself. Rather than avoiding, you're confronting stuff--it takes extraordinary courage. We are born resilient, and though we might feel deflated, life cannot knock this resilience out of us. With your resourcefulness, you're looking for a therapist . . . you're reading this sentence, and you're taking the first step . . . congratulations!
Life can be complicated and confusing. Making room for joy, for satisfaction – for even a deep breath – can get pushed aside amid the demands of family, school, work, and the flood of world news. You may be struggling with newness, such as new parenthood or going away to college, or with the loss of a loved one or a long-term way of living. You may have experienced a traumatic event, or be concerned with emotional eating. Or maybe you just feel that something isn’t quite right, as an individual or as a couple, even though life looks fine on the surface.
Life can be complicated and confusing. Making room for joy, for satisfaction – for even a deep breath – can get pushed aside amid the demands of family, school, work, and the flood of world news. You may be struggling with newness, such as new parenthood or going away to college, or with the loss of a loved one or a long-term way of living. You may have experienced a traumatic event, or be concerned with emotional eating. Or maybe you just feel that something isn’t quite right, as an individual or as a couple, even though life looks fine on the surface.
Michelle Bialon-Choy
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW, PPSC
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
San Mateo, CA 94403 (Online Only)
Not accepting new clients
Life throws a lot at us and finding a therapist that you really connect with can make all the difference. Under the right circumstances, therapy can be incredibly calming, liberating, & rejuvenating. I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker/Therapist with more than 15 years of experience. My approach is warm, direct, compassionate and down-to-earth. Building genuine relationships with my clients enables us to work collaboratively and focus on deeply personalized treatment. I received my Masters in Social Work from UCLA in 2003 and specialize in couples counseling, parenting, teen issues, anxiety, depression & relationship skills.
Life throws a lot at us and finding a therapist that you really connect with can make all the difference. Under the right circumstances, therapy can be incredibly calming, liberating, & rejuvenating. I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker/Therapist with more than 15 years of experience. My approach is warm, direct, compassionate and down-to-earth. Building genuine relationships with my clients enables us to work collaboratively and focus on deeply personalized treatment. I received my Masters in Social Work from UCLA in 2003 and specialize in couples counseling, parenting, teen issues, anxiety, depression & relationship skills.
I am licensed from the Board of Behavioral Sciences as a Marriage Family Therapist. I graduated from Notre Dame de Namur with a Master's in Science Clinical Psychology MFT. I was born in Greece and moved to the United States as a child, and have been a California Bay Area native ever since. Growing up in a Greek household, I am able to speak Greek fluently and I am proficient in Spanish. In my spare time, I am also learning Mandarin Chinese as languages are a passion of mine.
I am licensed from the Board of Behavioral Sciences as a Marriage Family Therapist. I graduated from Notre Dame de Namur with a Master's in Science Clinical Psychology MFT. I was born in Greece and moved to the United States as a child, and have been a California Bay Area native ever since. Growing up in a Greek household, I am able to speak Greek fluently and I am proficient in Spanish. In my spare time, I am also learning Mandarin Chinese as languages are a passion of mine.
I help clients define how they want their lives to be different and help them identify the steps they will need to take to reach their goals. I've built a practice with the goal of strengthening families by increasing communication between its members and helping them focus on problem solving versus placing blame. Adults going through a life transition is a specialty - relationship issues, birth of a baby, balancing work & family, divorce and blended families. I also have a passion for children/adolescents and their welfare. I can provide valuable support to help them work through the challenges they are facing.
I help clients define how they want their lives to be different and help them identify the steps they will need to take to reach their goals. I've built a practice with the goal of strengthening families by increasing communication between its members and helping them focus on problem solving versus placing blame. Adults going through a life transition is a specialty - relationship issues, birth of a baby, balancing work & family, divorce and blended families. I also have a passion for children/adolescents and their welfare. I can provide valuable support to help them work through the challenges they are facing.
So often I hear from clients that they have been in therapy before, and it hasn't worked, or they are on medication, and it still is not working. Does this sound like you? My guess is that therapy hasn't worked because the approach is not specifically catered to meet your own unique needs and doesn't really look at the "whole person" but attempts to make a diagnosis and treats that diagnosis with a prescribed treatment plan. That is not you, though. You are unique and your treatment plan needs to meet your needs.
So often I hear from clients that they have been in therapy before, and it hasn't worked, or they are on medication, and it still is not working. Does this sound like you? My guess is that therapy hasn't worked because the approach is not specifically catered to meet your own unique needs and doesn't really look at the "whole person" but attempts to make a diagnosis and treats that diagnosis with a prescribed treatment plan. That is not you, though. You are unique and your treatment plan needs to meet your needs.
Megan Hankins-Maldonado
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified Verified
Redwood City, CA 94065 (Online Only)
You are a high preforming athlete that is in a constant state of stress. Assignments are piling up, parents are on your case about you name it and the one place you find peace (your sport) feels like a burden and not a refuge. You aren't "locked in" and feel a roller coaster of emotions: deep sadness, isolation, anxiety, unmotivated and lost. You present to everyone that you are “fine” but everything inside you says that you aren’t. My name is Megan and I help depressed, anxious and burned out athletes reclaim their life and their joy for the sports they play.
You are a high preforming athlete that is in a constant state of stress. Assignments are piling up, parents are on your case about you name it and the one place you find peace (your sport) feels like a burden and not a refuge. You aren't "locked in" and feel a roller coaster of emotions: deep sadness, isolation, anxiety, unmotivated and lost. You present to everyone that you are “fine” but everything inside you says that you aren’t. My name is Megan and I help depressed, anxious and burned out athletes reclaim their life and their joy for the sports they play.
See more therapy options for Foster City
Nearby Chronic Pain Therapists Searches for Foster City
- Atherton
- Belmont
- Burlingame
- Half Moon Bay
- Menlo Park
- Millbrae
- Palo Alto
- Redwood City
- San Bruno
- San Carlos
- San Mateo
- Stanford
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.