Therapists in Kensington, CA

Therapy can be a place to heal relationships, develop resilience, and find relief from mental health symptoms. It can be an opportunity to discover hope and move past emotional blocks that have kept you from achieving your goals.

My approach to counseling is eclectic. I combine a variety of theories and skills suited to each individual needs.. My services include, but not limited to: stress, depression, grief and loss, trauma, divorce, relationship issues, loneliness etc, My primary goal is to help others turn their wounds into wisdom.. and obtain a happier healthier and more fulfilled life..My experience is extensive. Ranging from being a professor for graduate students at California State University for the past 25 years and preparing students to become therapists in schools and community settings. I have a doctorate degree and am a psychologist& Counselor

Unseen opportunities often present themselves in the midst of pain and struggle. However the signs are easily missed when stress, grief or heartache overwhelm your ability to cope. I offer a safe, supportive environment to gain perspective on your current situation so that you can move forward with a sense of dignity, insight and awareness. I am available for a free phone consultation. I will also make referrals to the appropriate resource if I believe that you will be better served by another specialist.

These are really tough times, aren't they? Existing issues feel bigger and it can be that much harder to cope. Therapy can heIp. I approach therapy in a warm and collaborative manner to help couples, individuals, and families identify new and adaptive ways to deal with life's challenges. In couples therapy, I use Emotion-Focused and Gottman approaches to help partners learn to manage and repair conflict, rebuild trust and intimacy, and build emotional connections. In family treatment, I'll work with your family to develop adaptive and healthy communication patterns, as well as address parenting concerns and behavioral issues.

Are you dealing with unwanted OCD thoughts or rituals? Avoiding places, objects, movements, people, words, colors, that you're afraid will trigger anxiety or thoughts? Thinking about the same things over and over with no resolution? Are you lost? Lonely? Grieving? Acting or thinking in ways you don't understand? Looking for something more in your life? Not knowing what the next step is? Wanting to make big, positive changes (or even small ones) and don't know how? Just moved here? I love helping people explore their lives and themselves! Let's find out what's next, what's inside, what you want and who you are!

Do you feel trapped by your anxious rumination, obsessive-compulsive patterns, and people-pleasing behaviors? Have you seen therapists in the past who you feel like listened and validated you but didn't help you figure out what to actually do about your anxiety? Maybe you feel like your previous trauma makes it hard for you to feel like you can connect with loved ones in relationship now? I help highly motivated clients like you learn how to manage your anxiety and get your needs met in your relationships. There is hope for you to live a life that feels worth living.

Many of my clients are disabled, queer, and trans. I love to support individuals and families in finding and shifting cycles that keep them stuck. This can look like a cycle of anxiety that keeps swirling and growing no matter how much you try to avoid or reassure it. Or like families that are caught in challenging cycles of communication, who are working to shift things but feel caught in old patterns. My clients are often impacted by multiple layers of social and internalized stigma. Specific issues my clients seek care for include OCD, ADHD, depression, trauma, bereavement, and identity development around disability and gender.

Dr. Akshay Naresh is a clinical psychologist and has worked with patients across the lifespan in various contexts including community mental health clinics, hospitals, and educational facilities (secondary, community colleges, & universities). He has experience working with a wide range of mental health concerns including stress, anxiety, depression, chronic pain, body image issues, eating disorders, relationship issues, gender and sexual identity, and multi-cultural issues. He uses an integrative approach to create a space for meaningful life changes by helping patients develop self-compassion, self-acceptance, and self-awareness.

In our work together, my intention is to help you break away from the maladaptive thought patterns, emotions, actions, and external circumstances that keep you stuck in an unwanted experience. My goal is to help you create progress towards the life you do want for yourself. I’ll want to understand the changes you’d like to see in yourself. With this in mind, I’ll want to identify the behaviors you’d like to demonstrate, the lasting emotions you’d like to feel, and the outcomes you’d like to see present themselves in your life. With that information, we'll set the overall goals for therapy. Now providing Psychedelic Assisted Therapy.

People come to me because they are struggling and tired. They are struggling in their relationships with others and with themselves. Often, that includes self harm or suicidal thoughts. They might be told they tend to overreact, are dramatic, or "too much". Many are struggling with identity, how they see the world and how they see themselves in the world, often still dealing with painful wounds from childhood or versions of their younger selves. My clients want to feel more balanced and in control. People come to me because day to day tasks can be so distressing and overwhelming and they want to have a better quality of life.

I believe young adulthood is a unique time in one's life and I feel strongly that having an ally on your side can help you find your next best step forward and build resiliency. I enjoy working with young adults and young professionals who are struggling with anxiety, depression, loss and life transitions. In addition, I also work with Healthcare professionals who are seeking a healthier way to work through burnout symptoms ( PTSD, Depression and Anxiety) and cope with the emotional demands of their job.

In my 11 years of practice, I have experience in the treatment of mental health issues including trauma, depression, anxiety, attachment/relationship issues, behavioral issues, and life transitions. I consider myself an eclectic therapist. I incorporate evidence-based practices into my work with clients and individualize my techniques and approaches to best address their needs. I believe that my clients are the experts in their lives. Therefore, my work starts with understanding each individual client, holistically, to best assist them in meeting their desired goals in therapy.

In my practice, I work well with clients from a broad spectrum of backgrounds, experiences, needs, and goals for therapy. Generally, my clients are high achieving, accomplished people who are seeking to develop their skills for managing stress, increasing motivation, reducing anxiety, building confidence, healing from trauma, and relating to people in personal and professional settings more effectively. My clients typically want therapy that is empowering, practical, and solutions-focused; as they are hoping to enact changes in their daily lives that will help them identify and reach their goals.

When you decide to look for a therapist, you may already be feeling overwhelmed by all that has led you to therapy in the first place. The process of finding a trusting, warm, and well-qualified therapist is indeed a challenging one; however, I try to make it as easy and seamless as possible for you. With over ten years of professional clinical experience with individuals of all ages, families, and couples, I feel confident that I can help you navigate your therapeutic experience with ease.

¡Offering psychotherapy services and supervision to ACSWs and MSW interns! Welcome. It takes courage to seek help. I’m glad you’re here. Over the past decade I have dedicated my work to helping those impacted by trauma, anxiety disorders, and stress. I am passionate about helping people improve what trauma, stress and major life changes often disrupt (e.g. self-awareness, coping skills, interpersonal relationships, and self-worth).

I have a doctorate (Ph.D.) in Clinical and Health Psychology. I work with an array of individuals and specialize in concerns related to LGBTQ, POC and allies on a variety of concerns. I pay special attention to cultural factors related to wellness. If you have a specific concern like difficulties in relationships or a more general interest in improving your well-being by learning how to better deal with strong emotions, I will provide a warm and supportive space to foster your personal growth.

I approach therapy as education - helping clients to better identify patterns associated with difficulties, develop skills to overcome these difficulties, and learn how to utilize these skills in their daily lives in order to live as optimally as possible. We focus both on addressing the issues that have been plaguing you as well as learning to live more fully and comfortably in each moment and activity you are engaged in. Learning powerful skills helps overcome specific problems, boost resilience against future problems, and more fully enjoy daily life. Therapy is individually tailored to your specific needs and lifestyle.

I am here to join with you as you explore therapy as a path to heal and thrive. Taking the step to engage in therapy can feel daunting. I will take that step with you and provide support and a safe place. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 15 years’ experience in direct practice. Throughout my practice I have focused on the importance of identifying all aspects of my clients’ lives that impact their well-being (support systems, cultural, work/ school environment, physical health, life experience, faith/spirituality) to provide treatment through a holistic person-in- environment perspective.

Two Chairs was founded in 2017 with a mission to build a world where everyone has access to exceptional mental healthcare. We're creating a better experience for both patients and clinicians by starting with an in-depth, research-backed matching process to ensure the ideal patient-therapist fit, offering hybrid care that gives patients and clinicians flexibility between in-person and virtual sessions, and measuring outcomes to ensure patients get better faster.