Adults Therapists in Los Altos, CA

Are you suffering and struggling in the living nightmare of an anxiety problem? Perhaps you are avoiding people, places or activities because of fear, panic or obsessive worrying. Maybe you have been suffering from a lack of sleep and feeling stressed and tired most of the time. Sleep medications and advice from friends or the internet might just make the problems worse. Maybe you're stuck in the never-ending rut of a bad habit or addiction that you can't seem to stop turning to for relief from your problems. Maybe you're unsatisfied in your relationships, overwhelmed by conflicts and a lack of closeness with people you care about.

Are you a people pleaser who feels overwhelmed with helping others? Do you do everything for your family and leave no time at the end of the day for yourself? You feel overwhelmed, disconnected from who you were before children, family and the demands of your career and life. You would like to break the chains of self-doubt and overthinking. Many times throughout the day you feel you aren't doing enough, need a minute to rest but feel you can't take one. You look in the mirror and wonder who is looking back at you. You would love time off but can't justify taking it. You know it is enough and you need support.

Are you a millennial seeking relief from the overwhelming stressors and challenges that life throws your way? Do you long for a more fulfilling and balanced life, with healthier relationships and a positive mindset? You're not alone. Together we will explore practical resources, empowering solutions, and a positive outlook that have the potential to bring meaningful change to your life. I am a relational therapist for millennials who helps people learn to overcome self doubt and negative beliefs, and to identify and amplify their existing strengths so they can be successful in relationships with self and others.

Are you working through trauma or a difficult life transition? Are you in relationship with a toxic or narcissistic person? Are you facing painful loss? Do you want to use principles of spirituality to strengthen you and answer life's deepest questions? Do you suffer from DID or dissociative disorder? For 30 years, I have guided people toward authentic ways of living and relating. Through many types of treatment, I help people to understand how traumatic life events change us and how to transform thoughts, feelings, and relationships. We focus on real actions you can take to find the power to reverse the effects of pain and trauma.

Searching for a therapist can feel daunting, but finding the right one is worth the effort. My practice is informed by evidence-based psychodynamic principles and I approach my work with curiosity and care. Research indicates that the best predictor of effective therapy is not the particular method, but rather the "fit" between the therapist and patient. I always suggest that folks talk to a few therapists before making a decision about how to proceed. I love the work I do and would be happy to chat with you about how I might be able to help.

As a life coach with a doctorate in depth psychology, I work in a psychologically savvy way, without losing the dynamism of coaching. I facilitate ‘lucid living’ in my clients – an ability to act, think, and feel in agreement with one’s truest self. Whatever issue you are addressing, I assume that something in you knows the right approach to it, although discovering this may require the help of others. I also assume that no-one wants to merely make the dysfunctional functional: We all desire exceptional levels of vitality, creativity, and resilience.

I provide you with a place to speak freely, so that through this unique experience you can become yourself in a new way. I work with individuals, couples and children, with a focus on survivors, trans and queer people, neurodivergent people, and people in recovery. We may strategize together to address crises or life transitions, and we may speak on an existential plane with close attention to the unconscious. In any case, we will raise questions together, we will challenge normativity, and we will prioritize new connection. In our work together nothing is assumed, and in our speaking together new and old things become possible.

Hello! I’m Laura. I'm passionate about helping people improve their Present by addressing their Past. People describe my style as collaborative, warm, direct, goal-focused, patient, and thorough. I help clients in their work toward self-esteem, healthy relationships, grounded communication, stress management, improved mood, and access to services/resources. Communities I belong to and am experienced in serving: disabled/chronic illness, sex positive, kink/polyam/alternative lifestyle, genderqueer, fat positive, and neurodivergent folks. Happy to serve folks from other groups too of course! I offer a free 30-minute video intro call.

Here we go again, another day of feeling overwhelmed, on edge, tense in your stomach, aches & pains in your body with intrusive, racing thoughts that feel like they have hijacked your brain. Are you frustrated that you can't seem to reach your goals and dreams in career or relationships despite your best efforts & intentions, like something is blocking you? Feel like you don't fit in, "too sensitive or overly emotional"? Do you absorb the energy around you? Do you want to help others with their pain, yet you neglect your own problems? You are at war with an invisible enemy, tired of watching life go by while you are missing out.

I am honored to work closely with individuals experiencing significant life stressors. Many of my clients are having problems in their romantic relationships or have had a couple’s therapist recommend they seek out a trauma specialist to aid them in working through difficult childhood experiences. I am also privileged to work with individuals experiencing PTSD, anxiety, depression, and alcoholism. I provide clear, direct, and supportive feedback to those I serve while holding space with deep empathy and compassion.

Learn how to feel more connected to yourself, others, and the world around you. Therapy provides all the elements of intimacy: honest communication, vulnerability, and trust. Good therapy is challenging yet warm, providing both structure and empathy for your unique experience.

I specialize in sex therapy incl: erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, low desire, desire discrepancy, difficulty with arousal/orgasm, painful sex and improving the sex and connection in your relationships. I work with couples and individuals struggling in relationships, infidelity work, having conflict, not connecting, wanting to improve their relationship, wanting to or preparing to be in a relationship and working through the end of a relationship. I work with couples in general (communication, discord, struggling or wanting to improve). I work with general life stress (work, transitions, purpose in life, lost, etc)

There are times we will feel stuck in life, paralyzed by anxiety, unsure of our next steps. We try to climb out of the slump but oftentimes we do not know how. Changes, growth, and healing are not easy, they often come with pain and take time. You do not need to do this all alone. We are all humans and sometimes we all need support. As a therapist, I am here to walk through this journey with you, providing you with support, empathy, and guidance. I can help you understand your experiences, feelings, and emotional needs, and learn adaptive coping skills. I also speak Mandarin and Cantonese （我提供普通话和广东话的服务）.

Do you find yourself stuck in unwanted patterns? Are you overwhelmed with past experiences that seem to still be lingering? Are you wrestling with anxiety and difficult emotions? I believe that healing is possible! I believe so many of us stay stuck because we do not have the right support for healing. While having an outlet to talk or vent can be helpful, my approach involves working more directly with the root cause of the issue, which is stored in our nervous system. I enjoy helping client’s make sense of what’s going on, so we can compassionately resolve the identified problems and achieve their goals.

There are so many things we dedicate ourselves to – a career path, an education, our significant other, or our children. A guitar riff, a wave, or a project or hobby. But something I see all the time with the most intelligent and curious people is that they forget to apply that same dedication to themselves. Most people come to therapy because they’re struggling with their emotions, a challenging relationship or a life transition. Beyond that, there’s always something deeper that shapes the way that we feel. And it’s only by delving into ourselves with professional guidance that we can find a way forward in truly changing our lives.

Are you seeking clarity, connection, and confidence in your life and relationships? With over 15 years of experience as a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, I am here to guide you through the complexities and challenges you may be facing. Life can be overwhelming, and it's natural to encounter difficulties along the way. Whether you are dealing with anxiety, depression, communication problems within the family, families of divorce, academic stress, body image issues, or social anxiety, you are not alone. These challenges can significantly impact your well-being and relationships, but they are also opportunities for growth.

Vanessa’s approach is warm, empathic, and collaborative. She believes in being directive when needed with her clients. She strives to meet each person where they may be at in their journey. Some modalities that Vanessa may utilize in counseling are structural family therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, enhanced cognitive behavior therapy, exposure response prevention, and acceptance commitment therapy. Vanessa Paulson is a licensed psychotherapist with expertise in eating disorders, OCD, anxiety, depression, life transitions, general stressors, adolescent and family counseling, and stressors unique to healthcare professionals.

Do you have trouble with anxiety, depression, and relationship/family issues due to trauma? Past experiences can create imprints onto your brain that activate your fight/flight responses whenever your emotions feel dysregulated, but life without the constant feeling of being on edge is possible. Those traumatic memories don’t have to permanently influence who you are meant to be. Through therapy, you will gain control of your feelings/thoughts and your response to everyday life hurdles. Healing from trauma can create healthier beliefs about yourself and your relationships along with sustainable changes.

I offer a safe, nonjudgmental space to help you process and navigate life’s ups and downs. You don’t have to do this on your own. I want to help you orient and understand what’s happening, then equip you with tools to manage better on your own. We can’t control what happens in life but we can try and help strengthen your ability to ride the wave.