Relationship Issues Therapists in Los Altos, CA

With extensive training in the LGBTQ community, their allies, kink and polyamorous communities I have specialized my work with those who feel "othered." My past and current work involves life changing medical diagnosis, questions surrounding sexuality and gender, and couples working through whether to get married, stay together, navigating separation with families, and healing relationship wounds. I founded The Nest Counseling Center to provide opportunities for Associate Therapists to continue their education in providing therapy to the LGBTQ Community.

I enjoy working with motivated clients who are ready to start work immediately! I strive to empower my clients to be unapologetically themselves. I enjoy working with BIPOC identified individuals and relationships and navigating social justice issues and offering support in processing racial trauma. I find working with medical, emotional, and physical trauma processing one of my strengths. I also greatly enjoying working with the queer and gender diverse community as well as non-traditional relationship dynamics. I love helping clients explore their spirituality and discover their unique spiritual paths and life meanings. ​

Are you thinking about making a change or have you found yourself in the midst of an unexpected challenge? I specialize in working with people navigating life transitions, struggling with anxiety, depression, experiencing sleep problems, relationship difficulties, school issues or managing ADHD. I help my clients uncover core issues and build the skills to succeed in the long-term. As a licensed psychotherapist with experience in counseling across the lifespan, I employ a warm, compassionate client-centered approach. Additionally, I have advanced training from the University of Pennsylvania in behavioral sleep medicine and CBT-I.

I am a licensed psychologist and help individuals overcome problems related to bipolar disorder, depression, emotion dysregulation, anxiety, stress management, and relationship difficulties. I completed postdoctoral training at Stanford University focused on evidence-based approaches to therapy that are supported by research. I utilize these approaches in my work, incorporating techniques from cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), mindfulness, and motivational interviewing (MI) depending on client need.

I bring empathy, compassion and 30 years of experience to my holistic work with adults, children and teens. You are unique and my intent is to listen for your strengths and build on the positive as we gently remove blocks, trauma, thoughts, stressors and old relationship patterns that are holding you back. My style is warm and interactive and I incorporate my own intuition and creativity as I help people to make meaningful life changes.

I enjoy working with people who would like to change their relationship with problems in their lives, and gain power over these problems and their effects. I have extensive training and experience working with people affected by domestic violence, sexual assault, and eating disorders. In addition, I meet with people who are affected by chronic medical conditions and parent/teen conflict. I view people as having ideas about how they would like to be in life and in relationships; yet, problems can disconnect people from their ideas and identities, influencing them to act in unsatisfactory ways.

I primarily see individual adult clients. I take a collaborative approach and provide the support, patience and compassion necessary to promote change and growth. I feel fortunate to work in private practice and at a local hospital. I see a diverse population of clients and have exposure to a wide variety of issues and diagnoses: anxiety, depression, ADHD, domestic violence/trauma, work stress, parenting, relationship problems, grief/loss, chronic illness/pain, assertiveness/self-esteem, gender incongruence, caregiver stress and life transitions (going to college, having a baby, getting married/divorced, moving, changing jobs).

Are you sad, anxious, lonely, frustrated, scared, angry, ...? Do you feel your pain is lasting longer than you wanted it? Have you been considering to seek help but you are scared and not sure what to expect from therapy? Are you uncertain how therapy would help you? Are you wondering if you could be in control of what and which direction would be the goal of your appointments? Are you afraid of being aware? These are just examples of how people feel when initially consider therapy.

Life's problems can feel much more difficult when faced alone. Perhaps you are struggling with a painful loss, are overwhelmed by fear, anger, loneliness or depression. You may be stuck in patterns of negative, self-critical thinking and inner pressure may cause you to feel tense and exhausted. You may feel shame and hopelessness and your means of coping such as avoidance, procrastination, withdrawal or overeating adds to your distress. I help people struggling with anxiety, panic, depression, phobias, eating issues, and relationship distress to understand these problems and develop skills to feel better and create happier lives.

Emotional pain is as common as physical pain, and can be truely agonizing. Don't give up! You don't have to suffer alone. I come from a place of compassion, acceptance and hope. I am constantly amazed by the human spirit and by our ability to heal. I am eclectic, and use different approaches to meet each client's individual needs. I am open and honest with my clients and never judge anyone. My style is interactive and direct. I take my role seriously and am committed to helping you feel better. I'm fluent in English and Hebrew.

My primary theoretical orientation is Cognitive-Behavioral (CBT). This means that I attend to your thoughts and feelings and to how they influence emotion and overall well-being, now and in the future. CBT offers a number of strategies for promoting change in the direction of one's long term goals. For our treatment to be most effective, you will need to be an active participant and collaborator in establishing your goals. I also ask that you work on treatment in between sessions, and I frequently give homework assignments to assist in the process.

I believe everyone deserves some time to sit down with a strong listener and/or problem solver about their life. The feedback that I receive is, that I empathize & mirror the key issues quickly and help you brainstorm. I then help you get at "reframing" the negative situations and help you motivate and prioritize what is needed to do to actually change. I can work well with all mood issues, chaos, panic, addictions affairs and all relationship issues. Every session you should walk away with substantial suggestions to help in different areas. I also work with work ADHD, parenting, and women with breast cancer.

I'm here to support you in your journey to regain trust in your unique strengths and overcome life's challenging situations, reach your goals, and make your life happier and more meaningful. In our sessions you will be invited to explore your deep values and motivations, and identify which aspects of your life help you move forwards, and how to separate from patterns and behaviors that are no longer useful for you. If you are an adult or a teen who suffer from anxiety, depression, burn-out, academic stress, PTSD, Sexual Trauma, relationship issues, or low self esteem, please don't give up. There is hope, and healing is possible.

Do you often feel overwhelmed or struggle with relationship issues? Life presents us all with mental, emotional, and psychological challenges at times. I can help you explore difficult situations in your relationships and find ways to overcome your current struggles. Since 2002, I have been supporting men and women who are tired of constantly trying to please others. I help individuals move from feeling stuck to achieving clarity in various aspects of their lives.

I believe that seeking therapy is a brave first step towards healing, and feeling comfortable with your therapist is vital to this process. I provide a non-judgmental, warm environment where you can set the course of your healing journey. I support adults and couples on a range of issues, including depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, relationship challenges, and unhealthy patterns of behavior.

I am a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor with over 10 years of experience working with youth and adults. I am passionate about working with people, and helping them overcome and work through challenges such as adjustment issues, behavioral issues, anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, family conflict, life transitions, post-traumatic stress, substance use and more. I also offer parent coaching sessions to help parents find the best ways to support their children and strengthen communication.

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.

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.

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）.