Adoption Therapists in Shafter, Oakland, CA
Dr. Pixley is a licensed clinical psychologist with unique experience helping people navigate major life transitions, identity expression and exploration, and anxiety and mood disorders. She also supports individuals experiencing challenges related to transracial adoption. Her approach is holistic, social justice informed, practical, and often fun. Dr. Pixley aims to empower clients to live the life they want to live. She enjoys working with teens, adults, and individuals who work in creative and technical fields. She sees patients virtually across the state of California and in person (with vaccination).
Dr. Pixley is a licensed clinical psychologist with unique experience helping people navigate major life transitions, identity expression and exploration, and anxiety and mood disorders. She also supports individuals experiencing challenges related to transracial adoption. Her approach is holistic, social justice informed, practical, and often fun. Dr. Pixley aims to empower clients to live the life they want to live. She enjoys working with teens, adults, and individuals who work in creative and technical fields. She sees patients virtually across the state of California and in person (with vaccination).
My particular areas of focus include: individual child, adolescent and adult therapy, adoption, and working with LGBTQQIA2S youth, adults, and families.
I am well trained as a licensed Clinical Psychologist with more than 20 years of experience providing individual therapy to children, adolescents and adults. I strive to create a genuine relationship with my clients to allow for collaborative exploration of the areas in their lives that interfere with personal fulfillment. My approach also involves listening actively, building trust, being curious, providing empathy, and making direct comments to help my clients develop greater awareness about themselves and the patterns in their lives that cause emotional distress or relationship difficulties. This allows my clients to grow and to live more meaningful lives.
My particular areas of focus include: individual child, adolescent and adult therapy, adoption, and working with LGBTQQIA2S youth, adults, and families.
I am well trained as a licensed Clinical Psychologist with more than 20 years of experience providing individual therapy to children, adolescents and adults. I strive to create a genuine relationship with my clients to allow for collaborative exploration of the areas in their lives that interfere with personal fulfillment. My approach also involves listening actively, building trust, being curious, providing empathy, and making direct comments to help my clients develop greater awareness about themselves and the patterns in their lives that cause emotional distress or relationship difficulties. This allows my clients to grow and to live more meaningful lives.
Laine Demetria
Marriage & Family Therapist, MS, LMFT
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Shafter, Oakland, CA 94609
PTSD, grief and loss, medical trauma, parenting, adoption, LGBTQ issues.
Do you feel trapped by your past and anxious about your future, unable to live in the present? This malaise of modern living is often a sign of past trauma. I can help you uncover and release the experiences that keep you from living a full and zestful life. My primary focus is women and parents, particularly those with a history of trauma. We’ll explore the feelings that arise in your body, and notice their links to your thoughts and behaviors. I’ll empower you to choose a more positive narrative, to look at your life through a different lens.
PTSD, grief and loss, medical trauma, parenting, adoption, LGBTQ issues.
Do you feel trapped by your past and anxious about your future, unable to live in the present? This malaise of modern living is often a sign of past trauma. I can help you uncover and release the experiences that keep you from living a full and zestful life. My primary focus is women and parents, particularly those with a history of trauma. We’ll explore the feelings that arise in your body, and notice their links to your thoughts and behaviors. I’ll empower you to choose a more positive narrative, to look at your life through a different lens.
Holly Frances
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Shafter, Oakland, CA 94618
Anxiety can be so overwhelming and persistent that it feels like it's taking over. Sadness, grief, and depression may feel so heavy and unmanageable that the simple but vital parts of life such as sleeping, eating, and work are difficult or complicated. Your pain might be related to a recent stressful event like heartbreak or the death of someone close to you, or maybe it is less acute but feels endless. Perhaps there is an atmosphere of dread, loneliness, fear, and frustration. Relationships become conflict- ridden or devoid of real feeling. There is a sense that you're doing it wrong or always making the same mistakes.
Anxiety can be so overwhelming and persistent that it feels like it's taking over. Sadness, grief, and depression may feel so heavy and unmanageable that the simple but vital parts of life such as sleeping, eating, and work are difficult or complicated. Your pain might be related to a recent stressful event like heartbreak or the death of someone close to you, or maybe it is less acute but feels endless. Perhaps there is an atmosphere of dread, loneliness, fear, and frustration. Relationships become conflict- ridden or devoid of real feeling. There is a sense that you're doing it wrong or always making the same mistakes.
Starting therapy is not easy, and I hope you'll soon feel comfortable with me because of how I listen and become interested in the details you bring, helping you start to feel safe and at ease. I'll listen to the layers of what you say, and do my best to notice patterns which you may be unaware of. Together we'll think about the present moment of your life, your history, your needs and desires, and what gets in the way of your greater happiness and satisfaction.
Starting therapy is not easy, and I hope you'll soon feel comfortable with me because of how I listen and become interested in the details you bring, helping you start to feel safe and at ease. I'll listen to the layers of what you say, and do my best to notice patterns which you may be unaware of. Together we'll think about the present moment of your life, your history, your needs and desires, and what gets in the way of your greater happiness and satisfaction.
Are you looking for help, guidance or support as a parent, adolescent, adult, or couple? Do you feel out of tune with your friends or family? Overwhelmed with demands? Or stuck in relational or behavioral patterns? Therapy can open you to new perspectives. As your therapist, I can help you widen your view, find your competence and reconnect with yourself, so you feel up to life’s challenges. I will be a curious and empathic listener and provide a secure, contained space to explore.
Are you looking for help, guidance or support as a parent, adolescent, adult, or couple? Do you feel out of tune with your friends or family? Overwhelmed with demands? Or stuck in relational or behavioral patterns? Therapy can open you to new perspectives. As your therapist, I can help you widen your view, find your competence and reconnect with yourself, so you feel up to life’s challenges. I will be a curious and empathic listener and provide a secure, contained space to explore.
Heather Genschmer
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Shafter, Oakland, CA 94618
Do you find yourself repeating unhealthy patterns in your life? Are you a new parent and finding that you are struggling to stay connected to your partner? Have you adopted a child and need parenting support? I work with individuals and couples (same and opposite sex) interested in reaching a deeper understanding of themselves and their interactions with the rest of the world. In my practice, I provide a supportive and safe environment for individuals to be heard and understood; at the same time, I am active and engaging.
Do you find yourself repeating unhealthy patterns in your life? Are you a new parent and finding that you are struggling to stay connected to your partner? Have you adopted a child and need parenting support? I work with individuals and couples (same and opposite sex) interested in reaching a deeper understanding of themselves and their interactions with the rest of the world. In my practice, I provide a supportive and safe environment for individuals to be heard and understood; at the same time, I am active and engaging.
I work with children, adolescents, adults, and couples. I specialize in issues related to divorce, grief and loss, life transitions, relationship/attachment difficulties, issues surrounding pregnancy, parenting, and cultural adjustment challenges. I provide psychological assessments for children and adults who are struggling at home and/or at school or work due to social and emotional issues, relationship issues, environmental stressors, behavioral challenges, attention and concentration difficulties, and learning differences. I also conduct child custody evaluations and forensic psychological evaluations.
I work with children, adolescents, adults, and couples. I specialize in issues related to divorce, grief and loss, life transitions, relationship/attachment difficulties, issues surrounding pregnancy, parenting, and cultural adjustment challenges. I provide psychological assessments for children and adults who are struggling at home and/or at school or work due to social and emotional issues, relationship issues, environmental stressors, behavioral challenges, attention and concentration difficulties, and learning differences. I also conduct child custody evaluations and forensic psychological evaluations.
I work with Individuals and Couples developing better skills for communication, coping with stress and life transitions, and relationship building skills. I offer deeply attentive and compassionate Therapy that doesn't shy away from hard conversations and is culturally responsive. I am active in your sessions, asking thoughtful questions, observing strengths and progress, and checking in. I use an eclectic mix of Attachment Theory, Somatic Therapies, Gottman, and RLT. I help people reconnect with their inner knowing to become their best selves. I work well with Couples, LGBTQ Clients, and Teens.
I work with Individuals and Couples developing better skills for communication, coping with stress and life transitions, and relationship building skills. I offer deeply attentive and compassionate Therapy that doesn't shy away from hard conversations and is culturally responsive. I am active in your sessions, asking thoughtful questions, observing strengths and progress, and checking in. I use an eclectic mix of Attachment Theory, Somatic Therapies, Gottman, and RLT. I help people reconnect with their inner knowing to become their best selves. I work well with Couples, LGBTQ Clients, and Teens.
Emily Epstein
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified Verified
Shafter, Oakland, CA 94618 (Online Only)
You may have decided that you need a focused time and a safe place to sort through important issues in your life. How do you know when a therapist is right for you? I believe in trusting your instincts. I invite you to bring your full range of feelings about starting therapy to an exploratory first session to see if we would be a good match. I work with individuals and couples of all orientations and backgrounds.
You may have decided that you need a focused time and a safe place to sort through important issues in your life. How do you know when a therapist is right for you? I believe in trusting your instincts. I invite you to bring your full range of feelings about starting therapy to an exploratory first session to see if we would be a good match. I work with individuals and couples of all orientations and backgrounds.
Selecting the right therapist is essential- here is some information about me and my practice to help inform your decision. I am a licensed clinical psychologist with over 15 years of experience working with children and adolescents. I work collaboratively with parents in creation of goals and throughout the course of treatment. Through play I help children to; express difficult feelings, resolve internal conflicts, learn adaptive ways to cope, and to develop resiliency. I offer free phone consultations in order to help determine if I am the right therapist for your child.
Selecting the right therapist is essential- here is some information about me and my practice to help inform your decision. I am a licensed clinical psychologist with over 15 years of experience working with children and adolescents. I work collaboratively with parents in creation of goals and throughout the course of treatment. Through play I help children to; express difficult feelings, resolve internal conflicts, learn adaptive ways to cope, and to develop resiliency. I offer free phone consultations in order to help determine if I am the right therapist for your child.
If you are looking for a therapist for yourself or your child, it is likely that some part of your or your child's life is not going the way you expected or would like it to be. Some things that seemed they should work perhaps aren't, or not as well as you'd like. Perhaps your child's feelings are stronger than you had expected, or they are not developing in other ways, and are missing developmental opportunities you know would be healthy for them and want them to have. Perhaps it seemed they might grow out of some of their difficult behaviors or feelings, yet it is hard to determine if they are on that path of growth.
If you are looking for a therapist for yourself or your child, it is likely that some part of your or your child's life is not going the way you expected or would like it to be. Some things that seemed they should work perhaps aren't, or not as well as you'd like. Perhaps your child's feelings are stronger than you had expected, or they are not developing in other ways, and are missing developmental opportunities you know would be healthy for them and want them to have. Perhaps it seemed they might grow out of some of their difficult behaviors or feelings, yet it is hard to determine if they are on that path of growth.
Trauma Therapist Dean Jones, LCSW
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW , EMDR
Verified Verified
Shafter, Oakland, CA 94618
Life happens. How quickly are we able to regain our balance may require additional support, tools, and resources. It doesn't matter if you are a young child or an elder adult, finding a new way is daunting. A new way of managing stress, grief, and loss, of identity and life's challenges often requires specialized skills, knowledge, and in many instances, real-life lived experiences that will only come with time. Let's figure out what is best for you, now by releasing the past for a better future.
Life happens. How quickly are we able to regain our balance may require additional support, tools, and resources. It doesn't matter if you are a young child or an elder adult, finding a new way is daunting. A new way of managing stress, grief, and loss, of identity and life's challenges often requires specialized skills, knowledge, and in many instances, real-life lived experiences that will only come with time. Let's figure out what is best for you, now by releasing the past for a better future.
Lucia Grauman
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, MSSW, LCSW
Verified Verified
Shafter, Oakland, CA 94618
Awarded Oakland Magazine's "Best Therapist" 2018 & 2020, my specialties include: relationship issues (such as conflict resolution, dating, pre-marital counseling, divorce, blended families, infidelity); grief & loss; addiction, recovery & codependence; anxiety & depression. My approach is both warm and direct-- my clients experience me as accepting and empathic, while also feeling challenged the right amount to grow and change. I am an integrative therapist, meaning I integrate more than one way/theory/model to view and treat psychological and/or relational concerns. See my website for education, experience and credentials.
Awarded Oakland Magazine's "Best Therapist" 2018 & 2020, my specialties include: relationship issues (such as conflict resolution, dating, pre-marital counseling, divorce, blended families, infidelity); grief & loss; addiction, recovery & codependence; anxiety & depression. My approach is both warm and direct-- my clients experience me as accepting and empathic, while also feeling challenged the right amount to grow and change. I am an integrative therapist, meaning I integrate more than one way/theory/model to view and treat psychological and/or relational concerns. See my website for education, experience and credentials.
People seek therapy when they feel unhappy, anxious, stuck in patterns and relationships that don't serve them or acting in ways that are self-destructive. Therapy can address and change outmoded ways of being. The therapeutic relationship is key to this work: It offers the possibility of exploring and understanding more effective and satisfying ways of relating to ourselves and others. I work with children, adolescents and adults in individual therapy, using a collaborative approach that centers on empathy, understanding, curiosity and exploration.
People seek therapy when they feel unhappy, anxious, stuck in patterns and relationships that don't serve them or acting in ways that are self-destructive. Therapy can address and change outmoded ways of being. The therapeutic relationship is key to this work: It offers the possibility of exploring and understanding more effective and satisfying ways of relating to ourselves and others. I work with children, adolescents and adults in individual therapy, using a collaborative approach that centers on empathy, understanding, curiosity and exploration.
Psychological Services
Psychologist, PhD, JD
Verified Verified
Shafter, Oakland, CA 94618 (Online Only)
Life is full of challenges that generate varied degrees of stress, anxiety and depression, even substance abuse. Challenges may include: Personal and family relationships, finances, career, illness and loss of creative engagement with your self and the world. Psychotherapy can offer time and a special place for self discovery, reflection, revitalization, resilience, insight, empowerment and access to your creativity; creative expression and creative living. Our lives can be what we imagine and want them to be. We can develop our active imagination to envision a life of purpose, meaning and the joy we are meant to have.
Life is full of challenges that generate varied degrees of stress, anxiety and depression, even substance abuse. Challenges may include: Personal and family relationships, finances, career, illness and loss of creative engagement with your self and the world. Psychotherapy can offer time and a special place for self discovery, reflection, revitalization, resilience, insight, empowerment and access to your creativity; creative expression and creative living. Our lives can be what we imagine and want them to be. We can develop our active imagination to envision a life of purpose, meaning and the joy we are meant to have.
I am a licensed psychotherapist specializing in child and teen counseling. Families come to my practice feeling lost, worried and some at the recommendation of a school counselor, lawyer, friend or pediatrician. Many parents have read multiple books and tried various interventions at home or at school without success. This can feel frustrating and upsetting, although it is a motivating starting place. What these families all have in common is concern for a child who is struggling in some way and in need of a child counselor. I offer child counseling, family counseling, family mediation, reunification, and parent support.
I am a licensed psychotherapist specializing in child and teen counseling. Families come to my practice feeling lost, worried and some at the recommendation of a school counselor, lawyer, friend or pediatrician. Many parents have read multiple books and tried various interventions at home or at school without success. This can feel frustrating and upsetting, although it is a motivating starting place. What these families all have in common is concern for a child who is struggling in some way and in need of a child counselor. I offer child counseling, family counseling, family mediation, reunification, and parent support.
It takes courage and strength to come to therapy. I aim to create a safe environment. My style is warm, compassionate, and interactive. In my practice, I work individually with adolescents and adults, as well as with teens and adult children and their families. I have experience working with clients from across many socioeconomic, ethnic, cultural, racial, sexual orientation, gender, and religious backgrounds. I offer care to people who are trying to understand both their personal experiences as well as their responses to life's everyday complexities and stresses. A unique part of my practice includes a background in art.
It takes courage and strength to come to therapy. I aim to create a safe environment. My style is warm, compassionate, and interactive. In my practice, I work individually with adolescents and adults, as well as with teens and adult children and their families. I have experience working with clients from across many socioeconomic, ethnic, cultural, racial, sexual orientation, gender, and religious backgrounds. I offer care to people who are trying to understand both their personal experiences as well as their responses to life's everyday complexities and stresses. A unique part of my practice includes a background in art.
Jane Steinberg-Michahelles
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified Verified
Shafter, Oakland, CA 94609
I work with individuals and couples who are trying to understand both their inner psychological issues and their responses to complex and stressful outer lives. I listen for the strengths each person has for meeting challenges, and listen also for the ways clients create losses for themselves. Within a warm, caring, reliable working relationship clients have the opportunity to more deeply value themselves and to grow interpersonally.
I work with individuals and couples who are trying to understand both their inner psychological issues and their responses to complex and stressful outer lives. I listen for the strengths each person has for meeting challenges, and listen also for the ways clients create losses for themselves. Within a warm, caring, reliable working relationship clients have the opportunity to more deeply value themselves and to grow interpersonally.
Lucy Collier
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, MFT
Verified Verified
Shafter, Oakland, CA 94609
Waitlist for new clients
I am a psychotherapist in private practice in the East Bay since 1996. I offer a non-judgmental therapeutic relationship where individuals, couples or families can find self acceptance, safety, access insight and intuition, and cultivate an attitude of kindness toward the self and others. Recovery from trauma, working on communication and relationships, overcoming addiction, spiritual self-development and healing, and coping with depression/stress from major life transitions are common themes. I have taught and supervised therapists in training at various local agencies. I also have a background in holistic and shamanic healing.
I am a psychotherapist in private practice in the East Bay since 1996. I offer a non-judgmental therapeutic relationship where individuals, couples or families can find self acceptance, safety, access insight and intuition, and cultivate an attitude of kindness toward the self and others. Recovery from trauma, working on communication and relationships, overcoming addiction, spiritual self-development and healing, and coping with depression/stress from major life transitions are common themes. I have taught and supervised therapists in training at various local agencies. I also have a background in holistic and shamanic healing.
See more therapy options for Shafter, Oakland
Nearby Adoption Therapists Searches for Shafter, Oakland
- Gaskill
- Grand Lake
- Montclair Village
- Mountain View Cemetery
- North Oakland
- Piedmont
- Piedmont Ave
- Piedmont Avenue
- Pill Hill
- Rockridge
- Temescal
- Upper Rockridge
Adoption Therapists
Does my adopted child need therapy?
Not every adopted child needs therapy. However, many can benefit from seeing an adoption-informed therapist, especially if they were victims of abuse or neglect, appear withdrawn or disconnected, have behavioral or developmental issues (which may or may not be related to their adoption), are struggling with feelings of grief or loss surrounding their birth parents, or find it difficult to establish an identity, a challenge that often becomes most apparent during adolescence.
When should adoptive parents seek therapy?
Prospective parents can benefit from therapy even before an adoption—for example, to voice worries and fears; to reconcile infertility struggles, if relevant; or simply to prepare themselves for parenthood. After the adoption, parents who are struggling to bond with their child; are unsure how to talk about adoption or related issues, such as race; or whose child is dealing with developmental, behavioral, or psychiatric concerns can address these and other issues with the help of an adoption-competent therapist.
Is family therapy appropriate for adoptive families?
Family therapy can be invaluable for strengthening the bond between adoptive parents and children, helping the latter feel more secure in their place in the family. Family therapy can also help adoptive families navigate complex communication issues—for example, parents who feel uncomfortable discussing race with their child, who in turn feels invalidated by their silence, or a child who has questions about his birth parents but avoids asking them out of fear of hurting his adoptive parents’ feelings.
What therapy is not appropriate for adoption issues?
A discredited therapy known as “attachment therapy” (sometimes called “holding therapy” or “rebirthing therapy”) should not be used to treat adopted and foster children, though it was largely designed for this population. Attachment therapy involves restraining, coercing, and punishing the child in order for them to “release” negative emotions and attach to their new caregivers—techniques that are abusive and dangerous and have even proven fatal in some cases.