Couples Counseling Therapists in Oakland, CA
You don’t feel like yourself, you push through each day joyless and overwhelmed. Talking to friends, family, or even your partner about how difficult things are often makes you feel more alone. More than anything you want to be excited about this next phase of life, to feel like you can meet this moment with hope and resolve and be there for those who need you most, but instead you are barely treading water. Worse, you and your partner have never felt more out of sync.
You don’t feel like yourself, you push through each day joyless and overwhelmed. Talking to friends, family, or even your partner about how difficult things are often makes you feel more alone. More than anything you want to be excited about this next phase of life, to feel like you can meet this moment with hope and resolve and be there for those who need you most, but instead you are barely treading water. Worse, you and your partner have never felt more out of sync.
Self-understanding within the context of a safe therapeutic relationship gives people the power to make healthy, informed choices that reduce distress and create more meaning and joy.
Psychotherapy is a uniquely effective way to address and process deeply rooted issues that manifest in ways that are painful, confusing, and make people feel out of control. I work with children, adolescents, and adults in individual therapy, using a collaborative approach that centers on empathy, understanding, and exploration. My orientation is predominantly psychodynamic, and I tailor my approach to each individual to address unique circumstances and complexities. I strive to create a safe, warm, and validating environment that enables people to share and be vulnerable without fear of judgment.
Self-understanding within the context of a safe therapeutic relationship gives people the power to make healthy, informed choices that reduce distress and create more meaning and joy.
Psychotherapy is a uniquely effective way to address and process deeply rooted issues that manifest in ways that are painful, confusing, and make people feel out of control. I work with children, adolescents, and adults in individual therapy, using a collaborative approach that centers on empathy, understanding, and exploration. My orientation is predominantly psychodynamic, and I tailor my approach to each individual to address unique circumstances and complexities. I strive to create a safe, warm, and validating environment that enables people to share and be vulnerable without fear of judgment.
Karen Flynn
Marriage & Family Therapist, MS, MFT
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Oakland, CA 94618
Waitlist for new clients
I specialize in relational work for couples and families, extending my services to include adult children and their parents.
I love my work! My expertise lies in repairing relationships. I'm a certified Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) therapist through ICCEFT. EFT offers an ideal approach for working with couples, individuals, and families alike. Additionally, my practice is enriched by the invaluable insights from the Gottman Institute, where I have achieved Level 3 training. My clinical journey includes comprehensive training from UCSF's Infant-Parent Program in San Francisco, along with The Psychotherapy Institute, and The Women's Therapy Center, both in Berkeley.
I specialize in relational work for couples and families, extending my services to include adult children and their parents.
I love my work! My expertise lies in repairing relationships. I'm a certified Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) therapist through ICCEFT. EFT offers an ideal approach for working with couples, individuals, and families alike. Additionally, my practice is enriched by the invaluable insights from the Gottman Institute, where I have achieved Level 3 training. My clinical journey includes comprehensive training from UCSF's Infant-Parent Program in San Francisco, along with The Psychotherapy Institute, and The Women's Therapy Center, both in Berkeley.
I also work with couples around managing the impact on the relationship of one or both partners' trauma history, balancing individuality and relationship, co-dependence, boundaries, communication skills, conflict management, and affair recovery.
I help folks who grew up in highly stressed, conflictual, or dysfunctional families of origin, who didn’t receive emotional attunement from their parent(s), who were abandoned, neglected, excessively criticized, and/ or abused - due to unresolved parental trauma, narcissism, substance abuse, and/or mental illness. I offer support with grieving that experience, managing anxiety, growing self-worth and confidence. I’ll coach you in recognizing and honoring your feelings, finding your voice, setting boundaries, and asserting your needs in relationships.
I also work with couples around managing the impact on the relationship of one or both partners' trauma history, balancing individuality and relationship, co-dependence, boundaries, communication skills, conflict management, and affair recovery.
I help folks who grew up in highly stressed, conflictual, or dysfunctional families of origin, who didn’t receive emotional attunement from their parent(s), who were abandoned, neglected, excessively criticized, and/ or abused - due to unresolved parental trauma, narcissism, substance abuse, and/or mental illness. I offer support with grieving that experience, managing anxiety, growing self-worth and confidence. I’ll coach you in recognizing and honoring your feelings, finding your voice, setting boundaries, and asserting your needs in relationships.
Within the psychotherapeutic relationship I am dedicated to healing emotional wounds of internalized racism, sexism, homophobia and other forms of oppression.
When you've decided to get help, seeking a psychologist you feel comfortable with is as important as their skill and training. If I'm so honored to have you as my client, you'll find I utilize an integrated approach; a mix of gentle yet direct communication, mindfulness, cultural dynamics including family systems, psychoeducation, skill building using cognitive behavioral techniques, and of course explorative questions that help to uncover the emotional obstacles to your healing and progression in life.
Within the psychotherapeutic relationship I am dedicated to healing emotional wounds of internalized racism, sexism, homophobia and other forms of oppression.
When you've decided to get help, seeking a psychologist you feel comfortable with is as important as their skill and training. If I'm so honored to have you as my client, you'll find I utilize an integrated approach; a mix of gentle yet direct communication, mindfulness, cultural dynamics including family systems, psychoeducation, skill building using cognitive behavioral techniques, and of course explorative questions that help to uncover the emotional obstacles to your healing and progression in life.
Welcome to Authentic Path Psychology, my queer- and gender-affirming therapy practice. Beginning the process of therapy and reaching out for help can feel vulnerable and even scary, so I celebrate you taking this first step. I prioritize getting to know you and your specific needs intentionally, and my objective is to witness and support you in the unique way you deserve. My approach is relational and collaborative, and I strive to develop a relationship with my clients that will help to empower inner strength, expand capacity for self-compassion, and support in healing wounds that are impacting overall health and quality of life.
Welcome to Authentic Path Psychology, my queer- and gender-affirming therapy practice. Beginning the process of therapy and reaching out for help can feel vulnerable and even scary, so I celebrate you taking this first step. I prioritize getting to know you and your specific needs intentionally, and my objective is to witness and support you in the unique way you deserve. My approach is relational and collaborative, and I strive to develop a relationship with my clients that will help to empower inner strength, expand capacity for self-compassion, and support in healing wounds that are impacting overall health and quality of life.
Brooke Hein
Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, MA
Verified Verified
6 Endorsed
Oakland, CA 94608
I welcome all identities and relationship structures.
I believe you’re here because you haven’t given up. Some part of you knows more is possible — more joy, more connection, more ease, more fulfillment, more meaning. You're grappling with complex emotions and experiences, seeking a safe space to explore and understand yourself at a deeper level. Whether you're questioning your identity or your purpose, grieving the loss of someone you love, feeling stuck in yucky relationship dynamics, or struggling to find your way out of anxiety or depression — therapy offers the necessary time, space, and connection to heal and grow.
I welcome all identities and relationship structures.
I believe you’re here because you haven’t given up. Some part of you knows more is possible — more joy, more connection, more ease, more fulfillment, more meaning. You're grappling with complex emotions and experiences, seeking a safe space to explore and understand yourself at a deeper level. Whether you're questioning your identity or your purpose, grieving the loss of someone you love, feeling stuck in yucky relationship dynamics, or struggling to find your way out of anxiety or depression — therapy offers the necessary time, space, and connection to heal and grow.
I work with individuals and couples in both short and long term therapy. I have extensive training in IFS, EMDR, CBT, and Relational Psychodynamic Therapy. My objective is to work with you using the appropriate approach that best fits your goals for therapy. I have a wide range of experience working with the effects of addiction on families, substance abuse, trauma, PTSD, anxiety, and depression. I also have considerable training in sleep disorders and enjoy working with clients to adjust their sleep schedules, thereby improving their daily mood and functioning.
I work with individuals and couples in both short and long term therapy. I have extensive training in IFS, EMDR, CBT, and Relational Psychodynamic Therapy. My objective is to work with you using the appropriate approach that best fits your goals for therapy. I have a wide range of experience working with the effects of addiction on families, substance abuse, trauma, PTSD, anxiety, and depression. I also have considerable training in sleep disorders and enjoy working with clients to adjust their sleep schedules, thereby improving their daily mood and functioning.
Willow Pearson Trimbach
Psychologist, PsyD, LMFT, MT-BC
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Oakland, CA 94608 (Online Only)
Therapeutic relationship is a turning key in this process and a unique container for it.
My practice emphasizes integral, psychodynamic psychotherapy and consultation for a variety of psychological, relational, medical, cultural, and spiritual issues. I specialize in working with adults who grapple with anxiety, depression, loss, stress, health, disability, identity, sexuality, relationships, transitions, trauma, creativity, spirituality, life path/purpose/meaning and fulfillment. I also enjoy providing consultation to colleagues. Building on my fifteen years of private practice experience during my twenty years as a licensed clinician, it is my joy to combine private practice in Oakland with my teaching at CIIS.
Therapeutic relationship is a turning key in this process and a unique container for it.
My practice emphasizes integral, psychodynamic psychotherapy and consultation for a variety of psychological, relational, medical, cultural, and spiritual issues. I specialize in working with adults who grapple with anxiety, depression, loss, stress, health, disability, identity, sexuality, relationships, transitions, trauma, creativity, spirituality, life path/purpose/meaning and fulfillment. I also enjoy providing consultation to colleagues. Building on my fifteen years of private practice experience during my twenty years as a licensed clinician, it is my joy to combine private practice in Oakland with my teaching at CIIS.
My focus is on helping people to break free from painful, unwanted patterns in their lives, and to find greater confidence, connection, and joy. Couples work is a primary focus of my practice, and I work with couples at all stages of relationship. I help partners interrupt destructive fights, build effective communication skills, and create greater intimacy.
My focus is on helping people to break free from painful, unwanted patterns in their lives, and to find greater confidence, connection, and joy. Couples work is a primary focus of my practice, and I work with couples at all stages of relationship. I help partners interrupt destructive fights, build effective communication skills, and create greater intimacy.
Katrina Brashares
Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, AMFT, MS
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Oakland, CA 94618
I work with individuals of all ages, including couples and families, to foster emotional health and equilibrium. Together, we build a positive therapeutic relationship to explore patterns and find solutions. I bring a tailored approach to treatment that draws on elements of attachment theory, strength-based therapy, mindfulness, ACT, and CBT. I apply these approaches to support clients, including teens and young adults facing anxiety and depression, adults and couples navigating relationships, couples preparing for children, and parents seeking support in achieving work-family-personal balance.
I work with individuals of all ages, including couples and families, to foster emotional health and equilibrium. Together, we build a positive therapeutic relationship to explore patterns and find solutions. I bring a tailored approach to treatment that draws on elements of attachment theory, strength-based therapy, mindfulness, ACT, and CBT. I apply these approaches to support clients, including teens and young adults facing anxiety and depression, adults and couples navigating relationships, couples preparing for children, and parents seeking support in achieving work-family-personal balance.
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"We are now able to see the essential ingredient that makes psychotherapy effective and successful. It is not unconditional positive regard, nor is it magical words, techniques, or postures; it is human involvement and struggle. It is the willingness of the therapist to extend himself or herself for the purpose of nurturing the patient's growth - willingness to go out on a limb, to truly involve oneself at an emotional level in the relationship." M.Scott Peck, MD
"We are now able to see the essential ingredient that makes psychotherapy effective and successful. It is not unconditional positive regard, nor is it magical words, techniques, or postures; it is human involvement and struggle. It is the willingness of the therapist to extend himself or herself for the purpose of nurturing the patient's growth - willingness to go out on a limb, to truly involve oneself at an emotional level in the relationship." M.Scott Peck, MD
I also specialize in couples therapy.
Are you going through internal struggle due to trauma? Do you feel anxious and depressed about the future? Do you struggle with family issues and relationship issues? I’m willing to meet you where you are, help you process unwanted thoughts and emotions, and help develop an action plan to effectively cultivate your healing and growth. I’m here to help you explore unresolved feelings (anxiety, depression, anger, helplessness, grief, etc.) and develop skills to effectively cope with them. Thus, you can feel relieved and fulfilled in your relationship with yourself and others.
I also specialize in couples therapy.
Are you going through internal struggle due to trauma? Do you feel anxious and depressed about the future? Do you struggle with family issues and relationship issues? I’m willing to meet you where you are, help you process unwanted thoughts and emotions, and help develop an action plan to effectively cultivate your healing and growth. I’m here to help you explore unresolved feelings (anxiety, depression, anger, helplessness, grief, etc.) and develop skills to effectively cope with them. Thus, you can feel relieved and fulfilled in your relationship with yourself and others.
I work with individual adults and couples.
Jungian Analyst Steven Herrmann, Ph.D., MFT, Montclair, Oakland, California. Are you looking to find ways to make changes in order to live a more satisfying and meaningful life? Are you finding yourself in repetitive patterns that are no longer working for you? Then I may be of assistance to you. I bring an in-depth approach that builds on your strengths and aims to untangle the roots to what is causing problems. This may lead to a reduction in painful symptoms, an opening of vocational possibilities, a newly found sense of joy, and to the transformation of your personality. Please feel free to visit my website at stevenherrmann.com
I work with individual adults and couples.
Jungian Analyst Steven Herrmann, Ph.D., MFT, Montclair, Oakland, California. Are you looking to find ways to make changes in order to live a more satisfying and meaningful life? Are you finding yourself in repetitive patterns that are no longer working for you? Then I may be of assistance to you. I bring an in-depth approach that builds on your strengths and aims to untangle the roots to what is causing problems. This may lead to a reduction in painful symptoms, an opening of vocational possibilities, a newly found sense of joy, and to the transformation of your personality. Please feel free to visit my website at stevenherrmann.com
Victoria Alberini
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified Verified
Oakland, CA 94610 (Online Only)
In 2015, I left my job at Google to pursue a career that better catered to my lifelong passion for human interaction and relationships. My background in tech tailors my practice to those working in Silicon Valley, but my clients yield from all walks of life. I specialize in working with couples, adult individuals, those who have experienced trauma, those struggling with questions about their career and work life, mothers, women, pregnancy, and postpartum clients. To learn more about me, please visit victoriaalberini.com.
In 2015, I left my job at Google to pursue a career that better catered to my lifelong passion for human interaction and relationships. My background in tech tailors my practice to those working in Silicon Valley, but my clients yield from all walks of life. I specialize in working with couples, adult individuals, those who have experienced trauma, those struggling with questions about their career and work life, mothers, women, pregnancy, and postpartum clients. To learn more about me, please visit victoriaalberini.com.
I am particularly skilled at supporting people that are dealing with anxiety, addiction, depression, relationship issues, life transitions, as well as loved ones/caregivers of people with addiction or mental health issues.
I am passionate about supporting people in addressing a range of different challenges that may be impacting their lives. I believe that people are inherently resilient, and that building a strong therapeutic relationship can help you access both existing strengths and build new ones. While I may be an expert in a particular therapeutic model, you are an expert in your experience, and our ability to work together using evidence-based practices will help you reach your goals. I will take an active approach in your care by collaboratively building rapport and tailoring your care to meet your unique needs.
I am particularly skilled at supporting people that are dealing with anxiety, addiction, depression, relationship issues, life transitions, as well as loved ones/caregivers of people with addiction or mental health issues.
I am passionate about supporting people in addressing a range of different challenges that may be impacting their lives. I believe that people are inherently resilient, and that building a strong therapeutic relationship can help you access both existing strengths and build new ones. While I may be an expert in a particular therapeutic model, you are an expert in your experience, and our ability to work together using evidence-based practices will help you reach your goals. I will take an active approach in your care by collaboratively building rapport and tailoring your care to meet your unique needs.
Therapy is a process of self-reflection and conversation that honors the struggles of life: career uncertainty, relationship decisions, loneliness, grief, and the ongoing pursuit self-love.
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.
Therapy is a process of self-reflection and conversation that honors the struggles of life: career uncertainty, relationship decisions, loneliness, grief, and the ongoing pursuit self-love.
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.
Therapy is a process of self-reflection and conversation that honors the struggles of life: career uncertainty, relationship decisions, loneliness, grief, and the ongoing pursuit self-love.
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. We are a collective of therapists with a wide range of specialties. Our intake professionals will help connect you with the right therapist for your needs. We make appointments easy, offering evenings and weekends and flexibility for creative professionals who can't make the same time each week.
Therapy is a process of self-reflection and conversation that honors the struggles of life: career uncertainty, relationship decisions, loneliness, grief, and the ongoing pursuit self-love.
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. We are a collective of therapists with a wide range of specialties. Our intake professionals will help connect you with the right therapist for your needs. We make appointments easy, offering evenings and weekends and flexibility for creative professionals who can't make the same time each week.
Evelyn Natalya Fleischman
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Oakland, CA 94609
I work with individuals and couples looking to develop more authentic and meaningful relationships.
I specialize in somatic psychotherapy, a body/mind approach that helps you change core beliefs and attitudes that are causing you suffering. My approach is relational and uses mindfulness to bring awareness to the parts of yourself you don't ordinarily notice. In our sessions, we slow down and pay attention the story your body is telling as well as the mind. The work is highly experiential, creative and transformative!
I work with individuals and couples looking to develop more authentic and meaningful relationships.
I specialize in somatic psychotherapy, a body/mind approach that helps you change core beliefs and attitudes that are causing you suffering. My approach is relational and uses mindfulness to bring awareness to the parts of yourself you don't ordinarily notice. In our sessions, we slow down and pay attention the story your body is telling as well as the mind. The work is highly experiential, creative and transformative!
Dr. Emily Chandler
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT, DMFT
Verified Verified
10 Endorsed
Oakland, CA 94610
I’ve been working with individuals and couples providing empathic, honest, and strategic therapeutic services for over 16 years.
I work with people going through big changes who need support. Perhaps your relationship ended, you lost a loved one recently, or you feel very stuck at work. I have lived and worked in the East Bay since 2010. Let's talk!
I’ve been working with individuals and couples providing empathic, honest, and strategic therapeutic services for over 16 years.
I work with people going through big changes who need support. Perhaps your relationship ended, you lost a loved one recently, or you feel very stuck at work. I have lived and worked in the East Bay since 2010. Let's talk!
See more therapy options for Oakland
Couples Counseling Therapists
Does couples counseling work?
Research shows that couples counseling is effective; it can reduce relationship distress and improve emotional awareness, communication, empathy, intimacy, and overall relationship satisfaction. For example, emotionally focused therapy was found to be effective for about 75 percent of couples, and those benefits lasted at least two years.
When should a couple seek counseling?
Couples can benefit from counseling if they consistently struggle in their relationship. They may have lost the ability to communicate effectively, become entrenched in harmful patterns, begun to fight more than usual, broken the other’s trust, suffered from a mental or physical illness, or faced any number of other challenges. Many therapists offer free consultations, so if a couple isn’t sure whether therapy is necessary, asking directly can provide clarity.
How can I get my partner to go to couples therapy?
The decision to seek couples therapy is often driven by one partner, who then convinces the other to participate. When discussing the idea, the initiator should be direct and assertive. They can state the problems they see and explain how the relationship would benefit from therapy. In more serious cases, they can also explain how their relationship may suffer without making any changes or seeking professional help.
How does a couple prepare for couples counseling?
The anticipation of beginning couples counseling can be difficult—sometimes more difficult than the first session itself. Taking a few moments to reflect can allay those concerns: What are the current challenges? When and how did they begin? What do they want the relationship to look like in the future? Reflecting on these questions can help individuals or couples articulate their goals. Of course, the therapist will also ask questions and guide couples through the process.