Domestic Abuse Therapists in Oakland, CA

Do you find yourself having a difficult time coping with anxiety, depression, and trauma? Do you have a hard time communicating and setting boundaries with others? Life is full of obstacles and hardships that may be difficult to overcome without the right tools, resources, and, guidance leading to the manifestation of these symptoms. I specialize in working with adults, couples, and adolescents using a Psychodynamic approach to explore unconscious thoughts and behaviors. In doing this, we are able to collaboratively recognize old ineffective patterns and process unresolved feelings and trauma.

My greatest reward as a therapist is seeing children, adolescents, families and individuals work through the areas of their lives that prevent them from walking in their fullest potential and overcoming obstacles to get to know themselves on a deeper level. Therapy is a personal journey that is empowering and healing. I work to structure sessions that are warm, compassionate and nonjudgmental. I incorporate clients in the process when developing goals based on their current struggles.

Seeking support can be difficult, especially if we become so accustomed to facing life's challenges alone. If we are able to reach out for support, taking that step can lead to real opportunities for growth and acceptance.

I work with individuals who have experienced trauma and are seeking relief through an integrative, relational, and somatic approach. Drawing on somatic techniques such as EMDR and Somatic Experiencing, I support my clients in connecting to the felt sense of their bodies as a source of information. I believe that a gentle inquiry into the body’s felt sense allows us to safely integrate the past into the present and clarify what’s true for us in any given moment.

I use a warm, down-to-earth approach in my work with children, teens, adults and couples. I collaborate with clients to develop a whole view of challenges and strengths, which is informed by my wide breadth of clinical experience across the lifespan. I have expertise in working with infants and parents, developmental disabilities, trauma, and both anticipated and unexpected crises across all ages. I integrate these perspectives so that I can attune to your needs and provide responsive support. My hope is to help you water the seeds of your inner strengths, push through stuck situations, and live with more connectedness and vitality.

If you find yourself seeking new ways to be in relationship to your life, yourself and others, the sensitive and attuned psychotherapy I provide can help. Using inquiry, dialogue, guided imagery, Enneagram explorations and the arts, we can work together to explore and untangle your distress and illuminate the creative solutions that lie within you.

Taking the necessary steps towards mental, emotional, spiritual and physical well-being is not an easy task, and does not have to be done alone. My commitment is assisting and supporting you in finding the unique tool you need to move towards long term healing. My focus is on mind, body and spirit as we work together. I respect the unique and intricate experiences and identities you bring into the therapeutic relationship.

Hello. I work with couples of all kinds including parent/child. I'm sorry but I don't take insurance of any kind. I can help you overcome your struggles in all your relationships and deepen your relationship with yourself. I guide people working with issues including relationship struggles, depression, trauma, anxiety, addiction, sexuality, grief and anger. Using advanced modern therapy techniques, I can help support you with a wide array of problems. Anger, suffering fear and confusion will diminish and feelings of lightness, joy, peace of mind, stability and self-love will grow.

My ideal client is anyone—individuals, couples, or families—yearning for a compassionate and culturally attuned therapeutic journey. They face life's challenges with resilience, eager to embrace the vibrancy of feeling "alive." Seeking a therapist who comprehends the impact of social inequities on wellness and life quality, they aligns with my values. Together, we navigate towards the restoration of a beloved community, unlocking the fullness of their lives beyond the burdens. My commitment lies in fostering a therapeutic space where they feel profoundly "seen" and empowered to pursue the desires of their hearts.

I am accepting clients for my Dialectical Behavior Therapy program. Dialectical Behavior Therapy is a very effective treatment that helps you build a worthwhile and fulfilling life. You accept that you suffer, but also you learn to accept that you want to get better. I will help you to train your mind and body to peacefulness, and to significantly decrease every day stress. Combining distress tolerance practice, mindfulness skill building, emotional regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness skill building, I will guide you to heal the effects of trauma, depression and anxiety and replace that with establishing well-being.

Thank you for taking the time to get to know me. Seeking therapy support can be a very uncomfortable first step especially in communities that views mental health services as a stigma. As an Afro-Latino born and raised in Panama, I am familiar with societal pitfalls that trigger a mindset of hopelessness. Yet, it is through those struggles that have empowered me to change that narrative. In my 26 years of experience working for the city and county of San Francisco, Child Protective Services, vulnerable individuals and families have entrusted me to partner with them as they navigate times of crisis and despair.

My therapy practice will provide you with a safe environment to examine thoughts and behaviors that may be holding you back from the happiness, peace, and success that you want. I specialize in working with adults in the treatment of anxiety, depression, and relationship problems. Additionally, I am a certified anger management facilitator.

There are things that happen in life that we try to overcome on our own but realize it has become too much to handle alone. You may be experiencing work related stress, conflict in your relationships, shame, grief, anxiety, depression, or a trauma. As a Therapist I want to support you heal those parts of yourself that hold you back. My goal is to support you in navigating, refining or developing skills to improve and enhance your life. I want to help restore, renew and heal yourself, relationships, life or work. Psychotherapy can be a difficult process; It is important to feel comfortable and safe as you go on this journey.

I work with individuals, couples, parents, families and children to develop a therapeutic relationship based on their needs and goals. Through this process, clients get to know themselves better in a safe and supportive environment. I consider therapy a collaborative process that offers unique opportunities to manifest your ideal self through honesty and trust. I draw from the varied types of training and experience I have to find what works best for you and I create a safe space so you can explore the emotions that arise from difficult and painful experiences. I support couples and families in developing empathy, trust, and healthy

You are here! The first step is often the hardest step. In Black and Brown communities seeking mental health treatment is taboo. Stigmas attached to therapy are REAL! Let's work on building a better understanding of what it truly means to be healthy. Feeling lost, stuck or confused? Having trouble communicating your needs? Finding it hard to set healthy boundaries? Need help setting goals? Suffering from anxiety and depression? In constant state of turmoil? These are all normal feelings. Internal struggles rooted in our childhoods show up as chaos in adulthood. It is okay to work on YOU! I can help.

Whether you're looking for short-term or long-term therapy, I provide a safe and caring place for you. Our sessions are focused on what is important to you, as well as what is important for you. I give special consideration to your cultural background, and work with you in a way that is respectful and effective. I don't just listen without commenting, but interact with you and help you express thoughts and feelings if that is what you need. Therapy can be painful and frustrating, but is almost always beneficial. I look forward to working together.

I'm Dr. Dean Leav, licensed psychologist and qualified medical evaluator (QME). I've been featured on ABC, NBC, KCAL, and other programs as an expert psychologist. I provide Evaluation Services, including (and not limited to): diagnostics (ADHD, Autism, Learning Dis.), cognitive/neuropsychological evaluations, workers' compensation (QME/AME), immigration-related evaluations, pre-adoption psychological evaluations, parenting/bonding assessments, drug & alcohol evaluations, pre-employment evaluations, and legal/forensics/criminal evaluations. These evaluations may be used to meet eligibility for certain services or accommodations.

Bienvenidos: Si usted es como yo probablemente tiene ideas y dudas acerca de pedir ayuda psycologica. Culturalmente pensamos que recurrir a este tipo de ayuda significa que somos debiles o "insanos", pero la ayuda que se nos ofrece es poca o impractica. Ademas, no podemos solucionar todos nuestros problemas solos. Algunas de nuestras cualidades culturales radican en el soporte que nuestra comunidad, familia, y amigos nos ofrecen; es tiempo de que este principio aplique en la ayuda psycologica, y esto es en lo que yo me especializo.

Therapy is an opportunity to come home to yourself and expand your capacity for connection and vitality. My role is to be by your side as you examine parts of yourself that are difficult to face alone. I shine a warm light on experiences, emotions, and beliefs that have yet to be processed, and seek to expand upon sources of strength, expression, connection, and beauty. Whatever the areas of growth you bring to the therapeutic space, my priority is to hold an empathic, non-judgmental, inclusive space in which you feel safe and deeply seen.