Existential Therapists in Oakland, CA

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.

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.

I am passionate about working with those who struggle with relationships and boundary setting, and clients who struggle with balancing differing sets of expectations due to cultural, physical, or mental factors. I also work with couples from differing backgrounds to deepen mutual understanding and couples struggling through a difficult phase in their relationship looking to increase communication and understanding. I work well with people from diverse cultural backgrounds, immigrant and first and second generation individuals and families, mixed race or multicultural individuals, and those who are struggling with chronic illness.

As a clinician, I have been privileged to work with people as they transform their difficulties from the past into a richer, more functioning fabric of the present. I have been in practice for over 30 years, working with adults, adolescents and couples. I utilize EMDR for the treatment of trauma, anxiety, and for performance enhancement. I also work extensively in the treatment of alcoholism and other addictions, often treating family members of the addicted/alcoholic individual. In recent years I have been involved in the treatment of firefighters, police, and other First Responders.

Finding the right therapist can be hard. Maybe you're facing difficult experiences of grief and loss, serious illness, or family conflict. Maybe you're wrestling with depression or anxiety. Or maybe you just have a general sense that your life has lost meaning and direction. Whatever brings you in, I'll offer a warm-hearted and positive space for us to learn together about your particular situation, and about the possibilities for healing and transformation that can be found within it. Having someone to talk to makes a real difference.

Dr. Anna Blanken (she/her) is a licensed psychologist in California providing telemental health. Dr. Blanken received her graduate degree at the University of Southern California with an emphasis in neuropsychology. She received her advanced psychology training on internship and post-doctoral fellowship at the San Francisco Veterans Affairs Health Care System, where she is currently a staff member. While she has specialty training in geropsychology, she is also well experienced in treatment of all adults for a range of mental health concerns.

I care deeply about supporting my clients on their evolving journey towards healing and returning to the truth of who they really are, and I honor their autonomy and unique life experiences as essential to their growth and unfolding. Coming from a first-gen immigrant family, I know that our lives can often be impacted by layers of familial & cultural pressures, trauma, and childhood wounding. I hold compassionate space to explore these aspects of experience through a holistic and trauma-informed lens. As a relational and integrative therapist, I use a variety of approaches including EMDR.

If you are feeling overwhelmed by life’s demands, my aim is to introduce clarity, authenticity, and self-motivation. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), I’ve been successfully treating adults, families, and youth for over 20 years facilitating their self-growth. I teach techniques to better manage the emotional stress of everyday life. I have also focused on extensive training in anxiety/depression, play therapy, parenting, treating past and recent trauma, OCD, addiction, and working with family systems.

I am called to support individuals and couples ready to liberate themselves from stress and overwhelm to create more fulfilling relationships and lead happier, more balanced lives. Despite what brings you to therapy, my goal is for you to leave with the ability to respond effectively to life's challenges. I provide a safe, supportive environment for you to begin exploring your feelings, needs and internal reality. Through mindfulness, interactive dialogue and practical wisdom we will invite compassionate curiosity around old patterns that no longer serve you. Visit me at www.deannajimenez.com.

Is life feeling like a struggle? Let's work together to help you feel better than you have in a long time. We can work together to clear anxiety, relationship struggles, grief, work stress, uncover your strengths and purpose, enjoy your life again. If you feel stuck, afraid or down, we can work together to get you feeling calm and centered. I have specialties in treating anxiety disorders, as well as work stress and professional burnout. I enjoy working with many types of clients, + therapy to other therapists. Check out my book for women 'The Muse Process: Unleashing the Power of the Feminine'. I look forward to helping you!

My specialty area is in helping people heal from chronic depression and complex trauma. Many of my clients come from backgrounds that predispose them to these problems - such as having a parent with a substance use problem, being the oldest sibling in a high-need family, or coming from an immigrant household. These environments teach you to grow up quickly and you learn to prioritize the needs of others over your own. Later in life, the self-sufficiency that was a strength in childhood can become a barrier to fulfilling adult relationships. No one taught you skills like saying no, setting boundaries, and reaching out for support.

I work with adults and teenagers who are looking to manage symptoms of Anxiety, Depression, and Trauma. I will be with you on the journey of healing to discovery, recovery, and connection to your true self. I also specialize in working with individuals experiencing life transition issues such as career/academic concerns and relationship stress. I approach therapy with a person-centered mindset to create as comfortable and welcoming an environment as I can. I believe the trust built between you and a therapist is one of the more powerful tools we as clinicians can offer, and I hope to garner that trust in my own practice.

The decision to begin therapy is not simple and often comes at a particularly challenging time in your life. I know how difficult it can be to reach out during these times and my goal is to respond with curiosity, open-mindedness, and empathy. I believe that lasting change can come from exploring and ultimately freeing ourselves from the underlying causes of current symptoms. I want to work together with you to find ways to gain insight and relief. I work in an open and transparent manner, to help answer any questions or concerns you have along the way.

Orah Krug PhD. is recognized in her field as a master clinician, supervisor, teacher and author. She has been a licensed psychotherapist for over 30 years and an adjunct professor at Saybrook University for over 15 years. Through decades of client work, research and teaching Orah has developed a comprehensive process applicable for individuals or couples.

I offer therapy in CA and coaching internationally through an online format. My primary focus is supporting people with issues related to non-monogamy through a trauma informed lens. My practice is kink, queer, trans, monogamy, poly, open relationship, RA, neurodivergent, and quirk friendly. I’m passionate about sharing tools that can help others experience secure relationships in whatever structures feel like the best fit for the unique values, desires, and ways of being of the individuals involved. My ideal clients are simply people who want to show up as their most authentic & actualized selves.

Most people who reach out to me feel like there's some sort of a gap between what they want and what they have. This gap is uncomfortable, upsetting, or might be painful. And often it's unclear why this gap exists or what can be done to close it or at least narrow it down a bit. Each one of us has a set of life circumstances that need to be taken into account when attempting to improve on our lived-experience. Psychotherapy is the arena in which those personal circumstances, individual preferences, needs, wants, and struggles can be explored.

The clients I work best with are battling with the effects of relational trauma, which can be especially difficult because most of us don’t even know what relational trauma is. You might think you had a happy childhood, but now as an adult you find yourself struggling in relationships of all kinds. You don’t know how to set boundaries. You feel selfish when you put yourself first. You feel guilty giving people negative feedback The bottom line is on a deep level you feel that it’s wrong to be your true self if it will inconvenience someone else.

I am a warm and caring human being with a clear understanding that therapy is not a "one size fits all" process. I fully appreciate the uniqueness of each individual, couple and family and will work with you to develop a plan that makes sense to you and addresses the realities of your life. Whether your goal is to improve your relationships, alleviate undesirable symptoms, bring more purpose and fulfillment to your life, rid yourself of unwanted behaviors, or experience more joy in your life, I can help you achieve these goals. Experienced in working with the LGBTQ community.

My therapeutic intention is to cultivate a safe and supportive space for clients to connect with themselves and express their deepest truths in order to foster personal growth, healing, and self awareness. Together, we will sort through difficult emotions, major life changes, past trauma, negative belief patterns, work stress, relationship challenges, grief and loss, and any other issue that is leaving you feeling stuck, distressed, or not like yourself. We will explore the roots of what is going on, implement tools to promote balance and resilience, process unresolved trauma, and learn how to be more loving to yourself and others.