Racial Identity Therapists in Oakland, CA

Do feelings of overwhelm, stress or unworthiness have you at an impasse? Struggling with the impacts of trauma, abuse or grief? Working through issues around racial identity, sexual orientation, or internalized oppression? Dealing with depression or anxiety? Do you have difficulty establishing healthy boundaries and making yourself the main character of your life? I am here to support you with holding the range of human emotions and experiences with greater ease, and unpacking patterns and behaviors that no longer serve you. Together, we will create a path forward that enhances your sense of agency, peace and fulfillment.

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.

I believe you are the expert in your life. I believe the decision to seek therapy can be beautiful, and complicated because such is life. Healing isn’t linear and is a journey that can be filled with a variety of feelings and emotions–expansion, discomfort, learning, relearning, and unlearning. My goal is to co-create a space and container that will allow you to explore, discover, and tap into parts of yourself unknown to you. I am committed to using a healing-centered, trauma-informed lens and feel your journey of holistic transformation is unique and valuable.

I am motivated to work with adults experiencing anxiety, stress, depression, grief; feelings of being overwhelmed, sadness, frustration and loneliness. I work with clients who just feel stuck. I meet my clients where they are to collaborate on their wellness needs to meet their goals. I believe that we all have the capacity to become the best versions of ourselves within our families, relationships and community.

I have a strong passion for helping individuals feel empowered and strive to live their best lives by finding meaning and purpose within themselves. Let’s face it, life can be difficult, but those difficult experiences do not have to define you as a person. By creating a safe and healing space my goal is to tap into your own personal power and natural strengths to focus on what is most important to you and your wellness.

Life can be challenging – we all know that – but the difficulty of these challenges and the way we adapt to them, looks different for everyone. Compassion and kindness while working through these challenges is critical to your success in being able to overcome current challenges and build upon your strengths and skills to prepare for the next. My goal as a therapist is to collaborate with you on your goals in a judgement-free environment where you can feel seen and heard, and truly be your authentic self. Together, we create the tools and techniques needed to improve your mental health and wellbeing.

Are you a person trying to explore your gender, race, or sexuality? Do you struggle to communicate your needs, set boundaries, and be assertive? I challenge you to speak your truth, understand yourself, and be authentic while maintaining boundaries. I use humor and a strong therapeutic relationship to help you be your ideal, most grounded self. When I think about transforming and changing one's life, I always reflect on Audre Lorde's powerful words. "What are the words you do not yet have...Next time, ask: What's the worst that will happen? Then push yourself a little further than you dare. "

I feel honored to have the opportunity to work with you and explore any stressors that may be causing physical and emotional distress. I work with clients experiencing depression, anxiety, grief, substance use, racial identity transformation, spiritual crisis, family conflict and stress

Bilingual, Culturally Sensitive, Trauma-informed, Relational Psychotherapy. I believe that engaging in therapy is an act of courage because change is by definition radical. An important goal of therapy is to connect to your authentic/creative self as a way to make meaning in times of suffering. Together we will explore your personal, family, cultural, and political history to understand the ways in which your experiences shape how you feel in the world. Whether you are struggling with life transitions, finding/keeping good relationships, or trying to integrate different identities, our work can help you find some sense of cohesion.

My passion is working with clients from unique backgrounds and/or experiences who often contact me because they want to work on or through complex trauma, such as oppression based and/or inter-generational trauma. Modalities used addresses the concerns of those whose race, ethnicity, gender identification, income, disability/accessability, and other social factors which often go unrecognized/disavowed. Issues that arise for minority groups, such as oppression, racism, and marginalization, are relevant, recognized, validated, safely contained, and honored by me.

Collaborative, respectful, direct, and compassionate psychotherapy. My hopes are to widen the breadth of communication in the Asian Community by reducing the stigma towards mental health and help to dispel the concepts of the model minority and empower clients to nurture their own growth and resilience towards balanced homeostasis. Currently accepting children, couples, and families.

We go through so much in life, and so quickly—but when do we get the chance to make sense of it all? With things moving so fast, how do we find a chance to make changes or different choices? Are you looking for a space to slow down, process your experiences, and find a new way forward? I’m Maha, a second-generation South Asian cisgender woman, and have been fortunate enough to work with folks from all walks of life coping with trauma (including intergenerational and racial trauma), depression, anxiety, interpersonal issues, life transitions, and identity exploration/integration.

Do you describe yourself as a “people pleaser”? Perhaps frozen from imposter syndrome or perfectionism? Feeling dissatisfied with your life or work? I've worked with adults, children, teens and families experiencing anxiety, depression, and stress. Additionally, I have experience in working with people diagnosed with ADHD, as they often need support for feelings of inadequacy, regret, anxiety, and depression .

Is stress, anxiety, depression, or chronic illness, affecting your life? Does imposter syndrome reduce enjoyment of your achievements. I can help. I specialize in stress management, depression, health anxiety, pain management, panic, smoking cessation, and support for those living with chronic illness (e.g., cancer). I am trained in techniques for those experiencing imposter syndrome. I utilize short-term cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), relaxation /meditation, mindfulness, and cognitive restructuring techniques to get you back to living your life. Phone / video sessions only for CALIFORNIA residents and FLORIDA residents.

I first and foremost adapt my style of therapy to meet your needs. We work together to identify what best supports you toward your goals or areas of focus in therapy. Some clients progress through insight and understanding about an issue while others progress through tangible present-moment skills and tools, all of which I can provide support you with. I also feel that Identity (race, gender, sexual orientation, etc) plays an important role about how we experience the world and how the world views us and I incorporate this into therapy. I see therapy as an equal and collaborative effort between us.

Generally, what brings clients to my office are concerns related to work, relationships, and life. I offer both short-, and long-term therapy for individuals and couples. I welcome those from the Latino community. In individual therapy I will work with you to better understand your feelings and thoughts, find new ways for dealing with problems, and be more effective in recognizing and meeting your needs, desires, and aspirations. Couples often want to understand where their communication is not effective. We will work to improve your relationship by strengthening communication skills. I don't work with domestic violence.

I am passionate about working with: People of Color; Trans, non-binary, and genderqueer individuals, and their partners and families; Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Queer folks; Polyamorous and non-monogamous individuals, couples, families and other relationship configurations; Activists and organizers involved in social justice movements and struggles for liberation; and especially, people at the intersections of these categories. Therapy with me may be able to help with: depression and anxiety; grief and loss; PTSD and complex trauma; difficulty forming and maintaining nourishing relationships; and distress related to oppression.

I work with the belief that all beings have the inherent ability to be well and their best selves. Through traumatic experiences, the pace of life, and other circumstances that challenge us, we can lose our way. We'll explore your internal inspiration, and the needs and strengths that might have become buried over time and what in the external pieces of your life, work, relationships, habits and stressors can be addressed with a focus on moving you forward to life you deserve to have.

I support my clients to cultivate awareness and capacity to unwind from unhealthy thought and behavior patterns. I do this by drawing on their innate strengths and resilience. Collaboratively we learn to navigate challenging emotions and life transitions to rediscover aliveness, power, joy, purpose, care and a sense of connection. I bring dynamic qualities including curiosity, creativity and warmth into sessions for growth towards wholeness. My approach is guided by mindful awareness, honest inquiry and deep compassion. I am grounded in social justice, recognizing how social-historical factors impact well-being. I believe healing is a journey towards liberation.