Racial Identity Therapists in Oakland, CA

I work with folks in the intersection of being neurodivergent, BIPOC and queer to navigate the oppressive structures that prevent us from expressing ourselves authentically. Together we can process intergenerational trauma to truly meet your needs. My areas of focus include conscious parenting, eating disorders, and postpartum/perinatal mental health. In our therapeutic relationship, genuine, empathetic care and connection come first. I understand that healing is not only individual but also systemic.

Are there topics you're nervous or scared to discuss with your partner, friends or family due to embarrassment or fear of judgement? Do you continue to tell everyone you're "fine" when internally you may be experiencing a variety of emotions that you're unsure how to manage? Were you raised in a family that did not discuss emotions or perceived them as "weak"? These are very common thoughts that I would love to unpack with you. I understand the difficulty in being vulnerable and discussing your emotions. My purpose is to create a comfortable environment for you to work through these feelings and practice coping skills.

Feeling like others don't “get” you can be lonely. You may feel like you aren't being seen, heard, or understood the way you would like. Perhaps you struggle with truly living your truth versus simply stating it. What if you could feel more comfortable expressing your authentic self and live a meaningful life? It is possible to feel more confident, assured, and ready to become the person you want to be. Let me show you how.

Hello, and welcome. You may have arrived here because you've done everything the "right way" but that hasn't led to happiness. You wonder, what do people mean when they say "go with the flow"? Or, you can't shake that feeling you've somehow missed important life milestones, and you need a little clarity. I offer warm, empathic engagement in a safe space, where we can assess your needs, comfort level and tolerance to create a plan unique to you.

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.

Hello my name is Dr. Nekolas “Neko” Milton, I am a Registered Psychological Associate. I have experience working with children, adolescents, and adults. I operate from a client-centered, humanistic approach, focusing on aspects of existentialism, mindfulness, family-systems, multiculturalism, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, while keeping careful consideration of cultural concerns and practices. I have experience working with anxiety, depression, trauma-related diagnoses, and incorporate evidenced-based practices to address maladaptive patterns and behaviors.

Whatever you’re experiencing, I hope to walk the line of being a support to you in your experience and by your side, while also, empathetically being a source of information that can provide evidence based practices as well as an experiential framework to help you get what you want. I plan on taking an awareness-based approach. I want to build your awareness so you can make more informed decisions. I want to co-create an environment that allows you to bring your whole self to therapy so that you can heal and grow.

Our work together begins with a recognition that it takes courage to enter therapy and that it is an investment of time as well as resources. Embarking on this process is an important step towards living a fuller, more meaningful life. Whether you are struggling to make sense of your past, present and/or future, I hope to help guide you in gaining greater self-awareness and to achieve your goals. I am a licensed psychologist, and clinical supervisor with an integrative approach that combines the latest evidence-based research and depth-oriented relational psychoanalytic theory.

My work has focused on repairing relationship bonds. Please view my Website at www.paultgulloryphd.com for more details. I am Certified in Emotionally Focused Therapy both as a Trainer and Supervisor. This means I have successfully under taken rigorous advance training and been approved by the International Centre for Excellence in EFT. I am the author of: "Emotionally Focused Therapy with African American Couples: Love Heals. I am dedicated to helping couples address and resolve conflict, repair emotional injuries, and revitalize their bond. I also offer Masters level Training in Emotionally Focus Therapy.

I believe we are all whole but sometimes life circumstances, the way we grew up, the way we are treated by society/systems based on our identities, etc. can cloud the way in which we see ourselves or which tools we have access to. I specialize in working with clients who have experienced complex trauma due to race, gender, sexual orientation, abuse, violence, historical events and poverty. My hope is to help create more tools, help unpack the trauma, identify YOUR strengths and your understanding of yourself and help you navigate the world in a way that feels true to YOU.

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.

Starting therapy can be an important life decision. Whether you are hoping to focus on specific concerns, or exploring broader, longer standing challenges, therapy can be useful in understanding how aspects of one‘s temperament and relational tendencies interfere with living life authentically, and with reaching one’s full potential. By addressing issues in real-time, while also considering the impact of situational factors and past experiences, therapy can help to identify areas of one’s life to examine and evolve. Importantly, effective therapy often promotes resiliency, self-awareness and personal growth.

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.

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.

Life events and situations can leave us feeling depressed, misunderstood and unmotivated to move forward. Are you struggling with self-doubt or shame? Feeling unsatisfied with how you are living your life? Beliefs about our past, traumas, and unskillful coping skills can slow down our healing process and keep us from being our best self. In our work together, I support your process to unlock patterns and beliefs that leave you feeling stuck.

Do you feel tired and overwhelmed? Are you exhausted from bobbing and weaving around the needs of others? Is it difficult for you to ask for and trust in help? While you feel depleted, there is still a spark within, guiding you to focus on your own wellness. Your head is barely above water, yet you are determined to emerge and need help to do so. Perhaps it is time to enter a relationship with a therapist; a collaborator who can journey with you to explore your past, build mindful awareness in the present, and develop skills to achieve your future goals of self compassion, acceptance and authentic connection to yourself and others.

Somatic Therapy, Breema Bodywork, and Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP). As a trauma-informed somatic therapist, I work relationally to support children, teens, and adults looking to deepen their life and soul purpose. Common issues include anxiety, depression, overwhelm, boundaries, grief, self-doubt, self-worth, and childhood neglect. In conjunction with identifying day-to-day struggles, we explore family legacy, ancestral patterns, symbolism, and archetypes for guidance. I keep in mind that we all have a story, and we are all influenced by time and place; our families of origin, our communities, and the state of the planet.

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 .

Choosing a therapist can be intimidating, especially for people of color. We might wonder if our therapist will understand the significant role of various cultural factors in our experience. I believe each individual brings with them a set of unique experiences, values, and goals, regardless of background. Perhaps you are an individual looking for a safe space to explore your identity, including ethnicity and gender. Maybe you are already in couples therapy and want the dedicated support of your own individual sessions. Or maybe you are having difficulty communicating with family members due to generational differences.