Emotionally Focused Therapists in Orinda, CA
Ryan Crochiere
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT, MA, BA
Verified Verified
2 Endorsed
Orinda, CA 94563
In working with couples I primarily work from an approach called Emotion Focused Therapy ( EFT) that supports healthy adult attachment.
The most important journey you may make in your life is the journey of building an honest and compassionate relationship with yourself. From shame, pride, trauma, and introjected "shoulds" there are so many reasons that we often operate from a partial and compassionless understanding of ourselves. These blind spots can cause us anxiety, depression, addictions and a multitude of other symptoms that we mistake to be "who we are". I have faith in the human condition and the ability our heal into our own fullness. Therapy is the place to make this journey.
In working with couples I primarily work from an approach called Emotion Focused Therapy ( EFT) that supports healthy adult attachment.
The most important journey you may make in your life is the journey of building an honest and compassionate relationship with yourself. From shame, pride, trauma, and introjected "shoulds" there are so many reasons that we often operate from a partial and compassionless understanding of ourselves. These blind spots can cause us anxiety, depression, addictions and a multitude of other symptoms that we mistake to be "who we are". I have faith in the human condition and the ability our heal into our own fullness. Therapy is the place to make this journey.
I have trained in AEDP, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, EFT for couples, PACT (Psychobiological Approach To Couples Therapy) and Gestalt Awareness Practice.
I believe in the healing power of bearing witness to and participating in my clients' self-exploration. Whether we are exploring feelings, systems of oppression and their effects on us, patterns in relationships, or family of origin issues, the strength and compassion of an empathic partner in this journey can lead to a deeper understanding of oneself and a relief in symptoms. I bring empathy and mindful curiosity to our work together.
I have trained in AEDP, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, EFT for couples, PACT (Psychobiological Approach To Couples Therapy) and Gestalt Awareness Practice.
I believe in the healing power of bearing witness to and participating in my clients' self-exploration. Whether we are exploring feelings, systems of oppression and their effects on us, patterns in relationships, or family of origin issues, the strength and compassion of an empathic partner in this journey can lead to a deeper understanding of oneself and a relief in symptoms. I bring empathy and mindful curiosity to our work together.
Do you wish for greater success, self-acceptance, love and connection? Do you desire to live your life more authentically? Difficult life histories and current obstacles hinder us from becoming who we want to be. With my help, past events and unfruitful ways of being can be processed and transformed so that they no longer impact your present or future. Modalities such as EMDR, psychodynamic therapy, emotionally focused therapy and sensorimotor psychotherapy will help you discover and embody a new way of being. I am fiercely committed to helping you clear your path forward to embrace greater ease, integrity, belonging, and love.
Do you wish for greater success, self-acceptance, love and connection? Do you desire to live your life more authentically? Difficult life histories and current obstacles hinder us from becoming who we want to be. With my help, past events and unfruitful ways of being can be processed and transformed so that they no longer impact your present or future. Modalities such as EMDR, psychodynamic therapy, emotionally focused therapy and sensorimotor psychotherapy will help you discover and embody a new way of being. I am fiercely committed to helping you clear your path forward to embrace greater ease, integrity, belonging, and love.
Karen Flynn
Marriage & Family Therapist, MS, MFT
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Orinda, CA 94563
Waitlist for new clients
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 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.
Jonna Cohen
Marriage & Family Therapist, M Ed, MA, LMFT
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Orinda, CA 94563
I am warm, honest, direct, and passionate about empowering my clients to discover the best version of themselves, creating the possibility of a more meaningful and fulfilling life experience. There are moments in all our lives when we feel overwhelmed and vulnerable by change. However, transitions in our lives can also create opportunity for growth and greater connection to ourselves and our environment. I can help you find greater joy and fulfillment in your life.
I am warm, honest, direct, and passionate about empowering my clients to discover the best version of themselves, creating the possibility of a more meaningful and fulfilling life experience. There are moments in all our lives when we feel overwhelmed and vulnerable by change. However, transitions in our lives can also create opportunity for growth and greater connection to ourselves and our environment. I can help you find greater joy and fulfillment in your life.
I work primarily with high preforming athletes, artists, and creative types looking to find balance and live a richer more meaningful life. If painful or uncomfortable thoughts, feelings, memories or sensations are getting in the way of you moving toward what matters I will work with you to develop a more compassionate relationship with yourself and find peace of mind. I work with people struggling with anxiety, men's issues, relationship and work stress, unresolved trauma/grief, and life transitions. I help clients get in touch with their core values, develop mindfulness, so they can slow down and choose meaningful action.
I work primarily with high preforming athletes, artists, and creative types looking to find balance and live a richer more meaningful life. If painful or uncomfortable thoughts, feelings, memories or sensations are getting in the way of you moving toward what matters I will work with you to develop a more compassionate relationship with yourself and find peace of mind. I work with people struggling with anxiety, men's issues, relationship and work stress, unresolved trauma/grief, and life transitions. I help clients get in touch with their core values, develop mindfulness, so they can slow down and choose meaningful action.
I practice both individual psychotherapy and assessment for children, adolescents, and adults. I specialize in understanding and addressing coping skills, anxiety, self-esteem, body image, and family conflict. Through therapy, assessment, or consultation, I provide support in navigating individual complexities. Whether I am working with children, teenagers, or adults, my aim is to help those I work with manage overwhelming emotions, navigate challenging situations, and address barriers standing in the way of contentment and clarity.
I practice both individual psychotherapy and assessment for children, adolescents, and adults. I specialize in understanding and addressing coping skills, anxiety, self-esteem, body image, and family conflict. Through therapy, assessment, or consultation, I provide support in navigating individual complexities. Whether I am working with children, teenagers, or adults, my aim is to help those I work with manage overwhelming emotions, navigate challenging situations, and address barriers standing in the way of contentment and clarity.
Many people find themselves stuck in internal patterns like perfectionism, overthinking, feeling distrustful of others, people-pleasing, struggling with boundaries, etc. None of these feel good - and they're a drain on our precious energy! These limit our capacity for effective communication, meaningful relationships, and fully living. By focusing on the nervous system, we can interrupt these stress-reaction loops and the associated false beliefs that create feelings of anxiety, depression, emotional paralysis, unexplained pains and headaches, to help you rediscover a felt sense of ease, empowerment, resourcefulness, and vitality.
Many people find themselves stuck in internal patterns like perfectionism, overthinking, feeling distrustful of others, people-pleasing, struggling with boundaries, etc. None of these feel good - and they're a drain on our precious energy! These limit our capacity for effective communication, meaningful relationships, and fully living. By focusing on the nervous system, we can interrupt these stress-reaction loops and the associated false beliefs that create feelings of anxiety, depression, emotional paralysis, unexplained pains and headaches, to help you rediscover a felt sense of ease, empowerment, resourcefulness, and vitality.
My orientation is cognitive and behavioral (CBT). I'm a caring compassionate listener and also actively engage with clients to elicit thoughts, feelings, and strategies for healing. My specialties include eating disorders, depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, couples, family issues, parenting, and teens. My therapy approach is directive and problem-solving while encouraging self-acceptance and compassion. I believe that everyone is capable of change at their own rate and comfort level. I help my clients eliminate self-critical thinking that too often sabotages their happiness and their relationships.
My orientation is cognitive and behavioral (CBT). I'm a caring compassionate listener and also actively engage with clients to elicit thoughts, feelings, and strategies for healing. My specialties include eating disorders, depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, couples, family issues, parenting, and teens. My therapy approach is directive and problem-solving while encouraging self-acceptance and compassion. I believe that everyone is capable of change at their own rate and comfort level. I help my clients eliminate self-critical thinking that too often sabotages their happiness and their relationships.
Do you feel insecure, inadequate, and disconnected from yourself, making it difficult to feel good in your body, feel deeply seen and connected to others, and like you’re really living YOUR life? Perhaps you are highly critical of yourself, judging and over analyzing all of your choices and actions, anxious you’ve done or said the wrong thing. Perhaps you feel isolated, alone, separate, with the painful belief of not being good enough. Insecurity and disconnection from ourselves can make it hard to be authentic with the people in our lives, and know and honor our unique needs, leading to burn out, dissatisfaction, and loneliness.
Do you feel insecure, inadequate, and disconnected from yourself, making it difficult to feel good in your body, feel deeply seen and connected to others, and like you’re really living YOUR life? Perhaps you are highly critical of yourself, judging and over analyzing all of your choices and actions, anxious you’ve done or said the wrong thing. Perhaps you feel isolated, alone, separate, with the painful belief of not being good enough. Insecurity and disconnection from ourselves can make it hard to be authentic with the people in our lives, and know and honor our unique needs, leading to burn out, dissatisfaction, and loneliness.
Eri Nagai Ashlock - Identity - Self Esteem
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified Verified
5 Endorsed
Orinda, CA 94563
I have joy, passion, and success working with minority, biracial, and 1st generation/immigrants who experience challenges adjusting to blended families and new/blended cultures. I help my clients identify reasonable solutions to current challenges and we collaborate to create coping skills that build resilience and allow you to thrive. My clients appreciate the gentle, warm, and supportive work we do together. They enjoy being seen, heard, and challenged to deepen self-awareness and overcome sadness, low self-esteem, shame, guilt, and anxiety.
I have joy, passion, and success working with minority, biracial, and 1st generation/immigrants who experience challenges adjusting to blended families and new/blended cultures. I help my clients identify reasonable solutions to current challenges and we collaborate to create coping skills that build resilience and allow you to thrive. My clients appreciate the gentle, warm, and supportive work we do together. They enjoy being seen, heard, and challenged to deepen self-awareness and overcome sadness, low self-esteem, shame, guilt, and anxiety.
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Parenting is rewarding, but it's also one of the hardest jobs. Navigating the responsibilities of managing a household with children can cause parents to feel overwhelmed and stressed. For working parents, things get even more complex. Overseeing department operations can create anxiety for executive level professionals. Trying to juggle one's familial and professional roles can produce extreme burn out. I help executive level parents who are at risk of falling into the self-sacrificing pattern of overextending recover from emotional bankruptcy, enhance the connection with their children and improve their overall quality of life.
Parenting is rewarding, but it's also one of the hardest jobs. Navigating the responsibilities of managing a household with children can cause parents to feel overwhelmed and stressed. For working parents, things get even more complex. Overseeing department operations can create anxiety for executive level professionals. Trying to juggle one's familial and professional roles can produce extreme burn out. I help executive level parents who are at risk of falling into the self-sacrificing pattern of overextending recover from emotional bankruptcy, enhance the connection with their children and improve their overall quality of life.
Hey Moms – Are you feeling anxious and stretched too thin? You’re not alone, and I understand how overwhelming it can feel. I support parents like you in navigating the challenges of balancing life while raising kids. With practical, evidence-based strategies, we work together to create lasting changes for both you and your family. Whether you’re seeking more peace in your daily life, wanting to better respond to your kids’ needs, or hoping to foster deeper connections, my goal is to help you build a calmer, more harmonious home, so you can enjoy time with your family and find satisfaction in everyday moments.
Hey Moms – Are you feeling anxious and stretched too thin? You’re not alone, and I understand how overwhelming it can feel. I support parents like you in navigating the challenges of balancing life while raising kids. With practical, evidence-based strategies, we work together to create lasting changes for both you and your family. Whether you’re seeking more peace in your daily life, wanting to better respond to your kids’ needs, or hoping to foster deeper connections, my goal is to help you build a calmer, more harmonious home, so you can enjoy time with your family and find satisfaction in everyday moments.
I provide attachment-based Emotion Focused Therapy to couples and individuals. I commonly work with couples/individuals for over a year, sometimes much longer if the situation requires it. When working with couples, I commonly do a combination of couples meetings and individual meetings.
I provide attachment-based Emotion Focused Therapy to couples and individuals. I commonly work with couples/individuals for over a year, sometimes much longer if the situation requires it. When working with couples, I commonly do a combination of couples meetings and individual meetings.
Anita Bardsley
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified Verified
7 Endorsed
Orinda, CA 94563 (Online Only)
Being human is complex and messy, filled with unexpected and challenging twists and turns. Such twists and turns can sometimes contribute to feelings of anxiety, overwhelm, sadness, depression, or other intense emotion. As a clinician, I am dedicated to helping you navigate the intricate landscape of your inner world to help relieve you of these intense emotions. Embracing the full spectrum of our human experience—including the messy and uncomfortable parts—is essential for true growth and healing.
Being human is complex and messy, filled with unexpected and challenging twists and turns. Such twists and turns can sometimes contribute to feelings of anxiety, overwhelm, sadness, depression, or other intense emotion. As a clinician, I am dedicated to helping you navigate the intricate landscape of your inner world to help relieve you of these intense emotions. Embracing the full spectrum of our human experience—including the messy and uncomfortable parts—is essential for true growth and healing.
John Jakubowski
Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, AMFT, APCC, EMDR
Verified Verified
Orinda, CA 94563
Things are really hard right now - it is more important than ever to have support. That looks different for everyone, but whether it's parenting, relationship, work, family - or all of the above, create some space and a plan to walk through it - together. It is a journey of insight, compassion, respect, honesty, integrity and courage.
Things are really hard right now - it is more important than ever to have support. That looks different for everyone, but whether it's parenting, relationship, work, family - or all of the above, create some space and a plan to walk through it - together. It is a journey of insight, compassion, respect, honesty, integrity and courage.
"Anyone with children knows that they are challenging as well as rewarding. It is when these challenges outweigh the loving relationship that children start to typically manifest symptoms. Due to internal and/or environmental stresses, children can become withdrawn, oppositional, easily overwhelmed, and scared. This in turn can compromise your child's present and future relationships, academic performance, self-esteem, and the parent-child relationship. When difficulties are addressed early, children gain a sense of mastery and safety lasting a lifetime."
Dr. Lynch has worked with young children in preschool, research, state/county, and clinical settings over the last ten years.
"Anyone with children knows that they are challenging as well as rewarding. It is when these challenges outweigh the loving relationship that children start to typically manifest symptoms. Due to internal and/or environmental stresses, children can become withdrawn, oppositional, easily overwhelmed, and scared. This in turn can compromise your child's present and future relationships, academic performance, self-esteem, and the parent-child relationship. When difficulties are addressed early, children gain a sense of mastery and safety lasting a lifetime."
Dr. Lynch has worked with young children in preschool, research, state/county, and clinical settings over the last ten years.
Mary Ann Kassier, LCSW, CGP
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW, CGP
Verified Verified
Orinda, CA 94563
It is my belief that everyone navigates his or her way through their family of origin and early environment by developing strategies and coping techniques, essentially doing the best one can in the circumstances. Later, these ways of handling relationships and stressors can become limiting. Members of couples and families can also develop entrenched ways of relating that become partially based on assumptions. Frustration, anxiety, disappointment and resentment can result. Psychotherapy enables you to understand the evolution of these patterns and develop more choices in how you respond and relate to others.
It is my belief that everyone navigates his or her way through their family of origin and early environment by developing strategies and coping techniques, essentially doing the best one can in the circumstances. Later, these ways of handling relationships and stressors can become limiting. Members of couples and families can also develop entrenched ways of relating that become partially based on assumptions. Frustration, anxiety, disappointment and resentment can result. Psychotherapy enables you to understand the evolution of these patterns and develop more choices in how you respond and relate to others.
Kathleen Haley
Marriage & Family Therapist, MS, MA, LMFT
Verified Verified
Orinda, CA 94563 (Online Only)
Stop the constant bickering, dust-ups and fighting. Learn tools to communicate clearly and respectfully. Get help repairing emotional wounds and get back on the same team.
Stop the constant bickering, dust-ups and fighting. Learn tools to communicate clearly and respectfully. Get help repairing emotional wounds and get back on the same team.
I enjoy working with adults facing transitions -- launching, having a child, beginning or ending a relationship, moving through developmental stages, etc. I love working with folks touched by adoption -- potential adoptive parents, adoptive families, birth families, adopted persons, etc. I enjoy working with people struggling with depression, anxiety, compulsivity, disconnection, loneliness. .
I enjoy working with adults facing transitions -- launching, having a child, beginning or ending a relationship, moving through developmental stages, etc. I love working with folks touched by adoption -- potential adoptive parents, adoptive families, birth families, adopted persons, etc. I enjoy working with people struggling with depression, anxiety, compulsivity, disconnection, loneliness. .
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Emotionally Focused Therapists
Who is emotionally focused therapy for?
Emotionally focused therapy (EFT) is for couples who are emotionally distressed, stuck in an unsatisfying relationship pattern or feeling deeply alienated. They may even believe the relationship is beyond repair. Very often, the partners display intense anger, fear, grief, loss of trust, or a sense of betrayal in the relationship. In addition, EFT is helpful to couples and individuals who have difficulty expressing emotions and those who have trouble regulating emotions.
Why do people need emotionally focused therapy?
People need emotionally focused therapy because the need for others is built into the brain, but the pressures of daily life can erode feelings of love, and couples often do not have the skills to find their way back to the comfort of each other. Instead, they may be stuck in repetitive patterns of anger, fear, grief, loss of trust, or a sense of betrayal. Emotionally focused therapy regards such strong negative feelings as expressions of protest over the loss of connection and turns them into pathways of reconnection.
What happens in emotionally focused therapy?
Over the course of eight to 20 weekly sessions, couples de-escalate their negative emotional reactivity to one another so that they can listen to each other and be responsive to each other’s needs. Then the deep emotional and physical bond is restored, giving partners a sense of comfort and security, which they can use to solve whatever problems come their way. The therapist plays an active role, helping partners understand how anger and withdrawal are actually misguided cries for connection.
What problems does emotionally focused therapy treat?
EFT is designed to help couples stuck in dysfunctional relationship patterns regain closeness and rebuild their relationship. Typically, such couples experience considerable distress, with partners feeling alienated and distrustful of one another, not certain their relationship can survive. EFT is also helpful to individuals experiencing attachment-related fears of loss; it helps them learn to use their fears as a way of eliciting the closeness they desire.