Chronic Pain Therapists in Palo Alto, CA

Does life feel unrecognizable right now? Maybe you are facing a new reality, one you did not expect to be facing now, or possibly ever. You heard what the doctors said, but it still doesn’t feel quite real, like tomorrow when you wake up you’ll realize this was all just a very bad dream. It feels terrifying, uncomfortable, and exhausting, and you are having a hard time focusing your attention on anything else. You may find your thoughts rapidly cycling between endless “what if” and “how did I get here?” spirals. You are definitely not alone in feeling this way.

Are you struggling to cope with getting through the day? Feeling burnt out, anxious, depressed, and isolated? If you are experiencing emotional difficulties, you do not have to go through it alone. I can support you through life's many challenges - Whether it's the mental health impacts from chronic pain, medical illnesses, social isolation, questioning your gender and/or sexuality, trauma, difficulties in relationships, existential issues, grief, or the hardships that come along with being in different stages of life - from teenagehood to older age.

Are you burned out from "imposter syndrome" at work, stuck in an unfulfilling relationship, or feeling perpetually disconnected and isolated? Living inauthentically can feel exhausting. I work with individuals and couples to provide a range of therapy services from short-term evidence-based treatment for anxiety/depression to long-term relational work. Mental health is about having choices; in our first session, I am excited to get to know you and walk you through the process of therapy. My goal is to help you release painful emotions, reflect on patterns of thoughts and behaviors, and reconnect with a deeper sense of inner freedom.

People come to see me when they are stuck. This painful experience of not being able to find a way forward shows up in many ways: anxiety, career stagnation, depression, grief, relationship difficulties, self-criticism, sexuality, trauma. Speaking offers a way out of this suffering. In our work together, I will invite you to speak about your life and what is on your mind in detail—past and present, fantasy and reality. I will help bring you closer to your desire, conflict, and pain so you can understand the meaning that hides behind your suffering. This work offers a way forward that is more alive.

I believe therapy is a collaborative process that can lead to powerful transformations and enrichment. Life presents us with many challenges and my aim is to help you live a meaningful life even when difficulties or pain are present. I use what matters to you most as a guide towards making changes in your life. I offer specific strategies and tools that help shift your relationship to difficult thoughts and feelings, and take steps towards your personal goals. I strive to create a space that is respectful, warm, and welcoming to all. I specialize in evidence-based and mindfulness approaches within a culturally sensitive framework.

I once heard this metaphor about the lotus flower: "The lotus flower grows deep in muddy waters, far away from the sun. In time the Lotus reaches the light and transforms into a beautiful flower." You may be faced with many challenges right now: stress, anxiety, a terminal diagnosis, or perhaps you are experiencing loss of a loved one. Like the lotus flower, it may seem that everything around you is dark and the light seems very distant. It is my passion to help get you through that muddy water and help you bloom into the beautiful lotus that I know you are.

Depression, anxiety, trauma, chronic illness, addictions and emotional challenges can disrupt our lives and everything we hold dear. I will work with you to develop a plan and set reachable goals to improve your quality of life.

Anyone who has ever experienced trauma cannot overlook the excruciating pain and fear it instills in the body and mind. Such pain, if left unattended may morph into depression, anxiety, chronic physical pain, and profound sense of loss and continuous grief. It can mask our identity and destroy our lifestyle. We turn out to be disoriented, stuck, and confined. Our lives become foreign to us. We find ourselves witnessing its broadcast, as opposed to fully experiencing it in the moment. Hence, we turn to our defenses in the form of compensatory behaviors, such as addiction and compulsions or lose the meaning of life.

Are trauma, anxiety and insecurity controlling your life, preventing you from pursuing your dreams and living life to the fullest? Do you relive the past as if it were happening right now? Your head knows better, but it fails to convince your heart otherwise. As horrible as those experiences were in the past, they continue to zap away your joy and confidence today. You might even avoid situations that trigger the feelings. Are there any lost part of you that you'd like to return to? Do others believe in your competence more than you believe in yourself? What would it be like if life was driven by passion and joy, not fear or shame?

Griselda Garcilazo BA from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, and an MS in Counseling with a dual specialization in Clinical Counseling and School Counseling from Loma Linda University. Griselda has worked with complex care patients including ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis), Muscular Dystrophy, Parkinson’s, Headache, and Bariatric surgery patients. Griselda specializes in end-of-life, terminal, and progressive diagnoses, chronic health conditions, grief, PTSD, trauma, anxiety and mood disorders, crisis intervention, veteran, school counseling, and life transitions for individuals, couples, and families.

My clients usually come to me with severe anxiety, depression, or relationship patterns that seem to keep repeating themselves. They might constantly feel like they are not good enough, or have trouble relaxing and unwinding. They might be triggered by seemingly minor things that send them spiraling into self-doubt and anxiety/depression. All of the above experiences are very common responses to trauma. Together, we’ll work through these triggers so you can feel more like you’re in the driver’s seat.

NOTE: I am currently only seeing clients vis Telehealth due to COVID precautions. I provide a compassionate, collaborative approach to therapy, whether it be for depression, anxiety, trauma, relationship or parenting issues, or what has brought you to seek help. My practice involves tailoring the method to fit the client, in order to strengthen your resources and create the changes you are longing for. I believe that every person's journey through life is unique, but not without struggle, and am committed to helping you feel safe, engaged, and above all, to be a dedicated partner in navigating your healing process.

Dr. Rayna Hirst is a licensed clinical neuropsychologist conducting neuropsychological evaluations, including dementia, psychiatric disorders (e.g., depression, anxiety, ADHD), and medical/neurological diagnoses (e.g., multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, traumatic brain injury, neuro-oncology). Dr. Hirst is an Associate Professor and Director of the Neuropsychology Program at Palo Alto University, providing didactic and supervisory education to doctoral students who are training in clinical neuropsychology.

Hi, my name is Dr. Saige and I am a licensed pediatric psychologist located in the Bay Area. I specialize in providing diagnostic evaluations for children aged 6-16 years old to better understand your child and how to best support them. Another passion is working with youths diagnosed with chronic illnesses. I look forward to supporting your family!

Healing Self Esteem, Understanding self and learning to cope with challenging life situations; Healing relationships (couple, family, colleague, peer, friendships); Cultural and racial identity, coping with racism, BIPOC concerns, College and graduate student mental health; Eating disorders and body Image; Healing from depression and anxiety; Mindful living and meditation practice.

I am a psychiatrist providing psychotherapy and/or psychopharmacology, depending on the client's needs. I believe it is important to offer individualized care based on the client's problems, concerns and preferences. My style is warm, collaborative and interactive. I can help with a practical, solution-focused approach for current problems. I also do exploratory therapy to address unresolved issues from the past that may be interfering with living your life as fully as possible. My clients also seek depth therapy to promote personal growth, insight and self awareness. LICENSED IN 20 STATES--Virtual therapy and med management.

The decision to enter therapy can be a difficult one. For many, recent and/or previous stressors have begun to feel insurmountable, and seem to be getting in the way of living a full, meaningful life. I strive to provide a safe, supportive, and accepting atmosphere in order to truly understand each individual's lived-experience. I also work together with my clients, flexibly tailoring evidence-based interventions to best meet their unique needs and goals. In doing so, I help clients to develop greater awareness of their strengths, build resiliency, and learn new strategies for overcoming emotional suffering.

If you are looking to feel better and live a life filled with meaning, we would love to help. I'm a Stanford Professor and Licensed Clinical Psychologist, and my career has been devoted to make emotional wellbeing an achievable part of everyday life. I developed Wave Life to ensure people can get expert, personalized, culturally humble care that empowers them to live every day fully. Check out our website to see if Wave is right for you. We are also thrilled to be in-Network with Aetna in CA, and you can also use your Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA).

I graduated from California Institute of Integral Studies with a Masters in Counseling Psychology, and have done extensive training in Person-Centered Expressive Arts. My clinical background includes focus on community based mental health, family and child therapy, grief and loss, and complex trauma. I currently work in private practice and also as a supervisor at a community based mental health agency.