Emotionally Focused Therapists in Piedmont, CA
Therapy with me is a place of active change. I help people manage stress and reduce overwhelm, strengthen relationships, build resilience, and move from "stuckness" into growth. My patients come to me to shift thinking styles, improve communication, and increase productivity. I use evidence-based practices (such as CBT and mindfulness) to enhance self-awareness, build skills, and achieve targeted goals. We also explore core beliefs and behavior patterns to deepen self-understanding. With couples, my work is informed by Emotionally Focused Therapy and Gottman research. My office is located in a beautiful, peaceful marina setting.
Therapy with me is a place of active change. I help people manage stress and reduce overwhelm, strengthen relationships, build resilience, and move from "stuckness" into growth. My patients come to me to shift thinking styles, improve communication, and increase productivity. I use evidence-based practices (such as CBT and mindfulness) to enhance self-awareness, build skills, and achieve targeted goals. We also explore core beliefs and behavior patterns to deepen self-understanding. With couples, my work is informed by Emotionally Focused Therapy and Gottman research. My office is located in a beautiful, peaceful marina setting.
I've trained in Emotionally Focused Therapy for couples and Child-Centered Play Therapy for young children.
I'm committed to helping adults explore the roots of their persistent dissatisfaction, enhance their self-awareness, and find more freedom in their work and relationships. With children & teens, I specialize in helping them navigate anxiety, low self-esteem, the impacts of traumatic experiences, and big or overwhelming emotions. I create a nurturing relationship where young clients can build their confidence through conversation, play, and creativity. -As of Oct 2024: I have openings for children/parents in Albany, CA and individual adults and couples in Oakland, CA.-
I've trained in Emotionally Focused Therapy for couples and Child-Centered Play Therapy for young children.
I'm committed to helping adults explore the roots of their persistent dissatisfaction, enhance their self-awareness, and find more freedom in their work and relationships. With children & teens, I specialize in helping them navigate anxiety, low self-esteem, the impacts of traumatic experiences, and big or overwhelming emotions. I create a nurturing relationship where young clients can build their confidence through conversation, play, and creativity. -As of Oct 2024: I have openings for children/parents in Albany, CA and individual adults and couples in Oakland, CA.-
Rebecca Reynolds
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified Verified
2 Endorsed
Piedmont, CA 94611 (Online Only)
I have had the privilege of walking through the healing process with adults, senior adults, the LGBTQ+ community, and women's issues. During my experience in a community mental health clinic, and in private practice I have utilized Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Trauma Focused - CBT, Emotionally Focused Therapy, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. I will hold your vulnerability and pain with compassion and authenticity while the process of finding new or renewed hope, healing, strength, wholeness, and vitality for life begins to unfold.
I have had the privilege of walking through the healing process with adults, senior adults, the LGBTQ+ community, and women's issues. During my experience in a community mental health clinic, and in private practice I have utilized Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Trauma Focused - CBT, Emotionally Focused Therapy, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. I will hold your vulnerability and pain with compassion and authenticity while the process of finding new or renewed hope, healing, strength, wholeness, and vitality for life begins to unfold.
Alfredo Laris
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified Verified
Piedmont, CA 94611 (Online Only)
I believe that the power of vulnerability is one of our greatest strengths and ultimately can provide us with a deeper sense of self, security, comfort, and more compassionate towards one another. Coming from a strength-based form of doing therapy and providing support to others, I work to provide my clients with a sense of validation and comfort. As a cis male that identifies as Latinx and as a proud member of the LGBTQIA community, I am able to hold the experience of living in many diverse, cross-cultural emotional experiences that we sometimes may not even know how to begin to understand.
I believe that the power of vulnerability is one of our greatest strengths and ultimately can provide us with a deeper sense of self, security, comfort, and more compassionate towards one another. Coming from a strength-based form of doing therapy and providing support to others, I work to provide my clients with a sense of validation and comfort. As a cis male that identifies as Latinx and as a proud member of the LGBTQIA community, I am able to hold the experience of living in many diverse, cross-cultural emotional experiences that we sometimes may not even know how to begin to understand.
I offer *concierge therapy services* in Palo Alto, Piedmont, and the greater Bay Area. I am committed to uniquely serving individuals and family systems to support clients in navigating their complex and fast-paced lives in a way that is expressly tailored to fit into your Bay Area lifestyle. I work dynamically with family members to address overarching goals from different perspectives. This allows me to focus on your needs from every angle possible. The result is comprehensive change on an individual and systematic level. I can meet online or in person with a flexible structure to meet your ever changing needs.
I offer *concierge therapy services* in Palo Alto, Piedmont, and the greater Bay Area. I am committed to uniquely serving individuals and family systems to support clients in navigating their complex and fast-paced lives in a way that is expressly tailored to fit into your Bay Area lifestyle. I work dynamically with family members to address overarching goals from different perspectives. This allows me to focus on your needs from every angle possible. The result is comprehensive change on an individual and systematic level. I can meet online or in person with a flexible structure to meet your ever changing needs.
“There’s nothing more healing than choosing love.” You want connection and closeness yet you struggle to find it. You feel frustrated that your relationships aren’t fulfilling or aren't right for you. You're reflective and thoughtful, and yet you're having difficulty showing up how you want to in your life, partnership, or family. Perhaps you're struggling with isolation, anxiety, depression, or overwhelm. These are real challenges. Together we can co-create a gentle yet courageous space to explore who you are, what you need, and how to try new things that move you toward what you value most in life and in your relationships.
“There’s nothing more healing than choosing love.” You want connection and closeness yet you struggle to find it. You feel frustrated that your relationships aren’t fulfilling or aren't right for you. You're reflective and thoughtful, and yet you're having difficulty showing up how you want to in your life, partnership, or family. Perhaps you're struggling with isolation, anxiety, depression, or overwhelm. These are real challenges. Together we can co-create a gentle yet courageous space to explore who you are, what you need, and how to try new things that move you toward what you value most in life and in your relationships.
Awarded Oakland Magazine's "Best Therapist" 2018 & 2020, my specialties include: relationship issues (such as conflict resolution, dating, pre-marital counseling, divorce, blended families, infidelity); grief & loss; addiction, recovery & codependence; anxiety & depression. My approach is both warm and direct-- my clients experience me as accepting and empathic, while also feeling challenged the right amount to grow and change. I am an integrative therapist, meaning I integrate more than one way/theory/model to view and treat psychological and/or relational concerns. See my website for education, experience and credentials.
Awarded Oakland Magazine's "Best Therapist" 2018 & 2020, my specialties include: relationship issues (such as conflict resolution, dating, pre-marital counseling, divorce, blended families, infidelity); grief & loss; addiction, recovery & codependence; anxiety & depression. My approach is both warm and direct-- my clients experience me as accepting and empathic, while also feeling challenged the right amount to grow and change. I am an integrative therapist, meaning I integrate more than one way/theory/model to view and treat psychological and/or relational concerns. See my website for education, experience and credentials.
My approach in therapy is to create a warm, non-judgmental, interactive atmosphere in which we can bring the wisdom of your highest and best self to your current difficulties and dilemmas. I am attuned to the effect of unconscious patterns that begin in childhood and yet try to work in the present, trusting that the past -- to the extent it is important -- will show up in the present. My belief is that human beings naturally tend toward wholeness. I use education and mindfulness and cognitive-behavioral techniques to enable you to participate fully in your own healing and growth.
My approach in therapy is to create a warm, non-judgmental, interactive atmosphere in which we can bring the wisdom of your highest and best self to your current difficulties and dilemmas. I am attuned to the effect of unconscious patterns that begin in childhood and yet try to work in the present, trusting that the past -- to the extent it is important -- will show up in the present. My belief is that human beings naturally tend toward wholeness. I use education and mindfulness and cognitive-behavioral techniques to enable you to participate fully in your own healing and growth.
I believe that our experiences in life are reflected in our behaviors, shape our thoughts, are held in our bodies, and trigger our emotions often outside of our consciousness. Increasing awareness at all levels allows us to have access to more choices in our lives. I see the goal of psychotherapy is to help people find a place in them where it feels safe, loving, and truthful, accessing their authentic selves. To facilitate this process, I explore with clients their thoughts and belief systems, behaviors, feelings, and physical sensations, helping to connect and integrate the mind, body and spirit.
I believe that our experiences in life are reflected in our behaviors, shape our thoughts, are held in our bodies, and trigger our emotions often outside of our consciousness. Increasing awareness at all levels allows us to have access to more choices in our lives. I see the goal of psychotherapy is to help people find a place in them where it feels safe, loving, and truthful, accessing their authentic selves. To facilitate this process, I explore with clients their thoughts and belief systems, behaviors, feelings, and physical sensations, helping to connect and integrate the mind, body and spirit.
Research shows that couples wait on average 6 years after problems arise to seek professional help. Whether your relationship is full of conflict or has drifted into the friend zone, this is our area of expertise. We focus on practical strategies that we know from research to be effective. Our goal is to minimize the time you spend with us and give you the tools you need to improve your relationship outside of therapy. Our team of therapists is highly skilled, compassionate and will offer you practical feedback and research-based guidance.
Research shows that couples wait on average 6 years after problems arise to seek professional help. Whether your relationship is full of conflict or has drifted into the friend zone, this is our area of expertise. We focus on practical strategies that we know from research to be effective. Our goal is to minimize the time you spend with us and give you the tools you need to improve your relationship outside of therapy. Our team of therapists is highly skilled, compassionate and will offer you practical feedback and research-based guidance.
My approach is friendly and collaborative; working with you to explore reactions, emotional patterns, and thought processes. I encourage honest exchange at your own pace while providing tangible techniques to take into your life. I incorporate mindfulness practices from my training as a yoga teacher. My professional background includes two decades of experience in the conflict resolution field with a focus on assisting individuals and teams who have workplace and academic concerns. I work with people from a variety of backgrounds including executives, university faculty, medical professionals, engineers, and people who work in tech and startups.
My approach is friendly and collaborative; working with you to explore reactions, emotional patterns, and thought processes. I encourage honest exchange at your own pace while providing tangible techniques to take into your life. I incorporate mindfulness practices from my training as a yoga teacher. My professional background includes two decades of experience in the conflict resolution field with a focus on assisting individuals and teams who have workplace and academic concerns. I work with people from a variety of backgrounds including executives, university faculty, medical professionals, engineers, and people who work in tech and startups.
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Are you seeking a better relationship with yourself or with others? Are you wanting to heal from the effects of having been raised by emotionally immature or unavailable parents? Need support with identifying and experiencing your feelings? Are you striving to live a more purposeful and meaningful life? I will provide a sensitive, genuine supportive presence where you can feel truly acknowledged with acceptance and without judgment. I will be an active participant in our working alliance to help move you towards experiencing the positive changes you seek and meeting your goals.
Are you seeking a better relationship with yourself or with others? Are you wanting to heal from the effects of having been raised by emotionally immature or unavailable parents? Need support with identifying and experiencing your feelings? Are you striving to live a more purposeful and meaningful life? I will provide a sensitive, genuine supportive presence where you can feel truly acknowledged with acceptance and without judgment. I will be an active participant in our working alliance to help move you towards experiencing the positive changes you seek and meeting your goals.
I work primarily with relationships; your relationship to yourself, to others, to your future, and to your past. With over 30 years in practice, I use a collaborative style with my clients. Self esteem, depression, anxiety, parenting issues, infertility, life transitions, adult children of alcoholics, addiction recovery, trauma, and couples therapy are my expertise. I specialize in helping couples improve communication and intimacy while creating more secure relationships. I see adults and adolescents and supervise psychologists in training. I often see people who are stuck in negative patterns and struggling to change.
I work primarily with relationships; your relationship to yourself, to others, to your future, and to your past. With over 30 years in practice, I use a collaborative style with my clients. Self esteem, depression, anxiety, parenting issues, infertility, life transitions, adult children of alcoholics, addiction recovery, trauma, and couples therapy are my expertise. I specialize in helping couples improve communication and intimacy while creating more secure relationships. I see adults and adolescents and supervise psychologists in training. I often see people who are stuck in negative patterns and struggling to change.
Welcome. Do you feel stuck or overwhelmed? Do you have trouble expressing your needs? Do you put a lot of pressure on yourself, and feel anxious about not meeting your expectations? Do you feel uncertain about how to manage feelings of distress? I am a psychologist that can help guide you toward relief. I aim to help individuals understand their concerns, strengths, and help them identify the tools necessary to manage distress, push through challenges, and understand how to become the best version of themselves.
Welcome. Do you feel stuck or overwhelmed? Do you have trouble expressing your needs? Do you put a lot of pressure on yourself, and feel anxious about not meeting your expectations? Do you feel uncertain about how to manage feelings of distress? I am a psychologist that can help guide you toward relief. I aim to help individuals understand their concerns, strengths, and help them identify the tools necessary to manage distress, push through challenges, and understand how to become the best version of themselves.
Joan A Pezanoski
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, MFT
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Piedmont, CA 94610
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.
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.
Ashby Lankford
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified Verified
3 Endorsed
Piedmont, CA 94611
Finding the right match in a therapist is essential to beginning this uniquely personal process. Therapy often gets a bad name when there is a sense of disconnect between client and therapist, which can make therapy feel like another struggle. Life is challenging enough. I am committed to creating a comfortable and genuine dialogue with each client, or to offering more fitting outside referrals. I am able to put people at ease, welcoming humor where appropriate.
Finding the right match in a therapist is essential to beginning this uniquely personal process. Therapy often gets a bad name when there is a sense of disconnect between client and therapist, which can make therapy feel like another struggle. Life is challenging enough. I am committed to creating a comfortable and genuine dialogue with each client, or to offering more fitting outside referrals. I am able to put people at ease, welcoming humor where appropriate.
You always knew you wanted to be a parent. It was easy to imagine the experiences you'd have with your kids- dinners discussing your day, cheering them on from the soccer field, holidays building memories... What you didn't plan for was the weight of your responsibilities. It's so hard to be present and tuned in when your mind is racing from one to-do list to the next. When you're so exhausted that you want to just lay on the couch. When the demands placed upon you feel insurmountable. All you want is to respond with patience, but you are irritated, stressed, and have no idea how to begin getting your life back to balanced.
You always knew you wanted to be a parent. It was easy to imagine the experiences you'd have with your kids- dinners discussing your day, cheering them on from the soccer field, holidays building memories... What you didn't plan for was the weight of your responsibilities. It's so hard to be present and tuned in when your mind is racing from one to-do list to the next. When you're so exhausted that you want to just lay on the couch. When the demands placed upon you feel insurmountable. All you want is to respond with patience, but you are irritated, stressed, and have no idea how to begin getting your life back to balanced.
I am a licensed clinical psychologist with specialized training conducting psychological assessments of children and adults, identifying and tailoring therapeutic goals to each individual in order to provide compassionate and effective psychotherapy and psychological consultation. I earned my doctorate at UC Berkeley and completed my clinical training, working with children and adults, at the Veterans Administration Healthcare System, UCSF Medical Center and UC Davis Medical Center.
I am a licensed clinical psychologist with specialized training conducting psychological assessments of children and adults, identifying and tailoring therapeutic goals to each individual in order to provide compassionate and effective psychotherapy and psychological consultation. I earned my doctorate at UC Berkeley and completed my clinical training, working with children and adults, at the Veterans Administration Healthcare System, UCSF Medical Center and UC Davis Medical Center.
I have great compassion for the human struggle and I don't want you to feel alone with it.... It's far easier with another person who cares and understands. I've spent my whole life studying psychology: Formally, at Stanford (BA), at UC Berkeley (MA, PhD), and ongoing Continuing Education; informally, from colleagues, clients, and 20+ years in private practice. I enjoy working with people from all walks of life. I'm open, empathic, authentic, interested and interactive. I like helping people with relationship difficulties, life transitions, anxiety, grief, self-criticism, social inhibitions, and emotional trauma, abuse, or neglect.
I have great compassion for the human struggle and I don't want you to feel alone with it.... It's far easier with another person who cares and understands. I've spent my whole life studying psychology: Formally, at Stanford (BA), at UC Berkeley (MA, PhD), and ongoing Continuing Education; informally, from colleagues, clients, and 20+ years in private practice. I enjoy working with people from all walks of life. I'm open, empathic, authentic, interested and interactive. I like helping people with relationship difficulties, life transitions, anxiety, grief, self-criticism, social inhibitions, and emotional trauma, abuse, or neglect.
My clients are people struggling with a transition in their lives; initiating independence as a teenager or young adult, wrestling with a new gender or new role as a significant other / parent, newly dealing with depression, traumatic memories or substance abuse. My approach to psychotherapy is collaborative and interactive with the goal of creating a safe environment that will enable you to explore your thoughts and feelings related to present difficulties. I work with the idea of relieving one's immediate suffering with the longer term goal of how to better understand oneself and one's relationship to the world around you.
My clients are people struggling with a transition in their lives; initiating independence as a teenager or young adult, wrestling with a new gender or new role as a significant other / parent, newly dealing with depression, traumatic memories or substance abuse. My approach to psychotherapy is collaborative and interactive with the goal of creating a safe environment that will enable you to explore your thoughts and feelings related to present difficulties. I work with the idea of relieving one's immediate suffering with the longer term goal of how to better understand oneself and one's relationship to the world around you.
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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.