Family Systems Therapists in Piedmont, CA

Children and teens are more aware of their own internal states and the world around them than ever before, while the family unit takes on more stress. This combination can create anxiety, depression, acting out behaviors, confusion, and educational struggles for many. Through a strength-based perspective I focus on communication, relationships, boundaries, and self-care. I work with youth (and families) to explore their patterns of interactions with others and encourage self-awareness and growth in these areas. Developing a relationship with a child or teen takes time and care, both of which I have done for nearly twenty years.

I specialize in working with individuals in high stress professions and those with deep interpersonal relationships, such as being a parent or guardian, sibling, manager, employee, partner, etc. It's difficult to manage ones' own wants, needs, and values while attempting to maintain these complicated relationships. Typically, I help individuals analyze their own patterns of behavior and help dispel myths transmitted to them through their past and current environments. I

Pain and discomfort are unavoidable parts of being human. The pain we face in our life can be sprung on us through a myriad of life events and triggers. These hard times can leave us feeling depressed, anxious, lonely, misunderstood, and impact our work and relationships.

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.

One way that people can cope with trauma, anxiety and depression is to distract ourselves with work. While this is a functional way to survive, it can also lead to feelings of isolation, numbness, extreme stress and burnout. Future goals and dreams may feel hopeless, you may be feeling like it is getting harder and harder just to move through your day. It may become challenging to connect with others and perhaps impossible to connect with any joy. In these times of uncertainty, it makes sense that we would be reaching out for support, reevaluating what is important and talking through ideas on how to move forward.

Building relationships to last a lifetime! I work with * Individuals from all walks of life * Couples of all kinds - married, co-habitating, dating, divorced * Families of all sorts * Gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people and their partners and families * People who are part of the kink community, or who participate in BDSM in their personal lives * People in open, non-monogamous, polyamorous, or other non-traditional relationships * Cross-cultural couples and families * Genderqueer folks * Current or former workers in the sex industry * People with body image and self-acceptance issues * People with all kinds of mental and physical health problems

My therapy practice focuses on helping young people overcome difficuties with self-esteem, trauma, life transitions, anxiety, attention issues or school-related concerns. While working with children and teens, I closely collaborate with caregivers - building communication and trust. I know there is nothing more important in a child’s development than their parent relationship. If you are struggling with how best to parent your child in this moment, I am here to process those feelings and problem-solve together.

I work with adults looking to improve their own understanding of their unconscious motivations and to undo unhelpful ways of thinking, I specialize in anxiety, depressive disorders, identity & lifestyle issues to include early childhood experiences, parenting and women's issues during the lifespan.

I work with gay/queer individuals and relationships (couples/polycules). Identity, transition, and shame come up regularly in my sessions, and I facilitate exploration of sex, from kink/BDSM to pleasure to communication. I focus on issues like self-blame, perfectionism, and anxiety. With relationships, we'll evaluate your current goals and needs before exploring new ways of connecting, with joy and self-compassion. Bring your whole self and we'll get curious together.

Narcissistic and emotional abuse can leave us feeling confused, hurt, and desperate for answers. You may have thought you found your soulmate, but instead you find yourself in a very complicated relationship. You may feel alone and isolated, blaming yourself for how badly the relationship is going. Instead of being in this amazing relationship you thought you had signed up for, you are now studying everything you can about narcissism and narcissistic abuse. But you’re ready to make a change. You’re ready to leave this person but you don’t know how. You know deep down that it is time to do something different.

Most people come to see me because they are experiencing some sort of distress that they want help with. What they come to discover is that therapy can be about so much more than relieving pain. I facilitate a process of reflection and self-discovery that can help you connect to your inner creativity and capacity to grow. I focus on helping you expand your relationships, your ability to love and receive love. And together we search for your sense of meaning, purpose, and fulfillment in life.

Seeking help for trauma takes immense courage. You've already taken the first step by considering therapy, and that's a powerful testament to your strength. Trauma can leave deep scars, affecting how we see ourselves and the world. But healing is possible. Through therapy, you can learn to process your experiences, develop coping strategies, and reclaim your sense of safety and control. I use a trauma-informed approach that creates a safe, non-judgmental space for you to explore at your own pace. I understand that trust may be difficult, and I'm committed to respecting your boundaries and empowering you throughout your journey.

At the center of the human experience lie the stories we tell about ourselves and those we tell about others. Stories have the power to move us in remarkable ways. They teach us about life and love and show us how joy and pain coexist. They remind us of the resiliency we possess to overcome suffering. They can help us keep our faith, or they can evoke fear. Stories may leave our minds but overstay their welcome in our bodies. Sometimes, detaching from the stories that no longer serve us feels impossible, as they often keep us somehow safe.

You deserve support navigating life's challenges and moving towards a sense of ease, joy, and meaning. You may be feeling overwhelm, stuckness, worry, perfectionism, doubt or any number of challenges many of us face. Together we will work on what matters to you.

It's not always easy to seek support, and you've already taken a courageous step by considering therapy. You might be feeling overwhelmed with responsibilities, trapped by discouraging thoughts, or exhausted both mentally and emotionally. You might feel as though the important relationships in your life are just not working, that things you used to enjoy are falling flat. Many of my clients have struggled with low self-esteem, family conflict, trauma, and stress. I believe that entering therapy to improve emotional wellbeing and strengthen relationships can pave the way to a healthy, fulfilling life.

The current pandemic, environmental conditions, and political situation are overwhelming. Psychotherapy is helpful and transformative in dealing with the challenges that affect our social interactions and emotional well-being. I work with people dealing with depression, anxiety, life transitions, grief, and chronic illness. We set goals to redefine personal and professional directions.

I’m trained in psychodynamic therapy, where one seeks the causes and origins of suffering and works through them, healing and letting them go. In session, I use empathy and gentle, kind curiosity to discover and understand the origins of maladaptive behaviors and suffering to create new, adaptive, and rewarding ways of living. This approach results in clients feeling more relaxed and present and increases their ability to make decisions that are aligned with their values. My style is warm, active, and goal-oriented.

Welcome! I am a licensed clinical psychologist. My approach is warm, direct, and collaborative. I provide a practical framework that helps individuals, parents, and kids. I also enjoy working with college-aged students and athletes. I believe the relationship we create is crucial in our work. Together we can explore the areas where you are struggling and find ways to help you live more authentically. I provide tele-health, walk/run while we talk therapy. I am trained in SPACE (Supportive Parenting of Anxious Childhood Emotions). Please feel free to reach out for a 15 minute consultation call to see if it is a good fit.

Are you wanting to feel better once and for all? Maybe you can't move on from the past or you're worried about your future. If anxiety, panic, or even depression is stealing your joy, I get it. If traditional talk therapy hasn't helped you feel better, it's time to try a new approach to heal at the source of your pain. For 12 years I have refined my approach through professional training and experience in Relational-gestalt therapy and Brainspotting (derived from EMDR) while centering social justice and trauma-informed care.