Chronic Pain Therapists in Pleasant Hill, CA
![Photo of Meri Levy, MA, LMFT, PMH-C, Marriage & Family Therapist](https://photos.psychologytoday.com/cbac135e-2fdd-45b4-bd0f-f51e8f95cc1c/1/320x400.jpeg)
Meri Levy
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT, PMH-C
Verified Verified
12 Endorsed
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
My niche is with adults who particularly hard on themselves, especially parents and people experiencing chronic pain. Do you often feel like you "should" be doing more or better? Do you feel guilty taking time for yourself? Do you have mixed feelings about parenthood or your relationship? Learning how to treat ourselves with compassion, accepting our negative feelings as well as the positive ones, and balancing caretaking for others with caring for ourselves is something many of us have to learn as adults. These are areas I help my clients with daily. You don't need to struggle with these issues alone.
My niche is with adults who particularly hard on themselves, especially parents and people experiencing chronic pain. Do you often feel like you "should" be doing more or better? Do you feel guilty taking time for yourself? Do you have mixed feelings about parenthood or your relationship? Learning how to treat ourselves with compassion, accepting our negative feelings as well as the positive ones, and balancing caretaking for others with caring for ourselves is something many of us have to learn as adults. These are areas I help my clients with daily. You don't need to struggle with these issues alone.
![Photo of Sora Yoon, MFT, ATR, Marriage & Family Therapist](https://photos.psychologytoday.com/574bedd1-5005-40b2-9a32-531b14f89270/1/320x400.jpeg)
And learn to live an abundant & vibrant life! Allow yourself to feel, express, external the pain & invite joy & liveliness back into your life.
Are you seeking to dive deeper into finding awareness & meaning in life? I work with both children & adults in the areas of developmental trauma, PTSD, child-parent relationship issues & disordered eating issues. I have a background working in both patient & outpatient settings. I bring ability to work with more complicated If you are looking to find someone to help process these difficulties through holistic healing please give a call to see if we are a good fit.
And learn to live an abundant & vibrant life! Allow yourself to feel, express, external the pain & invite joy & liveliness back into your life.
Are you seeking to dive deeper into finding awareness & meaning in life? I work with both children & adults in the areas of developmental trauma, PTSD, child-parent relationship issues & disordered eating issues. I have a background working in both patient & outpatient settings. I bring ability to work with more complicated If you are looking to find someone to help process these difficulties through holistic healing please give a call to see if we are a good fit.
![Photo of Genevieve Ann Green, LMFT, Marriage & Family Therapist](https://photos.psychologytoday.com/4f40730a-46cd-11ea-a6ad-06142c356176/2/320x400.jpeg)
My work includes working with individuals coping with depression, anxiety, addiction, trauma, and chronic and severe mental illness. I have experience working with all age ranges and ethnicities. I welcome clients of all gender identities and sexual orientations. I have fifteen years plus experience of working within the field of psychology in a variety of settings including drug and alcohol therapy, psychiatric crisis stabilization, forensics, and individual and group therapies. I am certified through Harvard University for Trauma.
My work includes working with individuals coping with depression, anxiety, addiction, trauma, and chronic and severe mental illness. I have experience working with all age ranges and ethnicities. I welcome clients of all gender identities and sexual orientations. I have fifteen years plus experience of working within the field of psychology in a variety of settings including drug and alcohol therapy, psychiatric crisis stabilization, forensics, and individual and group therapies. I am certified through Harvard University for Trauma.
![Photo of John Charles Bieda Jr, MA, MFT, Marriage & Family Therapist](https://photos.psychologytoday.com/9a7b9755-65ee-4e41-abfe-a6681ad55dda/3/320x400.jpeg)
John Charles Bieda Jr
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, MFT
Verified Verified
2 Endorsed
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
Reducing pain and suffering from the trauma and allow the client to live their life without pain.
Currently I am only offering Teletherapy via hipaa compliant methods. I enjoy working with clients looking to make positive changes in their life. I work with them to develop coping skills to assist them in managing extreme emotional states and distress, as well as to develop increased interpersonal skills. By developing communication skills clients are able to improve their relationships in all areas of their lives. I have expertise working with a diverse spectrum of individuals including those in non-mainstream relationships and those with chronic mental illness.
Reducing pain and suffering from the trauma and allow the client to live their life without pain.
Currently I am only offering Teletherapy via hipaa compliant methods. I enjoy working with clients looking to make positive changes in their life. I work with them to develop coping skills to assist them in managing extreme emotional states and distress, as well as to develop increased interpersonal skills. By developing communication skills clients are able to improve their relationships in all areas of their lives. I have expertise working with a diverse spectrum of individuals including those in non-mainstream relationships and those with chronic mental illness.
![Photo of Jane Kwok-Yee Leung, LMFT, SEP, Marriage & Family Therapist](https://photos.psychologytoday.com/28328f00-2839-402c-927a-faad0ee78de1/1/320x400.jpeg)
Jane Kwok-Yee Leung
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT, SEP
Verified Verified
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523 (Online Only)
Helping clients live a more full life by understanding themselves is at the core of my practice. Trauma is the cause of a significant amount of mental health issues. Sometimes it can be a shock trauma like a car accident. Sometimes it can be a developmental trauma from difficult relationships from childhood. I have spent my professional career helping people with trauma understand how trauma affects their lives and develop tools and skills to manage that trauma. My passion is bringing healing to people who have been through a traumatic/stressful experience.
Helping clients live a more full life by understanding themselves is at the core of my practice. Trauma is the cause of a significant amount of mental health issues. Sometimes it can be a shock trauma like a car accident. Sometimes it can be a developmental trauma from difficult relationships from childhood. I have spent my professional career helping people with trauma understand how trauma affects their lives and develop tools and skills to manage that trauma. My passion is bringing healing to people who have been through a traumatic/stressful experience.
![Photo of Nicolle Napier-Ionascu - Neuropsychology (Pleasant Hill and Moraga, CA), PsyD, QME, Psychologist](https://photos.psychologytoday.com/4ff6aab0-46cd-11ea-a6ad-06142c356176/3/320x400.jpeg)
Neuropsychology (Pleasant Hill and Moraga, CA)
Psychologist, PsyD, QME
Verified Verified
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
Dr. Nicolle Ionascu offers comprehensive neuropsychological assessments to a wide demographic age range focusing on in-depth treatment and therapeutic recommendations.
Dr. Nicolle Ionascu offers comprehensive neuropsychological assessments to a wide demographic age range focusing on in-depth treatment and therapeutic recommendations.
![Photo of Julie Levin, MA, MFT, Marriage & Family Therapist](https://photos.psychologytoday.com/99fa4ade-b2b5-445e-b03d-41787fd2e05a/1/320x400.jpeg)
Julie Levin
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, MFT
Verified Verified
2 Endorsed
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523 (Online Only)
I help adults who were raised by immature, narcissistic, or highly critical parents heal the wound of never feeling good enough. When parents are emotionally unavailable or inconsistent, kids assume it's their fault. They try to be "better," to win love, approval, and that sense of belonging we all need. If that was you, you're probably still following the unspoken, unconscious rules you learned in your family: to be loved, you have to support and bolster the unconscious needs of insecure people. This leaves you in one sided relationships, exhausted and resentful.
I help adults who were raised by immature, narcissistic, or highly critical parents heal the wound of never feeling good enough. When parents are emotionally unavailable or inconsistent, kids assume it's their fault. They try to be "better," to win love, approval, and that sense of belonging we all need. If that was you, you're probably still following the unspoken, unconscious rules you learned in your family: to be loved, you have to support and bolster the unconscious needs of insecure people. This leaves you in one sided relationships, exhausted and resentful.
![Photo of Maria Holguin, LMFT, Marriage & Family Therapist](https://photos.psychologytoday.com/d690a4d7-39c8-46a7-a257-20474f5e778c/1/320x400.jpeg)
My name is Maria. I am a bilingual Spanish and English Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. I have been practicing for over 8 years in a County outpatient mental health clinic that services a multicultural and diverse population. y experience includes but is not limited to conducting therapy for Pregnant and postpartum women, adults, older/mature adults, client’s suffering from emotional and crisis situations, mood conditions, depression, anxiety, panic attacks, psychosis, substance abuse, domestic violence, trauma’s, post-traumatic stress disorder, fear, tragedy, paranoia, adoption, grief, and loss.
My name is Maria. I am a bilingual Spanish and English Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. I have been practicing for over 8 years in a County outpatient mental health clinic that services a multicultural and diverse population. y experience includes but is not limited to conducting therapy for Pregnant and postpartum women, adults, older/mature adults, client’s suffering from emotional and crisis situations, mood conditions, depression, anxiety, panic attacks, psychosis, substance abuse, domestic violence, trauma’s, post-traumatic stress disorder, fear, tragedy, paranoia, adoption, grief, and loss.
![Photo of Marian T Okamura, LCSW, Clinical Social Work/Therapist](https://photos.psychologytoday.com/fd9181d5-2c6b-4093-a201-c8968505414d/1/320x400.jpeg)
I have been in private practice for over 30 years. I have had extensive experience with ethnically diverse women, men, couples, Veterans and immigrants, from young to older adults. I work with issues, such as depression, anxiety, relationships, marriage, work, disability, aging, loss, bereavement, identity and cross cultural/bi-cultural conflict. I am interested in exploring these issues through a dynamic process of understanding your emotional life and thoughts; and, how it manifests in your behavior in the world. Available for clinical consultation or supervising licensing hours. By appointment: Office, phone or virtual.
I have been in private practice for over 30 years. I have had extensive experience with ethnically diverse women, men, couples, Veterans and immigrants, from young to older adults. I work with issues, such as depression, anxiety, relationships, marriage, work, disability, aging, loss, bereavement, identity and cross cultural/bi-cultural conflict. I am interested in exploring these issues through a dynamic process of understanding your emotional life and thoughts; and, how it manifests in your behavior in the world. Available for clinical consultation or supervising licensing hours. By appointment: Office, phone or virtual.
![Photo of Rosario A. Carbajal, MA, LMFT, Marriage & Family Therapist](https://photos.psychologytoday.com/4b778040-46cd-11ea-a6ad-06142c356176/3/320x400.jpeg)
Relationships can be frustrating and challenging among couples, family members, and friends. Disappointments can lead to anger, resentment, and stressful disconnections. I can help you resolve these issues through the use of treatment modalities, feedback, communications, and coping skills. Working with me, you can learn to communicate effectively, identify roles and behaviors, and understand one another.
Relationships can be frustrating and challenging among couples, family members, and friends. Disappointments can lead to anger, resentment, and stressful disconnections. I can help you resolve these issues through the use of treatment modalities, feedback, communications, and coping skills. Working with me, you can learn to communicate effectively, identify roles and behaviors, and understand one another.
![Photo of Scott David Alexander, MA, MFT, MFA, Marriage & Family Therapist](https://photos.psychologytoday.com/42abcdef-46cd-11ea-a6ad-06142c356176/2/320x400.jpeg)
Scott David Alexander
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, MFT, MFA
Verified Verified
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
You might want to: free yourself; move on; get better; grow; clarify; solve the problem; build skills; change the narrative; fight for what you believe; feel alive; be confident; know what you want; take chances; firm your resolve; strengthen resiliency; say what you mean; set boundaries; take responsibility; be flexible; find a way; accept yourself; establish a rhythm; lead with the breath; connect with others; refuse to apologize for what you want; allow love; integrate; be still; deepen; and leave meaning to come together on its own.
You might want to: free yourself; move on; get better; grow; clarify; solve the problem; build skills; change the narrative; fight for what you believe; feel alive; be confident; know what you want; take chances; firm your resolve; strengthen resiliency; say what you mean; set boundaries; take responsibility; be flexible; find a way; accept yourself; establish a rhythm; lead with the breath; connect with others; refuse to apologize for what you want; allow love; integrate; be still; deepen; and leave meaning to come together on its own.
15 Second Videos
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Kevin Ott
![Photo of Neslihan Muazzez Pinar - BAPTI - Bay Area Psychotherapy Institute, Marriage & Family Therapist](https://photos.psychologytoday.com/44a865cb-46cd-11ea-a6ad-06142c356176/2/320x400.jpeg)
BAPTI - Bay Area Psychotherapy Institute
Marriage & Family Therapist
Verified Verified
9 Endorsed
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
Tired of searching for support? Offering healing in the places that make life challenging is our passion. You deserve the support as an individual, couple, and family to feel strengthened and empowered to live a fulfilling life. Life is challenging and it can be difficult to find the support you need. We are here to offer individualized help to empower you on your path to wholeness. We are a passionate group of therapists who seek a wide range of trainings and specialties to offer a specialized service to each of our clients.
Tired of searching for support? Offering healing in the places that make life challenging is our passion. You deserve the support as an individual, couple, and family to feel strengthened and empowered to live a fulfilling life. Life is challenging and it can be difficult to find the support you need. We are here to offer individualized help to empower you on your path to wholeness. We are a passionate group of therapists who seek a wide range of trainings and specialties to offer a specialized service to each of our clients.
![Photo of Larry Yavorsky - Larry Yavorsky Therapy & Relationship Enhancement, LMFT, RN, MA, Marriage & Family Therapist](https://photos.psychologytoday.com/426930c9-46cd-11ea-a6ad-06142c356176/4/320x400.jpeg)
Larry Yavorsky Therapy & Relationship Enhancement
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT, RN, MA
Verified Verified
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
You can be happier, healthier & find life more fulfilling, by engaging in therapy with Larry Yavorsky. I am LMFT and RN with 40 years of experience in the areas of enhancing individual, sexual, and relationship health and satisfaction. I invite you to call me at (510) 401-3935 for free phone consultation. My passion is to help clients explore and understand themselves, to become free of troubling symptoms and of relationship distress. Using methods which promote emotional, mental, and physical awareness and health, I have had success in treating a wide range of issues such as depression, anxiety,PTSD, relationship/sexual distress.
You can be happier, healthier & find life more fulfilling, by engaging in therapy with Larry Yavorsky. I am LMFT and RN with 40 years of experience in the areas of enhancing individual, sexual, and relationship health and satisfaction. I invite you to call me at (510) 401-3935 for free phone consultation. My passion is to help clients explore and understand themselves, to become free of troubling symptoms and of relationship distress. Using methods which promote emotional, mental, and physical awareness and health, I have had success in treating a wide range of issues such as depression, anxiety,PTSD, relationship/sexual distress.
![Photo of Sarah R Blackley, MA, LMFT, Marriage & Family Therapist](https://photos.psychologytoday.com/d668b3d0-e1cd-4c3e-bfca-133f8c08aebf/1/320x400.jpeg)
Sarah R Blackley
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified Verified
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523 (Online Only)
Congratulations on taking the first step towards wellness! My practice is two-fold: I have a lot of experience working with couples in conflict and I also work with individuals who suffer from depression and PTSD. I believe that the relationship between therapist and client is most helpful in collaboration. I enjoy working with both couples and individuals to face life transitions and difficulties with a direct and empathetic approach.
Congratulations on taking the first step towards wellness! My practice is two-fold: I have a lot of experience working with couples in conflict and I also work with individuals who suffer from depression and PTSD. I believe that the relationship between therapist and client is most helpful in collaboration. I enjoy working with both couples and individuals to face life transitions and difficulties with a direct and empathetic approach.
![Photo of Margie Ryerson, MFT, Marriage & Family Therapist](https://photos.psychologytoday.com/a8a694d4-5798-4e2c-ba19-dc9c0df0d2e4/1/320x400.jpeg)
Margie Ryerson
Marriage & Family Therapist, MFT
Verified Verified
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523 (Online Only)
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.
![Photo of Anne D Case, MA, MFT, Marriage & Family Therapist](https://photos.psychologytoday.com/3c86b0cd-46cd-11ea-a6ad-06142c356176/3/320x400.jpeg)
Anne D Case
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, MFT
Verified Verified
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523 (Online Only)
In everyone's lives there are times of difficulty, life transitions, unwanted change, loss, and fears. Talking to someone who can assist you in sorting out your thoughts and feelings about these challenges can be very helpful. If you are feeling trapped in unhealthy patterns that are keeping you stuck or making you feel badly about yourself, I can help you identify them and how to change them to feel more empowered and fulfilled. If you are experiencing stress, we can work together to identify and address its causes and develop multiple tools to manage and decrease it.
In everyone's lives there are times of difficulty, life transitions, unwanted change, loss, and fears. Talking to someone who can assist you in sorting out your thoughts and feelings about these challenges can be very helpful. If you are feeling trapped in unhealthy patterns that are keeping you stuck or making you feel badly about yourself, I can help you identify them and how to change them to feel more empowered and fulfilled. If you are experiencing stress, we can work together to identify and address its causes and develop multiple tools to manage and decrease it.
![Photo of Frances (Mikki) Broughton, BA, MA, LMFT, Marriage & Family Therapist](https://photos.psychologytoday.com/3b744160-46cd-11ea-a6ad-06142c356176/4/320x400.jpeg)
Frances (Mikki) Broughton
Marriage & Family Therapist, BA, MA, LMFT
Verified Verified
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
I am here! What are you needing and how can I help? I believe that crisis equals opportunity. A crisis that brings someone to therapy can be a pathway to growth and new ways of being, seeing and believing which makes you feel better. With an environment of safety and compassion, an individual has the opportunity to heal almost any wounding whether it happened in childhood or adult life if that is their goal.
I love my work, have been doing it for over 30 yrs and have no plans to stop. It gives my life meaning and makes my heart sing.
I am here! What are you needing and how can I help? I believe that crisis equals opportunity. A crisis that brings someone to therapy can be a pathway to growth and new ways of being, seeing and believing which makes you feel better. With an environment of safety and compassion, an individual has the opportunity to heal almost any wounding whether it happened in childhood or adult life if that is their goal.
I love my work, have been doing it for over 30 yrs and have no plans to stop. It gives my life meaning and makes my heart sing.
![Photo of Kevin Ott, LCSW, LICSW, Clinical Social Work/Therapist](https://photos.psychologytoday.com/40d04106-46cd-11ea-a6ad-06142c356176/2/320x400.jpeg)
Kevin Ott
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW, LICSW
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523 (Online Only)
I specialize in anxiety, including panic attacks and social anxiety. Through our work together, you will learn practical strategies to address your challenges. We will tailor evidence-based techniques for your unique context to help you manage stress and improve emotional well-being. My approach is compassionate and non-judgmental to ensure a safe space for your personal development. I have been a clinician since 2006 and use a variety of Mindfulness, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Evidence Based practices that I will personalize to fit your individual goals.
I specialize in anxiety, including panic attacks and social anxiety. Through our work together, you will learn practical strategies to address your challenges. We will tailor evidence-based techniques for your unique context to help you manage stress and improve emotional well-being. My approach is compassionate and non-judgmental to ensure a safe space for your personal development. I have been a clinician since 2006 and use a variety of Mindfulness, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Evidence Based practices that I will personalize to fit your individual goals.
![Photo of Brandy Dunn - Silver Lake Psychology, PsyD, Psychologist](https://photos.psychologytoday.com/eb82a723-a611-4693-90cb-06ad42d587bf/2/320x400.jpeg)
Learn how to feel more connected to yourself, others, and the world around you. Therapy provides all the elements of intimacy: honest communication, vulnerability, and trust. Good therapy is challenging yet warm, providing both structure and empathy for your unique experience.
Learn how to feel more connected to yourself, others, and the world around you. Therapy provides all the elements of intimacy: honest communication, vulnerability, and trust. Good therapy is challenging yet warm, providing both structure and empathy for your unique experience.
![Photo of Diana Cheryl Methfessel, MA LMFT, Marriage & Family Therapist](https://photos.psychologytoday.com/53038673-46cd-11ea-a6ad-06142c356176/3/320x400.jpeg)
Diana Cheryl Methfessel
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA LMFT
Verified Verified
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
Do you work from home, home school your children, care for a homebound relative or are just too busy traveling to work to schedule therapy appointments across town? Are you someone who works late evenings or works a “night shift” schedule and cannot see a therapist under the normal operative hours that most therapists offer? My private practice offers a solution to your dilemma. I only provide secure video therapy from the comfort and convenience of your home. I provide services to adults, couples, and families based in California only.
Do you work from home, home school your children, care for a homebound relative or are just too busy traveling to work to schedule therapy appointments across town? Are you someone who works late evenings or works a “night shift” schedule and cannot see a therapist under the normal operative hours that most therapists offer? My private practice offers a solution to your dilemma. I only provide secure video therapy from the comfort and convenience of your home. I provide services to adults, couples, and families based in California only.
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Nearby Chronic Pain Therapists Searches for Pleasant Hill
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How does chronic pain therapy work?
Engaging with a psychotherapist to help treat chronic pain does not mean that one’s pain is all in their head. Therapy for chronic-pain patients has been shown to benefit both the mind and the body, targeting physical symptoms and increasing daily functioning. In other words, for many, addressing their emotional health through therapy affects their physical health. A therapist can help a client challenge unhelpful thoughts about pain and develop new ways to respond to it, such as distraction or calming breathing techniques. Studies have found that therapy can be as effective as surgery for certain cases of chronic pain and many doctors recommend trying psychotherapy in advance of considering invasive surgery.
What are the most effective treatment options for chronic pain?
Stress, anxiety, depression, catastrophizing, ruminating, lack of activity, and social withdrawal all make chronic pain worse. Addressing these issues, research shows, can help people gain control over their pain symptoms. Therapeutic approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy, biofeedback, and mindfulness-based stress reduction, along with greater pain-management education, have been found to help people reduce fear and disability.
Are there new treatments for chronic pain?
Many cases of chronic pain, particularly those involving back pain, remain medically unexplained. But there is evidence that changes in the brain or nervous system are caused by previous physical ailments such as tissue damage; in such cases, the brain may continue to send out pain signals despite the physical cause having healed. To aid patients under these circumstances, a recently developed treatment known as pain reprocessing therapy (PRT) is designed to help the brain “unlearn” this response. A PRT practitioner helps individuals to reduce the “threat value” of their ongoing pain signals until they can reappraise them as less threatening and fear-inducing. They also help an individual to develop new emotional regulation skills.
How long does therapy for chronic pain take?
There is no set timeline for recovery from chronic pain, especially as there may be a range of physical and psychological causes for any individual’s discomfort, but most patients should expect to see a therapist for a number of weeks or months, typically spanning at least 12 sessions. Studies of pain reprocessing therapy found that many individuals’ experience of pain lessened in eight sessions over four weeks.