Existential Therapists in San Jose, CA

Are you feeling depressed or anxious about your current life situation? Do you wonder if you can build a meaningful life, a life worth living? Are you grieving the loss of someone you love, or the loss of something you hoped to achieve? Are you in the middle of a life transition such as graduation, retirement, becoming a parent, or changing professions? I help people in these situations get in touch with what they really want so they can move forward with confidence.

I have experience working with those struggling with symptoms of trauma, grief and loss, depression, anxiety, interpersonal relationships, life transitions, parenting, communication, and low self-esteem. My practice is inclusive, non-judgmental, culturally responsive, and affirming of LGBTQ+ communities. I offer services in English and Spanish.

I provide trauma-informed therapy grounded in principles of relational attachment, existential psychotherapy, feminist multicultural psychotherapy, and harm reduction. My practice is affirming of neuro-, sexual, gender, and relational (monogamy, non-monagamy/polyam, kink) diversity. I predominantly work with queer and neurodivergent adults.

I provide you with a place to speak freely, so that through this unique experience you can become yourself in a new way. I work with individuals, couples and children, with a focus on survivors, trans and queer people, neurodivergent people, and people in recovery. We may strategize together to address crises or life transitions, and we may speak on an existential plane with close attention to the unconscious. In any case, we will raise questions together, we will challenge normativity, and we will prioritize new connection. In our work together nothing is assumed, and in our speaking together new and old things become possible.

I have been doing individual and couple therapy for over thirty years. I use a variety of therapeutic approaches, always choosing the one that best suits the client's immediate needs. These modalities range from psychodynamic and cognitive-behavioral to narrative and existential. There is even some dream and hypnotherapy added when helpful. In addition to my clinical practice, I have extensive forensic psychology experience, including resolving workplace disputes, custody issues, and trial consulting. My goal is to help clients find meaningful solutions to challenging life problems.

My clinical experience includes my own private practice, working at The Wise Mind Institute, 5 years of working with adults of all ages in two community mental health clinics, as well as working on-site at an elementary school, middle school, and high school with children and adolescents of all ages and their parents. I love helping clients of all ages who are seeking change and symptom relief to successfully navigate periods of crisis and transition in their lives. Depression, anxiety, grief, low self-esteem, spirituality, parenting teens and adult children, organization and planning skills are all within my scope of practice.

Do you feel stuck? with compassion and empathy, I will guide you toward healing and growth to navigate life’s challenges, relationships, underlying traumas when appropriate and unhealthy family dynamics. I provide trauma-informed care to address root causes of anxieties, promote self-awareness and increase attunement in relationships while helping you gain tools to confront daily stressors and life transitions so you can thrive in your journey towards well-being. I am passionate about my work with women’s mental health, immigration-acculturation challenges, and parents struggling with bonding or those coping with a new diagnosis.

As a psychotherapist, I enjoy working with adults going through life-transitions, looking for better self-understanding, wanting to improve their relationships, or experiencing challenging stressors. While cultivating compassionate self-awareness, I'll guide you as we work together to navigate your struggles and goals. Whether you are pursuing therapy with a clear idea of what you want to accomplish or are coming in with uncertainty, I am deeply committed to understanding you, and being by your side on your unique journey.

Someday is Today! As a therapist, I employ a holistic view. I respectfully explore behavioral, emotional, cognitive, physical, and spiritual aspects of my client's life. My style is warm and active. My work uses an existential-integrative here-and -now approach that is grounded in proven methodologies including Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TEAM-CBT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), Attachment, and Choice Theory. I give feedback, suggestions, ideas, and psychoeducation. I am skilled in working with multi-disciplinary teams to help you get the fullest benefits from treatment.

I want to acknowledge the courage it takes to seek out a therapist. As social beings, we all need support and at certain times we need it more than ever. Speaking to someone you can open up to and trust, knowing you will not be judged, can really make a difference in navigating emotional turmoil, relationships, stress, anxiety, processing trauma, and making our way through major life transitions. At times we may struggle with larger life questions such as, "Who am I?" and "What is my purpose in life?" I am here to help.

Experiencing stress, symptoms of anxiety, and depression can be overwhelming since it may rob you of having a good night's sleep and may interfere with your personal relationships and what you perceive as the way to resolve conflict. In therapy, we will explore barriers that are stopping you from identifying your true self and stopping you from finding a way to reach tranquility and peace in your life. My theoretical approach includes humanistic therapy, with emphasis on guiding my clients to make rational choices and develop their maximum potential, with emphasis on client-centered and existential therapy.

Are anxiety and stress keeping you from living your life to your fullest potential? Are you feeling stress weighing on you internally or causing you to feel exhausted and hopeless? Together we will explore ways to grow, further develop self-acceptance and unearth traumatic experiences and daily stressors that are hindering you from achieving this potential. I will be available to provide an unbiased listening ear and warm spirit as you reimagine the life you want for yourself. In this safe and accepting environment, we will develop an action plan to better manage your unique symptoms and your life.

Shame can't survive if we can share our story with someone who responds with empathy and understanding. Healing is inherently relational. It is my belief that the longer a person is unable to repair broken attachment patterns and insecure attachment behaviors, the more likely it is that they will find these patterns and behaviors replicated in their adult relationships. My background in philosophy uniquely equips me to address existential concerns and the profound anxieties that accompany modern life, offering a powerful tool for navigating these challenges.

Carl Jung said: “It is what you are that heals, not what you know”. The journey of self-discovery is exactly that – getting to know and deeply appreciating your true and authentic self, even when that essence may be covered by trauma, hardship and suffering. It is this uncovering that many who experience psychotherapy to be transformative and healing refer to as a “re-birth”, a coming home to and an unfolding of who you truly are. Engaging in the process of self-inquiry can be a rewarding and even a life-changing experience, especially in the presence of an empathic and compassionate other.

Hi there, I am Dr. Stephen Gutknecht! I have a rich experience covering a wide range of issues. My approach stems from both Cognitive Behavior Therapy as well as Existential theory. I believe how we communicate with ourselves, and others, changes the perspective we hold and are seen through. When people are empowered through being heard, emotionally supported, helped to develop skills they have a greater ability to lead emotionally healthy lives.

I am Chloe Lucas, LMFT. I've been a therapist for just under 10 years now. My personality has been described as direct, curious, and grounding. My practice focuses on trauma work, teens, adult individuals, and parenting. My training is rooted in spirituality as an important part of the whole self. I see therapy as an important tool for existential growth. Our culture doesn't make enough space for emotional expression and introspection. Therapy is a unique relationship that allows for the practice of emotional intimacy such that we may become more attune and connected to ourselves and others.

My name is Yasmin Safdie. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 15 years of experience in the field of mental health. Throughout my career, I have worked with individuals from all walks of life in a variety of settings (hospitals, residential treatments, community clinics, intensive programs, outpatient therapy, etc.). I am trained in evidence-based practices such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Interpersonal Psychotherapy, Motivational Interviewing, Harm Reduction, Trauma-focused somatic approaches, etc. My approach and style are organic, and they adapt to the needs and desires of the person whom I am working with.

Hello! My name is Melody Jazeb, and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker practicing in California. My experience in evidenced-based treatments is centered in empowering clients to harness their strengths and engage in life more actively. I treat a number of mental health disorders as well as provide counseling for those struggling with how to manage general life challenges. I typically treat adults and older adults struggling with depression, anxiety, trauma-related conditions, job-related stress, relational issues, and existential issues.

My name is Ivan Chan, and I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. I use a Feedback Informed Treatment approach, which means I tailor your therapy based on what's working the best for you. I specialize in grief, anxiety, depression, culture, spirituality, sexuality, and relationship issues. I use the Feedback Informed Treatment (FIT) approach to providing therapy, which allows me to adapt what I do base on what my clients tell me they need. I keep up with the latest evidence-based research, and I am trained in Humanistic, Existential, Cognitive Behavioral, and Solution-Focused Brief therapies.