Pregnancy, Prenatal, Postpartum Therapists in Sebastopol, CA

I see clients through Alma (www.helloalma.com). Please visit my website brittashielstherapy.com that points you to the platform. Paneled with Optum, Cigna and Aetna (CA) as well as out of pocket. Do you feel overwhelmed and stressed trying to juggle the pace of modern day life, responsibilities with family, children, caregiving, work and trying to take care of yourself? Are you a mother looking to prioritize yourself and your well-being and get support for the constant developments of kids? I help you bridge the gap between mind and body so that you can not just survive but thrive with somatic coping skills and resources.

I specialize in working with adults, couples, children, trauma, queer/trans/LGBTQ+ folks, and those willing/wishing to work in creative ways that allow us to reach beyond our ideas about ourselves. We hold your ways of coping as meaningful communication from a deeper, knowing part of you, worth being listened to and understood. In the places that a medical model often believes are worth eradicating, we find the fibers of a soulful life. I am highly skilled in working with dreams, images that come to mind, and other aesthetic material as ways of accessing your deeper levels of knowing.

Are you struggling with worry, sadness, the effects of trauma, and/or managing life transitions and losses? Are you a couple in crisis or needing support to navigate your relationship? If so, I maybe able to help. I am a licensed therapist with over 25 years experience working with adults and couples. With advanced training, compassion, and kindness, I work with clients to help them identify the areas they are struggling and then provide structure, support, and intervention to make changes and find relief from discomfort, frustration, and suffering. I work with clients from a warm and empathic, non-judgmental approach.

We all have times when we need help finding our authentic voice. We crave connection and a sense of belonging and balance in our lives. Choosing to begin therapy requires a big commitment to yourself. It means that the discomfort you have been feeling has finally reached a point that requires change. I see therapy as a process of self-discovery: a careful, supportive exploration of how you act, think and feel. I'm a firm believer that telling the truth, first to ourselves and then to others is the starting point for a balanced life.

Experience compassion and open-heartedness in everyday life and freedom from patterns of the past. I see individuals, couples and families with issues of integrating trauma, communication/knowing your truth, healing sexuality/deep connection, infidelity, addiction and family concerns. I help clients find a fuller, more alive life, in partnership with the people and family, chosen or from birth, around them.

I imagine you are here because you are experiencing some kind of trouble, or unrest in your life or relationships. Maybe you are feeling overwhelmed by work, by parenting, or feeling haunted by a history that caused you deep pain? Many of us, no matter how many close connections we have, can be living our lives feeling very much unseen, and alone. I wholeheartedly believe that though we may feel lost or under-resourced in the moment, we already have everything we need inside of ourselves to be living a life of deep fulfillment, joy and an experience of wholeness in our lives.

I believe we all carry within us everything we need to heal. There are also times in our lives when we need extra support to access inner resources, healing and growth. As your therapist, we will explore together ways that old habits, patterns and history limit the life you want to be living. Whether you are stressed, anxious or overwhelmed, facing big life transitions, worried about your teen, or longing for more meaning and connection in your relationships, you are not alone in your struggle. It is a courageous act to get support and I honor your unique life journey.

Fulfillment from relationships and the transformation of heartbreak, grief, trauma, depression, anxiety, and isolation are all possible. Sometimes we need outside support to help us identify our strengths and guide us down a path that leads to healing. With sensitivity and compassion, I integrate the most effective approaches that help my clients heal from the past and realize peace and happiness in their lives. I welcome individuals and couples of any gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, and spiritual beliefs. I have worked extensively with clients who have experienced altered states of consciousness and those who use cannabis as medicine.

Deciding to start seeing a therapist can be a difficult choice in anyone's life. I provide a service that aims to put clients at ease while challenging themselves to understand difficult topics in order to positively move forward. I provide an authentic, caring, and transparent therapeutic style for my clients, being their empathetic guide toward increased self-awareness. I strive to listen, understand, and help people find new perspectives to positively move forward.

Is a chronic or serious illness impacting your life? Are you struggling with anxiety, adjustment to illness, uncertainty, role changes, loss, or depression? Do you find yourself feeling overwhelmed or isolated in your experience? I can help you. I help clients navigate the impact that illness has on all areas of their lives. Please note that I am part of the Compassionate Integrative Counseling Group. Our group consists of three seasoned therapists who specialize in working with patients, caregivers, and loved ones around the complexities of serious illness.

Do you struggle with relationships or feel cut off from your own vibrancy and purpose? Do you long to move forward in your goals and dreams? Are you living someone else’s life and don’t really know what you want or could accomplish? Are feelings of anger, loneliness or depression keeping you powerless to change? I can offer you a safe and effective environment of support that will empower you to heal and transform your relationships with yourself and others. You will receive a unique individualized program of specific tools and skills to help you navigate your way towards vibrancy and passion.

Nurturing and guiding our children is one of the most beautiful and challenging experiences. As a parent myself, I have a deep and meaningful connection to the work with children and families. Staying regulated and resourced is wise but a difficult balance to find. Often our children's needs are difficult to understand and manage. Working with a professional through the world of play can unlock meaning making for the entire family. Please reach out to learn more about my approach and share your own needs around tending your family's heart.

Are you overwhelmed and stressed with life's challenges? Are you seeking relief from the constant worries or sadness that keep you from feeling satisfied in your life? I offer a warm and compassionate space for you to share the challenges you are facing. It can be a great relief to know you are not alone, grappling with life's complexities. Together we can explore the patterns of thinking, feeling, and behavior which may be keeping you from stepping into more fullness in your life and relationships.

There are many times seeking therapy in the short-term can feel necessary to help navigate a crisis situation. And other times, it can be a longer process of self-exploration and growth. In either case, engaging in therapy is an act of hope and the bravest thing we can do is ask for help. I will meet you and your family where you are with compassion, and without judgement.

Currently accepting new clients! You are looking to make some positive changes in your life but are unsure of how or where to begin. You are open to counseling and willing to take small steps towards a happier and healthier version of yourself. Exploring the ways your thoughts or behaviors have been contributing to your distress is challenging, but you are committed to working towards your full potential. You might also be a parent who is struggling to find help for your child who has been acting out and are at a loss of what to do.

My approach to therapy helps you access your best self, break old patterns and move into the life you want to have internally and in relationship to others and our society. Often times, you know in your heart-mind how you want to be in the world, but your body, emotions and societal patterns keep activating thoughts, behaviors or experiences that don't serve your highest self. Through paying attention to 'how' this programming happens, becoming mindful of what the triggers feel like, we can create pathways to change those patterns. Please contact me for a 15 minute connection call.

Mary Oliver tells us "You only have to let the soft animal of your body love what it loves." The current focus of my practice is psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, which includes ketamine-assisted psychotherapy & psychedelic integration services. I am accepting new clients only for this work. I also facilitate psilocybin trainings for death doulas and hospice workers through the Diaspora Psychedelic Society in Jamaica. I facilitate medicine retreats outside of the United States where this work is legal. I work at the intersection of mystery, social justice, empowerment, and vulnerability.

Many people come to see me because they are experiencing distress in some area of their life. It may be a specific issue like divorce, depression, anxiety or grief. They may desire more intimacy with their partner and find themselves getting "triggered" or defensive instead. When working with individuals and couples regarding their relationships, I offer effective and proven skills that achieve positive results quickly. I have a gentle approach with the ability to be direct when needed..

I work in a warm and collaborative way, creating a safe space for you to understand yourself better. I can help you to identify and remove obstacles blocking you from living a full and rewarding life. Our relationship is important to me, and together we can deepen your understanding of patterns that may be holding you back from creating and enjoying the connection that you long for. I have 10 years of experience helping people decrease anxiety and increase joy and connection with themselves and others. I support people through life transitions and I also work with couples.