Trauma and PTSD Therapists in Woodside, CA

I'm so glad you found your way here. Seeking treatment is an indication of being ready for change and having a new experience of life. I'm an insight oriented therapist meaning I assist clients in illuminating their inner workings and wounds that have created struggles in their lives. I work at a level of healing and empowering with the intention to offer guidance rather than to instruct. You are the expert of your life. Together we take a look at what needs to be addressed and resolved then move into recognizing one's own strengths, value, and worth. This allows individuals to move into greater appreciation and acceptance of self.

I love working with women who want to move beyond trauma, anxiety, narcissistic abuse (parent/authoritarian only-not romantic) and I enjoy working with women who have children/adult children with exceptional needs. I believe that with effort, consistency and the right tools, people can not just survive but thrive. I am licensed in both California and Arizona. I am a international Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy therapist, having completed extensive training at Oxford University in England. I have been a therapist for over 35 years and I have trained in many, many modalities.

Do you feel stuck and worried you may not be able to find help? Maybe you have a habit or behavior you want to stop but can't seem to make lasting progress. Perhaps you're unhappy, anxious, exhausted, or feel like you don't know if you will ever get better. By the time most folks seek therapy, they have been stressed or hurting for a long time. Finding someone you can work with, who gets you, is often a very difficult process. ◇I love working with toddlers, kids, couples, & families too! We can do nature walks or meet inside. Attuning to BIPOC experiences, and special focus on LGBTQIA+ community are important to my work & life.

Horses. Hope. Healing. Three simple words that when combined have the power to transform lives. Located in Woodside, California on the San Francisco Peninsula, NCEFT is internationally recognized as a pioneer and leader of equine-assisted programs. Since 1971, NCEFT has tapped into the profound rehabilitative power of the human-horse relationship to facilitate healing to thousands of children and adults with physical and cognitive disabilities and mental health challenges. Diagnoses we treat include, but are not limited to, ADHD, learning disabilities, trauma, PTSD, anxiety, depression, social isolation, grief, and loss.

The human spirit is stronger than anything that can happen to it. -C.C. Scott. We all go through challenges in life, and at times they can seem bigger than our ability to manage. In therapy, we can work together to cultivate the life you want through reducing the grip of depression, anxiety, and stress; healing from grief, loss, past abuse or trauma; regulating your nervous system; developing effective coping skills; improving relationships and communication; and building on your personal strengths. I want to help you to engage with life more fully and to support you in pursuing what you value most.

I work collaboratively with clients to maximize their strengths and enhance their tools for valued living. I have a wealth of experience treating clients with traumatic histories, substance use, anxiety and depression. I specialize in therapies based in research evidence, including cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT).

You are doing well in your career, but that success doesn't always translate when it comes to your personal relationships. You find yourself picking the wrong people, again and again. The people you pick end up having different long-term goals, or they are not healthy for you, or it doesn't work out for any number of reasons. Maybe you have already been married, but it didn't work out and you are not sure why, but you want to make sure it doesn't happen to you again. Maybe the relationships that are hardest for you are those with your family of origin. Maybe you've already given up on relationships.

Therapy can be one of the most challenging experiences for individuals and families; you sit in a room and begin sharing thoughts and feelings with a person you don’t know. Shame, regret, relationship issues are some of the many reasons people experience stress in their lives. At times, this stress can become so overwhelming it starts to impair our daily lives. For others, it easy to mask those issues around family, peers and/or coworkers; but when we are alone those obstacles are still with us. Whether this is your first-time trying therapy or you have seen multiple professionals, I'm here to embark on this journey with you.

My practice philosophy is that all of my patients deserve the best care possible, and I strive to provide that quality of care. I respect each person's individuality, his/her strengths and life accomplishments which must not be obscured by the often presenting pain, distress and possible disability.

I believe that we all have the ability to fully heal. When we decide to ask for help, great change occurs. With over 20 years of experience working with adults, teens, children, and families, I offer the highest caliber of therapeutic coaching, psychotherapy, equine assisted healing, and art therapy. I developed and directed an equine therapy program, taught at the graduate level, and facilitated family programs for many organizations. I can help you and/or your loved ones move forwards, create healthy boundaries, and develop a higher sense of self worth. Email me now for a FREE CONSULT: srubinmft@gmail.com

Are you looking for a therapist who genuinely cares about your well-being and is non-judgmental about the issues you are experiencing? I am a licensed psychologist who helps teenagers and adults who struggle with depression, anxiety, stress, grief, life transitions, or relationship problems.