Therapists in California

I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist living in the Bay Area in California. I have been licensed for 24 years and most of my work has been with working with high school students and their families. I am also a former social worker working with foster children and their foster families. For the past 17 years I have been working as a school counselor at an Alternative Education site in the Bay Area and my daily work consisted of working with adolescents who had a variety of issues that h impacted their academic life. My students were working through many obstacles such as school phobia, stress and anxiety, depression, family, and substance abuse issues. Starting in the 2024-2025 school year I will be working as a school counselor at an elementary school presenting classroom presentations on bullying, inclusion and coping strategies as well as facilitating support groups. I am excited to work with school age children and their parents. I strive to use a client-centered approach in working with individuals and I also like to include art and journaling as a way to explore issues. I offer a safe container for you to share and I am honored that you are open to working with me.

When I moved to California to accept the job of my dreams I experienced a significant JOLT! Nearly everything in my life changed - I lost a lot of my support system, I lost some of my self, I lost my ability to tap into my strengths and positives in my life. Fortunately I was guided to an excellent therapist who encouraged me to invest in people and activities that brought joy. The most important lesson I learned was to talk less and DO more! I re-connected with nature and began painting - and I still love to paint after 18 years. What is your story? What do you fear? What strengths can you count on? I was fortunate to train with professionals who are at the top of our field. I've mastered Family Systems Theory, Problem-solving, Divorce Mediation, Solution Focus and Narrative Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Resilience and Mindfulness. If you would like to know more about evidence-based therapies I'm glad to share the research and my thoughts about what is effective. However, after many years sitting with people who are experiencing anxiety from change, confusion about growth, grief or loss I believe that the alliance between therapist and client is the number one factor for success and change. So, we can borrow or practice anything from these excellent therapies I listed - for example, using mindfulness or distress tolerance skills from Dialectical Behavior Therapy - but I will always honor our alliance and insure that you feel heard and that you are my partner in directing therapy. A bit more about me - I am a Lesbian. I have three grown children and a wife who is African American. I don't claim to have mastered all the diversity in my life. That is a life-long journey. I feel graced by these layers of respect, forgiveness, open-heartedness and curiosity in relationships. I would not change any discomfort for what I have shared. So, I am excited to work with anyone who is willing to increase transparency and to let go of what is not working. My experience may be an asset, but I assure you that the best I can offer is to see each of you with fresh eyes. You are the strongest ingredient in growing your life.

Every client has a story to tell and specific needs that bring them to therapy. Whether its a major life transition, depression, anxiety, trauma, or complicated bereavement, hope is a decision you can choose to form the changes you wish to see. My ideal client is a client who is ready to make the changes they need to live a fuller more meaningful life. I utilize a client centered approach which connects clients to their unique strengths while helping them discover the best versions of themselves. As your therapist it is not lost on me what an incredible honor it is to hold space for people to prepare their mind, body, and soul for this journey. Positive change and growth hinge upon a trusting authentic client therapist relationship. I will help you explore patterns, thoughts and behaviors that are barriers to being your best self. Having worked 12 years in the field of trauma, crisis intervention, victim advocacy, and severely mentally ill adults I have witnessed the best and worst of the human condition. I am privileged to walk beside you on your way to a sustainable path to healing.

I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in California with over 14 years of experience. I have a wide breadth of experience working with a variety of individuals. I practice from a trauma informed perspective and have a great deal of expertise in working with people that suffer from multiple and various forms of trauma. I have also worked extensively with people who struggle with depression, anxiety, communication challenges and an overall feeling of being stuck in patterns and behaviors. I have a large tool box and I work eclectically utilizing a variety of modalities and clinical approaches. Each person is unique with unique wants and needs. It is my job to find a way to work with each individual person to help find a way to clear any blocks that are preventing you from living the life you are seeking.

I am licensed in California with 22 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with depression and anxiety, substance and process addictions; and, enhancing kindness, self-compassion, mindfulness, acceptance, and courage. I strive to relate to others with respect, sensitivity, and honesty. Our dialog and therapy plan will meet your unique and specific needs and desires. I hope to hear from you.

I am licensed in California with 15 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with relationship issues, confidence and motivation, depression and anxiety & career difficulties. Healing occurs in relationships, and I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage, and I am proud of you for getting started!

I am licensed in California with 40 years of professional work experience. Prior to having a private practice as a Marriage and Family Therapist for 35 years I was a school psychologist for 5 years. Currently I volunteer to teach a class on addictions and anger management at City Team, Oakland, Ca., a residential program for men. I have been a volunteer at city team for over 4 years. I have experience in helping clients with coping with addictions, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, & coping with grief and loss, parenting, marriage, domestic violence, anxiety and depression. I have written and published 6 books on personal, parenting and marriage issues. My most recent books are; Changes, one person can make a difference and The first pictorial self help book for men who don’t read. Two other books I have written are: Winning at a Losing Game and The Lost Aspect of Love. I encourage my clients to follow up each session with specific homework that I can provide.I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey. My wife, Pam, and I have been married for 55 years, we have three adult children and 4 grandchildren.

I am licensed in California with 29 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with lgbtq+ related issues, relationship issues, family conflicts, & parenting issues. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey.

I am licensed in California, Alabama, and Texas with 12 years of professional work experience, particularly working with clients with histories of trauma, substance abuse issues and codependency, stress and anxiety, depression, and attachment issues. I welcome clients of all backgrounds, religious beliefs, races, cultures, or personal identities. My extensive experience traveling both within the US and abroad has helped me to develop a deep appreciation for the differences and similarities amongst individuals and groups in general. That said, I have a variety of experience with a range of clientele, but all shared a desire for connection with others. As a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, I tend to work from a psychodynamic perspective . I have found success using the relationship between client and therapist to create awareness, make observations, and allow a safe space for growth and change. Given I have worked with clients with extensive histories of trauma, I do believe it is important to understand the impact of primary or prior experiences on current relationships with self and others, but you determine the pace at which we work. It is never the goal to relive trauma or pressure you to disclose something you are not ready to share. I truly believe each client will share what is relevant for their healing in their own time. It is my job to hold that space and work with you to build connections and remove barriers to your own happiness and satisfaction in life. Despite my tendency to work from a psychodynamic perspective, I may use other tools or therapeutic perspectives if it is helpful for you, the client. Flexibility and empathic attunement are essential components of a successful therapeutic relationship. In regards to my specific experience, I have facilitated groups for the CA Lawyers Bar Association in both Los Angeles and the Bay Area to help members address issues of depression, anxiety, or substance use that were interfering with their work or ability to obtain/maintain licensure. Creating a safe space to allow for others to share insights, build awareness, and share feelings was imperative to that therapeutic process. I have worked with clients in a private practice setting, primarily working with clients struggling with Anxiety, Depression, or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. I learned clients may come to therapy for a specific issue or goal that would often change during the course of therapy. That is ok! I cannot stress enough how important it is in my practice to work at the client's pace. While it is not my goal to tell you what to do, I may, make observations, inquire about, or make connections to other information shared in our sessions to help you determine what is best for you. Finally, I worked with the Juvenile Justice system for more than 12 years working with youth and their families in a variety of roles. I collaborated with the Court system, non-profit agencies, and worked directly with youth in group settings. Establishing rapport and building a foundation of trust and respect was key for discussing barriers to success and identifying ways each person could achieve the goals set forth. Anyone who has worked with teens knows ruptures in the relationship may occur. If that happens, whether it is with an adult or teen, it is important for me as a therapist to allow space in session to validate that experience and repair the relationship. Ruptures in a relationship can actually lead to some of the greatest moments of healing and growth, if handled appropriately. A person's perspective is their reality and I want to understand each client's perspective in a non-judgmental and compassionate way. Overall, I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. If you experience something in session that you did not like, I encourage feedback and honesty so we can work together to address that. The therapeutic relationship can be the foundation for healing and growth, but only if it is a safe space. Therapy can stir up difficult feelings both in and out of session. As your therapist, I want the space in session to feel safe enough to share those experiences, even when it can be difficult or painful. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes incredible courage. I am here to support you in that process. It is an honor to work with each client and join you on your journey of healing and growth!

I am licensed Family Therapist in California with 30 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with family conflicts, trauma and abuse, coping with grief and loss, depression and anxiety & parenting issues. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!