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Welcome.

People often come to therapy because they feel stuck in their lives, are experiencing anxiety or depression or just a diffuse sense that something hurts.  A life transition like the beginning or end of a relationship, having a child, graduating, being promoted or losing a job, or losing a loved one, can shake our sense of who we are. If we can approach these disruptions with presence and awareness, they can become essential opportunities for growth and change.

Through our collaborative relationship, we will gain insight into and respect for your authentic self and the strategies that have helped you cope, but may no longer support you and your aspirations. In a supportive environment, we can explore aspects of who you are that were previously hidden or unknown to you. As you discover untapped strength and inner wisdom, you can experience a more vital and fulfilling relationship with yourself and your world.  

 

 
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ABOUT

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist specializing in issues related to trauma, loss, and personal identity. I hold a Master's Degree in Counseling Psychology from the Wright Institute and a Bachelor's Degree in English from Mills College. I completed a three year post-graduate training in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy at The Psychotherapy Institute in Berkeley and continue to be active in clinical consultation groups and trainings.  

For the last 18 years, I have worked in social services as an educator, mental health counselor, and psychotherapist. I value the diversity among people and the courage it takes to share one's unique and layered experience. My style is warm, engaged, and collaborative. Together we will attune to your particular needs and desired pace.  

In my current practice, I work with adults and adolescents facing life transitions that have impacted their sense of self and relationship to the world. I focus not only on relieving troubling symptoms, but on gaining a deeper understanding of who you are and how your past impacts your current relationship to yourself and others. I will help you face inner and outer obstacles that have prevented you from living a life that is full and meaningful.

I also work with couples who wish to increase connection with one another while remaining true to their authentic selves. I aim to help couples find balance and joy as they navigate conflicting internal and external pressures. I enjoy working with gay, lesbian, bisexual and heterosexual couples and parents raising children in a variety of situations.

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SERVICES

Individual Therapy

Trauma, loss, and confusing early life experiences can greatly impact our sense of who we are and how we relate to our world. Together we will explore and begin to understand how these experiences have informed your beliefs about what you are capable of, what you deserve in life, and who you are. Often the strategies we have used in our early years to keep us safe or protect us from pain eventually leave us feeling isolated, lonely, insecure and out of touch with ourselves and others. With compassion we will explore how your strategies for self-protection have served you and how they have held you back.  In the safety of the therapeutic environment,  you can begin to grasp a greater sense of freedom, confidence, and rootedness in yourself.

I work with individuals struggling with:

  • Depression
  • Anxiety, Panic, Fear
  • Grief and Anger
  • Relationships
  • Trauma and PTSD
  • Eating Disorders and Body Image
  • Identity Issues
  • Career Concerns
  • Obsessions/Compulsions
  • Social Anxiety
  • Self-Esteem
  • Life Transitions

Couples Therapy

I will work with you and your partner to help you listen to each other and communicate about things that you may have struggled to say.  We all want to feel safe and valued but do not always know how to ask for what we need in ways that our partner can hear and understand.  I will help you identify and express your needs and desires and to feel heard while also supporting your capacity to listen to your partners message to you.  I support couples who are navigating issues related to:

  • Trust
  • Recovering from affairs
  • Sexual Desire and Intimacy 
  • Parenting
  • Managing a separation or divorce
  • Frequent fighting or arguing
  • Co-dependency
  • Infertility

CONTACT

 

Phone: (510) 761-6039

 If you have questions or wish to set up an appointment, please send me a message using the form below. I will respond within 24 hours.

 

POLICIES

Insurance: I am considered an “out-of-network provider. If you have out-of-network insurance benefits or a Health Savings Account (HSA), you may be eligible for reimbursement. I will provide the receipt for services necessary to submit a claim for reimbursement. I recommend that you contact your health insurance plan to find out what is covered.  

Length and Frequency: Sessions for individuals and couples are usually 50 minutes in length. For families I may advise a longer session.  I recommend that we meet at least one time per week in order to establish a strong working relationship and effectively address your needs and goals.