Difficult feelings can be a gateway for personal growth. I work with many individuals struggling with depression and anxiety, trauma, problems in relationships, stress management, and life transitions. My approach is to help you explore those difficult thoughts, feelings, and past experiences which prevent you from being comfortable with who you would like to be, what you want in your life, and the kinds of relationships that you want to have with others. I offer a collaborative, in-depth approach to psychotherapy that promotes meaningful change in character, felt experience, and behavior. By learning how to observe and engage with parts of ourselves, we can grow towards greater wholeness and satisfaction with our lives. Developing a relationship with our suffering and uncertainties can actually be in service of realizing our goals. Therapy can be focused and together, we will identify potential areas of growth for you as well as ways to measure your progress. My style is a blend of compassionate, kind, direct and engaging.

First and foremost, I work hard to provide a safe space for people to come and discuss what is bothering them. Talk therapy is extremely helpful for people who want to know themselves better, understand how their childhood issues have impacted their ability to live the life they want, and to learn what keeps them from feeling content with their lives. Self knowledge is the key to making good choices - good choices create positive changes and lead to a more satisfying life. For people with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, I utilize Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy (a kind of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) which can significantly decrease both obsessive thoughts and compulsive behavior and rituals. Feel free to call me to discuss this treatment approach.

Congratulations--by seeking counseling, you're taking the first step in helping yourself! Research shows that because you're motivated to search for a therapist, you possess the inner resources, resilience, and will to change. I love people and am passionate about doing excellent therapy. I offer brief-term counseling for rapid symptom reduction, as well longer-term psychotherapy for deeper exploration. I work collaboratively with you to insure we're optimizing a tailor-made treatment for your unique needs. I have a wide range of experienced over the past 40 years, and my specialties include: anxiety; depression; chronic painillness, relationship issues--in individual andor couples, sexual difficulties, and cross-cultural conflicts. I also do mindfulness training, including meditation instruction. I use many interventions, e.g. psychodynamic, mindfulness training, humanistic, interpersonalrelational, cognitive-behavioral, ACT (Acceptance Commitment Therapy), communication skills. Depending on your preference and needs, I do sessions in-office, telephone, WhatsApp, FaceTime, and Skype with video. Please visit my website for more information or Feel free to call for a free phone consultation.

Therapy means many different things to different people. For some it is a journey of growth, self-awareness, and healing. For others it is necessary for them to survive. For some it is something they are mandated to do, and for many it is something they really want to do. No matter where you fall on this spectrum, I am here to support you through your process. Therapy is about where you are, where you want to go, what you want to explore, and joining you on your experience. I am here to listen, to guide you, focus you, support you and push you when needed.

~ I specialize in Couple's Counseling & Marriage Counseling ~ Feel like you're always fighting? Feeling alone? Unsure where to turn? I will work with both of you to begin to understand the cycle of fighting that you get stuck in so that you can begin to step out of it and master the skills that bring you close again. Emotionally Focused Therapy (the Couple's Counseling method I specialize in) has been show to be 75% effective in bringing couple's from distress to recovery and 90% of couples experience some benefit. Join the 90%.

My goal with all my clients is to help them discover a deeper sense of themselves and build resilience rooted in self-compassion, self-confidence, self-love, and acceptance. Therapy isn’t about fixing what’s broken; it’s about becoming more connected to who you are and what you’ve carried, sometimes consciously, sometimes not. In our work together, we’ll explore how past experiences, relational patterns, and early attachment wounds may still be shaping your present. This includes looking at limiting beliefs and subconscious behaviors that may be quietly running the show. As we bring these patterns into awareness, we can begin to shift the relationship you have with yourself. And because our inner world shapes how we relate to others, this work naturally extends into your partnerships, family dynamics, friendships, and your place in the wider world. I hold space with curiosity, presence, and respect. Whether you're seeking clarity, connection, or simply a place to be with what’s true, I aim to walk with you, not ahead of you, as you deepen into your own healing and growth.

You may be educated, even outwardly successful, but struggle to feel good about yourself, have difficulties with close relationships, or just want more out of life. I believe it's human to struggle and that we all can benefit from self-exploration. Your mind is like your GPS for living, so you'll benefit from efforts to make it as accurate and glitch-free as possible. I can help you get a deeper understanding of yourself, your psychology, and how your mind works, in the context of your history and cultural experiences. Therapy with me is not a one-size-fits-all experience. With greater self-awareness, self-compassion, and realism, your life's journey can involve fewer self-inflicted detours as well as greater tolerance for the inevitable bumps along the way. You may desire higher self-esteem, or less anxiety, or to feel more comfortable with closeness or vulnerability. Or you may want to improve your communication skills or work on parenting. The better you understand your operating system - your sensitivities, anxieties, and patterns of reacting - the more skillful you'll become in responding to life's inevitable challenges. Everyone in your life benefits, not just you. With humor and compassion, alongside extensive training and 23 years of experience in private practice, I'll help you develop the self-awareness, skills, and solutions that you need so that you can grow from your struggles and live up to your potential. My approach is flexible and practical, tailored to meet your needs for getting at the root of what is getting in your way. I'm LGBTQIA sensitive and welcoming.

The Codependency Clinic is specifically designed for codependency recovery. We treat Adults Facing Codependency, Adult Children of Alcoholics, Adult Children of Dysfunctional Families, and Adults Raised by Borderlines and Adults Raised by Narcissists. All of our therapists are trained in EMDR, Somatic Experiencing, and The Pia Mellody Model. Our treatment plan is structured and individually specific. We offer individual therapy and intensive recovery retreats. Call or text me, I usually respond within an hour. "This therapy is markedly different than any type of therapy I've ever had before (P.H. San Francisco, CA)" "I feel so much happier [after this therapy]; I mean DEEP happiness. I don't feel alone, I feel proud of myself" (J.O. Oakland therapist & current client). "My life is immeasurably better now" (M.J. Sebastopol therapist & past client). Over 20% of our current clients are other therapists. Other therapists choose us because our treatment plans use state-of-the-art theories of psychology that make a difference in your life. We have room for you too. Check out our website!

My passion for helping others heal is rooted in empathy, compassion, and a thorough understanding of the complexity of trauma. I specialize in working with individuals and couples who have experienced the profound impact of complex PTSD, also known as developmental or relational trauma, on their emotional and psychological well-being and relationships. The effects of cPTSD can leave you feeling unsafe, disconnected, powerless, ashamed, defective, and overwhelmed. You may also find yourself engaging in self-abandoning behavior, experiencing emotional flashbacks, or struggling to overcome your harsh inner critic, toxic shame, and guilt. As your therapist, I strive to create a safe and supportive space for you to heal and grow. My approach is tailored to your unique needs, integrating evidence-based techniques such as Internal Family Systems (IFS), Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), and Somatic Experiencing (SE) to help you break free from the cycle of trauma and build the skills you need to thrive. Whether you are seeking individual or couples therapy, my ultimate goal is to empower you to reclaim your life, heal from the past, and create a fulfilling future where you can experience meaningful connections with yourself and others. Whether you're struggling to navigate the challenges of a relationship as a complex trauma survivor, or working to heal on your own, I'm here to support you every step of the way. I believe that healing from complex trauma is possible, no matter what you've been through. Together, we'll work to break free from the cycle of pain and create a fulfilling, meaningful life full of connection, joy, and authenticity. Whether you're struggling with patterns of self-sabotage, difficulty trusting others, or simply feeling stuck in your past experiences, I'm here to provide the support and resources you need to make real progress toward healing and growth.

You're often fighting or feeling distant from your romantic partner. Small issues can become a big deal and conflict remains unrepaired. Perhaps you've tried many strategies to stop these difficult dynamics. You feel frustrated and need to find new ways to connect, resolve, and find each other again. Maybe you notice after fighting, that distance between you feels lonely and doubts about the relationship start to increase. It's like the fights get out of control and one or both of you say things you regret later. Deep down, you know what's been happening isn't healthy, and that you both need help and perspective. It might feel far away right now, but you know you need to try something radically different if you're going to change the relationship that means so much to you both. I can help you develop new tools so you can finally feel reconnected and nourished instead of depleted and disconnected. Whether you begin therapy individually or together, change is possible. As your guide, I commit to supporting you in healing the past and building a strong foundation to support the well-being and happy future you seek. My approach is supportive of developing a connection to your inner self so that you can communicate from your heart. Practicing an attitude of curiosity and acceptance, my goal is to build trust with you and to understand your unique experience. When working together, I aim to help you feel respected and understood. I truly believe in the healing powers of self-discovery, self-acceptance and offering these to others in close relationship. I strive to help you cultivate nourishing relationships with yourself, others and connect more to the world around you.

I am very approachable, informal, careful with people's feelings and work well with those who are new or hesitant to come to psychotherapy because they are unaccustomed to the "culture" of psychotherapy, fearful of being judged or not "doing it right" (i.e. ethnic minority, working class background, new immigrant, men whose wives are "making them go" or alternative lifestyle). I work well with people who might feel that their problems will be too much to disclose, to handle, be resolved, feeling vulnerable/fragile. I am very patient and kind but I will not let you off the hook if I think you can do it. I do a kind of therapy that helps people understand and resolve deep seated long standing problems that get in the way of feeling good about yourself and feeling satisfied with your close relationships. For many years, I have worked with "high conflict" families (of divorce) and when I see people in conflicted relationships, I work hard to understand everyone's point of view (and their pain) and strive for everyone to feel heard and for people to be able to be as comfortable as possible in situations that are very uncomfortable and may appear unresolvable. I do not shy away from strong emotional states (i.e. anger, terror, trauma) and am highly trained to assist patients in going inward as deeply as they want and need to go. I also have a way of making people laugh in the midst of all this pain, hopefully without feeling that I am making light of their pain. Patients often tell me that I am funny (and sometimes they are too) and that I have a heart.

My style is empathic, interactive, respectful, and warm. I do not ascribe to a one-size-fits-all approach to helping. I know you are unique! Multiple therapeutic modalities, nearly 30 years of successful work with clients, and my own life experience inform my work. We will work together to help you find your way to fulfillment and meaning in your life as it is now and going forward. Let's get started!