We exist in relationship. I do not believe in isolated healing, as much as it has been popularized in the self-help movement. Successful, integrated humans have always talked, shared, laughed together, cried together, raged together, and healed together. The lack of a genuine, unflinching mirror of an emotionally intimate connection with another human being does damage far beyond any that can be seen by the naked eye. STOP SCROLLING looking for connection, it's not there. STOP SWIPING looking for loving acceptance, it's not there. Where this connection can be found is in the loving holding exemplified in the progressive growth of emotional intimacy that naturally occurs in the therapeutic relationship. I'm not afraid of your feelings or your past. They are not a barrier to our shared connection, and to your healing. Together we can embark on a journey that picks you up where you are now, in a state of quiet desperation, unsure which way to turn, and deliver you to a place in the not too distant future where you can experience being the best you that you have ever been, where you can begin to live the life that right now seems like wishful thinking, where your relationships, with yourself and with others, can be based on deep communication and connection rather than misunderstandings, resentments, and frustration. I'm here to help, and I have the ability to help you change your life. But I can't help you if you don't reach out. Make a decision today that your future self will thank you for.

Do you sense that you could be more, but you find yourself limited by negative thoughts andor overwhelming emotions? Or has your whole life seemed to have disintegrated into nothing recognizable, and you are struggling to make sense of it all? These are common symptoms of "butterfly-itis". The common stages of which are the "caterpillar stage" or the "chrysalis stage". Whether you are feeling stuck as a "caterpillar meant to be a butterfly" or feeling overwhelmed by the process of a "caterpillar becoming a butterfly", I provide a compassionate, collaborative, and supportive environment in which to heal, grow, and move on to live a fuller and more meaningful life. My four basic tenets as a therapist are as follows: 1. I need to approach each client with empathy, acceptance, compassion, and respect. 2. I believe that you have your own answers and healing within, so I have a client-centered approach to therapy. My primary role is to help facilitate your process of discovering those answers that will result in healing and growth for you. 3. I take an eclectic approach with regards to how I facilitate your process. I believe that each person comes with his or her own unique way of processing, and what works for one individual may not work for you. In addition, I feel that different therapeutic needs and stages require different approaches. 4. I believe our spirits need to be engaged in the therapeutic process. The journey towards healing and wholeness is not for the faint of heart. A spiritual path can be an additional source of support, insight, comfort, encouragement, and wisdom.

Licensed and trained as a clinical psychologist and a Marriage Family Therapist, I have worked with both individuals and couples for over forty years. My approach is collaborative, helping develop insight into unconsciously held beliefs as well as generating strategies to cope with the stresses and challenges of life. I have an interest in both long and brief psychotherapy, depression, the anxiety spectrum, graduate student population, and relationship issues.

I offer therapy that can be a turning point, whether you are moving through difficult struggles or the everyday challenges of life—navigating relationships, questions of who you are and where you’re going, new pressures and demands, or whatever is getting in your way of achieving your goals. My evidence-based approach uncovers what drives the patterns at the root, so you can create lasting change, and a clear way forward. My training as a therapist was at Pepperdine University’s Graduate School of Education and Psychology, repeatedly ranked a top U.S. program by the National Center for Education Statistics, and noted for its research-informed training. As a former National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) scholar-athlete, I know firsthand the dynamics of ambition, resilience, and interactions between the mind and body. My own queer identity informs my deep commitment to supporting clients in exploring their identities and navigating relationships with family and community. I love my profession as a therapist. It would be a privilege to have the opportunity to walk alongside you to navigate complexity and growth. I work at Archive, a company dedicated to raising standards in therapy. We bring together rigorously trained professionals and provide therapy that is thoughtful, structured, and focused on lasting impact. Based on the idea that “you can only help someone as far as you have gone yourself,” my colleagues and I seek to be on our own journey of growth, learning from great psychologists and great literature to bring perspective to our clients. At Archive, we believe that therapy is one of the most meaningful investments you can make in yourself.

You deserve to be met with presence, honesty and care. Many people come to therapy carrying pain they have learned to hide, questions they would like to explore or a quiet sense that something in their life needs to shift. Whatever brings you here, we can begin with that. My therapeutic approach integrates an understanding of how past experiences, internal parts such as protectors or inner critics, the mind-body connection, and relational dynamics (including early attachment) can all influence how we relate to ourselves and others today. Offering an opening to explore anxiety, work stress, life changes, and other dynamics. I listen closely, ask thoughtful questions and help you notice what might be happening beneath the surface. We can look at patterns together that may feel hard to break, emotions that are hard to name and parts of you that may have been pushed aside. I bring a warm and patient presence to our work, holding space for the natural rhythm of healing, understanding that growth unfolds at its own pace and often calls for compassionate patience. I also recognize that each person’s journey is unique. Whether you prefer to talk through challenges, try new ways of coping or explore deeper emotional experiences, I adapt to what feels most helpful for you. This process takes time and can also creates room for relief, for clarity and for a different kind of relationship with yourself. If you are looking for a space that allows you to be real, to be uncertain and to grow at your own pace, I invite you to reach out.

My objective is to listen, be present, connect, provide feedback and reflect on what may help your life become more rewarding, less stressed, anxious or stuck, more empowered, or even reinvented! Every person is unique and together we will explore your strengths and the best options that will enhance your well-being. I am non-judgmental and create a friendly environment that provides an opportunity for us to talk about your difficulties and expectations. While doing so, I will be sure to assess that my way of working is appropriate for you and that you feel comfortable working with me.

To start with, somatic psychotherapy can look like traditional talk therapy. We sit in a comfortable room, and together unfold your story and agree upon what to pay attention to first. The first thing that is different are some of the questions of inquiry, which ask about internal states related to your thoughts. In my work with clients we might incorporate gestures, postures, movements, and bodywork, as appropriate. Typically there is a parallel somatic educational process to the unfolding of your experience. The body is brought into the psychotherapeutic process because thinking is not only an abstract function, it is a physical act. The brain is physically continuous with the rest of the body and is influenced by the constant stream of information received through your senses. And so we focus on the regulation of energy in relation to what matters most to you. This often involves your experiences of some or all of the following: grounded-ness, meaning and purpose, connectedness, will and power, communication and expression, and the processing of information.

I believe therapy is a space where I walk alongside you while you process your unique challenges, and explore and develop your unique strengths. My approach is collaborative, compassionate, and tailored to each person or couple I work with. I draw from psychodynamic, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), existential-humanistic, and solution-focused approaches, blending them to meet your unique needs. Whether we’re exploring past experiences that still shape your present, learning new ways to manage stress and negative thought patterns, or strengthening communication in your relationships, my goal is to help you feel more grounded, connected, and empowered. I see therapy as an opportunity to create lasting change by deepening understanding, practicing new skills, and building a life and relationships that feel more fulfilling. As a certified anxiety specialist, I bring additional tools and expertise to support you in reducing worry, calming your nervous system, and creating lasting relief.

I am a dedicated Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who is currently also pursuing my PhD in Art Therapy. With a unique blend of expertise in both Counseling Psychology and Art Therapy, I can bring a refreshing and creative approach to my sessions by utilizing imagination as a powerful means to facilitate self-discovery. However, please do not worry if you do not consider yourself an artist; my methods are accessible to everyone. I employ an integrative approach to counseling that incorporates techniques from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Psychodynamic Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Humanistic theory, and mindfulness practices. My primary focus is on empowering clients to effectively manage their anxieties while discovering their personal path forward, ultimately leading to happier and more fulfilling lives. I am deeply committed to helping individuals overcome various forms of anxiety, whether it stems from chronic worry, PTSD, phobias and every anxiety in between. Additionally, I have considerable experience in supporting clients through grief, depression, and the many transitions that life presents. I hold a steadfast belief that, with the right support and guidance, anyone has the capacity to embark on a transformative journey toward healing and growth. I work confidently with a diverse range of clients, including adults, teens, couples, the elderly, and individuals of all genders, identities, and abilities, including those who are housebound. By approaching each client with a calm and positive demeanor, I firmly believe in honoring the individuality of every person’s journey. Fostering a safe and welcoming space allows clients to explore and express their concerns openly. I strive to use empathy, compassion, and a bit of humor to ensure that each client feels at ease while delving into the root of their challenges.

Therapy isn't just skill, or compassion, or strategies. It's the intimate process of thinking, speaking and listening together in ways that are creative and heartfelt, and provide insight and release from the myriad varieties of mental pain. As we sit together, we are finding out how to trust each other. Through conversation, meditative inquiry, imaginative play, and sometimes just being together quietly, we are creating the environment that allows you to work through past sorrows and losses that hold you hostage to hurtful and stagnant beliefs about yourself and the world. As we work together, you will find that you want to, and can, open yourself to what is new and hopeful; that you are curious and excited, rather than confused and resigned. Our work is supported by the depth of the relationship we create between us. It is particular to who you are and what you need. I will help you to develop your trust, your spontaneity, and your creativity in ways that are right for you. Some of our work will be hard, and some will be fun. It will all rest on the bedrock of the relationship we create between us. Another way of thinking about this work is that it is about learning how to create better relationships.

Are you looking to... -Reduce suffering from anxiety, depression, excessive anger, or trauma? -Cope with illness, divorce, or loss? -Make positive changes? -Enhance performance in a career or school? -Improve, save, or end a relationship? -Get your life back from self-limiting thoughts and behaviors? -Connect better with a teen or help get a teen's life back on track? Or perhaps you wish to... -explore the many layers of your self? -better understand who you are, how you got here, and ways to grow in a more directed, intentional manner? If you are looking for someone to guide you in the therapy process who takes you seriously while being kind and compassionate, and who is skillful and experienced but down-to-earth and easy to talk to, then I may be the right therapist for you. I help my clients find new ways to cope with life's circumstances, reduce suffering, and develop healthier ways to relate to themselves and others. I support and guide clients so they can meet their individual human potentials. My stance is one of kindness, compassion, concern, and respect. I tailor my approach to each individual and her or his needs when we meet. I am truly honored to be able to sit in the therapy room with my clients, help them feel heard in a way people rarely are, and join them in an individualized therapeutic journey.

I am an Oakland-based individual and couples therapist who believes that healing the brokenness of our world begins with reverence for the interconnectedness of all living beings. I am committed to supporting people’s process of re-membering themselves into the tapestry of their life path through psychodynamic and family systems-based therapeutic exploration. My therapeutic approach often draws those who feel that their connection to belonging and purpose has become frayed by cruel inner critics and a culture obsessed with hyper-productivity. For those who have been made to feel that their lovability depends on their usefulness and willingness to self-abandon, the cost of “belonging” can feel like an impossibly high price to pay. And yet, when the polish of a perfected persona is stripped away, it can create space for the gritty, seemingly unlovable parts of ourselves to reveal our authentic grace. When we find ourselves feeling isolated, choiceless, and disconnected from our fiery essence, it is a sure sign it’s time to turn inwards and tend to our flame. While it can feel terrifying to set down the masks we wear for protection and self-preservation, it opens the possibility of having a deep need finally met: to be seen and accepted in our entirety. Contacting our harm, our hurt, and our shadow is tough—often annihilating—work, but they are chapters of our stories that deserve just as much attention and care as our greatest victories. Honoring the divine connectedness of all living things includes bearing witness to the sacred thread that weaves together our darkness and our light. It is an opening—a provocative invitation to see yourself wholly, perfectly fractured, just as all living things are.