Anum is a first-generation South Asian American. As a first-generation American, she sees the value in breaking down the stigma surrounding seeking help and the importance of eliminating the negative connotations or assumptions that are attached to therapy. She wishes to be a voice for those that have not found theirs yet. She speaks Urdu, Hindi, and Punjabi fluently and is currently learning Arabic. She enjoys working with adolescents, adults, and couples. Anum believes therapy is about creating a safe space for the patient to open up about what they want to address with no judgment. She is driven to make sure her patients feel comfortable, respected, and validated. Through the use of various evidence-based practices, Anum enjoys working with patients to cater to their emotional needs through the use of. She has experience working with people who have experienced trauma, anxiety, and depression as well as with people who engage in substance use and risk behaviors. She feels lucky to have worked with individuals from various sexual orientations, religious, and cultural backgrounds. She wishes for her patients to graduate from therapy feeling liberated and empowered to take on the world and to be able to process their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in a healthy way.
Family Problems
Developing a Serene Sense of Self
Do you have an immediate family member who has or has had
substance use challenges within your family? What is the impact of this
experience on your sense of self and on the health of the family as a whole?
How does this dynamic impact your relationships? What are the best ways to
implement and navigate boundaries (e.g. when a family member who struggles
with substance use asks for money)? This group is open to people of diverse
backgrounds and its goal will be to foster empathic, kind relationships among
members while providing a safe space to process one’s feelings about the past
and present family experiences in an emotionally-focused manner. The group
will be smaller in size than Al-Anon and allow for back-and-forth
communication between members to a greater degree than
typical Al-Anon groups.
In time, the goal of the group will be to promote emotional openness, a strong
sense of self, healthy boundaries, and serenity inside and outside of the group
therapy experience.
*Prior to the official start date, two pre-interview sessions will occur to go
over group policies/boundaries, to ensure level of fit for this group, and/or
to help find a group that fits your current needs.
Please note, for those who struggle with substance use, it will be best to address
this in individual therapy/another group whose purpose it is to address
substance use directly given the unique nature of this group’s focus on
experiences with family/family member(s).
Thomas Perkins
I specialize in empowering people who have experienced trauma, depression, and anxiety to access their innate resilience and healing which persist in spite of stressful life circumstances. It inspires me to make restorative connections with people built on mutual trust, safety compassion, and positive regard to get results, I combine trauma-focused and trauma-informed CBT with integrative mind-body practices, psychodynamic/psychoanalytic techniques, and Mindfulness breathwork, which together promote healing on a conscious and unconscious level.
My journey as a therapist started seven years ago during a nine year career as a high school teacher and interim dean of students. While I love children, I ultimately realized my true path lies in serving others in the clinical realm working with adults. I have always been passionate about nutrition, hiking, mental health, exercise/athletics, dreams, music, art, and spirituality, and like Carl Jung, I believe that it is who you are that heals rather than simply what you know.
An ideal patient for me is three-fold: you are a person who is committed to finding your true essence, you are interested in dreams and open to writing them down, and you are seeking to love yourself and others more compassionately. While dreams can be an important resource during therapy, they are not a prerequisite for working with me. I am privileged to be your fellow traveler, and I look forward to joining you on a path of self discovery.
Stephanie McWoods
As a therapist I aim to provide a space that is beautiful, safe, and healing for folks who have few said spaces in the world. I aim to challenge the status quo, -isms, and White Supremacy. I have spent many of my years living and surviving in these oppressive systems that were not created for me or my people. In learning to adapt and “succeed” in these systems that do not appreciate nor nourish my spirit I have transitioned to unapologetically making space for myself and thriving. I found that in being unapologetically me I have no limits to my abilities, dreams, or connections. In my work with clients, I invite them to take the leap of letting go of socially constructed views of how they should be or exist and rather settle into what they desire and what works for them. I believe life can be easy and liberating when we step outside of these oppressive and limiting systems.
I encourage clients to live their best lives unapologetically and ruthlessly. I support clients with addressing trauma, emotional hang-ups, anxiety, depression, as well as celebrating the journey to self-discovery and re-centering.
Since 2017, I have provided a number of specialized therapeutic services to those who identify as BIPOC, Queer, Gender Non Conforming, or Trans dealing with challenging life experiences. My client’s well-being is a priority, and I go above and beyond to support them through their obstacles.
I work with individuals, couples, families, groups, and organizations. I help to restore relational balance and authenticity. I provide a healing space that is welcoming to those who hold marginalized identities. My style is direct, collaborative, conversational and affirming. I use a decolonized, social justice oriented lens and focus on race-based trauma and historical trauma. I am also trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy.
Toni Ratzburg
We help clients discover their true self, build meaningful relationships, and change unhelpful life patterns.
Children and teens spend each day in a social and pressured environment. They can learn, grow, and thrive when they have coping skills, feel empowered, and practice self-care. We encourage youth to learn more about who they are and how to advocate for their unique and personal needs.
The stress of raising children can be intense. Our parent coaching helps remove the barriers keeping you from being the best parent you can be. In addition to individual and family therapy, we support couples as part of helping the family be a more effective unit.
Brianna Brazle
Hello I am Brianna!
This is where I’m supposed to write about myself and assure you through my extensive experience and education that “Brianna is absolutely qualified to help me change my life.” Well, I am sure all of that will be listed somewhere in this profile :). I prefer to be more authentic, not focus so much on the things that make me acceptable to society’s standards but instead focus on one of my greatest assets as a therapist. That asset is something you have as well – humanness and understanding. Because once we peel back the layers, the years of education, the books read, certifications received – once that’s all stripped back, what ultimately connects us is our ability to understand each other on a human level. Through this connection, change is sparked.
“The only permission, the only validation, and the only opinion that matters in our quest for greatness is our own.” –Dr. Steve Maraboli
My Values and Approach
I view therapy as a road trip, wherein you are the driver. My role is, passenger and I help you to reach your destination. Sometimes that’s providing guidance through google maps, others it’s finding the best tunes to listen to on the journey, sometimes it’s making sure you stay awake so we don’t crash, and others just being there so you don’t feel alone. My goal and role is to help you reach your destination. It won’t always be an easy journey but as long as your willing to keep your foot on the petals I’ll be there to support!
I truly believe in meeting you were you are and through this leveled connection we can work together to build on your strengths to reach your desired heights of fulfillment.
Couples Institute Counseling
Our group of expert therapists specializes in counseling services for couples and individuals throughout the San Francisco Bay Area, and online. We help couples overcome difficulties and evolve as individuals and as a team; increasing understanding and love.
The Developmental Model of Couples Therapy explains normal and natural stages and struggles that growing couples encounter. The model provides a structure for couples therapy by identifying the developmental tasks, developmental stalemates, diagnosis and specific treatment interventions for each stage of development.
When Ellyn and Pete’s first book, “In Quest of the Mythical Mate” was first published in 1988, the theory of couples going through stages with predictable challenges and opportunities for growth was a new one. Since then it has been widely accepted, and the Bader-Pearson Developmental Model continues to grow and incorporate new depths of understanding.
6 UNIQUE Black-Indigenous-People-Of-Color (BIPOC) Telehealth Groups [times in description]
6 UNIQUE Black, Indigenous, and/or People-Of-Color (BIPOC) Online Therapy Groups in California Opening This Week
Calling In:
- Clients who may be served
- Those who can share this message to support their communities
- Those down to 1:1 or connect me to community folx to share this with
For Further Info / To RSVP or check on available space: https://tinyurl.com/FreeBIPOCGroupTherapies
Group Descriptions: 1 session/week, 90-minutes, 10 sessions, video chat, pay-what-you-may, available now
🏿 Black Adult Group – Tuesday 8:30-10 PM, 21+, 8-10 people, centering being Black and grown, covid, and community
🏾 Black Teen Group – ages 14-19, Tuesday 2-3:30PM, centering being a Black teen, covid, and community
🏽 Asian Pacific American (APA) Group – Tuesday 6:00-7:30 PM, ages 21+, 8-10 members, co-facilitated*, centering restorative justice, covid, and the APA experience
🏼 BIPOC 7th and 8th Grade Group – Thursday 2:00-3:30, 8-10 members, centering covid, restorative justice, and being a POC teen
🏿 BIPOC Adult Group – 8-10 members, 21+, centering covid, restorative justice, and being BIPOC
🏾 BIPOC Law Enforcement Group – 8-10 members, co-facilitated**, centering being BIPOC while working pandemic & protests
About Christhmus (pronoun them at your pleasure):
Christhmus Presence will be facilitating all groups above. They are a 3.5-generation Muwekma Ohlone (San Francisco) land-settler and Chinese-American Queer. Pillars that guide them are liberation psychology, narrative psychology, somatic psychology, spirituality, and expressive arts. Tools held in support of self-resourcing, clarity, and ancestral connectivity include meditation, Tapping, and Brainspotting. They enjoy plants, creative expression, the power of community, and being in water. MFTI/PCCI supervised by Josie Valderrama, License# Psy27913.
*About Lai (pronouns she/her/hers):
Lai Chien is a 0-generation Hong Kong born cisgender Chinese-Vietnamese American by way of North Carolina, Georgia, and finally landing in the east bay of Oakland/Alameda.
She is a harm-reduction focused, strength-based, and change-oriented therapist utilizing narrative psychology, motivational interviewing and DBT concepts such as radical acceptance to empower growth and promote well-being. She can be found tending to her aquariums, cooking and/or eating, days at the beach and planning the next camping trip.
AMFT #98435 supervised by Sandra Stultz, LMFT #43047 of Sankofa Holistic Counseling Services www.sankofatherapy.com
**About Annie (she/her pronouns):
Annie Chen is a marriage family therapist who has been helping people have better relationships with one another and themselves for over ten years. She is the author of a book on attachment theory and uses tools that are informed by neuroscience, trauma, and somatic psychology. She worked as a therapist for the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office Youth and Family Services Bureau from 2011-2014 and is interested in supporting those at the forefront of reforming law enforcement culture for the benefit of all. CA License# 80025
Raven Fisher
Whatever circumstances you may be facing, I am here to walk with you through it. It is my desire to help you live a healthier, more fulfilling life. I specialize in anxiety, depression, traumatic experiences, self-esteem/identity issues, life transitions, and women’s issues. I provide a safe space for individuals to develop personal insight and awareness into the unique parts that make up their entire being. I am passionate about traveling with clients on their personal life path and empowering people to flourish.
My approach to psychotherapy blends psychodynamic and existential theoretical orientations with some acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). Each orientation emphasizes a different time era – past, future, and present – all of which are necessary in the psychotherapeutic process to promote holistic mental health.
I currently offer video and phone sessions.
Elizabeth McGinnis
I help individuals and couples heal from traumatic or troubling relationships and events. It is easy to get stuck in a repeating and harmful pattern with the people around you. Together we find ways and options to create a healthier and more satisfying path forward.
I’ve worked in technical and business environments for 12 years before becoming a therapist. Right now, working from home with children or with a partner is scary, irritating, difficult, and rewarding. I use my experience to help you navigate all the struggles, worries, and concerns that come from working and living in this demanding world.