Life Transitions

Melissa Villamejor

September 24, 2022 by together@soulcentriccollective.com

As both a therapist and a mother, I understand the complexities and overwhelming feelings that can come with parenthood. Oftentimes it can be difficult to put ourselves first without feeling guilt or shame. I understand, however, the sacredness of everyone’s unique journey and I believe that by taking time to tend to ourselves, it only allows us to love and serve those around us better.

I believe at our core that we are all capable of living as our most authentic selves. I aim to create a nurturing environment to work alongside you and remind you of who that authentic person is. I work from a warm, accepting, and person-centered approach, where you can bring all of who you are to feel seen, heard, and valued.

With over 10 years of experience working with children, adolescents, and families in the fields of education and mental health, I draw from my diverse experiences when working with clients. Being a second generation Asian American woman, I understand the stigma that mental health can hold in communities of color. I know, however, from firsthand experience the effectiveness that therapy can have as a healing tool when we embrace vulnerability and share our challenges. In our work together, I aim to create a safe space where our emotions can be normalized and our healing journey can begin.

Marissa Whorton

January 13, 2022 by Marissa Whorton

Are you experiencing critical thoughts or feeling that you’re not good enough? Have these thoughts started to cloud your sense of who you are and weigh you down?

I am here to help you put these painful thoughts to rest.

The burdens of tough experiences pile up and cause both an emotional and a physical toll. You may have noticed that not only are you feeling down, but your work and relationships are also suffering. When our feelings have not been sorted out, it is common to feel the weight of them and to feel stuck.

I view myself as a guide to walk side-by-side with you, supporting you with getting to know the parts of yourself that at times lead you to spiral as well as the parts of yourself that help you to thrive. Confidence, courage and connection are a few of the natural results of working mindfully to manage both what is pleasant and unpleasant.

As you learn to experience calm, it helps with resilience and continued self-discovery so that you enter into a sustainable relationship with yourself and those around you.

When you feel good on the inside, you radiate on the outside.

Click on the “web site” button to schedule a consultation so that we can learn more about one another. I’m excited to hear about the goals you have for yourself and explore ways I can help you to accomplish them.

Stephanie McWoods

August 17, 2021 by 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.

Sharon Humphrey

July 13, 2021 by Sharon Humphrey

Individuals come to therapy because they want something different in their lives. I believe that therapy is about transformation and enjoy working with individuals who are looking to evolve and grow, to understand themselves and their motivations so that they can make lasting changes. Whether you feel motivated to do so now right now or are hoping to find that motivation, therapy can help.

I specialize in trauma, anxiety, pregnancy loss, fertility issues, and insomnia. My training has been rigorous and I am well-versed in several modalities. You are a unique individual. Therefore, my approach with you is personalized. What you can always expect is warmth, genuine empathy, and a non-judgmental stance.

It is an honor and a privilege to walk beside you as we work together to form lasting, positive change. The most important thing is that we have a strong therapeutic relationship as this will form the basis for healing.

Jennie Beuhler

January 19, 2021 by Jennie Beuhler

I came to psychotherapy a bit later in life, both personally and professionally. My experience of participating in my own psychotherapy led me to fully believe in the transformational power of this work. Understanding my need to explore my internal world had a significant impact on me as an educator. Having worked for 13+ years as a teacher, I came to see the need for integrating social emotional learning into the curriculum for my students. Through my personal exploration and facilitation of mindfulness and emotional exploration in the classroom I felt more engaged, energized and connected to both myself and the world than I had ever been before. It became clear to me that this was my calling. I took the courageous leap of changing careers and have not looked back.

While my approach is based in Gestalt and Existential Therapies, I have studied many other modalities and draw from a variety of approaches such as attachment theory, psychodynamics, and transpersonal psychology to name a few. I believe that my clients are dynamic beings and therefore there is no one size fits all approach to therapy. I work intuitively, drawing from my toolbox the technique that best fits the need of my client in the present moment. I am curious about how each of my clients experience the world and I work holistically, attending to not only their psychological experience, but also their physical, emotional, and spiritual experiences. I find that my clients come to therapy wanting a different experience from the one they are currently having, bringing with them a wide range of concerns or issues that they want to work on. My intent is to provide a nonjudgmental and empathic space to support my clients in the courageous act of discovering who they really are. I see myself as both a witness and co-creator of the client’s therapeutic experience, walking with my clients on the path to self-discovery.

I am a Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist. I hold a master’s degree in integral counseling psychology from California Institute of Integral Studies. I trained at the Church Street Integral Counseling Center, counseling individuals and studying gestalt therapy. I am now a therapist with Grateful Heart Holistic Therapy Center.

Mike Johnson

August 29, 2020 by Michael Johnson

You ever feel like cocooning? You know, when you just want to shut out the world. For many, it happens when relating to others feels draining, work is no longer fulfilling, or when it’s hard to feel good about anything. Life feels so heavy that it’s as if there’s no way out. This is how depression and anxiety can feel.

Depression, anger, shame and anxiety can rob us of a sense of control over our lives. But there is hope. You can feel energized and joyful again. Life can feel light and fun. You can have a reason to smile again. Through a collaborative relationship, we can help you to figure out the causes of your distress and develop a plan for taking back control.

I’ve spent two decades helping people remove obstacles to living a more fulfilling life. To start, we’ll discuss your functioning, goals for therapy and our plan to help you achieve those goals. We’ll identify changes you can make to experience a life of freedom and optimism. You can start to reclaim your life from depression and anxiety now by contacting me.

6 UNIQUE Black-Indigenous-People-Of-Color (BIPOC) Telehealth Groups [times in description]

June 22, 2020 by Christhmus Presence

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

🏾 Bla ck Teen Group – ages 14-19, Tuesday 2-3:30PM, centering being a Black teen, covid, and community

🏽 Asi an 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

🏾 BIP OC 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

June 14, 2020 by 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. I accept BCBS PPO or self-pay.

Karla Amanda Brown

April 4, 2020 by Karla Amanda Brown

Have you found it hard to shift into love after feeling disconnected from others… disconnected from yourself?

If you’re like the hundreds of people I’ve worked with, you’re probably asking yourself, “What is wrong with me?” As you read this, take a moment to check in with the energy produced inside of you.

Do you feel motivated to seek further? I am sure the response is “no.”

Instead, experiment with questions such as: What’s right with me? How do the pains I am living with actually make sense? Am I ready to release the heaviness I have been carrying for too long?

If you’ve taken a bit of time to reflect, I’m sure you’ve got some feelings showing up.

We must feel to heal.

This is where I can be useful to you. You may have not learned to feel in a way that moves you forward. I am available to journey with you in order to discover what exactly it is that you need for optimal growth and healing.

Just as you have, I too have traversed this ball called earth. Along the way, I have learned from the people who accompanied me and helped me to transform stuck behaviors and unhelpful, shame-producing beliefs into understanding, contentment and joy.

My personal experiences have helped me to dedicate my professional life to learning about humans, the ways we hurt one another and the ways we hurt ourselves. With this knowledge, I serve as a guide to help people to hurt less and to feel the richness of life, walk in gratitude and enjoy connection with others again or for the first time ever.

If you are interested in what I am sharing, here is info about the people with whom I do my best work:
– Couples plagued by oppressive forces outside of their relationship; couples for whom difference is a major factor contributing to the experience of pain and disconnection (race, culture, nationality, ethnicity, age, health, trauma history, religion, sect, class, caste, etc.)

– Individuals in group psychotherapy who desire to experience connection with others who have experienced some of the same trials and triumphs. With curiosity and willingness to explore the depths of thoughts and emotions in the company of others, the healing impact of groupwork is exponential.

– Individuals in one-on-one therapy who have experienced a myriad of traumas, abuses or neglect and are interested in connecting more deeply with themselves, in order to shape the truth-filled story of their life. Symptoms related to complex post traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD), dissociative identity disorder (DID), bipolar disorder or chronic pain conditions (fibromyalgia, arthritis, migraines) will be present.

I use a blend of modern neuroscience and ageless wisdom to support the work I do, which is focused on helping my clients to restore clarity of mind, connection with others and live as energized human beings with creativity, calm and courage.

Please use the fields below to send me a message. I look forward to discovering if we’re a good fit for one another as you move towards meeting your health and happiness goals.

May light and love be yours today, tomorrow and forevermore.

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