Find a therapist in Alameda, CA — covered by insurance

I’m an LCSW. I really enjoy getting to know my clients and building a strong therapeutic relationship with them. I specialize in trauma, anxiety, sense of self, and also high achievers. Many things can stir up emotions, past experiences and trauma. My goal is to help you understand and work through those experiences and feelings. I'll help you reconnect with your inner strength and resilience, moving past the painful experiences that may be holding you back. I can support you in letting go of negative self-views, reducing your levels of distress, and building a renewed sense of confidence, worth, and peace. This process is about helping you both heal and rediscover the core strengths and values that make you, you.

Trauma can leave you feeling on edge, disconnected, or stuck in patterns that insight alone hasn’t changed. I help adults and older teens navigate traumatic experiences, anxiety, grief, and relationship difficulties. With over 20 years in the field, I bring a warm, direct, collaborative approach to helping you feel more grounded and connected. I offer gender-affirming therapy and LGBTQ+, kink, and polyamory-supportive care that respects your identity, relationships, and goals. I also welcome people living with chronic mental illness.

I veiw the path of a human life span, as each of us interact and peerceives the environment around us in our own unique way. My goal is to help clients look at their options, evaluate choices towarda healthier outcome. My work has involved in helping clients toward building better communication between couples, family members, and individual relationships. It is my belief that counseling / psychotherapy can provide a safe place where personal challenges can be processed, and finding choices toward enhancing the quality of life and improve relationships.

I'm not here to just listen while you talk — I'm here to work with you. I show up warm, engaged, and genuinely invested in your growth. I'll ask thoughtful questions, offer honest feedback, and, when the moment feels right, gently challenge the beliefs or behaviors that may be keeping you stuck. You'll always feel heard and respected here, never judged.

Before earning my Masters in Counseling, I earned a PhD in social and personality psychology. This background deeply informs how I show up as a therapist. I help clients address unresolved trauma and grief, anxiety and OCD, address relationship issues, as well as "problems of everyday living." My style is active, engaged, and practical.

Welcome. I’m Karen, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). I work with adults and adolescents who are navigating challenges such as depression, anxiety, trauma, relationship stress, and major life transitions.

My approach is collaborative and strengths-based. I support clients in developing healthy boundaries, strengthening communication skills, and identifying coping strategies that genuinely fit their lives. Together, we work toward healing, personal growth, and greater emotional balance.

I strive to create a safe, supportive space where you feel empowered to explore your experiences, reconnect with your strengths, and move through life’s challenges with confidence and intention.

I earned my Master of Arts degree in psychology with a focus on marriage and family therapy to pursue my passion for helping others navigate life's challenges, achieve personal growth, and heal. My education and training have equipped me with the knowledge and skills to provide effective, evidence-based therapy to my clients.

Throughout my three decades as a therapist, I have discovered that one of the most important skills I have developed is the ability to listen deeply. Along the way, I have gained a broad range of therapeutic tools and approaches, but I have learned that meaningful change begins when people feel truly heard. My mentors are the horse whisperers. I believe they listen with their whole body. They trust the intuitive nature of their horse. I like to think that I use some of this as I work with each client, trusting their intuitive nature. Together we are learning what is present in the room, gaining new insights and feeling more empowered.

I believe therapy should feel like a space where you can finally exhale. I strive to create an environment that is supportive, honest, and free of judgment; a place where you feel truly seen and emotionally safe. My approach is collaborative and practical. I don’t just help you understand why you feel the way you do; I help you build real tools to navigate it.

I earned my degree from Cal State Fullerton and have extensive experience working in addiction treatment, eating disorder recovery, and women’s issues. Supporting women is especially meaningful to me. I am deeply passionate about helping women navigate challenges related to self-worth, body image, relationships, boundaries, life transitions, and identity. I understand how trauma, societal expectations, and relational dynamics can shape how women see themselves, and I approach this work with both compassion and clarity.

Together, we focus on strengthening mindfulness, emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and communication skills in ways that feel realistic and sustainable. I blend insight-oriented exploration with concrete strategies, because meaningful change happens when insight meets action. My goal is to help you better understand your patterns, feel more confident managing your emotions, and move forward with greater clarity, self-trust, and resilience.

I have a BS degree in Health Science from San Jose State University and an MSW degree from the University of Southern California. Yes, I’m originally from California. I’m a licensed clinical social worker in both California and Florida. I was first licensed in 2003. For the first ten years of my practice, I worked with children, adolescents, and families.

I have over eight years of experience supporting individuals whose mental health is affected by health and medical issues. Finally, I’m trained in Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR) and Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP).

Feeling worried all the time? Feeling down or depressed? Dealing with negative thinking that wont go away? Having difficulties in your relationships? Struggling to maintain a balance between responsibilities and everyday challenges?

Let me help you! I will guide you to effectively manage anxiety, depression or elevated stress that may arise when dealing with past or present relationship issues, family conflict, divorce, separation, parenting difficulties, trauma, illness, loss, transitions or other life stressors.

I'm here for you! Don't tackle this alone; open yourself to professional help.