Book a therapist or psychiatrist in Hayward, CA covered by Aetna

I believe that most people are either stuck repeating a cycle of generational trauma, or carrying the burden of bravely breaking that cycle. You deserve to break that cycle by discovering and embracing your best self, without fear or shame. But I understand that this is not always easy. I can help you break down the barriers that prevent you from achieving your goals and assist you on a transformative journey to becoming the person you want to be. Therapy is a process of the human spirit requiring courage, creativity, and self-compassion and I welcome you to join me.

I’m a naturally curious, growth-oriented human who believes healing happens when insight meets action. I love helping people zoom out to see the bigger picture of their lives—while also gently zooming in on the patterns, habits, and beliefs that shape their everyday experience.

I’m drawn to the intersection of self-awareness and real-world momentum. Therapy with me is thoughtful, collaborative, and grounded. We can explore the deep stuff—identity, relationships, purpose, transitions—while also building practical tools you can actually use on a Tuesday afternoon when life is lifing.

I value emotional honesty, nervous system regulation, and sustainable growth over quick fixes. I believe you’re not broken—you’re adaptive. Together, we figure out what’s working, what’s outdated, and how to move forward in a way that feels aligned, empowered, and authentically you.

Expect warmth, insight, humor when it fits, and a space where all parts of you are welcome. Healing doesn’t have to be clinical and cold—it can be connected, intentional, and even a little energizing.

I have been drawn to this work for as long as I can remember. I earned my Masters in Social Work at Loma Linda University and spent years inside child protective services and the custody system, where I saw how much pain families carry and how little space they are given to heal it. I became a licensed clinical social worker in 2012 and opened my own practice in 2021. Along the way I trained in EMDR, DBT, Internal Family Systems and somatic work, and I taught social work at the graduate level. That mix shapes how I sit with people today. I am not interested in managing symptoms and calling it progress. I want the people I

work with to feel genuinely different in their own bodies and in their own relationships.

There is so much growing that we do in our teens & young adulthood (and our adulthood too!), whether we want to or not. I know how overwhelming it can be, especially with so many factors at play (culture, trauma, world events, etc). As your therapist, I’m here to support you through all this.

I am someone who:

• Works with BIPOC, children of immigrants, LGBTQ+, & neurodivergent teens folx, & those who are grieving
• Is trauma informed, & community/justice oriented
• Knows how the systems at play affect us daily & at a deeper unconscious level
• Creates a safe space for you to explore the parts of your life that may feel too difficult to hold on your own

If you want any of the following, then I am the therapist for you:

• Work through your relationships, life events, &/or grief using talk therapy & body-centered approaches
• Process life events, ideas, feelings with thought provoking questions
• Support in navigating relationships & your inner world in any capacity

My role is to work alongside you to understand your experiences and develop a treatment plan that truly fits your life

I am a Bilingual Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 20 years of experience working with diverse populations. Starting your healing journey can seem overwhelming and lonely. My aim is to walk alongside and help you gain a better understanding of how your experiences have impacted the way you approach life. I believe in a person centered approach as you are the expert of your life and your life experiences, so collaborative we will write your new narrative.

I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker based in Berkeley, CA, and I’ve worked in mental health care since 2012. My background includes community-based work, trauma-informed care, and leadership in training and clinical development. I earned my MSW from NYU and specialize in treating anxiety, self-esteem challenges, and life transitions. I enjoy working with adults navigating changes - career shifts, identity questions, or simply trying to feel more at home in themselves. Clients often say they feel safe, understood, and more at ease after we talk. I believe therapy works best with a good sense of humor - even in hard sessions, there’s room for relief and laughter.

I have been described as a “down to earth” and “real” therapist. I like to believe these are accurate descriptors. I bring a plethora of experience to my therapy room; however, I recognize, acknowledge, and celebrate the client being the expert on their life. I provide a safe environment which allows my clients to be transparent without judgment. It takes a lot of courage to reach out for help and it is definitely a risk. We need to remember there is no growth without risk!

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with experience spanning child welfare, institutional settings like the Department of Corrections and Kaiser Permanente, and private practice. This give me a uniquely grounded perspective on the full range of human experience. I've worked extensively with families, adolescents, and adults, helping people navigate mood and personality disorders, domestic violence, anger management, and the complex aftermath of adoption and reunification. I am culturally competent and committed to meeting every client exactly where they are, with unconditional positive regard and a deep belief that there are always underlying causes behind the symptoms and behaviors that bring someone to therapy.

Dr. Clancy Cavnar is a licensed psychologist with specializations in addictions and psychedelic therapy. She has worked with a wide variety of people and with a broad range of diagnoses and life situations that therapy can help with. She offers a comprehensive assessment and treatment focused on a client’s individual needs. Dr. Cavnar is empathic and compassionate, and therapy with her is an exchange of ideas, with deep listening and non-judgmental acceptance.

Clients often come to me with concerns about how to deal with microaggression, intersectional identities, burnout, communication concerns, family dynamics, perfectionism, self-critical thoughts, imposter syndrome, stress, trauma, anxiety, grief and loss. I support my clients through life transitions, relationship distress, self-critical thoughts, shame, grief, intersectional identities, and trauma.

Working with me, many clients report letting go of people pleasing, imperfections, expectations, shame, anxiety, carrying other people's burdens, having to regulate for others, self-critical thoughts, grief, loss, releasing old family patterns and wounds, and personalizing. Many clients say they have more capacity for joy, gratefulness, better communication skills within their lives, better boundaries, more self-compassion and grace, going after opportunities, better self-care, learning to advocate for themselves, more grounding and emotional regulation, and confidence.

I specialize in working with BIPOC women and men, activists, and healthcare workers.

I am currently working on becoming an art therapy practitioner. In 2019, I delivered my first TEDx talk on Shame Resilience.