Grief counselors and therapists in Hayward, CA

Are you feeling hopeless? Lost? Fearful? Stuck in an unhealthy relational dynamic? One of the bravest things an individual can do is to ask for help and you are taking the first step today. I am here to help you carry the burden as you overcome anxiety, depression, and challenging life transitions to improve your quality of life. I am always learning and honored by the opportunity to collaborate with you in finding creative solutions to your unique circumstances.

My educational background consists of earning my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, a Master's in clinical counseling, and a Master's in Addictions. I am a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselr (LPCC #16395) and am a certified addictions counselor. My areas of concentration include grief and significant trauma, PTSD, anxiety, depression, addictions, and a sub-concentration in eating disorders.

I have lived in the Truckee Tahoe area off an on for over 30 years, I have an AA Degree in Early Child Development, a BA Degree from the University of California Santa Cruz, and I attended the University of. Nevada, Reno for my Masters in Social Work.

My husband and I have two grown children who live in Northern CA and Nevada. We are avid skiers, mountain bikers, and my hobbies include cooking, art, writing, and learning, and of course, playing with our mini golden doodle, Joaquin.

My roots are in Scranton, Pennsylvania; growing up, life was challenging and unpredictable for me and my sisters. I was the first member of our extended family who was able to put themselves through both undergraduate (BA - Latin American Studies/UCSC, and graduate school (MSW- Masters in Social Work, (UNR) and graduate with honors.

All three of my younger sisters followed in my footsteps to pursue higher education and to find success as Professionals.

My husband and I moved to the Tahoe/Truckee area together in the early 1990s, pursuing seasonal employment. We somehow made ends meet, things got a little easier each year, and he later pursued a career in resort and business management, while I pursued continuing education, mental health and licensure, and opening up my practice.

Our son and a daughter both grew up enjoyed attending local public schools in Truckee, and later the Univeristy of California; they are both living fulfilling adult lives in the nearby region.

Welcome to my profile! As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, I believe that prioritizing mental health will set the foundation for the path ahead of you. It's not easy to start your journey but what matters is that first step, which to me, is understanding what your mind and emotions need so that you can begin to mold yourself into the person you deserve to become. I have been practicing for 4 years and enjoy supporting individuals, couples, and families in facing their challenges with confidence.

I have experience working with children, youth, adults, families, couples but in the last few years, I have shifted my main focus to work with adults who are struggling with anxiety, trauma and depression. I’ve worked in the mental health field for 22 years and been practicing as a therapist for about 10 years. As a licensed marriage and family therapist, I believe that prioritizing mental health is key to happiness and stability in life. Seeking help can be difficult, so congratulations on taking your first step to start therapy.

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in California with a Master's degree in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University. Over the past 15 years, I have worked with a wide range of clients and have developed a practice treating substance use disorders, personality disorders, mood disorders, and executive functioning challenges. I am also trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and incorporate evidence-based techniques tailored to each client's unique needs.

Before becoming a therapist, I earned a Juris Doctor and an MBA, experiences that give me a unique perspective on the complex personal, professional, and life challenges many clients face. Whether you are struggling with addiction, anxiety, depression, emotional regulation, relationship difficulties, or feeling stuck, my goal is to provide practical tools, compassionate support, and a collaborative environment where meaningful change can occur.

Melinda Fay is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a specialty in Art Therapy. I received my MA in Psychology from Phillips Graduate Institute in 2002 and I have been licensed since 2008.

I'm Dr. Christina Cortez, a licensed clinical psychologist in private practice in Santa Barbara, California. Grounded in a humanistic and client-centered approach, I'm committed to meeting individuals where they are emotionally, culturally, and spiritually.

My practice is built on the principles of empathy, respect, and collaboration, with a strong focus on creating a safe, nonjudgmental space for healing and personal growth.

I provide bilingual (English and Spanish) psychotherapy for adolescents and adults, integrating evidence-based modalities such as EMDR, Somatic Experiencing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).

My work is deeply informed by multicultural awareness and sensitivity to the diverse cultural and religious values clients bring into the therapeutic space.

With a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University, I've served in various clinical settings including community mental health, outpatient treatment, and education.

My professional mission centers on honoring the lived experiences of each client while supporting their path toward resilience, empowerment, and meaningful change.

I am a seasoned behavioral health and forensic psychology leader with over 20 years of experience in county, correctional, and community settings. I hold a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, two master’s degrees, and I am a licensed Marriage & Family Therapist as of 2019. My work centers on trauma‐informed care, substance use, sexual abuse victims and offenders, crisis intervention, and forensic experiences.

I have personal and professional experience working with cancer patients and chronic illness. I am EMDR trained and trauma informed. I like to be creative and collaborative when working with exposure in relation to OCD, Depression and Anxiety.