LGBT therapists in Oakland, CA

For the past 20 years, I've worked across private practices, youth development centers, schools, and mental health clinics. My passion is to work with adults navigating major life transitions. Whether you are a college student or approaching retirement, my hope is to walk alongside you during this time of change and uncertainty; to help create the conditions for you to reconnect with your authentic self and remember what lights you up. We can explore ways to recognize and acknowledge your anxiety that moves beyond words. Incorporating expressive arts, guided imagery, and embodied exercises to help you strengthen your awareness with your emotions and rewrite old narratives.

I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (NY & CA) with an MSW from NYU and a BA in Communications from Northwestern. With 14 years as a professional actor and teaching artist, I incorporate creativity into my eclectic therapeutic approach, which includes CBT, mindfulness, expressive arts, and psychodynamics. I specialize in supporting clients with anxiety, depression, identity exploration, relational challenges, and personal growth.

Anxiety and perfectionism have turned your mind into a battleground. Your inner critic nitpicks every interaction, leaving you exhausted by thoughts of “Damnit, why can’t I just be better!” Painful memories get louder, no matter how hard you try to ignore them. Daily invalidations of your Latina, queer, or immigrant identity sting, and you feel isolated as you keep your suffering to yourself. You’ve tried everything: doom scrolling, drinking, and self-help books, but nothing has worked. You're left feeling hopeless and weighed down.

I'm an interactive bi-cultural somatic expressive arts therapist who brings a lot of joy to the work she does, creating safety to address challenges people face. I offer a unique blend of person-centered, humanistic, transpersonal-oriented somatic-based Expressive Arts therapy and energy practices in German and English. I welcome a variety of clients across cultures, ages, lifestyles, and sexual/gender orientations.

I have had over ten years of training in a variety of somatic therapy approaches. I received my BA in Anthropology at the University of Georgia, and a MA in Counseling Psychotherapy from California Institute of Integral Studies. I've published and presented internationally on themes of embodiment, culture, ancestral memory, and gender. My research on embodiment and culture was published in in the volume Moveable Gardens: Itineraries and Sanctuaries of Remembrance in 2021.

I enjoy bringing humor and kindness to my sessions I want to know what you need and will do my best with helping you get there

Struggling with depression & identity through childhood, diagnosed with ADHD as an adult— I know about "not reaching [your] potential," and feeling like everything is a struggle.

Beginning in middle school as a volunteer, I gained over 20 years of experience with a range of developmental and other issues before beginning grad school.

Since earning my license, my work has focused primarily on adults and teens with ADHD & ASD, chronic depression, LGBTQIA+ & identity issues.

People say I am a good listener so I will get to know you and the goals you bring to therapy

IMPORTANT: All clients must complete our intake form and sign our policies before their appointment. Please complete these documents at https://intakeq.com/new/6oakjo/lusjbb or contact us at 602-800-4699 (call or text). Please also email or text us a copy of your photo ID/driver's license at [email protected]

For the most current schedule and openings, please book directly on our website at https://mentalhealthpractitioners.com/book-appointment/ or call us at 415-968-6515.

As a PMHNP-BC who specializes in autism, complex cases, OCD, personality disorders, PTSD/trauma, schizophrenia/psychosis disorders, and substance use, I've built my practice around understanding that every person's mental health journey is unique—especially when multiple conditions interact or when traditional approaches haven't worked.

I also provide comprehensive treatment for depression, anxiety, panic disorders, mood disorders, and bipolar disorder, always with an understanding that these conditions often overlap and influence each other in complex ways. What I want you to know is this: your experiences are valid, your struggles make sense in the context of your life, and there's no such thing as being "too much" for treatment.

Whether you're masking autistic traits, battling compulsive behaviors, managing intense emotions, processing trauma, questioning reality, or struggling with substances, I meet you exactly where you are without trying to force you into a predetermined mold. My approach combines evidence-based treatments with deep respect for your individual needs and experiences.

You deserve a provider who doesn't see complexity as a problem to solve, but as a roadmap to understanding how to best support your unique path to wellness.