LGBT therapists in Oakland, CA

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.

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 Matthew “Matt” Tapia, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) offering online therapy in Arizona and California. I specialize in neurodivergent-affirming care for autistic people and people with ADHD. I also help clients navigate anxiety, depression, trauma and PTSD, relationship concerns, and caregiver stress.

If daily demands leave you overwhelmed, misunderstood, or unsure where to begin, we can start with what matters most to you. My style is warm, practical, and collaborative, with room to explore your experiences and develop skills you can use in everyday life.

I work with children, teens, adults, and families. I hold a Master of Arts from Santa Clara University and am also a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). My background in family therapy and behavioral science helps me understand how emotions, relationships, daily routines, and your environment influence one another.

Together, we can work on managing strong emotions, communicating your needs, strengthening relationships, and creating routines that fit your life. Therapy respects your communication preferences, sensory needs, strengths, and personal goals.

All sessions take place through secure telehealth. I accept insurance through Headway, where you can check your coverage and view available appointments.

Welcome and congratulations on beginning your therapy journey! I'm here to support you as you take steps toward your goals and develop into your best possible self. I hope to create a safe space for you to find relief, healing, and develop meaningful insight to reach your fullest potential.