Trauma and PTSD therapists & psychiatrists in San Jose, CA

I'm an open minded individual and welcome any topics in treatment

Being a therapist and helping people overcome feelings of isolation and conflict is one of my life's greatest joys. I specialize in helping individuals, families, and couples work through depression, anxiety, grief, and relationship issues. I also provide critical assistance through domestic violence and rape counselling. It is important to me to help patients along on their journey through professional, evidence based counselling.

My therapy style is compassionate and supportive. Clients find me engaging, warm and friendly. I've been a licensed psychotherapist since 1987 and I have experience with a variety of clients from differing age groups, ethnicities and cultural backgrounds. During my career I've helped clients with relationship challenges, the expression and management of emotion, and improving their quality of life.

Sheila C. Brown has extensive experience working with teens and adults, providing a safe space where individuals can be themselves and feel heard and valued, Sheila has lived experience with ADHD and late in life diagnosis.

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My Training

I am a licensed clinical psychologist and a graduate of the PGSP–Stanford Psy.D. Consortium, a program known for its rigorous academic training and emphasis on evidence-based care. There, I received instruction and mentorship from some of the leading clinicians and researchers in the country. My practice draws on specialized training and extensive experience in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) for couples, and comprehensive psychological assessment.

My Approach to Therapy

My clinical approach is focused, compassionate, and results-oriented. I work actively with clients to identify what’s holding them back, and to build the tools and insight needed to move forward with clarity and confidence. For individuals, I use CBT to help shift unhelpful thought and behavior patterns. For couples, I use EFT to deepen emotional connection, improve communication, and restore trust. Whether I’m working with a client facing anxiety, burnout, or relationship conflict, my aim is always the same: to help you reconnect with your strength, values, and capacity for meaningful change.

My Professional Background

Before becoming a psychologist, I served as a U.S. Marine Corps officer, including deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. Leading diverse teams in high-stress environments taught me how to connect across differences—with people of all backgrounds, beliefs, and personalities. That experience continues to shape my work today. I bring a grounded, nonjudgmental presence to therapy, and I take seriously the responsibility of earning each client’s trust. My passion—both then and now—is helping individuals become the strongest, most authentic version of themselves.

With over 15 years of experience, I work with adults navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, and other emotional challenges. My approach is grounded in compassion, mindfulness, and neuroscience, and I am certified in trauma-informed care.

I came to therapy first as a client, hoping to get rid of difficult feelings. Instead, I discovered that healing comes from learning to understand and make space for them. That experience deeply shaped the way I work today.

My style is active, collaborative, and experiential. Rather than only talking about problems, we'll pay attention to what is happening in the present moment—including thoughts, emotions, and body sensations—to create meaningful and lasting change. I believe therapy should help you build a different relationship with yourself, not just gain insight.

I'm passionate about helping people reconnect with themselves, cultivate self-compassion, and move toward a life that feels more authentic and fulfilling. I also maintain a regular mindfulness practice, which supports the grounded and attentive presence I bring to my work. It is a privilege to accompany clients through the process of healing and growth.

I completed my undergraduate degree from the University of San Diego, double majoring in business administration and psychology. I then continued my education and graduated with honors from Pepperdine University with a master's in Marriage and Family Therapy. I completed my traineeship through the YWCA, working at a middle school and at YWCA sexual assault/ domestic violence clinic. Post graduation I started my job with LGTC and spent two years in the adult and teen mental health IOP and PHP program as a group and individual therapist . I recently transitioned to working at the outpatient level of care, and I am so excited about this new chapter

Hello,

I'm a licensed marriage and family therapist in California. My goal as a therapist is to support you in your journey to regain trust in your unique strengths and overcome life's challenging situations, and help you make your life happier and more meaningful. My style is warm, collaborative, and culturally sensitive.

I have been in practice for over a decade, and work with a wide range of conditions including trauma, depression and complex life transitions.

Do you carry the weight of your responsibilities home? Does it impact your relationships, your sense of peace, or your ability to recognize yourself beneath the demands of daily life? Growth and healing take courage, and I admire your willingness to prioritize your well-being.

My practice focuses on three areas:

• Individuals in high-pressure helping and public service professions, including first responders and those working in EMS, Fire, Law Enforcement, Corrections, Dispatch, Judicial settings, Healthcare, Mental Health, and Education. My dual Master’s degrees in Marriage and Family Therapy and Trauma & Related Conflict, combined with lived experience, allow me to offer a culturally informed understanding of the unique challenges these roles carry. Together, we address operational stress, strengthen resilience, and support sustainable well-being.

• Adults navigating identity, authenticity, creativity, and life transitions, including LGBTQ+ individuals and those seeking to reconnect with themselves, clarify their values, and build lives that feel meaningful and aligned.

• Older adolescents and emerging adults preparing for graduation and the transition into college, vocational paths, or adulthood as they explore who they are, what matters to them, and how they want to move through the next chapter of their lives.

My passion is to help others find more joy and meaning in their lives. I work creatively and collaboratively with adults, teens, and children to explore the heart of the matter. I have experience working in the schools, with a team at a counseling clinic, and in private practice. I specialize with teenagers and their families and moving into couples work as well.

I specialize in working with children, teens, and adults struggling with chronic stress, low self worth, loneliness, trauma/complex PTSD, and burnout. I am a compassionate witness and also a fierce protector. I understand looking for belonging and joy in a society that seeks to marginalize and devalue difference. I am queer, neurodivergent, and multiethnic: Mexican-American, Indigenous (Rarámuri aka Tarahumara), with Jewish roots.

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.