Psychodynamic Therapists in California

Hi there, I am so glad you're here. I understand how daunting it can be to take steps towards healing. Perhaps you feel misunderstood by the people around you. Or perhaps you are accustomed to confronting problems on your own, without the help of others. Whatever you might be facing, I want to assure you that you are not alone. I am honored to walk alongside you as you step outside of your comfort zone to embark on your journey to growth and self-discovery. I offer warm and collaborative therapy to individuals and couples who are seeking to work through past traumas, difficult emotions, communication, and challenges with identity. My approach to therapy is warm, compassionate, and trauma-informed. I strive to create a space where you are able to be your authentic self and explore the nooks and crannies of your internal world. If you are seeking a safe, non-judgmental space to explore your inner world, I will be there to hold and support every part of you as we put the pieces together. As your therapist, I can help you re-discover and make peace with the parts of yourself that were overlooked and perhaps pushed away due to past traumas or challenges with self-identity. In working together, you can begin to redefine yourself in ways that feel empowering, authentic, and aligned. Whatever it may be, you are not alone in your journey. Practicing at the Center for Mindful Psychotherapy *Supervised by Monica Ramil, LMFT #108945*

My absolute favorite population to work with is youth, as they align with my personal value of primary prevention. By tackling issues early on, individuals can reduce their suffering over the rest of their lifespan. I tend to challenge my clients to look inward and recognize their roles in issues while promoting compassion within themselves. My overall approach is built upon collaboration, challenges, therapeutic exercises, and self-discovery. I work with children, teens, couples, and families to help them navigate their struggles and facilitate healing through the encouragement of embracing individuals' most authentic selves. I consider each individual within the context of their cultural and societal upbringing, as they influence the individual's unique identities. In my practice, you are the expert of your experiences, and I am here to serve as a confidant, teacher, friend, and more to join you on your journey to healing.

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Registered Play Therapist, and Certified LEGO Serious Play Facilitator. I offer a specialized playroom designed to support engaging, developmentally appropriate work with children, teens, and families. I help clients navigate emotional and behavioral regulation challenges, anxiety, low self-esteem, trauma, parenting stress, and neurodevelopmental differences, including ADHD, Autism, and learning differences. I also support individuals and couples working through relationship and attachment concerns, as well as life transitions across all stages of development. My work extends to women seeking greater emotional balance and clarity, couples looking to strengthen communication and connection, and families striving for more harmony and cohesion. I specialize in working with children, teens, young adults, adults, couples, and families, with focused support in women’s wellness, divorce transitions, and families of individuals with special needs, all through an integrated, brain-based approach to care.

I work with people navigating developmental trauma, addiction, depression, and the complicated work of couples relationships. My own path through these same struggles — trauma, addiction, and long-term depression — sparked a nearly twenty-year exploration into meditation and somatic psychotherapy, and shaped how I show up with clients now. I hold a master's in Mindfulness-Based Transpersonal Counseling from Naropa University and I'm a certified Somatic Experiencing Practitioner and Certified Addiction Specialist. I've worked in community mental health and private practice since 2014, with individuals and couples alike. What I care about most is helping people find real, felt change — not just insight, but a shift in the body and nervous system that actually sticks. Outside of sessions, you'll probably find me at the record store, on a trail, or dancing badly in my living room with my wife and daughter. I'd be glad to work with you.

Hi, I'm Emma. I work with people navigating anxiety, big life transitions, and the deeper process of becoming more authentically themselves. My approach blends body-based trauma work (Somatic Experiencing™) with contemplative practice and depth psychology — because real change happens when we work with the body and nervous system, not just the mind. I hold a Master of Divinity from Naropa University and have trained in various bottom-up modalities. Above all, I meet you where you are, and I'd be honored to walk this next part of your journey with you.

 I have been practicing as a clinical psychologist for 20 years in my own private practice. I feel honored to be trusted my thousands of clients who have started one of their most valuable journeys with me. I work to create a non-judgmental and safe environment that allows you be vulnerable.  I use a variety of approaches to work with each individual depending on the challenges that may come up in every session.   

Hello, and thank you for considering me to be your therapist. I know it can be a tough decision both to start therapy and to choose someone to work with, so I hope you can be proud of yourself for taking the steps. When we work together, I plan to see an increase in self-worth, and a desire to determine what you want and how to go for it! We'll work with what holds you back, and on how to create a vision that helps move through hardship, trauma, and barriers from the past. I operate with empathy and compassion, but with the framework of us each telling the truth so we can move toward what's helpful in your life. Together we can identify and explore patterns, the stories you tell yourself, and how what you learn about yourself is impacting your mood, self-image, relationships, career, family, etc. My intention is to provide you with reflection, resources, and questions that guide you to your own insight. You may recall things from your past, you may not. You might connect some dots, you might have some breakthroughs. You may be challenged, you might grow. Whatever therapy is meant to be for you, it can be. If you’d like to book a free 15-minute phone consultation, to determine if we’re a good mutual fit for this work, I’d love to hear from you! 

I am a licensed clinical psychologist in California and a counseling psychologist in Taiwan with over 10 years of practice experience. I have helped diverse populations with a wide range of issues in a variety of settings, including a community mental health center, a college counseling center, a domestic violence women’s shelter, a re-entry program, an outpatient opiate treatment clinic, skilled nursing homes, a youth correctional counseling program, and an elementary school district. Specialties I am a certified EMDR provider and EMDR consultant-in-training. Most of my work focus on trauma recovery. My overarching mission with each client is help them to obtain a deeper insight into their interpersonal behaviors, to heal wounded relationships, and to bring positive changes into their lives. Being a clinical psychologist allows me to provide psychological evaluation to help immigration process, personal injury, elderly dementia screening and other accommodation assessments. Psychological evaluation is used to help diagnose and clarify concerns regarding behavior, personality traits, mood, emotional functioning, and cognitive processes. Another specialty of mine is Asian Americans and minorities. While providing culturally sensitive approach, I assist my clients with acculturation, self-identify, family relationships, and issues facing immigrant families, including cross-cultural adjustments. My approach to psychotherapy is both integrative and collaborative. I can provide therapy in English, Mandarin, and Taiwanese.

I have a passion for helping people who have educational and relational challenges due to ADHD & neurodivergence. I can help you if you are struggling in a relationship due to infidelity or divorce or just can't find the relationship you know you need. Many people who come to me are experiencing anxiety, depression, are unsure about how to help themself with stress or procrastination, feelings of instability during a life transition. Therapy is a wonderful opportunity for support, to grow insight, and make change. It's scary when you don't know why things aren't going your way. I have helped people understand their behaviors, feelings, and brain chemistry so they can be happier. We will focus on strengthening your mental well-being and helping you be true to yourself and the people you love. I do individual and couple's therapy.