Find a Therapist in Oakley, California.

In laymen's terms, psychotherapy is the opportunity to talk about and process your problems or challenges with a trained therapist. Sometimes, we don't need someone to try to fix our problems for us, which is what most of our friends try to do when we talk about them. Sometimes we need someone who will listen and be a sounding board so we can think through and process for ourselves. I want to support you with your goals and your needs and we can make a therapy plan (psychotherapy or other types) that you feel will best suit your needs. Most importantly, I provide that safe environment for you to be able to be vulnerable, talk about, and process whatever is on your heart and in your mind.

I'm a seasoned licensed individual therapist with a focus on how relationships shape our personalities and overall mental health. I use a comprehensive blend of therapeutic approaches including Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, Internal Family Systems, and Object-Relations Psychotherapy. Tailoring to the unique needs of individuals seeking personal growth, I empower clients to explore underlying patterns and emotional complexities. With an empathetic and goal-oriented perspective, clients find a path towards self-awareness, emotional balance, and confidence. My deep commitment to individual well-being positions me as an ideal guide for those seeking to transform and enhance their lives in therapy.

I have 20 years of diverse professional experiences and extensive training. I am a published writer, lecturer and passionate about my field. I specialize working with Individual Adults and Teens. My style is conversational, and I strive for a collaborative and compassionate practice with my clients. Though, I am trained in a variety of therapies, I primarily work in narrative and psychodynamic theory. Additionally, I may draw upon other similar or complimentary theoretical approaches to create a highly personalized treatment plan based on your needs and goals.

Often in our lives we can benefit from having a safe compassionate listener outside of our family or friends circle. A neutral party that can be both direct and empathetic can help you examine troubling emotions and life issues that are contributing to a less than satisfying life. You will feel heard and understood as we explore and move through obstacles that may be interfering with your stability. I will help you access your personal strengths and resources to develop strategies to change what is not working and learn new ways to be healthier / happier in your world. Life will never be perfect however our ability to manage life can make a world of difference in our well being.

I provide a safe, calm, friendly, empathetic & down to earth environment for you in session. Making changes or gaining a better understanding about your life can be challenging. I will lend support to you whether you are experiencing a crisis, going through a transition in life or are interested in learning more about yourself & relationships. Maybe you have sought therapy before or this is the first time, I am here to assist you with all of your therapy goals. No matter who you are and what you have experienced, we all can benefit from psychotherapy. Together we can work on achieving your therapy goals.

I work with an entire person--the mind, emotions, body, spirit, relationships. I offer an alternative approach to traditional psychotherapy because sometimes we are stuck beyond our thoughts. I believe we are often stuck beyond how we think about something, but by how our body holds and remembers the experiences. After all, we feel the anxiety in our chest, shoulders or stomach. When we are depressed, we struggle to move, sleep, concentrate etc. I work to remove the block from wherever it is stuck. My clients come to me after years of ineffective therapy. They are looking for more than talking about their struggles or identifying how they think about them in favor of a change in living.

People are unique and different, which is why my approach to psychotherapy does not treat you with the same kind of therapy. Instead, I find it is more effective to combine different techniques and styles (Humanistic, attachment based, trauma-informed, psychodynamic, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy). That way, I can offer a therapy that is tailored to you, so you feel safe, understood, validated, and empowered to change.

No two people are exactly the same, so my approach to each client depends on her particular needs and goals. I take a top-down/bottom-up approach in that we work on how our minds control the body and how the body controls the mind, so that ultimately you have control over both. We will look at patterns that are working and patterns that aren't in terms of emotions, relationships, and behaviors. We figure out how those patterns originated so that we know how to eliminate what's not working and find new, more functional patterns. Science shows us that talk therapy isn't just talk. Therapy literally changes the wiring of your brain to give you more choice, functionality, and joy.

Are you interested in getting relief and finding solutions? Would you like to feel good about your life and relationships? I use empirical research and science across multiple disciplines to show clients just like you how you can get real-world, tangible, time-tested, and long-lasting, results that lead to optimal mental and relational health. Mental and relational health is not just a reduction in symptoms and problems. Instead, they are increases in self-control and empowerment, as well as acceptance, freedom, kindness, compassion, safety, and understanding - for yourself and others.

This is your special space to express your thoughts, feelings and learn practical tools to break through barriers that keep you in stuck negative cycles. We will address challenges and barriers that impact your life, and work towards active ways to make changes. I will support you in achieving a sense of well-being and overall live a life you feel aligned and proud of.

I love doing psychotherapy with individuals. It is an exploration of who you are, your stengths, where to you get stuck? Many issues you may be struggling with just vanish with a new understanding of your life and your body's responses to stress and trauma. Sometimes, specific tools and skills need to be learned and practiced. Safety and confidetiality are the first requirements in working well together. Next comes attunement. Have you ever felt like someone really really gets you? That is what good therapy does. Being really understood by someone makes us feel better about ourselves and removes our shame, allowing us to connect with others and enjoy our life rather than be burdened by it.

I always tell my clients that I am an "Old School Psychotherapist." This means that I believe that the way we are raised, our parents, and our families create who we are as adults. This means that I do a deep dive with every single client. I learn about you. I learn about your past, your history, and your family relationships. We form a bond and this connection allows us to be a true team for your mental health. If you are looking for a long-term therapist, you are in the right place! Long-term therapy allows for long-term results. You come to therapy to learn about yourself and see your mood improve, and you will get there much faster with a therapist who is truly on your side. I am here.

Psychotherapy provides a confidential place where deeper feelings can be expressed, truths can be revealed, and new relationships with self and others can be created. Paul has been helping individuals and couples to have more authentic lives and relationships for many years. Whether you're depressed, anxious, suffering from low-self esteem or addictive behaviors, Paul can help you with the emotional pain that keeps you stuck in your life.