Introduction
Welcome to Therapy By The Bay LLC! I understand that finding the right therapeutic approach is key to your healing journey. My goal is to provide a safe, supportive space where you feel comfortable exploring your thoughts and emotions. I specialize in working with women who have survived trauma, and those experiencing depression, anxiety, mood disorders, eating disorders, and Borderline Personality Disorder. Using a variety of evidence-based therapies, I tailor our work to your unique needs, helping you find the relief and growth you’re seeking, no matter your age or specific concerns.
Therapeutic Approaches
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Description: CBT focuses on identifying and changing negative thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to emotional distress. It’s a structured, goal-oriented approach that empowers you to develop healthier thinking and coping skills.
- Who Benefits: Individuals dealing with anxiety, depression, mood disorders, OCD, eating disorders, and neurodivergent people (such as those with ADHD or autism) can greatly benefit from CBT’s practical strategies to manage symptoms and improve overall well-being.
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Description: DBT combines cognitive-behavioral techniques with mindfulness practices to help you regulate emotions, tolerate distress, and improve relationships. It’s particularly effective in helping individuals develop coping strategies for intense emotions and improve interpersonal effectiveness.
- Who Benefits: DBT is especially helpful for those with mood disorders, borderline personality disorder, self-harm behaviors, eating disorders, and anyone seeking to improve emotional regulation and relationship skills, including neurodivergent individuals.
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
- Description: EMDR is a gentle, yet powerful therapy specifically designed to help process traumatic memories. It involves guided eye movements and other bilateral stimulation techniques to reduce the emotional impact of traumatic experiences.
- Who Benefits: EMDR is particularly effective for individuals dealing with unresolved trauma, PTSD, and when other therapy approaches have not provided sufficient relief.
Who Do I Have Experience in Treating?
- Anxiety and Depression
For those dealing with anxiety and depression, I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to help reduce symptoms, develop healthier coping mechanisms, and build emotional resilience to handle life’s challenges.
Approaches Used: CBT, DBT
Goals for Clients: Reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, develop healthier coping mechanisms, and build emotional resilience to handle life’s challenges.
Mood Disorders
If you are facing mood disorders, my approach focuses on CBT and DBT to improve emotional regulation, reduce mood swings, and develop strategies for maintaining a balanced mood.
Approaches Used: CBT, DBT
Trauma and PTSD
For clients experiencing trauma and PTSD, I offer Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), CBT, and DBT to help process and heal from traumatic experiences, reduce PTSD symptoms, and foster a sense of safety and empowerment.
Approaches Used: EMDR, CBT, DBT
Eating Disorders
When it comes to eating disorders, I use CBT and DBT to help clients develop a healthier relationship with food and body image, improve emotional regulation, and build coping skills to manage stress and triggers.
Approaches Used: CBT, DBT
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help clients identify and challenge the distorted thoughts that fuel their obsessions. While I do not provide Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), which is often the gold standard for treating OCD, I focus on cognitive restructuring and teaching healthier coping strategies to manage anxiety and reduce compulsive behaviors. For clients who may benefit more from ERP, I can provide referrals to specialists to ensure you receive the best possible care and support.
Approaches Used: CBT
Self-Harm and Borderline Personality Disorder
For individuals dealing with self-harm and Borderline Personality Disorder, I utilize DBT and CBT to develop healthier ways to cope with emotional pain, improve emotional regulation, and build stronger interpersonal skills.
Approaches Used: DBT, CBT
Neurodivergence (ADHD)
For neurodivergent individuals, such as those with ADHD, I use CBT and DBT to manage anxiety, depression, emotional regulation, and social skills, while leveraging their unique strengths and addressing daily life challenges.
Approaches Used: CBT, DBT
Adjustment to Major Life Changes
I support clients adjusting to major life changes such as work stress, starting college, breakups, and other significant transitions. My approach focuses on helping you navigate these challenges, build resilience, and develop strategies for coping with uncertainty and stress.
Approaches Used: CBT, DBT
Specific Focus Areas: Work stress, college transitions, breakups, and other life changes.
Young Adults (Ages 18-25)
For young adults, I provide tailored support to navigate the unique challenges of this stage of life, including identity exploration, career decisions, relationships, and life transitions. My approach helps build emotional resilience and coping skills to manage anxiety, stress, and uncertainty during these formative years.
Approaches Used: CBT, DBT
Specific Focus Areas: Identity exploration, career stress, relationship issues, and life transitions.
Adolescents (Ages 12+)
For adolescents, my therapy focuses on helping them navigate anxiety, depression, peer pressure, academic stress, OCD, eating disorders, self-harm, and identity issues. I equip them with tools to manage these formative years using CBT and DBT.
Approaches Used: CBT, DBT
Adults (Ages 25-60)
For adults, I offer tailored support to manage stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, OCD, mood disorders, self-harm, and life transitions. Using CBT, DBT, and EMDR, I focus on career, relationships, and personal growth.
Approaches Used: CBT, DBT, EMDR
Seniors (Ages 60+)
For seniors, I provide support to address anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions, grief, and the challenges of aging. My focus is on enhancing quality of life and emotional well-being, using CBT and EMDR.
Approaches Used: CBT, EMDR
Specific Focus Areas: Anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions, grief, and adjusting to aging, with a focus on enhancing quality of life and emotional well-being.
Session Structure
- Initial Consultation
- What to Expect: In our first session, we’ll discuss your current concerns, goals for therapy, and any questions you may have. This is an opportunity for us to get to know each other and ensure we’re a good fit. I prioritize creating a strong therapeutic bond to foster a safe and supportive environment from the start.
- Regular Sessions
- Duration: Sessions are typically just under an hour long depending upon our agreed upon scheduled time and your needs.
- Frequency: We typically begin with twice-weekly or weekly sessions to establish a strong foundation and build momentum in your healing journey. This allows us to make significant progress and adjust the frequency as your needs evolve.
- Customization: Each session is tailored to your unique needs, incorporating different therapeutic methods as appropriate to help you achieve your goals.
Getting Started
- How to Book an Appointment
- Step-by-Step Guide:
- Visit the contact page on my website.
- Select and book a free consultation call or initial evaluation.
- Input your insurance information accurately for benefit verification.
- Schedule your appointment for a few days out to allow time for verification.
- I will confirm your appointment and provide any additional details you may need.
- Step-by-Step Guide:
Crisis and Immediate Help
If you are in crisis or need immediate help, please call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. You can also call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 for support.
