LGBT therapists in Alameda, CA

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.

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.

Are you a part of a community, in a relationship, a family, or a line of work that used to feel supportive but now feels costly? Do you feel like you are performing, on guard, or run down as a result? Do you feel unable to change because the stakes are so high? I understand and walk the complicated terrain of change with my clients. Many are men, gay men, and LGBTQ+ people seeking support in affirming their identity, navigating relationships, family systems, or religious environments, and those navigating career, family, and mid life, and cult survivors.

As a former minister turned psychotherapist I've walked through change myself. My practice is grounded in psychological and clinical insight. For some on a spiritual path this enhances therapy. Some are desiring to process religious trauma or limiting aspects of their religious or spiritual background with someone who can understand these environments.

I work with all ages and I'm trained in trauma based therapies such as CBT, DBT, and EMDR. I offer individual therapy using attachment based therapies, solution-focused brief therapy, and Gestalt self-compassion techniques. I'm not currently offering couples counseling except through private pay. I have worked with foster youth, caregivers, families, LGBTQ, and veterans. I have found my work to be professionally rewarding by assisting people in reaching their goals. I’m committed to meeting your needs and learning.

I enjoy bringing humor and kindness to my sessions I want to know what you need and will do my best with helping you get there

There are some things in life that are too hard to face alone. If you or a loved one have experienced trauma, relationship struggles, stresses related to parenting or taking care of an aging parent, grief at the loss of a beloved member of your life, anxiety, depression, survivor or witness to abuse, or seeking tools for living with wellness. Please come and be welcome in a healing space.

My name is David Marquez and I am a Licensed Clinicial Social Worker (LCSW) in California. I have been a social worker for over 10 years and graduated from San Francisco State University. As a Latino therapist, I’m especially passionate about serving LGBTQ+ and BIPOC communities. I offer therapy in English and Spanish, and I bring cultural awareness, warmth, and real conversation into the room. Your identity, experiences, and personality aren’t side notes here — they’re part of the story we honor. Therapy with me is collaborative, affirming, and occasionally sprinkled with humor — because sometimes the most healing moments come right after we say, “Ohhh... that makes sense.”