Book a therapist or psychiatrist in Oakland, CA covered by Aetna

I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who supports adults and caregivers navigating stress, burnout, grief, loss, complex emotional and life transitions, and challenging family dynamics. My background in crisis intervention, care coordination, and supporting individuals and families through overwhelming health‐related experiences allows me to bring a steady, compassionate presence to clients moving through difficult periods.

Clients often come to me when they’re feeling stuck, carrying heavy emotional loads, or trying to make sense of what’s happening in their lives. I offer a warm, calm, and organized space where you can feel understood and supported.

I work primarily with adults, including caregivers, healthcare professionals, and individuals managing chronic stress, anxiety, grief, or major life changes.

I subscribe to cognitive behavioral therapy, emphasizing the rational behavioral therapy modality. I hold a doctorate (EdD) in counseling and educational psychology from the University of San Francisco, where I also earned my Master's in Marriage and Family Therapy. I earned a Master's in Divinity from the Franciscan School of Theology at the Graduate Theological Union. I have been practicing since 1987 and am a seasoned therapist.

I draw strongly from decades of my own personal growth work. Psychology is not a theory for me. It is a daily practice, a way of life. I help people focus on what they can control, what is most important currently and how they can work through whatever they are facing.

I know starting therapy can feel awkward. Sharing your inner world with someone new takes courage — but it can also be the start of genuine growth and healing. My goal is to make that step easier by creating a space that feels safe, warm, and grounded in understanding.

I’m a Licensed Clinical Psychologist in California, educated in Oregon, where my appreciation for nature, reflection, and connection began. I provide therapy for adults in California, helping people navigate anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship challenges, identity transitions, and life stress.

Over the years, I’ve worked in hospitals, rural community clinics, emergency departments, psychiatric hospitals, and outpatient psychotherapy, which has given me a deep respect for resilience and the many ways people adapt and heal.

Hi I'm Natalie and I want to help you build a life that feels authentic and purposeful. Do you feel like you’re navigating life on autopilot, and have difficulty showing up for your work, your relationships, or yourself? You may find yourself caught in cycles of people-pleasing or seeking external validation, only to end up feeling drained and unfulfilled. If you feel stuck in patterns that no longer serve you, know that you don’t have to navigate this alone. In our sessions, we’ll move beyond the 'what' to understand the roots of your struggle while building practical, compassionate strategies to help you reclaim your confidence and advocate for your needs.

I am a Latina EMDR therapist who uses compassion to guide my patients through healing areas in their lives where they are feeling stuck. My patients are often working through trauma, grief, or unhelpful beliefs about self, others, or the world that can manifest into anxiety, depression, interpersonal conflicts, and/or PTSD. I also offer Individual and Group EMDR Consultations to clinicians looking to become Certified in EMDR Therapy. Se habla español.

Reaching out for support is a brave first step, and you don’t have to navigate things alone. My approach is warm, collaborative, compassionate, and solution-focused. As a current school-based mental health clinician, I have experience working with elementary through college-age youth across a variety of emotional, behavioral, academic, and life challenges. My primary focus is supporting adolescents as they navigate emotions, relationships, school stress, self-esteem, and major life transitions. I believe every person’s story matters, and I strive to create a safe, supportive, and nonjudgmental space where clients can feel comfortable being themselves. Together, we’ll build on your strengths and work toward growth, healing, and meaningful change.

Sometimes the hardest part is not what happened. It is finding someone you can finally say it to. I offer therapy in both English and Spanish, and I work with people across all stages of life, from children and teenagers to adults and seniors. I specialize in supporting people navigating trauma, domestic violence, anxiety, depression, and the unique challenges that come with new and expecting parenthood. Wherever you are in your story, you do not have to carry it alone.