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

I'm the kind of therapist who makes you feel safe the moment you walk into the room. I listen fully, without judgment, and with the attention that makes you feel uderstood. Humor is one of my superpower and I used to make you feel more comfortable. I am direct I won’t sugarcoat what needs to be said. I love to be the kind of therapist who makes healing feel both profound and human.

I am so happy to meet you and look forward to working with you. My approach as a Mental Health Clinician is warm, empathetic, compassionate and affirming. I have had over 30 years of experience in the field of Mental Health and substance use treatment. I have worked at Women's Recovery Association with women and children. Many years in School Based Counseling and individual counseling.

I provide compassionate, evidence-based mental health care in a safe, judgment-free space.

I work with individual adults and certain families who are feeling stuck, overwhelmed, sad, lonely, sensitive, anxious, or defeated. If you're feeling heavy by everything going on, or feeling frantic, or having conflict in your relationships or are just feeling lost in any way, I would love to see if I can help! I also work with family units going through transition or strain, such as conflict between a parent and their adult child, or supporting parents who are experiencing difficult things with their child or teen.

I have a lot of experience helping people through loss, whether it's a breakup, losing a job, or a loved one - including loss of a pet, which is a specialty of mine. I have special interest in supporting other therapists, and also community organizers and activists who are engaged in social justice work. Many of my clients are trans or NB, and others are gay, lesbian, or queer. Poly and kink affirming.

I offer telehealth services to clients in California, Idaho, Washington, or Virginia.

I believe therapy should feel like a space where you can finally exhale. I strive to create an environment that is supportive, honest, and free of judgment; a place where you feel truly seen and emotionally safe. My approach is collaborative and practical. I don’t just help you understand why you feel the way you do; I help you build real tools to navigate it.

I earned my degree from Cal State Fullerton and have extensive experience working in addiction treatment, eating disorder recovery, and women’s issues. Supporting women is especially meaningful to me. I am deeply passionate about helping women navigate challenges related to self-worth, body image, relationships, boundaries, life transitions, and identity. I understand how trauma, societal expectations, and relational dynamics can shape how women see themselves, and I approach this work with both compassion and clarity.

Together, we focus on strengthening mindfulness, emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and communication skills in ways that feel realistic and sustainable. I blend insight-oriented exploration with concrete strategies, because meaningful change happens when insight meets action. My goal is to help you better understand your patterns, feel more confident managing your emotions, and move forward with greater clarity, self-trust, and resilience.

Life has a way of throwing challenges our way that can feel impossible to navigate alone, but you don't have to carry that weight by yourself. With over 30 years of experience as a therapist, I have worked with individuals of all ages—from young children to seniors—helping them find clarity through life’s most difficult transitions. Whether you are dealing with relationship struggles, depression, or the complexities of grief and trauma, my goal is to provide a steady presence that helps you find your way back to yourself. I feel privileged to help my clients achieve their goals and improve their lives by drawing on both my clinical training and the wisdom gained from decades of practice.

I believe that true healing happens when you have a space to speak freely with someone who isn't connected to your daily life or family circle. I bring a blend of professional expertise and extensive life experience to our sessions, which allows me to understand the nuances of the human experience beyond just a clinical lens. Outside of my work in the office, I enjoy staying active in the local community and find that a balanced life helps me show up fully for those I serve. I want my clients to feel safe and empowered during their time with me, knowing they have an experienced advocate committed to their well-being.

As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 16 years of experience, I’ve had the privilege of supporting individuals and families through some of life’s most vulnerable moments. My work has focused on caregiver burnout, aging and end-of-life issues, veteran support, adjustment to new or serious medical diagnoses, and family conflict. My background also includes working with foster children, foster/adoptive parents, and parents of children with ADHD, as well as helping immigrants and expatriates navigate culture shock and identity adjustment.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 10 years of social work experience and 5 years of experience as a psychotherapist. My experience ranges from treating children ages 5 and older to treating geriatric individuals aged 70+. I am a bilingual, Latina therapist and I conduct therapy in both English and Spanish. I have worked in a variety of settings including community mental health and private practice treating a range of mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, co-occurring disorders, and more. Much of my work has been focused on working with the Latino community in Southern California as well as disadvantaged communities of color.

My professional and confidential counseling service offers an opportunity for you to reach your goals and the best version of yourself without leaving the comfort of your home with telemental health counseling. Individuals and Couples can participate in a counseling service that is tailored to meet your individualized needs. I am here to listen, support, encourage, guide and coach. I partner with you to create an effective plan that best fits your needs at a pace that is comfortable for you.

I am Candice Clayton of Clayton Counseling Services and I started out in this field with the purpose of educating people on mental health and providing children, adults and families with the services they need to manage their mental health. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the State of California. I obtained my masters of Social Work from the University of Southern California and have been providing counseling for over 15 years in various settings with dynamically different clients. My clinical counseling experience includes working within a variety of different areas with children, adults and couples in both residential and outpatient settings. I have worked with emotionally disturbed youth, survivors of child/teen sex trafficking, individuals struggling with gender and sexual identity, couples struggling through communication, infidelity and co-parenting and many other people that were at various phases of life and benefited from some counseling support. I consider my experience extensive and am sure that I can support you through your journey.