Individual Therapy in Oakland, CA
When life feels heavy, individual therapy can help?
Most people don’t start therapy because one thing is “wrong.” They start because something feels heavy — emotionally, mentally, or even physically — and they’re tired of holding it alone.
Individual therapy can support you if you’re:
Feeling anxious, on edge, or constantly overthinking
Carrying grief, heartbreak, or loss
Burned out, emotionally drained, or overwhelmed
Navigating a life transition (career changes, relocation, identity shifts, major decisions)
Feeling stuck in relationship patterns you don’t fully understand
Living with trauma, painful memories, or a constant sense of “hyper-alertness”
Struggling with self-esteem, self-trust, or feeling disconnected from yourself
You don’t have to have the perfect words. You don’t have to “prove” that it’s bad enough. If you’re hurting, stressed, or simply ready for change, therapy can be a meaningful next step.
What is individual therapy?
Individual therapy is a one-on-one space where you can slow down and explore what you’re carrying — with support from a trained professional who is focused on your healing and growth.
In therapy, you can begin to:
Understand what’s fueling your anxiety, stress, or emotional pain
Notice patterns in how you cope, connect, or protect yourself
Learn tools that help you feel more grounded and regulated
Process past experiences at a pace that feels safe
Strengthen boundaries, self-worth, and emotional resilience
Build a life that feels more aligned, steady, and connected
Therapy isn’t about fixing you. It’s about helping you feel supported as you make sense of your experiences — and find a way forward that feels real and sustainable.
What we help with in individual therapy (Oakland)?
Because every person is different, we don’t use one-size-fits-all treatment. But many Oakland clients come to us for support in the following areas:
Anxiety and chronic stress
If your mind doesn’t slow down, your body feels tense, or you’re constantly anticipating what could go wrong, you’re not alone. Anxiety can show up as overthinking, panic symptoms, irritability, perfectionism, or difficulty relaxing. Therapy can help you understand what your nervous system is responding to — and build tools to feel calmer and more in control.
Depression and emotional numbness
Depression doesn’t always look like sadness. Sometimes it’s exhaustion, disconnection, lack of motivation, or feeling like you’re moving through life on autopilot. Together, we’ll explore what’s behind the heaviness and help you reconnect to energy, meaning, and hope.
Trauma and PTSD
Trauma can affect how safe you feel in your body, relationships, and daily life. Whether your trauma is from a specific event or built over time (childhood experiences, relational trauma, chronic stress), we’ll work in a paced, trauma-informed way to help you process what happened and restore a sense of stability and safety.
Life transitions and identity shifts
Change can stir up anxiety, grief, uncertainty, and self-doubt — even when it’s a “good” change. Therapy can help you move through transitions with clarity and support, especially when old patterns or fears get activated.
Grief and loss
Grief is not linear, and it doesn’t always look like people expect. We support clients navigating loss in all its forms — death, breakups, family estrangement, health changes, or the grief of a life that didn’t turn out the way you hoped.
Self-esteem and relationship patterns
Many people come to therapy feeling stuck in patterns that keep repeating — people-pleasing, overgiving, shutting down, fear of abandonment, difficulty trusting, or feeling “too much.” We help you understand these patterns with compassion and build healthier ways of relating to yourself and others.
Our approach at Calm Again Counseling
We are a trauma-informed practice committed to care that feels safe, affirming, and grounded in evidence-based approaches.
Trauma-informed therapy that feels safe
Being trauma-informed means we prioritize emotional safety, consent, and pacing. You won’t be pushed to talk about anything before you’re ready. We focus on helping you build stability and regulation first — so deeper healing is possible without feeling overwhelmed.
Evidence-based therapy tailored to you
Our therapists draw from proven modalities and personalize them to your goals and needs. Depending on what you’re working on, your care may include approaches such as:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for anxiety, depression, and thought patterns
EMDR for trauma healing and reprocessing painful experiences
Internal Family Systems (IFS) for self-compassion and inner conflict
Somatic Experiencing for nervous system regulation and body-based healing
Brainspotting for deeper emotional processing
We’ll collaborate with you to choose what fits — and adjust as your needs evolve.
LGBTQIA2SP+ & BIPOC-affirming care
We are an affirming practice and welcome clients across identities, backgrounds, cultures, and lived experiences. You deserve therapy that respects who you are and helps you feel seen.
How it works for Oakland clients (Connect → Match → Thrive)?
Getting started is designed to feel simple and supportive.
Connect
Schedule your free 15-minute phone consultation with our intake coordinator. This is a chance to share what you’re looking for and ask questions — with no pressure.
Match
We’ll connect you with the therapist who is the best fit for you based on your preferences, values, and style. Fit matters, and we take it seriously.
Thrive
Start therapy with a plan tailored to your goals. Over time, you’ll build tools for regulation, shift patterns that keep you stuck, and move toward the calm, connected life you deserve.
Book a FREE Consultation
Online individual therapy for Oakland, CA
Many Oakland clients choose online therapy via Zoom because it’s flexible, private, and eliminates the stress of commuting. Online therapy can be a great fit if you:
Have a busy schedule or caregiving responsibilities
Prefer therapy from the comfort of home
Want consistent support without travel time
Feel more at ease opening up in your own space
We also offer in-person therapy in Noe Valley, San Francisco, for those who prefer face-to-face sessions.
Please note: we can work with clients who live in California.
Rates, insurance, and superbills (aligned with your fee page)
What to expect
We offer therapy online via Zoom and in-person at our Noe Valley, San Francisco offices. Typical individual sessions are 45 minutes, though longer sessions (60 or 90 minutes) are recommended for EMDR and are charged at a prorated amount.
Fees
Our fees are comparable to other therapists with similar experience and training. Each month, we reserve a number of slots for those who cannot comfortably pay the full fee. Please inquire to learn more about current availability.
Insurance
While we are currently not an in-network provider, we can provide a billing statement at the end of each month to submit for reimbursement if you have PPO insurance, HSA, or other flexible benefits (depending on your plan).
Payment
For convenience, we accept all major credit cards, as well as FSA and HSA cards. Payment is due at the time of your session and is automatically processed through our secure booking software.
What your first sessions may look like?
Starting therapy can feel vulnerable — and also relieving. In early sessions, your therapist will help you:
Clarify what’s bringing you in right now
Identify patterns and stressors that may be impacting your well-being
Define goals in a way that feels realistic and meaningful
Begin building tools for grounding, regulation, and support
As therapy continues, you may go deeper into trauma processing, relationship patterns, and long-term healing — always at your pace, with collaboration and care.
How to know if a therapist is the right fit?
It’s okay to be selective. Finding the right therapist is one of the biggest predictors of progress. You might ask yourself:
Do I feel emotionally safe with this person?
Do they listen and reflect accurately?
Do I feel respected in my identity and experience?
Do I understand the plan or approach we’re using?
Do I feel a sense of hope or steadiness after sessions, even if they’re hard?
If something doesn’t feel like a fit, we can support you in adjusting — including matching you with a different therapist.
FAQs
How long does individual therapy usually last?
We ask clients to plan to attend for at least 6–8 weeks, attending weekly. After that, you and your therapist can reassess progress and adjust your plan.
How do I book a consult call?
Start by booking a free 15-minute consultation. You’ll speak with our intake coordinator, who will match you with the right therapist.
Do you take insurance?
We are not in-network, but we provide monthly billing statements for PPO/HSA reimbursement (depending on your plan).
Can I do therapy if I live in Oakland?
Yes. We work with Oakland clients through online therapy across California, and in-person sessions in San Francisco are also available.
Can I choose online or in-person therapy?
Yes — you can choose what feels best for your schedule and comfort.
Get started with a free consultation
If you’re ready for support — whether you’re navigating anxiety, trauma, burnout, grief, or relationship pain — we’re here to help.
Call or text (415) 480-5192
Serving Oakland, the Bay Area, and online throughout California.