Depression Counseling

Depression is an extreme form of sadness. Feeling sad or stuck, loss of enjoyment, irritability, sense of worthlessness, or insomnia. The cause of depression can be biological or psychological. People who are depressed are more likely to feel angry.

“Things turn out the best for people who make the best of the way things turn out”.

- Art Linkletter

 

Stress/ Crisis

Stressful daily life can result from pressure on the job and/or household chores; stressful life transitions can result from events such as: marriage, birth of a child, career and job changes, serious illness, death of a loved one, aging and retirement. Stress is not the situation but what we think and feel about it.

 “You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it.”

- Maya Angelou

Anxiety

This is a sense of generalized fear and apprehension, exaggerated worries about wide range of issues. The person may experience difficulty making decisions, frequent worrying, and panic attacks. Stressful experiences may intensify anxiety.

“Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off the goal.”

- Henry Ford

Illnesses

Having a serious illness, such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer or Alzheimer’s disease, puts the patient and his family at higher risk of developing depression. Going through such traumatic life changing experiences causes major physical and mental difficulties. The patient has to grieve the loss of his previous lifestyle and learn to accept the new reality and make the most of the new situation. Most patients will gain new perceptive and re-assess their priorities in life.

“Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.”

- Buddha

Grief Counseling

Grieving the loss of someone is an emotionally traumatic experience. Some of the common reactions among people who experienced loss are recurring dreams or nightmares, trouble concentrating or remembering, repeated thoughts, feeling numb or withdrawn, fear, sadness, anger and emptiness. A bereaved person feels very vulnerable when he shares his suffering. Having someone to reveal feelings with in a confidential and private setting can go a long way towards healing the grief and loss.

"Take the first step in faith. You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step."

- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Women’s Issues

Many women experience the on-going difficulties of managing and balancing their career and family life. Women tend to be very critical of themselves and work hard to meet their high standards. However, it is impossible to be thin enough, always look perfect, have a tidy house, and excel at work. In therapy you may discover old feelings of sadness or anger that you've buried just to get through the day. You will learn to quiet your inner critic and listen to your inner wisdom. You may find that you have a lot more options than you realized.

“Life doesn't require that we be the best, only that we try our best.”

- H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

 

Couples counseling

Couples therapy is not about trying to change or complain about your partner but learning how to better understand, respect, and appreciate his or her perspective and feelings. As a result, feelings of anger and frustration will fade away and feelings of love, trust and intimacy will emerge.

“A good marriage is that in which each appoints the other guardian of his solitude.”

- Rainer Maria Rilke

“We waste time looking for the perfect lover, instead of creating the perfect love.”

- Tom Robbins

Parenting issues

The challenge of raising a family is great and sometime overwhelming. Parents can develop their own practical approach to raising children using different tools and ideas. It is possible to set firm limits and show unconditional love at the same time. Parents will not only positively shape their kids’ behavior but also strengthen their family ties. By better understanding ourselves, we will better understand, encourage, listen, help, and discipline our children.

“There are two lasting bequests we can give our children. One is roots. The other is wings.”

- Hodding Carter. Jr.

 

Adolescents and Teenage Counseling

Parents are the most influencing force in their kids’ life. We can’t use peer pressure as an excuse for unacceptable behavior such as alcohol and drugs addiction, violence, and failing school. Parents can learn how to respond to their teen’s actions and mood swings and how to communicate and influence their children. And most important, parents will learn how to encourage and guide their adolescent through these confusing years to become a respectful and responsible young adult.

“Shoot for the moon and if you miss you will still be among the stars.”

- Les Brown

Relationship Issues

Many of us are unable to start or maintain an intimate relationship, have difficulties getting along with others, and/or experience on-going conflicts.

The first step in resolving our relationship issues is based on better understanding of ourselves and increasing our self-awareness. When we learn to live consciously and respond instead of react, we change the way we interact with the people around us. This will lead to healthier relationships in every area of our life - with ourselves, our partners, children, parents, siblings, friends and co-workers.

“The joy that isn't shared dies young.”

- Anne Sexton

 

“About all you can do in life is be who you are. Some people will love you for you. Most will love you for what you can do for them, and some won't like you at all.”

- Rita Mae Brown

 

Adjustment Disorder

This is a serious difficulty to adjust to a major life change such as, marriage, new born baby, divorce, relocation, loss of a job, loss of a loved one, and more. This time period is identified by problems in living and can be upsetting and distressing. Many will experience anxiety, depression, and feeling of being overwhelmed. However, with time and treatment, this condition can be resolved and most clients learn to adjust to their new situation.

"The pessimist complains about the wind; The optimist expects it to change; the realist adjust the sails."

- William Arthur Ward

 

Codependency/boundaries

Boundaries are what make it possible for us to have closeness while we safely maintain personal identity. In healthy person, loyalty has its limits and unconditional love can coexist with conditional involvement. You will learn to take great care of yourself, and manage the anxiety that causes you to feel that you have to be in control or manage other people's lives.

"The need to control is the need to feel safe."

- Unknown

 

MidLife Transitions

What is important, why am I here, what did I miss?

Many of us pursue career, family, and lifestyle based on who we were (or expected to be) as young adults. But after 20-30 years, we may realize that we have changed and the life we have created doesn’t satisfy or fulfill us anymore. We may also feel the need to set and accomplish a few more goals before it is too late.

Many people in this stage experience confusion, frustration and loss of identity as a result of disappointment, failed relationship and loss of satisfaction at work. We have to re-examine our core values and passions and adjust our plans for the future.

“The first step in making your dreams come true is to wake up.”

- Paul Valery

“Life has no limitations, except the ones you make.”

- Les Brown

Providing family therapy, depression counseling, grief thearpy, youth counseling, premarital counseling, and individual therapy in the East Bay area including Danville, Walnut Creek, Alamo, San Ramon, Dublin, Pleasanton, Pleasant Hill, Concord