I've been a client of Elizabeth Dandenell's for years. I couldn't be more grateful to have chosen…read moreher as my therapist. Her therapy skills are superior and she is a straight-shooter. She is also compassionate, with great intuition. Before I met with Elizabeth, I'd worked hard with about a dozen very good therapists to help relieve my anxiety and depression. I also sought to improve my vocational and social struggles. That "pre-Elizabeth" therapy partially helped. The problem was I still had a vague sense something about me or my situation wasn't quite being seen and addressed yet. Then, Elizabeth helped change the course of my life. She raised the possibility that I might have two overlooked diagnoses. If accurate, she theorized, those diagnoses might help identify and explain much of the "invisible" set of challenges I've struggled with over decades. She was 100% accurate. I received both of those diagnoses after several months of testing by hospital clinicians. As a result, I've learned new ways to cope better overall. Specifically: some fast and easy ways to tamp down my overall anxiety - techniques I'd likely never have used without the diagnoses. My self-esteem has greatly improved and I'm more at peace with myself than I've been in a very long time. I've plugged in to community support. Elizabeth is a true gem of a therapist. It's encouraging to know she's available to me and others, in a world where life can sometimes feel so hard.

When I first met Vilma, my world was filled with darkness. I was consumed by self-loathing to the…read moreextreme. I didn't trust anyone in the world, not even my lover. I thought people were selfish narcissists who only cared about themselves when they were cold. But among them, the one I hated the most was myself. During a time when I was trapped in the abyss of self-loathing, unable to move from my bed, I felt the need for help, and I made my first call to Vilma. From that moment on, I have been seeking counseling from Vilma for over two years. She slowly nurtured my heart, as if extracting poison from long-standing wounds. For 15 years, I believed that my struggle stemmed solely from my inability to control myself. I attributed it to my excessive vanity, competitiveness, and narcissistic tendency to prioritize how others perceived me. I thought I couldn't love anyone else and that my preoccupation with myself was the cause of these symptoms. That was the first thing I told her. However, she has spent a long time counseling me and has helped change the way I think. She not only introduced me to various cognitive methods that allowed me to be more compassionate toward myself, but it was more than that. What she taught me was a warm heart. A warm heart that cares for and worries about others. As she listened to my heart, she exemplified how others can become warmer toward one another. Through her, I learned what it means to care for others, and I began to strive to become that way myself. Those experiences gradually helped me realize the message she was trying to tell me. 'I am not a bad person.' Through counseling with her, I was able to recall a trauma from 15 years ago. It was an experience that I could never forget, but one that I had buried deep within the depths of my heart, like the sea. It was a trauma that was so difficult to face that I had pretended it meant nothing at all. I couldn't even label it as a trauma because I couldn't confidently admit that I was a victim. If it weren't for her counseling, I would have carried it within me for a lifetime, as I couldn't even recognize it as a wound. I believed I didn't deserve to. When I confronted the experience that I couldn't share with anyone, she held the hand of my heart, ensuring that I wasn't afraid. She continued to support me until I no longer feared the trauma completely. Now, I no longer think of the world as solely cold. I no longer believe that people only care about themselves. Through her, I have felt and understood that people can be a source of help for one another, and just knowing that has made the world appear more hopeful and brighter to me. Thank you, Vilma. I wanted to express my gratitude properly to you, but my words fall short, and I couldn't express my thanks adequately.

Sarah Hausman is a trusted colleague who provides excellent care for any client I have sent her…read moreway. She's warm, funny, and direct. She has a knack for working with couples who are searching for more connection in their relationships, and people who looking to lead a more satisfying and fulfilling life. I'd trust her with anyone near and dear to me, which is why there's Zero hesitation when referring others to her.

Sarah Hausman is a skilled and experienced therapist with a depth of knowledge, expertise, and…read morecompassion to offer any client. Sarah has a warm presence that creates safety, and a clear passion for helping her clients create peace in their lives. I would recommend her to anyone looking!

Andrea is an incredible therapist. If you're looking for ketamine-assisted therapy, EMDR, or…read moretrauma-focused work, I highly recommend working with her. She has a unique ability to understand exactly what you need and stay present with you through the hard moments. Her approach is warm and gentle, while also being direct and thoughtfully challenging when it matters most. I truly can't recommend Andrea enough.

Andrea Tivers is a phenomenal, smart therapist! She facilitated Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy…read morefor me and was incredibly warm, organized and helpful. From the moment I met her she listened intently and made me feel safe in using ketamine. What I really appreciated was the way in which she helped me process the experience and glean insights and action items that have created profound positive change in my life. I am so grateful and feel very fortunate to have crossed paths with this wonderful person.

Janine is an excellent therapist- very intelligent, compassionate, curious and grounded. I am…read morethankful to know Janine and to have benefited personally from what I see as her deep and consistent commitment to authenticity. I find her very easy to talk to and accepting of others just where they are at. Having experienced her work as a colleague, I believe that Janine is great therapist for someone looking to manage their emotions, behavior and personal history more skillfully while coming to know themselves in a deeper way.

I have known Janine for about four years as a friend, colleague, and mentor. She has all the…read morequalities one might hope for in a therapist; she is caring, creative, and intuitive. As a fellow mental health practitioner, I have learned a tremendous amount from Janine. She is the first person I go to when I feel stuck with clients. She listens deeply and carefully, and then she inevitably has an idea to help me move forward. She has special expertise in somatic experiencing, which is a technique that helps a client use their body to better process trauma. In addition to trauma work, Janine is an expert on exploring body-related issues and insecurities. I feel very fortunate to have Janine in my life. She has both the brains and heart to be an incredibly wonderful clinician and human being.

Theresa was our family therapist and worked with our daughter for over 4 years. She met with our…read morefamily in various configurations over time. We all came to really appreciate her insights, help with different behaviors that came up, excellent parenting strategies, and attending to our daughter's needs as related to ADHD. Theresa was a significant support during various life changes (divorce, school drama, etc). She was calm, warm and very insightful. She has many years of experience working with families and children. Her office is extremely child friendly with lots of toys, art supplies, sand tray, and she even provides snacks. I highly recommend Theresa.

Dr. Fennelly was our family therapist and met with us regularly, both conjointly and individually…read more It was discovered that Dr. Fennelly lied about having an existing friendship with my son's mother (Dr. Blanchard) and was witnessed visiting her office multiple times. They had an inappropriate relationship outside of the therapy environment. Dr. Fennely's reports were wildly biased and full of lies, favoring her friend. She also lied about my then toddler son's behavior and made up issues with me. The damage that she caused was potentially devastating to my relationship with my young son and extremely costly. I should sue her for damages. Fortunately, three different judges ruled that I should receive 100% legal and physical custody of our child, who has been living with me for approximately three years now with zero visitation rights awarded to the mother. This illustrates the nonsense that I had to endure from this crooked and toxic therapist. Dr. Fennely, you should have your license revoked to protect vulnerable patients.

Audrina is fantastic. I have been going to her for years. She is very intuitive and supportive.read more

Audrina is a very skilled and compassionate therapist. She provides a welcoming and judgement free…read morespace for both teens and individual adults. She brings all of her experience, care, and wisdom to each session. I always feel safe and heard when I am spending time with her. If you are looking for a therapist for your teen or for yourself, I highly recommend contacting Audrina. She is my go to referral therapist for teens and adults in Alameda.

Karen is an excellent psychotherapist. I had the honor of working with Karen as one of her…read moreteachers in an advanced professional psychotherapy training so I have seen her work first hand over a year of intensive work - I have seen Karen sitting with people, guiding them deeper into exploration of self and of their relationship with others and helping them transform difficult situations/times in their lives into opportunities and new beginnings or just in feeling a little lighter inside. She is so kind, empathic and fun!!! I refer clients to her without hesitation - that says a lot. If you are looking for a counselor to help you through a difficult time, anxiety, depression, relationship trouble you would be hard pressed to find someone as good as Karen to be your ally and guide.

I've had the honor to work with Karen over the last several years, and have experienced firsthand…read moreher warmth, wisdom, and acceptance. She emanates a kindness and sensitivity that immediately creates a safe place to be authentic and to explore tender or difficult issues. She is highly skilled in mindfulness based modalities, including the Hakomi method, and is well-equipped to guide and support clients in their process of healing and self-discovery. I highly recommend Karen as a therapist.

A friend recommended that I meet with Monica about 10 years ago when I was trying to resolve some…read moreissues in a long-term relationship; she helped me to come to an understanding that I needed to withdraw from the relationship since my partner had been unwilling to commit. She also helped me develop strategies to change some thought patterns/behaviors that were not serving me well. Some years later, I returned to seeing her when my marriage had become very challenging. With her help, I began to understand that it was not only a challenging relationship but that my husband was abusive and this was a pattern. She also helped me to navigate dealing with someone who is an addict both to substances but other activities. I have reflected many times how she helped me to find a way to leave a dangerous and extremely emotionally damaging situation without ever trying to just take control. She understood that the process can be overwhelming and met me where I was able to act. I did leave and relied on her very heavily for support initially and throughout the next few years as I worked to heal myself and support my children. Her efforts contributed directly to my ability to keep myself and my children safe in my marriage and ensuing high conflict divorce. There was a bit of an emotional "detox" period I had to go through after leaving, and she went above and beyond to give her support to me during that time. Monica is caring, professional, direct, compassionate, and skilled at her work. She understands and cares for children and adults equally well, which was so helpful to me as a mother. She helped give me some practical techniques for dealing with stress (that I still use), and for handling an abusive, psychopathic narcissist that I am unable to completely cut out of my life due to our children together. She was my safe place to release some hard feelings and thoughts during an extremely difficult time. When my husband was constantly at work trying to distort my reality, she served as a vital reality check. I always recommend that anyone going through something similar to get in with a good therapist as a first step--just to bring some reality and understanding to their situation--after I saw how much Monica helped me. I moved away to another state, but have kept in touch. I appreciate that she still sends me notes now and then, with recommendations for articles she feels might be helpful. If I were closer I would still be going to see her once in a while--fortunately I feel so much healthier and stronger now, thanks in large part to her help.

I saw Monica a couple years ago so my review is long overdue. I wanted us to work really bad…read morebecause of the reviews but unfortunately my experience was not like everyone else. I am now with a therapist who fits me best and can see the difference. For one, my therapist now would never tell me that I'm a narcissist for having social anxiety. The last straw I had with Monica is when she gave me another issue to have anxiety on. She asked me what I was studying in school, I said sociology then she said, and I quote, "Ha. Good luck getting a job with a liberal arts degree." I don't know what she was trying to do when she said that but I did not appreciate it at the time. My regret is not saying this earlier to communicate that with her. On the good side, she has great book recommendations and I do appreciate her tell it like it is attitude but some things that were said to me was not okay. She didn't work for me but hope she works for you!