About
Finding the right therapist is agonizing.
You have been reading and “reading into” dozens of websites, studying their photo, and wondering if this person will understand you for who you indeed are. Questions arise –
“Will they be the kind of person who can help me and support me during this vulnerable time?
Are they “my kind of person,” or will I feel awkward and uncomfortable in their presence?
Starting something new is always a brave thing to do. Therapy takes even more courage because you know that you will need to “show up” to feel better, but you cringe and shrink from the thought of going through with it.
Ok, it’s time for action; you pick up the phone to call or email.
You’ve found the right person!
I will be on the other side of the phone or email, reassuring you that you made the right decision.
I know the process of deliberation to reach out for the first time is difficult. That effort is understandable. I will meet you halfway by asking you questions about what you are looking for in a therapist and what brought you to reach out now.
We will hear each other’s voices, and hopefully, the initial anxieties will diminish. You get off the phone and feel good about yourself, as you should! But you are still unsure if this is the right way forward and if I am the right person to do this with.
We have set a time to meet online or in the office.
You wonder – “What if this is not the right decision?”
The date and time set for our meeting feels far off, and you go about your life. Then the day approaches, and your anxiety kicks in again.
“What am I doing? Why am I putting myself through this? Oh yeah, I hope someone out there can hear me, listen to me deeply, help me gain clarity, and guide me back to my authentic self.”
And guess what? I hold all those feelings and thoughts for you. The only difference is that I know I can provide that for you; it’s not a question in my mind.
I am a down-to-earth, compassionate, and warm therapist who brings a thoughtful and collaborative approach to my work. I am kind, interactive, curious, and sturdy. You will not scare me or make me uncomfortable no matter what you tell me.
Finally, the day arrives.
Your phone gives you an alert – 10 minutes until therapy. You take a deep breath and find my online video app or walk into my office.
There I am in the flesh. I am just another human, but you thought I might be intimidating for some “funny” reason. The room is welcoming, I look like my photo, and I offer you to sit and get comfortable. You exhale; maybe this won’t be so bad after all.
We begin to talk. I don’t leave you in uncomfortable silences for too long before asking you questions and getting you to tell me about yourself. I display genuine interest and engage in what you have to say. I stay attentive and flow with your bursts of talk and moments of self-consciousness.
We all feel self-conscious when we get to know someone new, even me. The time went faster than you thought, and here we are discussing the next steps. You think, “I could try this again, commit for a period, and see if we are a good fit.”
Then, our journey begins.
Over the next few weeks and months, we will get to know one another well. When a person is ready to change, there is no reason that change will not occur. There will be obstacles, fears, and doubts, but with a supportive and skilled person at your side, we will get past them with kindness.
I am dedicated to your journey and remaining present throughout the process. We will face the challenges, struggles, and fears together. I will nudge you to be introspective, reflective, and compassionate with yourself. The clarity and “answers” that you look for will present themselves as we move through the defenses trying to keep us out.
We will not destroy the defenses that arise along the way as they have tried to keep you protected in your past but are currently misguided. We will create new perspectives on old patterns within yourself and your relationships. These new ways will feel more freeing and honest to where you now are.
I believe that you already hold all the tools to confront and process your struggle, but often, they are hiding in plain sight. With an experienced clinician such as myself, we can help you get in touch with them and bring them out into the light.
About Elana
My career path was not a straight line.
Today, I am a licensed clinical psychologist with over a decade of experience, and I currently work with adolescents, young adults, adults, and the elderly.
I grew up in Berkeley and attended middle school through graduate school within miles of each other. Don’t worry; I left the bay area for many international adventures that helped me grow and develop and continue going for more. I always find my way back to the bay area and currently call Oakland home.
In 1999, I received my B. A. in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of California at Berkeley, which allowed me to explore my many interests and eventually combine some of them into a senior thesis. After that, I took multiple years off between my undergraduate degree and doctorate to learn more about myself and try out various jobs. Most of these jobs led me down the path of social services, and I always knew I loved the connection of sitting with another individual and relating to them.
I returned to Berkeley, and in 2010, I received a PsyD degree in Clinical Psychology from the Wright Institute and became licensed in 2012.
Growth as a therapist requires experience.
I have worked at many large hospitals in the bay area; Highland Hospital, Kaiser-Permanente, and UCSF at General Hospital. I worked with caregivers and their infants or toddler children in reunification or strengthening attachment bonds at UCSF at General Hospital.
Highland Hospital in Oakland is where I explored the world of older adults struggling with psychotic disorders and Kaiser Permanente (2010-2011) in the mental health departments of both adults and children.
We moved to England for a year when my youngest was three months old – what was I thinking? I was happily surprised that mothers have a year of maternity leave (entirely sensible). That year, I realized how important it is to have others by your side during these first few years of childrearing. Having to create a new network of supportive people was very difficult. As life would have it, by the time I began to feel like I was building those relationships, the year was up, and it was time to come home.
When I returned to California, I knew that I needed a flexible schedule. I still desired the camaraderie of a group, so I joined the California Counseling Associates in Alameda in 2017 and have worked there for many years. Stretching my wings even further, I have recently gone out on my own into a solo private practice to have more autonomy over my career.
Since then, I have concentrated on private practice and seeing people individually in my office or online. Being in an individual practice is by far the right place for me professionally. I hope to continue to learn and become a better clinician through all the dynamic clients with whom I have the privilege to work. I love what I do and the relationships that I get to co-create. I am wiser and enriched by these transformative journeys.
My time outside of therapy is therapeutic.
Outside of the office, you can typically find me gardening, spending time with my family, and going on day trips to the beach or nature.
I try to practice what I preach and meditate twice a week. But it does not always happen, and I hope to continue getting better at carving time out for this important practice.