Therapists in Elk Grove, CA

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in California with four years of experience working with adolescents, adults, couples and families in my private practice. I have over 18 years of experience working with at-risk adolescents and families in the system, and work with first responders, veterans, and individuals suffering from grief and loss due to chronic illness, infertility and due to the loss of a loved one or pet. I have worked with clients with a wide range of concerns, including: depression, anxiety, relationship issues, codependency, adult children of addicts/alcoholics, parenting problems, career challenges, issues with shame and low self-esteem. I also help many people who have experienced physical trauma, emotional abuse and suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder. My many years of experience working with people and my education have taught me how to be authentic, intuitive and empathetic. I am supportive, warm and I create a safe space for my clients to share their thoughts and feelings without judgement. I treat my clients with respect, compassion, and I don't believe in stigmatizing labels. My approach is eclectic and combines cognitive-behavioral, person-centered, psychodynamic, trauma-informed care and mindfulness in my counseling practice. I am very flexible with my clients and will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. Thank you for taking time to read my profile. I honor you for reaching out to seek guidance and to find what will make you happy in your life. Often, that means setting boundaries to put yourself first in order to find fulfillment in your life. If you are ready to take that step, I am here to support and empower you. It will be worth it! I am here when you are ready. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

I'm an older, more conservative therapist. My first experience in the field was with the Army as a Behavioral Science Specialist in 1984. I have worked in Community Mental Health, Psychiatric Hospitals, private practice, and most recently service mostly active duty Air Force at Nellis and Creech Air Force base. I'm well trained and experienced working with trauma, depression, and anxiety. I can help with problem solving, anger management, and other issues. I am experienced treating people with very serious conditions, and, highly functional people that have hit a rough spot. Counseling does not have to be heavy, serious and intimidating. Under the right circumstances, we can both find humor in a situation and release tension with laughter instead of tears. For the new client, you may have a better experience and have your expectations met if you have an idea what you want out of therapy. With my experience on this site, I have some observations. Some of you very much enjoy the convenience of this platform. And, however you choose to receive counseling, teleconference, phone, or chat, that is what you will get. There are some that enjoy the almost complete anonymity of the internet platform. There are some that are interested in an assessment, diagnosis, and consultation or treatment recommendations based on the diagnosis. There are some that very much want a good listener. If you let me know what you want, I'll lock in. If you change your mind about what you want, I'll be flexible. If you want short-term counseling, let me know the number of sessions, and we'll get as much done as we can. If therapy is going to be a part of your long-term growth, let me know that as well. Of course, there is the possibility that you just want to sample therapy to see what it's all about. I think that's great!

My name is Sylvia Fernandez Chamberlain. I have been a licensed Marriage, Family Therapist for the past 30 years. I have a B.A. in Theatre Arts from Humboldt State University. I graduated in 1982. I majored in dance and Native American Studies. I have a Master’s Degree from Antioch University in Clinical Psychology. I graduated in 1989. I supervised Graduate Trainees to be licensed as Marriage, Family Therapist through Antioch University from October 2020-December 2021 For years I struggled with my own early childhood trauma. After years of movement and studies in Native American Philosophy and Culture that addressed my personal identification, I felt more in control of my personal traumas. I was able to heal myself through movement and years of yoga meditation. All of which led me to believe that I could benefit others in their journey to heal. I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Somatic Theory, Narrative Therapy, Mindfulness, Trauma-Focused Therapy and Attachment Therapy to assist clients in recognizing their challenges and healing their hurt and pain. I am hopeful that I may do the same for you. I check my messages several times a day and will respond to your request within 24 hours.

John Gilbert LMFT, MBA, CHt. Licensed since 2000, John has worked from the state hospital system to private practice. A former Music Therapist and a Certified Hypnotherapist, John brings creativity and a breadth experience to the therapeutic session. John specializes in working with personal development, relationship issues, family held businesses, adolescents, and chronic pain. John says “So many people are stuck in the prison of the mind by negative feelings, past life events, and fear. Proper treatment can free them to have the life they want, the life they were meant to have.” Due to my level of licensure, it is rare that any letter provided by me other than verification of treatment carries any weight. If as part of treatment you will need some documentation, please check that my licensure (California, USA-Licensed Marriage, Family Therapist) is acceptable to whomever is requesting the documentation. I want to make sure I can meet all your needs.

The therapeutic relationship is an alliance for your health and growth. Congratulations for giving your self the time and support to grow and deal with life’s challenges. It takes courage and wisdom to ask for help. It is my intension to be helpful and assist you in reaching your goals. The information that you give me is helpful in determining the specifics of treatment. During the course of therapy, we may evaluate where you are in the process of meeting your goals. If you have any concerns, questions, or suggestions, please talk to me about them. You input is essential. I cannot predict how long therapy may be needed. Of course, you may end therapy at any time. I am a Licensed Marriage Family Therapist (LMFT), who has been licensed by the State of California since 1988. I have a master’s degree in family therapy from California Family Study Center (Now named Phillips Graduate Institute) and a doctorate in clinical psychology with an emphasis in depth psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute. I have additional training in Emotional Freedom Therapy, also know as Tapping. While I know many forms of therapy, such as cognitive behavioral, my favored approach is psycho-spiritual. I combine family therapy and depth psychology, specifically Jungian and archetypal psychology , to work on relationship issues on many levels. I help individuals and couples improve communication, deal with transitions and losses, and deal constructively with conflicts. Depth psychology helps people to develop emotional stamina, to discover hidden parts of one’s self and narratives that govern relationships. This work honors the illogical, the mysterious, and the unexplained. People have rational, logical parts and illogical, emotional or intuitive parts. A goal is to be a whole person. The work encourages people to operate out of their Higher Self and to look for the larger picture. Although the practice is psycho-spiritual, it is not based upon any particular religious teaching. Traumatic events get locked in the body, like kink in a garden hose. EFT-Tapping helps shift the energy to help people get out of anxiety and be able to meet their challenges with more clarity and stamina. Emotional Freedom Therapy employs the body’s acupressure points and works with specific events in people’s lives to reduce distress. Clients tap on themselves with verbal guidance. This method helps eliminate distressing feelings and ease the effects of trauma. Addiction is prevalent in our culture. I work with people struggling with addiction. In my opinion, addiction is a thinking disorder that there is never enough, one has to be perfect, there is no help, and one has to grab at gratification or someone will take it away. The focus is on healing shame, expressing feelings, self-care and practicing gratitude and humility. It is also a spiritual disorder of looking for love in all the wrong places and thinking one is in total control. It often requires a team effort with programs like AA , AlAnon, Celebrate Recovery, and a Sponsor. In my opinion, Lifestyle makes a difference in mental health outcomes. Thing to think about: Do you eat foods that nourish & love you back? This means fresh, diverse, colorful, minimal processing, grown with no poisons, best locally grown. Feed your gut, to feed your brain to improve mood with foods that have fiber and fermentation. Do you move your body on a regular basis, such as walking, dancing, yoga or Tai Chi? The latter two, yoga and Tai Chi help intentionally to change internal states to calm. Basically movement and posture changes consciousness. Do you rest and restore when tired? Do you reach out to friendly, respectful people? Do you have a spiritual practice? Are you careful what kind of media you watch or listen to? Does it calm, inspire or agitate and anger you? Our literal hearts are in coherence with gratitude, appreciation, love & in incoherence with anger or frustration. Do you have a pet or a garden that you take care of? Do you spend time in nature? Walk on the earth, among trees, listen to water? Do you have a balance between work and play? Do you have a way to give back to something larger than yourself ? These are areas to consider or add to your daily life. The following guidelines help preserve the difference between a friendship and therapeutic relationship. Privacy of Communication: Our communication and even the fact that you are in therapy is confidential and must be kept private. You have to sign a written waver for me to talk, write, or communicate in any way to anyone with some exceptions. Safe Storage of Records:Any paper notes are kept in safe files. You have the right to electronic privacy and safe storage of these records. Exceptions by law: There are exceptions as mandated by federal, state, or local laws that do not require your written authorization to release private information. Harm to Others: As mandated by law, I am legally bound to report child abuse and neglect, dependent adult abuse and neglect, and elder abuse and neglect. This includes domestic violence that puts children at risk. Harm to Self or Others: I will disclose limited information to prevent serious harm to others or yourself. Consultations with Professionals: There are times when it is desirable or mandated that I seek a consultation with another professional about our work. Should this need arise, I will disguise all identifying data. This could include a consulting psychotherapist about your case or a lawyer to discuss legal issues that pertain to your case. If I need to speak to your doctor, I will ask for a written consent. Exceptions with lawsuits: If you file a lawsuit in criminal or civil courts or pursue an administrated action, your information may be required by the judge or by his or her subpoena. If you bring in the issue of your mental health in such a case, you give up your right to confidentiality. Appointments: At the beginning of therapy, it’s helpful to have consistent weekly meetings. Once we agree upon a time, I will hold it for you, unless you no longer need that time. Should you not be able to attend your session, as a courtesy to me, please give me twenty-four hour notice. You will do better for yourself if you bring up difficult issues at the beginning of the therapy session. If you have an emergency, please indicate that in your message. However, in the event of a medical or psychiatrist emergency, where your safety or the safety of others is involved, call 911 or go to the nearest hospital. Please know that I am not available 24 hours, normally maintaining business hours between 9-5. Please know I can only talk with you in California. If you travel to another state, I may not be able to, except in an emergency. Each state has their own licensing requirements. Ending therapy: When you are ready to leave therapy, please schedule one or more goodbye sessions. The amount of sessions depends upon how long you have been in therapy with me. This time is used to review what you have accomplished, what needs reinforcing, and to identify work that might be done in the future. It is important to be able to say,” Goodbye," talk about the feelings surrounding the endings of this relationship. This is good practice for your life beyond therapy. There are times when I may end therapy. Reasons may include that your needs are outside the scope of my practice, a referral is made, or we agree that no progress is being made.

I am licensed in California with over 12 years of experience working with older adults and adults experiencing mental illness. I am also experienced working with caregivers experiencing burnout. I have worked with clients through issues such as stress and anxiety, family conflicts, coping with grief and loss, & depression. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. While my techniques mainly focus around your thoughts, behaviors, and mindfulness, I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. Creating lasting changes through therapy is not always as easy process, but I will be here to support you every step of the way. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

I am licensed in California with 20 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with grief and loss, & depression. I also have experience working with coping with life changes. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

I am licensed in California with 14 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, & depression. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

I am licensed in California with 15 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with relationship issues, coping with grief, coping with loss, & intimacy related issues. I also have experience working with coping with life changes. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

I am licensed in North Carolina, South Carolina and Colorado with 3 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with addictions, coping with grief and loss, & depression. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey.