Finding a Therapist in El Cerrito
Hello there! I am super excited that you’ve come across my website and blog. I’ve created this blog post to introduce myself and share a bit about how I work. Also, I hope that this blog post will assist you in choosing a therapist and navigating the many dimensions of psychotherapy in the East Bay. My psychotherapy practice is in the City of El Cerrito, which means “the little hill” in Spanish. If you walk around El Cerrito much you’ll see why, with the rolling ups and downs of sidewalks in many of the neighborhoods. Another feature is how El Cerrito is nestled between Albany, Berkeley, and Richmond in the Greater East Bay of the San Francisco Bay Area. My office is a centrally located near BART, El Cerrito Plaza, and just minutes from Solano Avenue. It’s a desirable location near public transportation, shops, restaurants, and walking distance to so many other spots!
A Good Fit Does Really Matter
While it is quite nice to choose a therapist based on a convenient location to you, there are other important factors to consider in your selection. You’ll want to find someone with whom you feel comfortable talking. Try to get a sense of trust from the therapist so that later, you can go deeper. Take a minute to consider the characteristics you’d like in a therapist and who would be right for you. Some aspects for consideration are, do they have the experience and knowledge of the issue you’re struggling with? Or, how do you feel while talking to the therapist? You may want to consider someone who values your diverse background, values, and beliefs. The key and most important point is to find a therapist that helps you open up, and be vulnerable so that through time and trust you can experience change in your life. Keep in mind that although everyone is different, usually significant change occurs over time.
Types of Therapists in El Cerrito
Another thing you may notice in your search is the many types of therapists out there. It can be overwhelming. Clients often ask what do all the letters mean after psychotherapist’s names? You may see acronyms such LMFT, LCSW, PsyD, and LPCC. Here’s a very brief overview of this landscape:
LMFTs (Licensed Marriage & Family Therapists) specialize in relationships, families and couples and consider these contexts in individual therapy.
LCSWs (Licensed Clinical Social Workers) provide therapy and often connect clients to resources.
Psychologists (PhDs & PsyDs) provide therapy and sometimes perform psychological testing.
LPCCs (Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor) focus on individual therapy and group therapy.
All these licenses are trained in providing therapy. In particular, I am a LMFT specializing in ADHD, Anxiety and Grief/Loss and I have special training in treating ADHD. https://www.juliebrownmft.com/adult-adhd-therapy. Yet looking beyond the licensure, it’s important to remember that therapy is most effective when you feel safe, supported, and understood. In the search for a therapist, clients often wonder, “will I feel exhausted and even more stressed in the search?“ Other times clients have concerns like, ”can I connect and trust this person?” Or others have questions such as, “If I open up will the therapist be a good fit?” These feelings are totally normal and experienced by many people. Finding the right therapist can feel overwhelming and daunting. As you sort through these very personal decisions, my hope is that this guide will be a helpful tool in your search and will give you a sense of agency and direction in that process.
The Kinds of Therapies Available
In El Cerrito there are many types of therapies available. Generally when people think of therapy they’re considering talk therapy, basically where two people are conversing with one another. Since the pandemic, virtual therapy formats called Telehealth, have become widely available and some therapists only see clients over Telehealth. In my practice I see clients both face-to-face and virtually. Many clients ask me what type of therapy, sometimes called a modality, that I practice? While there are many therapies, I usually summarize to them that there are basic umbrella terms such as Psychodynamic, Cognitive/Behavioral, and Humanistic or Person-Centered approaches in the field. Over the years many types of modalities in therapy have evolved and sometimes even I can feel overwhelmed by them all. Yet what I love is that because humans are all so unique and with so many types of modalities out there, its highly likely that there’s a type of therapy that’s compatible to you. I feel so grateful to be in a profession that strives to reach people in all their distinctiveness and diversity.
In my practice I draw from modalities https://www.juliebrownmft.com/support-for-anxiety such as Mindfulness-Based approaches that help clients become more aware of thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations. It teaches and guides clients to pause and be more curious rather than judge their experience. These practices help people slow down and become more aware in order to understand themselves better and feel more connected. I like these therapies to help increase awareness of the present moment, reduce emotional reactivity and build psychological flexibility. Also, I draw from Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) by identifying thought patterns that keep you stuck and this helps you recognize those thoughts and behaviors that aren’t serving you well. Most therapists rely on a few modalities in their work with their clients.
Some Practical Steps in Choosing a Therapist
1. Tune in to what you need and identify what’s important to you. Get clear by considering if you need individual therapy or couple’s therapy. Write down the issues you’re facing and struggling with and ask yourself, “What would you like to see differently in your life?”
2. Explore websites with curiosity and openness. Most people go to Google to do a search in their area or ask AI for recommendations. Sometimes people are taken to a business directory or listing. It’s helpful to visit their websites and read the content. Notice how you feel as you read. Does it speak to you or resonate with your experiences? If the message doesn’t, that fine. That is helpful information because you can move on to another therapist whose message and work will connect with you.
3. Schedule a free consultation. Most therapists in the area offer free consultations. This is a wonderful time for you to explore what you like in a provider. I offer 15 minute free consultations and it is a very nice way to find out what’s happening and to be sure that I can help you. If not, I can recommend other providers. During the consultation, ask yourself, “Am I able to connect and feel a sense of safety with the therapist?”
4. Trust your gut. As you begin to speak to other therapists, you will get a sense of how they work with clients and how you would connect with them. If somethings feels a bit off, that’s ok. You can move on to someone else. It’s worth a little extra time to explore a nice fit for you. Therapy is an important commitment you’re making and you’ll want to feel comfortable.
5. Take the long view. The right fit in therapy is important for helping you meet your goals and it can be life-changing. If you’re thinking about going to therapy for a few sessions, you may get some helpful tips, but for the most part therapy takes a bit more time. On average my clients stay with me for about a year. While clients usually start to feel better in a few weeks, often later during the course of therapy other important avenues open up for further exploration.
I really hope that this has helped you navigate the many dimensions of therapy in the East Bay. While it’s just a snap shot of ways to approach your search for therapy, my aim is to provide a few morsels of food for thought. I wish you the best on your journey to healing!
Julie Brown, LMFT is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist with a private practice in El Cerrito, CA. She’s been working as a therapist since 2010. Some of the modalities she uses are Cognitive and Behavioral approaches, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Mindfulness-Based skills for working with Anxiety and ADHD while also drawing from Dialectical Behavioral Therapy skills. She has another speciality in helping clients move through their Grief and Loss which is deeply meaningful work. https://www.juliebrownmft.com/about-me In her free time, she likes to hang out with her family and friends, go on long walks, and read both fiction and nonfiction alike.
