How many times have you said… Thought… Or heard this said? I tried it but it didn’t work for me. I hear a lot of reasons therapy for some people did not work, “Me and that therapist just didn’t connect”, “They don’t understand me” and many other reasons. To be fair, therapy certainly may not be a fit for some people. I’m told that antisocials, narcissistic, schizoid and other personality disorders definitely don’t respond well. However, in general most people can benefit. To ensure a good experience here are some things to keep in mind:

1- Why now?  What is bringing you in?

2-What discipline do you prefer, i.e., Marriage & Family Therapist vs. Licensed Clinical Social Worker vs. Ph.D or Psy. D
3-What gender works best for you? Do you have a preference?

3-Understand their style and their approach,  works best for you? for example Cognitive Behavioral vs. Psychodynamic? Solution Focused vs. Transactional Analysis?

4-Shop around before you commit.. most insurance will allow you to try before you buy. Know that the first person you meet may not be a good fit (my personal experience… Thank God I kept looking.)

5-Ask around for referrals from friends, family, coworkers, check Therapist Finder and other resources.

6-Check cost…. Some take insurance and some don’t, if you find one you like who does not accept insurance be prepared to pay out of pocket. You may be able to get some cost reimbursed if you choose out of network therapist.

7-Details….? Race, sexual orientation, wheel chair accessibility, location, spiritual background, evening appts., specialities, etc

8-Keep an open mind. Know that this process can be a little scary but it is a worthwhile and courageous endeavor.

Peace & Blessings.

Loretta.

As someone who has done and continues to engage in the self healing process, has read In the Meantime by Inyala Vanzant, The Secret by Rhonda Bryne and a host of other self help authors as well as had my own personal therapy with a wonderful clinician,  I know the benefits of letting go of old habits, patterns of behavior and maladaptive thoughts. As a clinician, I embrace the importance of reconnecting with spirit, adopting a holistic ideal of healing, i.e., mind, body, soul & spirit.  A few months ago  a movie was in the theater, For Colored Girls, a drama film adapted from Ntozake Shange‘s 1975 stage play For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf.  Many people of all races & ethnicities saw this movie that was written and produced by Tyler Perry. As a result of many themes of sexual abuse, domestic violence,  abortion and other issues facing modern black women; personal emotions were triggered. I participated in many discussions regarding the validity of these themes and a personal friend decided to seek counseling services as a result of her own unresolved concerns.

There are many qualified therapist of all ethnic and racial backgrounds that are culturally competent, however, I am providing this information, triggered by a friend who specifically asked if I knew of any African American therapist in the Oakland/East Bay area.

I wanted to provide a list of African American therapist that I’ve found in Oakland and the surrounding area… I don’t know any of them personally. I don’t know anything about them other than the fact that they are African American. I am sure there are more, please feel free to post information about others.

**Please Note: They are not numbered in order of preference. I don’t know their rates or if they accept insurance, please inquire.

1. Joy Johnson (510)-658-1966 @ 34th St.,  Oakland, CA

2. Roscoe Simmons, LCSW, Ph.D. 510-526-6658, Oakland, CA

3. Lisa M de Geneste, LCSW 917-566-5628, 465 – 34th Street, Suite B3, Oakland,CA

4. Dr. Margaret Jones 510-497-0029, 33 Embarcadero, Oakland, CA

5. Dr. Rosemary Durouseeau 510-339-8221, Village Counseling 1955 Mountain Blvd., Oakland, CA

6. Dean Chambers, MSW 510-339-8221. Village Counseling 1955 Mountain Blvd., Oakland, CA

7. Anita Clark 510-225-4006, 465 34th Street, Oakland, CA

8. Andrea Butler-Acuna, MFT 510-985-4518, New Hope Therapy 2515 Santa Clara Avenue, Ste. 208, Alameda, CA

9. Valerie Veza, LCSW 510-464-1288, 5463 Broadway, Oakland, CA

10. Lisa Bonta Sumii 415-322-8979, 5480 College Avenue, Oakland, CA

11.Jacy Smith, MFT 510-258-8869, 2917 McClure Street, Oakland, CA

12. Valerie Ja. Doyle 510-380-6146, 908 Arlington Ave., Oakland, CA

13. Quincy Wilkins, MFT 510-597-0779, 1240 Powell Street, Emeryville, CA

14. Dr. Zonya Johnson 925-238-8809, 5835 College Avenue, Ste. B Oakland, CA

Peace & Blessings,

Loretta

One thing that I’ve learned about life is that it is not stagnant, it is ever changing and change is constant.  I’ve found that that only thing that I can count on is that change happens whether I like it or not. I come across people on a daily basis who are being asked to change something about themselves. Often the basic values of their very existence is being challenged and the demand for change is imminent. Sometimes these folks really have a desire for change, to be better and to do better, however, most are at a loss as to what change might look look like.

Change happens in a number of ways and for a number of reasons, here are a few…

1) we decide to make changes for personal growth.

2) we are forced to change due to external forces, i.e., potential loss of job, relationship, etc.

3) fear triggers changes such as warnings from doctors;

4)our changes in the environment demand change to sustain life such as effects of global warming.

What I’ve discovered is that many of us hate to change in particular when we feel we don’t have a say. We hate change because we are such creatures of habit that we assume that although change might be good, that we are so entrenched in our habits that change is all but impossible. We often fail to find a good enough reason to make needed changes in our personal and professional lives, thereby eliminating the possibility of potential failure. The first step and probably the most difficult is to admit that something in your life or about yourself needs to change.

Things to know about change….

1) If the long term outcome is good for you, then it is worth it…. You are worth it.

2) It often feels uncomfortable and even anxiety provoking.  This is normal.

3) You may risk losing friends, acquaintances and even experience conflict with family members.

4) You will be forced to explore aspects of your personality that you may rather not.

5) Know that it does not happen over night, it is a process of intention.

6) It gets easier…. some say it takes at least 21 days to break a habit.

7) Stay focused.

Peace & Blessings,

Loretta