Therapy for stressed out parents in the Bay Area, CA
Is This You?
Parenting is the most important job you'll ever do — and sometimes the hardest. Maybe you find yourself:
Losing your temper more than you'd like and feeling guilty afterward
Feeling completely overwhelmed, depleted, or burnt out
Struggling to connect with your child in the way you imagined you would
Replaying your own childhood and worrying you're repeating patterns you swore you'd break
Fighting with your partner about parenting approaches
Feeling isolated — like everyone else has it figured out except you
Dreading coming home at the end of the day because you have nothing left to give
You are not a bad parent — you are a stressed one. And that's exactly what I'm here to help with.
Parenting can be an incredibly rewarding experience, but it also comes with a unique set of stressors that can lead to mental health challenges. New parents often grapple with sleep deprivation, the pressure to meet their child’s needs, and feelings of isolation that can accompany the demands of caregiving. Balancing personal responsibilities, work, and parenting can create an overwhelming sense of chaos, leading to anxiety, depression, or burnout.
Therapy can provide essential support during these times, offering a confidential space to explore feelings, develop coping strategies, and gain perspective.
If you are a parent who finds themselves feeling constantly overwhelmed, acting in ways you told yourself you never would with your kids, or even dreading coming home from work, you are not alone, and I am here to help. In our work together, we will identify triggers, help you learn to communicate effectively with your partner or your kids and prioritize self-care, ultimately fostering a healthier mindset and improving overall family dynamics.
I have worked with children and caregivers for over a decade, and I have witnessed firsthand the profound impact that mindful parenting strategies and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) can have on family dynamics. By integrating mindfulness techniques into our sessions, I empower parents to cultivate present-moment awareness, helping them to respond to their children's needs with patience and understanding rather than reacting impulsively. Through CBT, we explore the thought patterns that may contribute to stress and anxiety, equipping parents with practical tools to challenge negative beliefs and foster healthier communication within the family. My goal is to create a supportive and nurturing environment where parents can gain confidence in their parenting journey, leading to stronger connections with their children and a more harmonious home life.
You Don't Have to Be in Crisis to Ask for Help
One of the most common things I hear from parents is: "Things aren't bad enough to need therapy." But parenting support isn't just for families in crisis. Many of my clients come to me simply because they want to be more present, more patient, and more connected — and they know that investing in themselves is one of the best gifts they can give their children.
If you're reading this page, something brought you here. That's worth paying attention to.
What Does Parenting Therapy Actually Look Like?
Many parents wonder what we actually do in sessions — especially since the focus is on you, not your child. Here's what to expect:
Early sessions — Understanding your patterns
We start by exploring what's happening at home, what triggers your most difficult moments, and what patterns keep repeating. I'll also ask about your own childhood — not to assign blame, but because the way we were parented is often the blueprint we unconsciously follow, even when we don't want to.
Middle sessions — Building new skills
Together we develop practical tools you can use right away — ways to regulate your own emotions before they escalate, communication strategies that actually work with your child, and techniques for setting limits with warmth rather than anger.
Later sessions — Sustaining the change
As things improve at home, we focus on maintaining the progress and building your confidence as a parent. Many parents tell me this phase feels transformative — not just in their parenting, but in how they see themselves.
Mindful parenting strategies focus on being present and fully engaged with children, fostering a deeper connection and enhancing emotional resilience for both parent and child.
By incorporating mindfulness techniques, parents can cultivate awareness of their thoughts and feelings, allowing them to respond thoughtfully rather than react impulsively to challenging situations. Practices such as deep breathing, active listening, and setting aside distractions during interactions encourage parents to be fully attentive to their child’s needs.
Additionally, creating regular moments for reflection—whether through journaling or quiet contemplation—can help parents process their experiences and emotions. This mindful approach not only promotes a calmer and more nurturing environment but also models emotional regulation and self-awareness for children, equipping them with valuable life skills.
Ultimately, mindful parenting helps to build a strong, empathetic relationship that supports healthy emotional development.
Parenting Support in the East Bay
I offer therapy for parents in person at my office in Richmond, CA, serving families throughout the East Bay including El Cerrito, Albany, Berkeley, Kensington, and Oakland. Online therapy is also available for parents anywhere in California.
Sessions are available Monday through Friday. I offer a free 15-minute consultation so we can talk about what's happening and whether working together feels like the right fit.
You are enough — and you deserve support too.
Parenting is hard. Asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Book your free 15-minute consultation today and let's talk about what's going on and how I can help.
Recommended Reading
Recommended Listening
No Bad Kids: Toddler Discipline Without Shame, Janet Lansbury
Elevating Child Care: A Guide to Respectful Parenting, Janet Lansbury
No-Drama Discipline: The Whole-Brain Way to Calm the Chaos and Nurture Your Child’s Developing Mind, Tina Payne Bryson PhD, Daniel J. Siegel MD
Raising Good Humans: A Mindful Guide to Breaking the Cycle of Reactive Parenting and Raising Kind, Confident Kids, Hunter Clarke-Fields MSAE, Carla Naumburg PhD
Good Inside Podcast — hosted by Dr. Becky Kennedy, child psychologist and author of Good Inside. A warm, practical podcast reframing common parenting challenges through a connection-based lens. Highly recommended for parents who want to respond rather than react.
Unruffled with Janet Lansbury — Janet Lansbury answers real parenting questions with calm, respectful, and remarkably practical guidance. Especially useful for parents of toddlers and young children.