I am a Marriage and Family Therapist licensed by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences, providing psychotherapy for adults, adolescents, and couples. I have experience working with people from diverse backgrounds facing a variety of issues and concerns ranging from the stress of life transitions to disturbances in functioning caused by trauma, often in early childhood. As a Somatic Experiencing practitioner, I understand how traumatic experiences left unresolved are often at the root of suffering and distress. I am trained in humanistic, psychodynamic, somatic psychology, and cognitive behavioral therapies, as well as expressive arts and mindfulness based approaches. Depending on your needs and interests, I integrate different aspects of these models to develop a customized treatment plan for you. As your therapist I will provide a warm, supportive environment so you can safely explore your concerns and develop the tools needed to create the changes you seek. Most importantly, I believe compassion, patience and commitment to the healing process are necessary elements of any successful therapy.
I started practicing psychotherapy in 2005 but my interest in the healing arts began years earlier when I developed both a yoga and Vipassana meditation practice. I take a holistic approach to health and healing, incorporating mind/body/spirit wisdom in my work. I earned a Master of Science in Counseling from San Francisco State University in 2009. With my orientation to psychotherapy grounded in attachment theory, relational, somatic and depth psychology, I have also received post-master’s training in Somatic Experiencing and have assisted professional trainings in the Bay Area. I continue to study with meditation teachers at Spirit Rock Meditation Center and beyond to further cultivate mindful awareness in my psychotherapy practice. As an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist, I am deeply committed to supporting the exploration of gender and sexual identity and developing authentic forms of sexual expression. I also have a passion for dance and the 5Rhythms, bringing awareness of the power of movement into my work with clients. I greatly enjoy integrating various healing approaches—it is natural and intuitive for me to do so. Gathering from many sources allows me to offer you a rich and unique therapy experience.
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Melanie Ray LMFT (415) 742-1627