Featured Berkeley Therapist
Highly recommended brainspotting specialist serving Berkeley
Megan Gredesky
LMFT #89058
Megan Gredesky is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over 9 years of experience serving the Oakland and Bay Area communities. She holds certifications in Brainspotting and Grief Recovery, and has a unique background in drama therapy and expansion brainspotting for performance. Megan provides compassionate and specialized therapy services to individuals and couples, and is committed to empowering her clients' journeys towards wholeness and healing.
Specializations:
More Berkeley Brainspotting Therapists
Additional certified practitioners in Berkeley
Sandra Amador Mora, MFT, Psychotherapist
Sandra Amador Mora is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a private practice in Berkeley, California. She has been working with adult individuals and couples since 2009, helping them develop a fuller understanding of themselves and their relationships. Sandra offers individual therapy, couples therapy, and clinical consultation, and is committed to creating a safe and supportive environment for her clients. She is fluent in English and Spanish.
Read full bio →Annie Chen, LMFT
Annie Chen is a therapist who helps clients develop the skills and awareness needed to form strong, healthy relationships. She is the author of the book 'I Want to Connect', which offers practical exercises for improving relationships and building stress resilience. Annie offers individual therapy, couples therapy, and relationship skills coaching, and is committed to helping her clients feel safe and connected. She has a strong foundation in the science of attachment and the Polyvagal Theory, and uses this knowledge to inform her therapeutic practice.
Read full bio →Michael Ceely, LMFT - Psychotherapist - Counseling for Men
Michael Ceely, LMFT, is a licensed therapist specializing in counseling for men in California. He helps men overcome stress, gain clarity in their lives, and take meaningful action to move forward with purpose. With a background in sports psychology, Michael works with athletes, entrepreneurs, and high achievers to develop the skills and confidence needed to thrive in their personal and professional lives. He is dedicated to providing a safe and supportive environment for his clients to explore their challenges and achieve lasting change.
Read full bio →Loyal Blue Counseling
Loyal Blue Counseling, founded by Lindsey Antin, is a therapy practice with offices in Berkeley and Lafayette, offering in-person and online sessions throughout California. Their team of certified therapists has a strong background in clinical training and real-life experience, providing effective counseling for adults, children, and families. With a passion for delivering practical strategies and support, they have built a reputation as a trusted resource in the Bay Area. Originally serving UC Berkeley students, faculty, and staff, they now support a broader community, including referrals from local pediatric offices, hospitals, and schools.
Read full bio →WestCoast Therapy and Wellness
Christy Tadros is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor and the Founder of WestCoast Therapy and Wellness. She has expertise in working with children and teens with selective mutism, social anxiety, and other conditions. Christy has developed and led nationally-recognized therapeutic programs and has a passion for helping children and families thrive. She is the leader of a womxn of color-led practice that values cultural sensitivity and social awareness.
Read full bio →Jane Rubin, Ph.D.
Dr. Jane Rubin is a clinical psychologist based in Berkeley, CA, specializing in treating anxiety and depression, and helping individuals find their life path. She serves the communities of Berkeley, Oakland, the East Bay, and the greater San Francisco Bay Area. With her expertise, Dr. Rubin provides a supportive environment for individuals to explore their concerns and work towards a more fulfilling life. She can be reached at 510.304.7282 for inquiries about her practice.
Read full bio →Shauna Bergh Holistic Psychotherapy
Shauna Bergh is a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT #103361) with a private practice in Oakland and Berkeley. She offers somatic psychotherapy for adults and teens, incorporating various modalities to promote holistic healing. With a focus on trauma, anxiety, and spiritual growth, Shauna provides a safe and supportive environment for her clients to explore their minds, bodies, and spirits. She can be reached at [email protected] or 510-852-9349.
Read full bio →Evergreen Counseling
Evergreen Counseling is a team of highly trained therapists dedicated to providing specialized, trauma-informed, and evidence-based support to individuals, couples, and families. Their team is passionate about creating a safe and supportive environment for clients to explore their challenges and work towards healing and growth. With a range of specialties and modalities, Evergreen Counseling is committed to helping clients achieve their goals and live a more fulfilling life. Their therapists are warm, kind, and dedicated to providing the best possible care for each client.
Read full bio →Berkeley Neighborhoods We Serve
Why Berkeley Residents Choose Brainspotting
Berkeley has long been a center for progressive thought, holistic health, and body-centered healing practices. The city's strong academic community, activism culture, and wellness-oriented population make brainspotting a natural fit.
Berkeley residents often seek brainspotting for:
- Academic stress and performance anxiety - UC Berkeley students, faculty, and staff navigate high-pressure environments
- Activism burnout and compassion fatigue - Berkeley's politically engaged community can experience secondary trauma from social justice work
- Environmental anxiety and climate grief - Berkeley's environmentally conscious residents face unique emotional challenges
- Intellectual and creative blocks - Berkeley's writers, researchers, and artists seek to unlock their potential
- Complex trauma and PTSD - Body-based approaches align with Berkeley's somatic psychology heritage
- Mindfulness integration - Brainspotting complements Berkeley's strong meditation and mindfulness community
Berkeley's therapy culture embraces innovative, evidence-based approaches like brainspotting that honor both neuroscience and embodied experience.
Brainspotting for UC Berkeley Students
UC Berkeley students face unique mental health challenges. With 45,000+ students navigating academic excellence, social pressures, and identity development, many are seeking alternatives to traditional talk therapy that feel overwhelming when you're already intellectually exhausted.
Why Berkeley students choose brainspotting:
- Less talking required - When your brain is tired from lectures and papers, brainspotting's body-based approach provides relief
- Rapid results - Students see progress in 6-12 sessions for specific issues like test anxiety or social anxiety
- Works for performance blocks - Whether it's thesis anxiety, imposter syndrome, or creative blocks, brainspotting helps unlock your potential
- Addresses academic trauma - Competitive academic environments can create genuine trauma responses around failure and achievement
- Complements mindfulness - Many Cal students already practice meditation or yoga; brainspotting integrates beautifully
Common issues we help Berkeley students with: Imposter syndrome, perfectionism, test anxiety, social anxiety, depression, grief/loss, quarter-life crisis, family pressure, LGBTQ+ identity exploration, racial trauma, burnout, and performance anxiety.
What is Brainspotting?
Brainspotting is a brain-body based psychotherapy approach that locates points in the client's visual field that help to access unprocessed trauma in the subcortical brain. It's particularly popular in Berkeley due to the city's embrace of somatic psychology and evidence-based alternative therapies.
Discovered by Dr. David Grand in 2003, brainspotting is grounded in the principle that "where you look affects how you feel." By identifying specific eye positions, therapists help clients process trauma stored in the deep brain, below the level of conscious awareness.
Unlike traditional talk therapy, brainspotting requires minimal verbal processing, making it ideal for Berkeley residents who are "talked out" or find it difficult to articulate their pain. It's also gentler than EMDR for clients prone to dissociation.
Brainspotting effectively treats:
- Trauma and PTSD
- Anxiety, panic attacks, and phobias
- Depression and mood disorders
- Grief, loss, and complex bereavement
- Performance issues (academic, athletic, creative)
- Chronic pain and psychosomatic symptoms
- Addictions and impulse control
- Attachment wounds and relationship patterns
New to brainspotting? Read our comprehensive guides:
Insurance & Accessibility in Berkeley
Insurance Accepted: Many Berkeley brainspotting therapists accept Blue Shield, Anthem, Kaiser (out-of-network), Aetna, United Healthcare, and other major plans.
UC Berkeley Students: Check if your therapist accepts UC SHIP or offers student rates. Several Berkeley therapists specialize in working with university students.
Sliding Scale: Berkeley therapists often offer income-based sliding scale fees to ensure accessibility.
Teletherapy: All listed therapists offer secure online sessions, convenient for busy Berkeley schedules.
Frequently Asked Questions - Berkeley
How much does brainspotting cost in Berkeley?
Berkeley brainspotting sessions typically range from $150-$275 per session, reflecting the area's cost of living and therapist expertise. Many accept insurance. UC Berkeley students may find therapists offering student rates ($100-$150). Sliding scale options often start around $100-$125.
Do Berkeley therapists work with UC Berkeley students?
Yes! Several Berkeley therapists specialize in working with college students and young adults. They understand academic pressure, identity development, and the unique challenges of university life. Some accept UC SHIP insurance or offer student rates.
Is brainspotting evidence-based?
Yes. Brainspotting is grounded in neuroscience research on trauma, attachment, and brain function. While it's newer than some therapies (developed in 2003), growing research supports its effectiveness for PTSD, anxiety, and trauma. Berkeley's academic community appreciates both the scientific foundation and the clinical outcomes.
Can I combine brainspotting with mindfulness or meditation?
Absolutely! Brainspotting and mindfulness practices complement each other beautifully. Many Berkeley therapists integrate somatic awareness, Buddhist psychology, or mindfulness-based approaches with brainspotting. The body-centered nature of brainspotting aligns well with contemplative practices.
How do I get to therapy offices in Berkeley?
Most Berkeley therapy offices are accessible by BART (Berkeley or Downtown Berkeley stations), AC Transit buses, and bike paths. Many therapists offer teletherapy as well, eliminating commute stress. Berkeley's walkable neighborhoods make in-person sessions convenient for many residents.
Can brainspotting help with activism burnout and compassion fatigue?
Yes! Berkeley's politically engaged community often experiences secondary trauma from social justice work, climate activism, and advocacy. Brainspotting helps process vicarious trauma and compassion fatigue at the body level, not just intellectually. Many Berkeley activists find brainspotting helps them sustain their work without burning out. Learn more about what brainspotting treats.
How is brainspotting different from EMDR?
Both use eye positioning to process trauma, but brainspotting uses a fixed gaze while EMDR uses moving eye movements. Brainspotting is also more flexible and client-led, with less required talking. Many Berkeley therapists are trained in both. Read our detailed comparison of brainspotting vs EMDR.