Featured Oakland Therapist
Highly recommended brainspotting specialist in Oakland
Megan Gredesky
LMFT #89058
MFA in Theatre and MA in Drama Therapy from California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with certifications in Brainspotting and Grief Recovery. Combines theatre background with brain-body therapies to help artists and empaths overcome creative blocks and process trauma. Serves individuals struggling with overwhelming emotions, providing a warm and grounded space for healing and growth.
Specializations:
Licensed & insured • Accepting new clients • Same-week appointments available
More Oakland Brainspotting Therapists
Additional certified practitioners in Oakland
Brave Space Psychotherapy, Inc.
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Mindfulness Centered Psychotherapy
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Noah Oderberg, Ph.D.
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Wildhaven Therapy | EMDR and Ketamine Therapy Intensives
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Dr. Gabby Agin-Liebes Psychotherapy, Psychedelic Integration and Ketamine Therapy
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Sara Nevius, LMFT
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Holly Hoffman, PsyD, Psychotherapy
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Revive Health Therapy
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Elana Morgulis, MFT, E-RYT
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Dr. Vernita Marsh & Associates
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Oakland Neighborhoods We Serve
Why Oakland Residents Choose Brainspotting
Oakland has a vibrant, progressive community with a strong focus on holistic health and trauma-informed care. Brainspotting aligns perfectly with Oakland's values of body-centered healing, social justice, and community wellness.
Many Oakland residents seek brainspotting for:
- Racial trauma and historical trauma - Oakland's diverse community benefits from trauma healing that honors cultural experiences
- Anxiety in a high-cost city - Economic stress and housing insecurity create unique anxiety patterns
- Creative professionals - Oakland's thriving arts scene includes many artists, musicians, and writers seeking to overcome creative blocks
- LGBTQ+ affirmative care - Oakland's inclusive community values affirming, body-positive therapy approaches
- Political burnout and activism fatigue - Oakland activists often need support for compassion fatigue and secondary trauma
Brainspotting's body-based approach resonates with Oakland's somatic therapy culture, complementing practices like yoga, meditation, acupuncture, and other integrative wellness modalities popular in the community.
What is Brainspotting?
Brainspotting is a powerful, focused treatment method that works by identifying, processing, and releasing core neurophysiological sources of emotional and physical pain, trauma, dissociation, and other challenging symptoms.
Developed by Dr. David Grand in 2003, brainspotting uses the client's field of vision to find "brainspots" – eye positions that correlate to neural pathways in the brain where traumatic experiences are stored.
Brainspotting is particularly effective for:
- Trauma and PTSD (including complex trauma)
- Anxiety and panic disorders
- Depression and mood disorders
- Grief and loss
- Performance anxiety (athletes, artists, public speakers)
- Chronic pain and physical symptoms
- Addictions and compulsive behaviors
- Creative blocks and artistic struggles
Insurance & Accessibility in Oakland
Insurance Accepted: Many Oakland brainspotting therapists accept major insurance plans including Blue Shield of California, Anthem Blue Cross, Kaiser (through out-of-network benefits), Aetna, and United Healthcare.
Sliding Scale: Several Oakland therapists offer sliding scale fees to make brainspotting accessible to more community members.
Teletherapy: All listed therapists offer online sessions, making brainspotting accessible regardless of your Oakland neighborhood or commute.
Languages: Oakland therapists often speak Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin, and other languages reflecting our diverse community.
Frequently Asked Questions - Oakland
How much does brainspotting therapy cost in Oakland?
In Oakland, brainspotting sessions typically range from $150-$250 per session. Many therapists accept insurance which can significantly reduce your out-of-pocket cost. Some therapists offer sliding scale rates starting around $100-$120 for community members with financial constraints.
Is brainspotting better than traditional talk therapy?
Brainspotting and talk therapy serve different purposes. Brainspotting accesses the brain's deeper, subcortical processes where trauma is stored, while talk therapy works more with conscious thoughts and behaviors. Many Oakland therapists integrate both approaches. Brainspotting can be especially helpful when you feel "stuck" in traditional therapy or when trauma symptoms don't respond to talking alone.
Do I need to come to an Oakland office or can I do brainspotting online?
Brainspotting works very well via teletherapy! All Oakland therapists listed offer secure video sessions. This is especially convenient given Oakland's traffic and parking challenges. You can do sessions from the comfort of your home while still receiving the full benefits of brainspotting therapy.
How is brainspotting different from EMDR?
Both brainspotting and EMDR are effective trauma therapies, but they use different approaches. EMDR uses bilateral stimulation (eye movements, tapping) following a structured protocol. Brainspotting uses fixed eye positions to access and process trauma, with more flexibility in the treatment process. Many clients find brainspotting feels gentler and more body-centered. Your Oakland therapist can help you determine which approach is best for you.
What neighborhoods in Oakland do brainspotting therapists serve?
Oakland brainspotting therapists serve all Oakland neighborhoods including Rockridge, Lake Merritt, Temescal, Grand Lake, Adams Point, Piedmont Avenue, Montclair, Fruitvale, Glenview, Crocker Highlands, Dimond, and Laurel. Many also serve neighboring areas like Berkeley, Alameda, Piedmont, and Emeryville.