Featured Oakland Therapist
Highly recommended brainspotting specialist in Oakland
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 Oakland Brainspotting Therapists
Additional certified practitioners in Oakland
Brave Space Psychotherapy, Inc.
Brave Space Psychotherapy, Inc. is a professional counseling practice located in Oakland, California, providing a safe and brave space for individuals to heal and grow. Their team of experienced therapists, including Audrey Dameron, Carol Deas-Lopez, Juan Carlos Gonzalez, Roni Khol, and Akshay Naresh, specialize in various areas such as anxiety, trauma, and relationships. With a depth therapy approach, they help individuals uncover the root cause of their problems and work towards lasting solutions. The practice is committed to creating a nurturing and challenging environment that supports individuals in their journey towards authenticity and healing.
Read full bio →Dr. Gabby Agin-Liebes Psychotherapy, Psychedelic Integration and Ketamine Therapy
Dr. Gabby Agin-Liebes is a licensed clinical psychologist and clinical researcher committed to relieving psychological suffering through psychedelic and mindfulness-based interventions. She has authored dozens of peer-reviewed publications and lectured widely about psychedelic therapies. Her research has been featured in several news outlets, including CNN, Newsweek, and The New Yorker. She is licensed to provide talk therapy in CA and CT.
Read full bio →Sara Nevius, LMFT
Sara Nevius, LMFT, is a licensed therapist with a private practice in Oakland, CA. She helps clients become curious and deeply connected to their lost parts, gain insight, and rediscover their authentic wholeness, enabling them to live more boldly. With a strong passion for her work, Sara is honored to be with her clients on their journey towards healing and growth. She is licensed by the state of California, license number CA #123781.
Read full bio →Holly Hoffman, PsyD, Psychotherapy
Dr. Holly Hoffman, PsyD, is a licensed clinical psychologist in California and New York, offering telehealth services to clients across both states. She specializes in various areas, including eating disorders, trauma, and couples counseling. With her extensive training in multiple modalities, Dr. Hoffman is dedicated to providing effective and compassionate care to her clients. She maintains offices in Oakland and South Lake Tahoe, California.
Read full bio →Wildhaven Therapy | EMDR and Ketamine Therapy Intensives
Mary Fleisch is a licensed therapist, EMDR Consultant-in-Training, and trauma recovery specialist in Oakland, CA. She specializes in trauma therapy intensives for adults and trains and mentors therapists through her group practice, Wildhaven Therapy. Mary has extensive experience in working with clients who feel stuck and want more than the traditional therapy model. She is dedicated to helping her clients achieve deep, lasting change and live more fulfilling lives.
Read full bio →Revive Health Therapy
Revive Health Therapy is a professional therapy practice providing compassionate and evidence-based care to individuals, families, and couples. Their team of skilled therapists offers a range of services, including in-person and telehealth sessions, to support clients in achieving their mental health goals. With a commitment to accessibility and affordability, Revive Health Therapy strives to make high-quality care available to all. They serve clients in Walnut Creek, Oakland, and across California through secure telehealth therapy.
Read full bio →Elana Morgulis, MFT, E-RYT
Elana Morgulis, MFT, E-RYT, is a therapist with 13 years of experience blending her training and wisdom as a meditation and yoga teacher with her work as a therapist. She creates a safe and supportive space for adults and couples in the California Bay Area. Elana integrates various modalities to deepen healing and help clients embody their true selves. With a compassionate and supportive presence, she guides clients through their journey of growth and self-discovery.
Read full bio →Mindfulness Centered Psychotherapy
Ivan Skolnikoff is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Berkeley, practicing mindfulness centered psychotherapy. He has training in Hakomi Mindfulness-Based Experiential Psychotherapy and Sensorimotor Psychotherapy. Ivan works with individuals, teens, couples, and groups, and offers a free 20-minute phone consultation to prospective clients. He is dedicated to helping people increase their confidence in their authentic self.
Read full bio →Noah Oderberg, Ph.D.
Noah Oderberg, Ph.D. is a psychologist with 25 years of experience working with individuals and couples. He provides a warm, insightful, and compassionate approach to psychotherapy, helping individuals achieve greater life satisfaction, healthier relationships, and new sources of self-worth. Dr. Oderberg works with adults and adolescents who have a wide range of emotional and interpersonal difficulties, and he is committed to creating a safe and supportive environment for his clients. He has a private practice in Oakland, California, where he offers individual, couples, and relationship therapy.
Read full bio →Dr. Vernita Marsh & Associates
Dr. Vernita Marsh is a Clinical Psychologist with a warm and inviting approach, committed to supporting people in achieving total wellness. She works with her staff to examine underlying concerns that hinder individuals from leading successful and fulfilled lives. With a strong commitment to empowerment and cooperation, Dr. Marsh and her team guide individuals on their path towards wellness, addressing various issues and concerns. Dr. Marsh's practice is dedicated to providing a safe and nurturing environment for personal growth and transformation.
Read full bio →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.