Mental Health Counselor / Therapist in Oakland, CA
Esther Lerman, MFT | Mental Health Counselor / Therapist photo
Esther Lerman, MFT
Couples Counseling and Brief Therapy for Individuals
An Experienced, Supportive Therapist.
Location
6239 College Ave.   
Suite #303   
OaklandCA 94618
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Practice Information
Do you have the relationship blues? Relationships are the basic fabric of our lives, but they can be so hard. You may be struggling with feeling distant or overly involved, with not knowing how to get your needs met or deal with others' needs. I can help you discover the underlying blocks to having a more fulfilling relationship. We’ll unpack your “personal baggage” from the past, improve your communication skills and dismantle your repetitive negative cycles of relating. I have worked with individuals and couples to improve relationships with self and other for 25 years. I can help you to overcome the stumbling blocks that keep you from having the satisfying relationship that you want.

Couples usually come to therapy shut down, hurt, and/or angry. Through counseling you can open up and regain connection. I'll help you identify and change dysfunctional relationship patterns, learn new ways of communicating and understand how you are bringing some experiences of the past into the present. You'll build your communication and intimacy skills, deal with issues such as becoming parents, escalating arguments, infidelity, walls of silence, fear and anger. You will learn to see your relationship problems as about the dynamic between you, not one person's or the other's fault.

BRIEF INDIVIDUAL THERAPY

In brief (10 -12 weeks) individual therapy, you’ll gain insight by looking deep inside at what is blocking you or driving you in the wrong direction. We will strive towards self-acceptance, which also leads to better relationships to others. You need understanding of what is going wrong and why, in order to do it differently in the future. When you know where your problems are rooted and how they show up, you have the opportunity to change.


With both couples and individuals, I work collaboratively to help you gain insight, to look deeply and understand what is blocking you or driving you in the wrong direction. You need understanding of what is going wrong and why, in order to do it differently.

I am interactive, empathic, respectful, warm and at times, humorous.

Experience is the best teacher, it's true. In 30 years of practice, I've gained much experience with clients of all ages, ethnicities, sexual preferences and class backgrounds.
It's an honor to share in your journey and to have you courageously allow me into your private world.
Articles
 Why Do They Say "You Marry Your Mother...Or Your Father"? What's Up with That?
Licenses/Certifications
 Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
License Info
MFC 22591 CA
Education
MA in Clinical Psychology, JFK University, 1983
Advanced Clinical Training in Depth Psychotherapy, The Psychotherapy Institute, 1988-1990
Supervision Study Program, The Psychotherapy Institute, 1998-2000
Bio:
I began my journey as a therapist in 1977 as a peer counselor at the Berkeley Women's Health Collective. I loved helping people to feel better about themselves, their lives and their relationships. I seemed to have a natural ability to have empathy and insight with my clients. I had known since I was young that I had to have meaningful work in my life. I realized that this was my calling and was inspired to eventually get a Masters degree in Clinical Psychology. I have gone on to get advanced clinical training, and training in supervision. I have also attended a great many classes and workshops over the years to keep learning about the endlessly fascinating world of the psyche.

I was licensed in 1986 as a Marriage and Family Therapist and have been in private practice in Oakland since then.
Recommendations
Payments Accepted
Cash, check
Hours
Tues. - Fri. 11am - 9pm
Cost/Session
Full fee $195(some sliding scale available)
Practice Areas/Issues Treated
 Therapy
 Bicultural Difficulties
 Body Image Issues
 Caregiver Issues
 Couples
 Divorce
 Family Conflict
 Gay or Lesbian Issues
 Gender Identity / Transgenderism
 Gifted / Talented Issues
 Grief and Loss
 Life Transitions
 Loneliness
 Marriage Counseling
 Men's Issues
 Pre and Postpartum Mental Health
 Relationship Issues
 Self-Esteem Issues
 Seniors and Elder Care Issues
 Stress Management
 Women's Issues
 Work and Career Issues
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Map
Map
Nearby Cities
  Alameda   Moraga
  Albany   Orinda
  Berkeley   Piedmont
  Canyon   Richmond
  El Cerrito   San Francisco
  El Sobrante   San Leandro
  Emeryville   Walnut Creek
  Lafayette
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