 LINDA J. ENGELMAN
Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist
Psychotherapy and Relationship Counseling for Individuals, Couples, & Families
Offices in Lafayette & San Ramon, CA
(Contra Costa County, San Francisco, East Bay Area)
925.295.1036
Relationship Counseling | Individual Therapy | How to Choose a Therapist |
How I Work With My Clients | Training/Education | Fees | Articles
I am a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist with offices in Lafayette & San Ramon, California.
I work with individuals, couples, and families, and provide effective therapy for the following issues:
Couples/Relationship Therapy (for both married and unmarried couples):
- De-escalating conflict
- Understanding the cycle/pattern of repetitive arguing
- Figuring out what to do when you feel like you've "fallen out of love"
- Having your partner hear/understand those moments when you felt abandoned by him/her
- Recovering from emotional or physical affairs/infidelity
- Regaining secure, safe attachment with your partner
- Finding or re-discovering passion together
- Experiencing a deeper level of intimacy
- Learning new ways of communicating your needs
- Heading off arguments before they become painful and hurtful
- Finding ways of talking about sex, finances, in-laws, intimacy, and other sensitive topics
- Managing Infertility / Adoption Issues
- Step/Blended Family Issues
- And...for divorcing couples: Separating with love and compassion, and even successful co-parenting after the breakup of the marriage or partnership
Individual Therapy
- Depression & Anxiety
- Stress/Trauma
- Panic Attacks
- OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder)
- Phobias (including Social Phobias)
- Life transitions
- Post-Partum Depression
- Existential issues (what's my life about? where is the meaning? is this all there is? why do these things keep happening to me?)
- Intimacy/communication problems
- Desire to create more satisfying relationships
- Chronic pain or illness
- Self-esteem issues
- Grief / Bereavement
How to Select a Therapist
I would imagine you're wondering, 'how do I choose a therapist that's the right match for me?' Indeed -- selecting a therapist can be a daunting process, especially at a time when you're already struggling. You just want to find someone who can help...and soon. Right, I get that. So, let me tell you more about how I work, in order to help you get a feel for my style and experience. See if it sounds like a fit for you.
Interactive Sessions. More Than Just 'How Does That Make You Feel?'
I'm a very interactive therapist, which means that a lot happens in a single session. You won't get just a lot of head nodding from me. I keep things moving along, edging towards your goals, and calling you on things that are in conflict with what you say you want. You and I will both work hard during our sessions together, and you'll leave my office with plenty to think about and explore.
At the Same Time...
I work in an empathic, supportive manner, creating safety for you to talk about even the most difficult topics.
My Theoretical Orientation
 I believe that we are hard-wired for secure attachment to others. Thus, it's not surprising that symptoms develop when those attachments are tenuous or unreachable. For some, it's the anxiety of being lonely even within the context of a relationship. For others, it's the disappointment of counting on someone at a key moment in time and having them fail to show up for you. Or there's the aftermath of an affair that has interfered with the trust and safety in a relationship. Perhaps an unmet desire to connect with others in your peer group. The steady decline of an important relationship. The death/loss of someone you love. These "loss" events have great impact because they can leave you feeling like you're just floating, with no safety net.
Attachment is our most primal need; the need to be heard, to be seen, to be understood, and to feel that we matter to the important people in our lives. When these things aren't happening, our relationships become unbalanced, and our symptoms increase. Fortunately, good therapy can help!
Choosing a Psychotherapist is a Very Personal Decision.
The confidential relationship that you have with your therapist should be one in which you feel heard, understood, and safe. I recognize that each client is unique and I remain flexible in the way that I work.
Education:
Master's Degree, Counseling Psychology
John F. Kennedy University, Pleasant Hill (East Bay, Contra Costa County), CA
Additional Training:
- Emotionally Focused Therapy for Couples (EFT): An Attachment-Based Perspective For Healing Relationships
- Couples Communication
- Working With Children and Parents of Divorce
- Existential Therapy
- Managing Chronic Pain and Chronic Illness
- Co-Parenting for Divorcing and Separating Couples/Families
- Creating Intimacy
- Understanding Attachment Disorders
- EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing) Therapy
The Obstacle Is The Path
 Every challenging situation in our lives presents us with an opportunity -- to gain insight, to enrich our understanding of ourselves and others, to seek purpose in our lives, or to create more satisfying relationships.
Taking the next step, seeking out a therapist and beginning the journey toward insight and change, takes courage and motivation. You'll know when you're ready to do that. If you have questions or would like to set up a first appointment, feel free to leave me a confidential voicemail.
FEES:
My fee is $130 for a 50-minute session, and $185 for an 80-minute session. Therapy is generally once per week, although crisis times may be best served by more frequent therapy. I am currently accepting new clients and look forward to speaking with you.
ARTICLES
Linda J. Engelman
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, MFC#46255
linda_engelman@bayarea-therapist.com
Confidential Voicemail
925.295.1036
Looking for Group Therapy?
www.findgrouptherapy.com
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