Authenticity is a practice that can sometimes feel like an act of rebellion.
Teresa Peterson, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor
Teresa Peterson
Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor
California License #14713
As a mental health professional I am dedicated to helping my clients improve their overall quality of life.
My work focuses on targeting the beliefs and behaviors that create distress and suffering through insight development, skill building, and by compassionately challenging my clients to practice living a life aligned with their values and needs (even when doing things differently feels like an act of rebellion).
The most common issues I see in my clients are obsessive-compulsive disorder, eating disordered behaviors, challenges in family systems and relationships, trauma, complex grief and developmental/attachment wounding.
Common threads between these challenges are the inability to tolerate the discomfort of uncertainty, disconnection from self/others, and a misunderstanding of the value and function of emotions.
My style in the therapy room is direct, warm, and curious.
Something I tell all my clients: “You are the expert of your life, your body, and your story. Not me. I’m here to collaborate with you and hold space for you to explore what practices allow you to live a meaningful and values based life, regardless of where you come from or what may happen in the future.”
About my approach to therapy
My training is in mental health counseling and health psychology so my practice is grounded in a whole-person, integrative approach. I operate from the perspective that mind and body are one and the same, and our physical sensations have just as much to say about our lived experience and our healing, as our thoughts, environment, and emotions do. An egalitarian, trauma and grief-informed, multi-culturally humble, and client-centered approach to therapy is essential to my practice.
Areas of focus
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Trauma and Complex Trauma
Eating Disorders/Disordered Eating Behaviors
Sexual/Relationship Health
Depression
Anxiety
Identity Development
Transitions Across the Lifespan
Grief & Loss
General Relationship Issues
Career Development
Caregiver Burnout/Addiction in the Family System
Treatment modalities
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Mindfulness and Self-Compassion
Exposure Response Prevention (ERP)
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Somatic Awareness
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Creative/Expressive Art Interventions
My role, as your therapist, is to collaborate, illuminate, and support. My approach is non-judgmental, compassionate, educational, honest, and real. I will be the first to acknowledge when a situation just really sucks and never “silver-line” or “bright-side” your struggles. I don’t simply say nice things or tell folks what they’d like to hear. I listen deeply, validate, empathize, affirm and compassionately challenge. I recognize the importance of being seen and heard while simultaneously finding the right balance for offering you direction in our sessions.
