East Bay Creative Therapy
Are you struggling? Does someone you love need support?
You've come to the right place.
Overview
My name is Dana Goldstein (she/they) and I am an art therapist and psychotherapist.
Populations that I work with include:
children and teens (preschool through high school)
adults
couples (including all configurations of romantic relationships, as well as non-romantic adult groups and dyads; I am comfortable and well-versed in alternative relationships and ENM)
families
parent/caregiver coaching
LGBTQ+ (including children, teens, and adults who are exploring their gender identity or sexual orientation)
I can provide support around issues related to:
anxiety (perfectionism, worry, self esteem issues, social difficulties, and more)
depression (can manifest as existential concerns, low mood, irritability, hopelessness, emotional shutdown)
traumatic experiences
behavioral issues (low frustration tolerance, anger, mood swings)
family and life changes (such as divorce, remarriage, bereavement, job loss)
learning differences (dyslexia, ADHD, etc)
giftedness and 2e (twice exceptionality--giftedness with learning differences)
high sensitivity
sensory issues
Note: Sessions can be conducted virtually or in-person
Photo by Carissa Weiser on Unsplash
Therapeutic Approach
I use a person-centered, collaborative, compassionate, and respectful approach to therapy, centering the client as the expert in their own life. The intersectionality of the client's background and identity, and how the larger social systems affect and constrain people are central components to the therapeutic experience. Together, the client and I explore their inner world using a variety of methods. Sometimes this involves identifying parts that may be burdened by trauma or difficult experiences and helping those parts heal, other times it involves exploring existing narratives and identifying ways that we can expand or add depth to these stories to create more meaning, joy, satisfaction, and peace for the client's life; with younger children, this is often done symbolically through art and play. I can also use EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) to help clients process memories that underlie areas of "stuckness" or negative thoughts.
For clients who enjoy creative expression, art is often a profound and transformational way to work therapeutically. Creativity can be expressed through the traditional visual arts, such as painting, drawing, and sculpting, but is not constrained; artistic expression takes many forms. In addition, I incorporate play therapy, sandtray, mindfulness techniques, and talk therapy to create an individualized approach for you, your child, or your family.
Clinical sessions are $190 for a 50-minute hour; limited sliding scale spots may be available. Play therapy sessions with children are a 45-minute hour in order to allow time to clean up for the next client. While I do not bill insurance directly, I can provide clients with a super bill, which they can submit for reimbursement. Insurance coverage varies, so please check with your provider.
I offer a free 20-minute virtual consultation to see if I might be a good fit for you, your child, or your family.
About Me
MA in counseling and art therapy from Notre Dame de Namur University
MA in clinical psychology from the Wright Institute
BA in representations of gender in literature from UC Santa Cruz
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, #147715
Program Director at Bay Area Psychotherapy Institute (BAPTI)
Trained in EMDR with the EMDR Institute
Member of California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT)
Member of the East Bay chapter of CAMFT
Member of World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH)
Member of EMDRIA
Prior to becoming a therapist, I worked extensively with children as a learning coach, preschool teacher, tutor, test prep teacher, and nanny. I am a mother of three, and in my free time I enjoy creating art (drawing, painting, photography, sculpting, mixed-media, crafts), making music, aerial silks, being out in nature, and learning new things. While at NDNU, I wrote a thesis examining the intersection of art-making preferences with Jungian personality styles.
Contact
Dana Goldstein, MA, LMFT
East Bay Creative Therapy
925-298-2340
dana@eastbaycreativetherapy.com
Office address:
1200 Mount Diablo Boulevard, Suite 201
Walnut Creek, California 94596
Mailing address:
Dana Goldstein, LMFT
3468 Mount Diablo Boulevard, B201
Lafayette, California 94549