The past few years have left many of us feeling fundamentally unsettled. Between the global pandemic, political upheaval, and economic volatility, a sense of unease has become our backdrop. Whether it’s lingering COVID concerns, troubling news cycles, or financial pressures, our basic sense of safety feels constantly under threat. This pervasive anxiety isn’t simply “stress”
Relational Psychodynamic Therapy in Oakland: Beyond the Couch, Into Connection Maybe you’ve heard the stereotype. In therapy, you lie on a couch. The therapist stays silent. You talk, they nod, and that’s… therapy? That image—cold, distant, outdated—is still floating around. And it turns a lot of people off, especially those looking for a real connection
Marriage, as Freud might suggest, is a theater where unconscious scripts from childhood replay—a dance of projection, transference, and unresolved desires. For couples entangled in these dynamics, marriage therapy can be a lifeline. Yet, a practical question often overshadows the emotional stakes: Is marriage therapy covered by insurance? The answer, like the psyche itself, is
Humans are, by our very nature, wired for connection, a fact most obvious in our closest relationships. English psychoanalyst and pediatrician Donald W. Winnicott (1975) once (in)famously quipped “there is no such thing as a baby…If you show me a baby you certainly show me also someone caring for the baby.” This is, of course,
Isaac Ray, a prominent 19th-century American psychiatrist and one of the founders of forensic psychology, observed, “Insanity was the price we pay for civilization.” This insight reminds us that societal progress, while necessary, often comes with emotional and psychological costs. Every civilization defines “normal” and “abnormal” according to its own cultural values, frequently pathologizing behaviors
Why Do We Blame Ourselves? The Impact of the “Dead Mother” and Early Caregiver Dynamics In the realm of psychodynamic therapy, few concepts capture the complexity of human guilt and self-blame as powerfully as André Green’s Dead Mother hypothesis. This idea explores how early emotional unavailability in caregivers can shape our unconscious minds, creating enduring
In the world of psychotherapy, the right fit between therapist and patient can make all the difference. True fit goes beyond a shared background or personality—it’s about aligning on a deeper level, where trust, understanding, and openness can foster meaningful growth. At Bay Psychology Group, Inc., we believe that successful therapy doesn’t stem from rigidly
The Roots of Impatience: Exploring a Psychodynamic Perspective Impatience is a feeling we all know too well—whether it’s waiting in line, waiting for a promotion, or waiting for an emotional breakthrough in therapy. The feeling often leads to frustration, irritation, or even anger. But impatience, from a psychodynamic perspective, is more than just an emotional
Finding mental health coverage under any insurance plan can feel like navigating a maze, and for those using Anthem Blue Cross, the process can be especially confusing. Many people assume that Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of California are the same entity, but they are two different companies that offer distinct insurance plans. Even
When discussing mental health, depression is often portrayed through a lens that may not fully capture the experience of men. While depression affects both men and women, there are significant differences in how men experience and express this mental health issue. These differences often lead to underdiagnosis or untreated depression, making it a critical topic