Therapist in San Leandro, CA | IFS & EMDR for Anxiety, Trauma & Depression

IFS therapy for anger in San Leandro works by engaging the parts driving anger directly rather than focusing on behavioral management of its expression. Anger that feels disproportionate, hard to control, or is creating problems in relationships or at work is almost always a response to something underneath -- a part carrying unprocessed grief, a part that has been violated or dismissed without adequate outlet, a part that learned aggression as the only available form of protection. IFS gets curious about what those parts are carrying and what they actually need, which produces more lasting change than anger management approaches that work only at the behavioral surface. Learn more about IFS therapy.

EMDR therapy for trauma and chronic stress in San Leandro addresses the full range of what brings distress into the nervous system -- not only acute single-incident trauma but the accumulated weight of sustained adversity. Financial stress that becomes chronic anxiety. Community and family loss that never received adequate processing. Earlier experiences that shaped how the nervous system responds to difficulty and have continued organizing those responses ever since. EMDR processes all of these at the neurological level where they are stored, allowing them to integrate rather than continue driving current reactions regardless of external circumstances. More on how EMDR works for chronic stress and trauma.

What IFS and EMDR provide for San Leandro residents that most available options do not is depth combined with accessibility. Depth because both approaches work at the internal and neurological level where patterns actually operate rather than the surface level where they are managed. Accessibility because telehealth from home removes the logistical barrier that most often prevents consistent attendance -- the drive to Oakland or another city, the time cost of commuting, the friction of adding one more thing to a schedule that is already full. Most clients notice meaningful change within 12 to 20 sessions. The work is direct, the progress is trackable, and the goal is always resolution rather than indefinite management.

IFS works with the internal parts driving anxiety, anger, and relationship patterns directly -- engaging each part with curiosity about what it is protecting rather than judgment about its presence

EMDR processes trauma and accumulated adversity at the nervous system level -- effective for single-incident trauma and the chronic stress responses that develop over time in demanding life circumstances

Culturally aware approach that takes the full context of San Leandro's diverse population seriously -- how distress is experienced, what help-seeking means, and what approaches actually fit

Marcus works with adults 18 and older -- anxiety, depression, trauma, anger, burnout, grief, and relationship patterns across a wide range of life circumstances

Private pay with superbills for PPO reimbursement -- $210 for 45 minutes, $280 for 60 minutes

Free 15-minute consultation before any commitment

The consultation is 15 minutes -- a direct conversation about what you are dealing with, how long it has been present, and whether IFS and EMDR are the right fit for your specific situation. No forms, no obligation, no expectation that you present yourself in any particular way. If working together makes sense, the first full session maps the internal parts most active in creating the difficulty and begins direct work with them. Sessions are 45 or 60 minutes via secure telehealth video, Wednesday through Friday from home or anywhere in California.

IFS sessions work with specific internal parts directly -- the anxious part, the angry part, the avoidant part, the part that carries old pain. For San Leandro clients dealing with anger or anxiety that has been present for years, this means working with parts that developed protective responses in real circumstances and helping those parts understand that the current environment can be navigated differently. The work is respectful of what those parts were built for and focused on helping the internal system update rather than forcing change through willpower.

EMDR sessions process specific experiences or accumulated patterns of experience the nervous system has not fully integrated. The bilateral stimulation activates natural processing capacity that allows stored responses to update. For San Leandro clients dealing with complex or accumulated adversity rather than single-incident trauma, the processing unfolds across multiple sessions working through layers of experience systematically. Most clients find it more manageable than expected because the work does not require extensive verbal narration of difficult material.

Getting started is simple. Click the button below to schedule a free 15-minute consultation, or use the contact form to reach out with questions. I typically respond within 1-2 business days.