Bright Mountain Therapy
Alicia A. Parker, LMFT
Psychotherapist
Psychotherapy
Expressive Art Therapy
Nature Based Therapy
Meet Alicia
California License #100068 MFT Marriage and Family Therapist
I am a licensed psychotherapist living and working in the Bay Area. I grew up in the Pacific Northwest, and after years working in social services moved to San Francisco to pursue graduate studies.
I hold a Masters in Counseling Psychology and Expressive Art Therapy from the California Institute of Integral Studies. Post-graduation, I gained in-depth expertise in addiction medicine and treatment of co-occuring disorders, while working in a long term residential treatment program. I provided comprehensive therapy to individuals and their families, who struggled with addiction and mental illness, helping them find lasting recovery.
I led a cutting-edge crises intervention and stabilization team, treating individuals with significant mental health and substance use issues, and connecting them to long term community services.
I have also provided grief counseling to adults and children at a grief clinic, taught dialetical-behavioral therapy (DBT), mindfulness-based and art therapy to community groups, and worked with elementary school children to support their social and emotional development.
In addition to my 10 years of professional work in mental health, I am also a close family member of someone with a lifelong mental illness. I understand the ups and downs of recovery, the impact on families, and the strain of medical and social factors on mental health.
My therapeutic style is active, practical and curious. Previous clients have described me as calm, approachable, patient and kind. I love the outdoors, and I find much healing in the natural world. I hope to hear your story and help you move through fear and confusion into a brighter, stronger future.
How I Work
Remember to Breathe
Talk
Clients engage in therapy to help them better manage mental or emotional distress that is interfering with their ability to live a full and meaningful life. My therapy practice focuses on alleviating these feelings, learning how to tolerate distress when appropriate, and changing behaviors when they are interfering with one's goals.
Move
Grief, trauma, stress are all experiences that are stored in our body memory. I recognize the power of movement and the positive effects of nervous system calming and regulation it offers. I frequently use Mindfulness-based practices with clients such as guided meditation, breathing practices and walk and talk therapy sessions.
Create
Some experiences are so profound that words are not enough. We live and heal through creation. I utilize Expressive Art Therapy, Drama Therapy, Sandtray and Jungian Dream Analysis as ways to uncover new truths hidden in the subconscious and process emotional trauma in a safe and supported way.
Individual Therapy
Beginning therapy is an opportunity to start offering yourself more compassion and grace.
I have worked with adults and adolescents for over 11 years who have experienced complex trauma, grief and addiction in outpatient and inpatient treatment settings. I specialize in:
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Major Depression and Anxiety
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Grief and Loss with a specific focus on loss of a parent(s)
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Panic and Phobias
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Addiction Medicine (Harm Reduction)
Child, Adolescent
and Family Therapy
Our relationships can bring out the best and worst in us. Each of us has a history of beliefs, desires, values and experiences we bring into how we relate to one another. I help families learn about their specific conflict and connection dynamic and how to establish specific ways to engage each other with a deeper understanding and a greater capacity for intimacy.
Your Mental Health Starts Here
Contact Info
445 Bellevue Avenue, Oakland, CA 94610
A child's most important job is to grow and with the right supports and healthy environments they will naturally move toward healing.
I use play therapy, expressive art therapy and sandtray therapy with children. It's imperative that the whole family is included so parents can learn effective strategies to support their child's unique needs.