Bright Mountain Therapy
Alicia A. Parker, LMFT
Psychotherapist
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Psychotherapy
Expressive Art Therapy
Nature Based Therapy
Meet Alicia
California License #100068 MFT Marriage and Family Therapist
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I moved to the Bay Area from Portland, Oregon in 2009 to advance my career in Mental Health, graduating from the California Institute of Integral Studies with a Masters in Psychology and Expressive Art Therapy in 2012. I completed my practicum working with children and families at the grief and loss clinic, Circle of Care and at the East Bay Agency for Children as a school based clinician. I have supported homeless children living in shelters in therapeutic creative groups as a volunteer through DrawBridge. For the past 6 years, I have worked with dually diagnosed adults utilizing evidenced- based and trauma informed therapies at Bonita House. As a clinician in their residential treatment program, I supported individuals and their families who struggled with addiction and mental illness find lasting recovery. I led a cutting-edge community intervention team focused on building trust with homeless and marginalized people in order to help them access the medical and mental health supports they needed.
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 community 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 enjoy hiking, traveling, reading and binge-watching Netflix. I hope to hear your story and help you move through fear and confusion into a brighter, stronger future.
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How I Work
Remember to Breathe
Services
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.
Having worked with adults for over 8 years often who have experienced complex trauma. I specialize in:
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Depression and Anxiety
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Panic and Phobias
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Obsessive-Compulsive
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Addiction
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Voice Hearers
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Extreme States
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Children
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, 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.
I offer expressive art therapy workshops and 90 minute trainings for workplace and non-profit groups interested in learning more about how the expressive arts can be incorporated into your work with adults, youth and children.
Please contact me to find out more and to schedule a workshop.
Workshops
Adults
Your Mental Health Starts Here
Contact Info
445 Bellevue Avenue, Oakland, CA 94610