About
Meet Cynthia
I am an LCSW in Oakland that provides in-person and online therapy for women who are ready to trust themselves, rebuild confidence, and make choices from desire — not fear. My work helps clients move from surviving to becoming: operating from who they want to be instead of what happened to them.
As a Black woman therapist in Oakland, I’ve worked with women from all walks of life — professionals, creatives, caregivers, and leaders — each seeking clarity, grounding, and a sense of self they can rely on again.
License/Education
License
LCSW, California
LCS#29729
Education
UC Berkeley, MSW
UC Berkeley, BA
The Beginning
As a local licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), I have advanced training and lots of experience providing third-wave cognitive behavioral therapies — CBT, ACT, and DBT — as well as trauma-informed and attachment-based therapy.
My approach is evidence-based and relational: we’ll focus not just on symptoms, but on patterns, context, and the larger story of your life.
There’s no algorithm for empathy and no shortcut for the slow, relational process of healing. Real therapy isn’t about screens or scripts — it’s about being seen, understood, and supported as a whole person.
When I started my private practice, my goal wasn’t just to help women heal from trauma — it was to help them reclaim the right to use the tools within reach to change, grow, and thrive on their own terms.
People sometimes describe my work as “helping women realize their dreams.” I think of it as helping women remember who they are — and supporting them as they build lives grounded in meaning, freedom, and joy.
Experience
12+ years as therapist in Oakland, San Francisco, and Berkeley, CA
Clinical Supervisor
Adjunct professor USF
Certifications / Advanced Training
CBT (Third-wave)
DBT interventions
Trauma
Adult attachment
Adult ADHD
Specializations
Trauma Recovery
Adult ADHD
Mood & Anxiety treatment
BIPOC & QPOC
"In our work together, there's room for all of you—the thoughtful, the tired,
the uncertain, and the becoming."
My Background
I was born and raised in Oakland, California, and after completing both my undergraduate and graduate studies at UC Berkeley, I knew I wanted to stay close to the Bay Area communities that shaped me.
I began my career in community mental health across Oakland, Berkeley, and San Francisco, supporting survivors of trauma, families, and adolescents. Alongside this work, I taught graduate counseling psychology at the University of San Francisco, focusing on trauma, problem-solving, and violence prevention.
I’m also proud to have contributed to California’s K-12 mental health curriculum, helping young people access compassionate, practical mental health education.
Why I Do This Work
When I started my private practice, my goal wasn’t just to help women heal from trauma — it was to help them reclaim the right to use the tools within reach to change, grow, and thrive on their own terms.
People sometimes describe my work as “helping women realize their dreams.” I think of it as helping women remember who they are — and supporting them as they build lives grounded in meaning, freedom, and joy.
Therapy With A Human Touch
I believe in therapy that honors your pace, your story, and your complexity. No corporate platform, no “quick-fix” mindset — instead, real human connection and the courage to change, one honest conversation at a time.
I serve all of the Bay Area and more. I offer in-person therapy in Oakland, CA and online therapy across California.
