Welcome. I'm so glad you're here.
If you are looking for therapy for yourself or your adolescent, it is likely that things haven't been going the way you want them to for quite some time. You may be finding your child facing difficulties you were not expecting and do not feel prepared for. You may be struggling to maintain positive connections in your family, or wondering how to turn things around at school. It would be my privilege to meet you and see how I can help.
Since completing my degrees from UC Berkeley, I have supported hundreds of children and teens who are struggling with anxiety, sadness, and acting out behaviors. In addition to my direct clinical work I also currently supervise other therapists. I understand you as the expert on your life; I will partner and walk alongside you, while asking questions and offering reflections that help reframe the problem and surface effective solutions. My specialized training includes Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dynamic Mindfulness, Structural Family Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing. Because one size does not fit all in therapy, I draw on these different training modalities to effectively tailor a treatment approach that will work for you.
My professional trajectory began in 2002, during my undergraduate years at UC Berkeley, when I coordinated childrens' services at a women's shelter, and graduated with a bachelor's degree in public health. I then worked as a counselor and in-home behavior coach to children and adolescents with mental health and behavior challenges before returning to UC Berkeley, graduating in 2012 with master's degrees in both social work and public health, and publishing my master's research on adolescent experiences of bullying and victimization. Following graduation, I worked for two years researching the efficacy of child welfare and health promotion programs before transitioning back to clinical work. Besides my private practice I currently work for Oakland Unified School District, providing educationally related mental health services to students with individualized education plans (IEPs) and also clinically supervising other therapists within our department. Due to my current professional role within Oakland Unified, my private practice only serves families of school-aged children if they live in California but outside of the City of Oakland.
Though I currently do not take insurance, I do provide statements for insurance reimbursement. If you would like to chat about your situation and whether I could be a good fit, please click the green button at the top of the website to request a free 15-minute appointment. I look forward to meeting you, and hearing your story.
Cate Lewis
LCSW, MPH, PPSC