Stephanie Clowdus, LCSW

Embrace Your Complexity | Transform Your Story

Psychotherapy for Adults in California

You may be experiencing a life change, relationship issues, unmanageable ways of thinking, trauma, or identity issues.

You and your mental health are valuable.

Overthinking things? Anger taking over?

Generational messages, lack of boundaries with others, and general stress of living in this world may contribute to how you’re feeling.

Together, we can sort through and make better sense of what you’re thinking and feeling.

  • Improve your coping skills
  • Explore & make changes to your relationship with a substance or out of control behavior
  • Manage self critical talk and limiting beliefs

If you’re sensitive, a weirdo, or an over-thinker — someone who’s ever felt a little “out of place” or overwhelmed by their emotions — this is a space for you. I specialize in working with people to explore their authentic self and navigate life’s complexities, using compassion and curiosity.

My Approach to Therapy

Harm Reduction: Life is full of risks, and while we can’t always control everything, we can take steps to reduce risks. I offer harm reduction orientation to psychotherapy which meets people where they are in making changes, with an emphasis on reducing stigma in that process. Whether you’re navigating challenges related to substance use, relationships, or any other area, I’m here to help you reduce risk and move toward a healthier, more authentic version of yourself.

Psychodynamic Therapy: At the heart of psychodynamic therapy is the exploration of the unconscious stories you hold about yourself — stories shaped by past experiences and relationships. By naming these stories, we can start to understand how they influence the way you think, feel, and act. Once we identify which parts of these stories resonate with your true self, we can create space for new ways of seeing and being in the world.

Evidence-Based Behavioral Techniques: I believe offering practical tools alongside deeper work can be important. We’ll work together to track anxious thought patterns, find coping strategies for stress, and create a plan for self-soothing when big emotions take over. These tools can help you manage mental, emotional, and physical blocks, so you feel more grounded and capable in everyday life. This part of therapy might mean a commitment to certain “work” outside sessions.

I believe that psychotherapy – also known as counseling – is an invaluable tool. Therapy can help you uncover hidden parts of yourself, find new meaning, and make lasting shifts that improve your relationship with yourself and others.

Hi, I’m Stephanie.

I provide in-person (Oakland) & telehealth video (California) psychotherapy and mental health treatment for individual adults.

Your history and present experience – along with my training and expertise – can tell us invaluable information about you, and start finding solutions.

I aim to be a friendly and attuned therapist, joining you to center your story, personality, and needs through “talk therapy.” I approach therapy through liberation frameworks that center on collective healing and personal growth, recognizing that healing is a deeply personal journey, intertwined with the ability to live authentically and with agency.

Learn more about me, about services offered, & fees for service, including options for reimbursement for services.