I have worked with adults, adolescents, children and families for over 20 years. I began my career as an educator and teaching artist, then as a behavioral specialist with children on the autism spectrum and their families, and finally as a psychotherapist.
I am a San Francisco native and completed my master's degree in Social Work from San Francisco State University. I have extensive training in trauma-informed care and certification as a trauma-informed yoga instructor.
My daily mindfulness practice has supported my own healing journey for decades and this, as well as my training and varied professional experiences, deeply inform the work I do.
I have volunteered in the San Francisco Bay Area as well as internationally in Mexico and Sub-Saharan Africa where I have supported children and adults exposed to trauma including the impact of HIV/AIDs.
As an integrative psychotherapist I draw from multiple healing modalities. My work is both trauma-informed and culturally responsive.
I combine Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Mindfulness practices to help interrupt unhelpful thinking patterns which can lead to anxiety and depression. In addition, we may use somatic (body-oriented) practices such as breathing and grounding exercises in sessions to help to process difficult emotions and past trauma, and to calm the nervous system leaving you feeling more grounded. I use a strengths-based lens combined with psychodynamic principles to support exploration of attachment and family of origin dynamics which can help to identify the roots of problematic ways of thinking and behaviors that may keep us stuck.
I also use aspects of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Emotionally Focused Therapy, and Expressive Arts. In addition, my work is informed by attachment, developmental and systems theories as well as interpersonal neurobiology.
But with all of this said, by far the most important aspect of treatment is always a trusting and supportive relationship with your therapist. I consider myself, first and foremost, to be an ally. We will work collaboratively taking into account your specific needs and preferences every step of the way in order to support you with your healing and growth.
Identify triggers for anxiety, learn to interrupt anxious thoughts which feed the anxiety loop and learn strategies which help to calm the nervous system and settle the body and mind.
Learn to identify and challenge unhelpful thinking patterns through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, explore ways to shift patterns of behavior which keep you stuck and begin to reengage in life.
The combination of talk therapy and somatic (body-oriented) approaches- including mindfulness, grounding exercises and visualization practices- calm the nervous system to support you in moving through the trauma and beyond.
Life transitions, both those identified as positive and those we may see as negative, can pose a challenge to equilibrium and sense of self. Through exploring values, wants, needs and goals we can gain deeper insight into how to move through transitions and live a life that is truly aligned with your purpose.
Learn how to communicate more effectively, resolve conflicts, regain trust, and feel more connected in relationships.
Get the support you need in navigating challenging behaviors, setting boundaries, resolving conflict, and improving communication with your child or adolescent.
Thoughtful, compassionate support for those in recovery from substance abuse and their families.
Copyright © 2024 Kimberly de Caires, LCSW - All Rights Reserved.