For those longing to tend to the inner landscapes of
pain, resilience, and renewal.
Hi, I’m Ellen (she/her)
I am a registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist #148576 providing compassionate, affirming care in the Bay Area.
In my work, I offer a grounded and relational approach that blends evidence-based therapy with a deep respect for the body, spirit, and inner emotional world. Healing, as I see it, is not about “fixing” what’s broken, but making space for all parts of you to be seen, felt, and gently understood.
Together, we’ll explore your internal landscape with warmth, patience, and curiosity. I’ll meet you with authenticity and care as we begin to weave a more coherent and self-compassionate story of your life’s experiences. Whether you are navigating anxiety, trauma, relationship patterns, or a quiet yearning to feel more connected to yourself, therapy can be a sacred space for reclaiming wholeness.
You are welcome here—as you are.
Offerings
-
In weekly 1:1 therapy sessions, I will invite you to exist in between obligations, visiting deeper aspects of experience that may be hard to reach alone.
-
I work with children using non-directive play therapy, allowing the full child to become present and experience themself anew.
-
My fee for 50 minute sessions is $150. I offer a limited number of sliding scale spots depending on individual need, which can be discussed in our initial consultation.
While Heart in Balance does not work directly with insurance companies, upon request we can provide superbills that allow clients to submit on their own behalf for insurance reimbursement. Please note Heart in Balance cannot guarantee reimbursement.
I work out of two offices in the East Bay:
Heart in Balance Counseling Center in Oakland.
Institute for Mindful Therapy in Walnut Creek.