Mey Saephan, Marriage Counselor in Oakland, 94602

Mey Saephan, MS, MFT

Profession(s):
Marriage & Family Therapy
License Status:
I'm a licensed professional.
Primary License:
MFC

My Approach to Helping

I can tell you that I am a calm, nurturing, and gentle presence, but you won't know that until you come in to see me. No one wants to be judged, and I don't do that, but I do have opinions.I'm a straight forward kind of person. When I work with you, I will be very clear about what I expect of you and what you expect of me. Being real in a relationship is necessary for it to grow. So in my work with you, I will help you learn to know and understand yourself better. This will help you feel more confident about the choices you make for yourself and in relationship with others. You will learn how to create that safe and secure relationship with others.

Problems in relationship originate from an insecure attachment due to natural life events, abuses, or traumas. We learn how to live and be in relationship with others based on those experiences from birth to present. A child's strategy (defense mechanism) in relating to people at the time probably worked. But now, when situations trigger past problems or traumas, they resort to the strategies they knew at that young age but now those old strategies don't work and that's why they are stuck. In my work with clients, I will help their younger self's mind and body understand that he/she has grown up and is no longer stuck in the past. In the process they develop a strong sense of self. When this happens, clients will be able to learn and retain healthy patterns of relating, because he/she has a strong core and he/she understands current situations in a new light and is empowered to change. He/she would feel confident in being him/herself, communicating and getting needs met in their relationship with others.

More Info About My Practice

I accept insurances and also have a sliding scale fee based to be applied when appropriate.

Specific Issue(s) I'm Skilled at Helping With

I have a passion for working with couples and I have been doing this for over 14 yrs. More than half of my practice is doing work with couples. A healthy couple relationship is foundational to creating an environment that will produce safe and secure children and adults for their future relationships. I take your relationship seriously when you decide to trust me to help you. That's is why my learning doesn't stop after graduate school or after getting licensed. I am always learning through, reading, taking seminars and keeping up with the latest literature on providing couples therapy. Please feel free to come in for a free consultation.

Important Factors for Choosing a Therapist

I think the most important factor in chosing therapist is that you feel comfortable with them. You just know when you meet and talk with them. That's why I offer a free consultation. I want my clients to have the freedom to chose a therapist without having to worry about the financial burden of having to pay a therapist their full fee and then find out they are not a good fit. I personally want to meet you and to be able to say, "Yes, I can help you" or "No, I can't help you, that is not my area of strength, but here are some referrals of someone who can help you."

Services I Provide

Individual Therapy & Counseling
Marriage, Couples, or Relationship Counseling
Family Therapy
Clinical Supervision

Ages I Work With

Teens
Adults
Elders

Languages I Speak

English
Other

Groups I Work With

I specialize in providing premarital and marital therapy. I also specialize in working with individuals who have grief & loss, abuse, and trauma. I use EMDR and Lifespan Integration a modality of therapy that brings healing a lot quicker than traditional talk therapy. Many clients have been able to return to normal functioning on average 6-10 sessions. I also work with clients who have had birth or early childhood trauma or abuse that has affected their ability to attach in relationships.