Sahra Brubeck, Associate Marriage and Family Therapist

I am an Oakland-based individual and couples therapist who believes that healing the brokenness of our world begins with reverence for the interconnectedness of all living beings. I am committed to supporting people’s process of re-membering themselves into the tapestry of their life path through psychodynamic and family systems-based therapeutic exploration. My therapeutic approach often draws those who feel that their connection to belonging and purpose has become frayed by cruel inner critics and a culture obsessed with hyper-productivity. For those who have been made to feel that their lovability depends on their usefulness and willingness to self-abandon, the cost of “belonging” can feel like an impossibly high price to pay. And yet, when the polish of a perfected persona is stripped away, it can create space for the gritty, seemingly unlovable parts of ourselves to reveal our authentic grace. When we find ourselves feeling isolated, choiceless, and disconnected from our fiery essence, it is a sure sign it’s time to turn inwards and tend to our flame. While it can feel terrifying to set down the masks we wear for protection and self-preservation, it opens the possibility of having a deep need finally met: to be seen and accepted in our entirety. Contacting our harm, our hurt, and our shadow is tough—often annihilating—work, but they are chapters of our stories that deserve just as much attention and care as our greatest victories. Honoring the divine connectedness of all living things includes bearing witness to the sacred thread that weaves together our darkness and our light. It is an opening—a provocative invitation to see yourself wholly, perfectly fractured, just as all living things are.

I am mindful of my own humanity—my beliefs, biases, and the context(s) from which I come. I don’t present myself as a neutral, detached figure. Instead, I show up authentically and relationally, creating a space where we can work together as equals. You guide the direction of our work, and I am here to support and gently guide you on your journey inward.

I am particularly fond of working with folks who are navigating challenges associated with anxiety, substance misuse, depression, Complex PTSD, OCD, relationship and communication difficulties, and trauma (childhood and adult).