Simon Hara
- Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist
AMFT #112702
Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology; Master of Education higher education student affairs administration
I invite you to embark on a journey to explore the ways your relational history, multiple identities, past and current relationships, and struggles weave together and impact the way you interact with the world around you. It would be an honor to travel alongside you. I will support you as you find what it means to show up authentically in all aspects of your life. I will be there with warmth, compassion, some guidance, a bit of humor, and a lot of curiosity.
I received a bachelor of arts degree in sociology at the University of California at Santa Barbara, a master of education degree in higher education student affairs administration from the University of Vermont, and a master of arts in counseling psychology from John F. Kennedy University in 2018. I have extensive experience around communication skills and mediation from my previous career working in university settings. I also have training and experience in relational and psychodynamic approaches to therapy.
Maybe you are trying to pursue something that is important to you--a relationship, family, career, degree, or some level of stability. Yet you find yourself stuck, overwhelmed, depressed, angry, or generally unable to move forward.
Maybe you try to behave or act differently in an effort to meet someone else’s expectations, win over the approval of others, avoid being picked on, or just to fit in. This act of twisting and contorting one’s self can be taxing, and you might be wondering who you actually are these days.
Sometimes remnants that we carry from our past can get in our way as we are trying to build meaningful relationships with others. The threats of rejection, being deemed not good enough, or shame feel too overwhelming to confront. This can interrupt our process of pursuing important life goals and stifle us from becoming our truest selves.
Therapy offers a unique opportunity to get these pieces out on the table. Together we can sort through them in an effort to build insight and help you embody the most empowered and authentic version of yourself.
With individuals, I will be an engaged support walking by your side as you navigate your own life journey. I may point out some interesting scenery behind us, or interesting paths ahead, but ultimately you are in control, as we move towards finding your most authentic self.
With couples, much of the above still applies. Yet, there may be times when I take a more directive approach to slow things down to help couples understand cyclical patterns within the relationship that do not serve the couple well. We will seek to build a deeper understanding of one's self, one’s partner, and how the elements each bring into the relationship interact in both beautiful and sometimes challenging ways. In our work together, we will emphasize communication as well as clarification of intent versus impact. All of this will be done in service of building greater intimacy, resilience, authenticity, and safety in the relationship.
- Youth: 12-18
- Young Adult: 18-25
- Adults: 25-65
- Individuals
- Couples
- Gender Fluid or Gender Non-Conforming Individuals
- LGBTQIAA+ persons
- Other:
Courage around vulnerability, Authenticity–acting and speaking according to one’s truest self, Managing attachment or fear-based reactivity, Shame, Cultivating self-compassion, Communication in relationships, Boundaries in relationships, Emotional granularity and fluency, Parts work, Cross-cultural conflict, Cultural oppression/marginalization, Multiethnic and/or Multiracial identity, Intercultural Relationships, BIPOC
- EMDR
- Emotionally Focused Therapy
- Psychodynamic Psychotherapy
- Relational Psychotherapy
During this period of shelter-in-place, I am only offering therapy through video conferencing. I plan to expand my in-person availability in the near future.
- Cash
- Check
$170
$130-$170
Yes
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Teletherapy
- Monday Morning
- Monday Afternoon
- Tuesday Afternoon
- Tuesday Evening
- Wednesday Morning
- Wednesday Afternoon
- Thursday Morning
- Thursday Afternoon
If you are interested in setting up a free phone or video consultation, call or text me at (510) 859-3722 or email me at simon.hara.therapy@gmail.com. Please let me know which days and times work best, so we can discuss your needs and how I can help.
Jennie Powe Runde, LMFT #46457
10/26/23