Maybe you’ve seen other people begin therapy and wondered what it’s about. Perhaps you feel stagnant with some part of your life or relationships or stuck on how to make sense of certain emotions. Given the state of the world right now, it’s not uncommon to feel isolated and that your challenges carry extra weight. Many of us are experiencing uncertainty about the future and how to cope. It’s not hard to see why more people than ever are investing in themselves and finding a therapist to support their growth.

As someone who’s been through the process of selecting a therapist, I know that finding the right person can seem an exhausting task. There are a lot of questions regarding availability, payment, and fit. I encourage you to contact me for a 15-minute free phone consultation so that you can get a sense of who I am. We’ll discuss how I might be able to help and ensure you’ve got the information you need to decide if you’d like to move forward.

I offer support that is consistent, genuine, collaborative, and direct. I create a space and experience that tailors to your individual needs and preferences. Instead of sticking to a template, we’ll work together to figure out what helps you to feel most comfortable expressing yourself. Together, we’ll explore and deepen your awareness of your whole self—which could mean welcoming back parts of you that you feel disconnected from, discovering new thoughts or ideas, or working with feelings that don’t seem to fit easily in your day-to-day life.

As a result, you’ll start to better understand what factors drive your relationships and your behaviors. You’ll tune into the things that make you unique: your strengths, your values, your intuition, and your emotions. With new perspectives and tools, you’ll prepare to move forward in areas of your life with greater confidence.

People benefit most when they feel connected to their therapist. I won’t act as a blank slate. It makes sense you’d want to know me before sharing the vulnerable sides of you. If you have questions, I’m open to sharing about myself and talking through the emerging dynamic between us.

I have a highly analytical, achievement-oriented side that drives my intellectual curiosity. I’ve put great effort into reacquainting with the empathetic, present-focused, and feelings-rooted parts of myself. My clients experience me as compassionate, non-judgmental, and attentive. I’d like to think I’m funny too, but the jury is still out on that one.

I mostly appear laid-back, but there are always gears turning in my mind. That’s why I enjoy activities that let me drop into my body and the present moment: time in nature (especially climbing trees or rocks), playing soccer, reading, journaling, cooking, and meditating.

I completed my MSW at UC Berkeley in 2017 and hold a B.S. in Psychology & Neuroscience from UC Davis. I’m not a lifelong therapist though; My career has spanned many roles, each underlied by my passion for mental health. I’ve been a social worker, researcher, advocate, writer, and project manager. I bring a well-rounded lens that equips me to turn over ideas and experiences from a variety of perspectives.

I’ve served clients in clinic- and community-based mental health settings. I’ve provided relational and behaviorally focused counseling to teens, adults, and families. I’ve worked closely with folks experiencing symptoms of anxiety, depression, neglect, abuse, grief, relationship challenges, and the pervasive effects of trauma. I am equally excited to serve clients hoping to expand their strengths and gain greater clarity on their lives. I’ve facilitated and participated in community mental health forums and support groups too, including men’s groups.

My training and education have prepared me with an understanding of mental health and the skills most helpful to my clients, but I’ll always honor you as the foremost expert on your life. I act as a guide and shaper of the therapeutic experience. You’ll keep your hands on the wheel and drive the process though. I will reliably and patiently stay with you through challenging experiences as we pave a path to your goals.

I am a warm, empathetic, and curious partner to you in the therapeutic relationship. My integrated approach is rooted in humanistic-existential and -experiential therapy, attachment-focused psychotherapy, and mindfulness-based techniques. We can discuss these concepts and how to make the best use of them in alignment with your therapy intentions. As a social worker too, I attention to your personal context -- your identity across different areas of your life and the breadth of environmental factors affecting your mental health.

• Teens: 13-17
• Young Adult: 18-25
• Adults: 26-65

• Individuals

• Activists
• Artists
• First Responders
• Gender Fluid or Gender Non-Conforming Individuals
• Immigrants
• LGBTQIAA+ persons
• Men
• Persons Experiencing Grief and Loss
• Persons in Polyamorous Relationships
• Persons Recovering from Traumatic Events/Experiences
• Persons with Histories of Physical or Emotional Abuse
• Other:

• Experiential Therapy
• Humanistic Therapy
• Psychodynamic Psychotherapy
• Relational Psychotherapy

I work especially well with:

Men: Because of the ways we are socialized as boys and men, we are coached into narrow ways of being and expressing masculinity. Therapy can be a good place to exercise new agency over your authentic identity, expand your capacity for self-expression, and redefine how you want to show up in your relationships.
Non-Monogamy and Polyamory: I support many people in opening up to new relationship structures, shifting their romantic or sexual paradigms, and navigating personal growth (and growing pains) in this process.
Professional Place and Purpose
Life Transitions
Perfectionism and the Inner Critic
Anxiety

• Cash
• Check
• Credit Card

$170

$50-$80

Yes

(510) 239-7147

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I am currently seeing clients via telehealth or through outdoor appointments as requested. I am located in Oakland, CA.

• Monday Afternoon
• Tuesday Morning
• Tuesday Evening
• Wednesday Morning
• Wednesday Afternoon
• Wednesday Evening
• Thursday Afternoon
• Thursday Evening
• Friday Morning
• Friday Afternoon

I offer free 15-minute phone consultations to ensure we’re a good fit before scheduling a first session. If you’re interested in setting up a consultation, please call or text me at (510) 239-7147 or email tomlitztherapy@gmail.com. Please leave a message with some good times for me to reach out by phone so we can discuss your needs and how I can help. I do my best to respond within one business day.

My availability is regularly changing. I currently see clients through telehealth video-calls. I am open to outdoor or walking sessions as well.

Sam Pow, LCSW #88131

11/30/23