A little more room than never enough
Anxiety and Stress by video across California.
When Your Inner Voice Is Always Critical
You finish something and immediately see what you should have done better. A mistake becomes a statement about who you are. Encouragement from other people may not reach the voice that keeps score inside.
Shoreline's individual work includes low self-esteem and self-compassion concerns. You can bring that experience without being asked to replace it with a positive slogan.
Maybe this sounds familiar
01
You dismiss your efforts quickly.
02
Mistakes feel personal and lasting.
03
Praise is hard to take in.
04
You want to be kinder without lowering every standard.
01 · Understand
Listen for the expectations behind the criticism
A therapist can help you explore when the critical voice appears, what it asks of you and how you respond. You may notice different expectations around work, relationships or being useful to others.
The aim is not to decide from a distance where the voice came from. Your experiences and meaning matter. You can discuss both the wish to do well and the cost of treating every shortcoming as evidence that you are inadequate.
02 · Practice
Consider a different relationship with yourself
Holly uses IFS among her approaches to individual work with anxiety and low self-esteem. Other clinicians bring their own approaches. Ask how the therapist would work with your concerns and what the process might involve in ordinary terms.
Self-compassion does not have to mean ignoring mistakes or giving up responsibilities. The conversation can include accountability and a less punishing way of meeting yourself. The pace and goals belong in your own treatment discussion, not a universal promise on a website.
03 · Choose Your Next Step
Choose a clinician and a workable next step
Holly Whitmore, Emily Chen, Misty Goldenberg, Nicola Loretto, Dina Abdelaal and Aidé Merito are listed for anxiety and stress support. Their approaches include different combinations of IFS, CBT, attachment-informed and somatic work. Ask the particular clinician to explain how they work.
A consultation can address availability, fit and the practical details of California telehealth. You do not need to diagnose yourself in order to inquire, and no result is guaranteed by choosing a method.
A therapist who fits you
These clinicians offer the related service. Availability and the right approach for your situation are part of the consultation.
Holly Whitmore
MA, LMFT
Gottman couples therapy and IFS
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Emily Chen
AMFT
EFT, attachment and inner child work
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Misty Goldenberg
AMFT
EMDR, perinatal and couples work
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Nicola Loretto
MA, AMFT
Grief, identity and Gottman couples work
View profile
Dina Abdelaal
AMFT
Trauma and PTSD, in English and Spanish
View profile
Aidé Merito
AMFT, APCC
Teens, identity and trauma, in English and Spanish
View profileFees in brief
We are in network with Aetna (PPO and EPO plans only), Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, Optum and Blue Shield of California. Not every clinician is in network with every plan.
Seeing someone out of network? We provide superbills you can submit for reimbursement.
Rates and insuranceLicensed therapist
$180
per telehealth session
For adults, couples, children or families
Associate therapist
$150
per telehealth session
For adults, couples, children or families
Questions before you begin
Will therapy just tell me to think positively?
You can ask the clinician how they approach self-criticism. Shoreline describes collaborative individual work using several approaches; you can discuss what feels useful or unhelpful to you.
How do I ask about this service?
Tell the practice the broad kind of support you are seeking, your language preference and whether you have a clinician in mind. Fit, availability and any fee or insurance arrangement need to be confirmed before an appointment.
A small first step
Start with a free 15 minute phone consultation to discuss provider fit, availability and the next step. Keep personal and health details out of an ordinary website inquiry. Ongoing sessions are offered by video within California.
Explore Anxiety and StressKeep exploring
When You Cannot Stop Overthinking
You replay a conversation, run through possibilities or keep checking whether you made the right choice.
When Work Leaves You Running on Empty
You get through the tasks, then feel too depleted for the rest of life. Time off may be filled with catching up or thinking about what is waiting.
Make room for a different conversation
Start with a free 15 minute phone consultation. We'll help you consider provider fit and next steps.