Rated 5.0 stars out of 5, 3 ratings

Penelope Asay

LP, 20 years of experience

Authentic
Empowering
Warm
Virtual
Next available on

About me

Hello, and welcome! It may have taken you a long time to get here, or maybe just one too many sleepless nights. The fact you're here today means something is different from yesterday. You may be ready for something different in your life. A good fit with a therapist is key in supporting and helping you figure out what and how to make the change(s) you want. I'm genuine, collaborative, and transparent. I fundamentally believe that on some level, we are all seeking meaning, connection, and healthy relationships. We are striving to live authentically and find fulfillment and belonging in a society and world that makes all of those things pretty challenging (as if life itself weren’t hard enough!). Therapy brings our expertise together to help identify and create what will make your life more satisfying and fulfilling.

Get to know me

In our first session together, here's what you can expect

Our first session, we get a sense of what you're needing and wanting from therapy, set some goals, and talk about what might work best for you. Sometimes we tend to discount our successes, the things we like about ourselves and our lives, the things we do well, so we definitely will identify your strengths, skills, the things in your life that are already going well so that we can build on them in our work. The first session is a lot more structured in terms of the standard questions we all tend to ask, but from then on, we work together each session to meet your needs.

The treatment methods and tools I utilize

I have an existential, feminist, social justice foundation and draw on a number of different methods and approaches (CBT, psychodynamic, etc) to meet you where you are to help you move forward in your own, unique way. In our work, we’ll focus on identifying and capitalizing on strengths that you already have to meet your current challenges and keep on eye on issues of power, identity, and social locations that might be playing into some of those challenges. We may also telescope out to see how some common group dynamics (family, workplace, friendship) are contributing. Along the way, we’ll also work to tap into your sources of joy, laughter, and delight.

The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions

I've worked both short-term and long-term with a diverse array of clients and issues. Depression, anxiety, relationship, career, and interpersonal issues are pretty common, as are more existential concerns (Is this all there is? What do I want my life to be?) and navigating the complexities of evolving personal identities. I thoroughly enjoy supporting and empowering diverse women in STEM. I am especially passionate about working with women and people of all genders noticing, questioning, examining, and resisting patriarchal notions and systems that limit. As a professor for over 15 years, my experience shaping future psychologists has me continuously learning and reflecting on therapy, life, and being human. My commitment to clinical excellence is reflected in my Board Certification.

The clients I'm best positioned to serve

I work best with clients who are on some level curious about themselves and are looking to expand their view of themselves and their lives. Clients who want to figure out how to get unstuck, happier, and grow towards a greater potential.

Specialties

Top specialties

AnxietyDepression

Other specialties

GriefSelf Esteem

I identify as

Serves ages

Location

Offers in-person in 445 Bellevue Ave, Oakland, CA 94610, Suite 104CVirtual
Rated 5.0 stars out of 5, 3 ratings
This provider hasn’t received any written reviews yet. We started collecting written reviews January 1, 2025.