RENEE X CHEN PSYCHOTHERAPY
Therapy for Anxiety, Grief, Trauma & Relationship Challenges
Offering a blend of depth therapy with somatic and trauma-informed approaches in Berkeley and online across California.
Serving teens, adults, couples, and families with a focus on immigrant and multicultural experiences.
"The only journey is the one within."
— Rainer Maria Rilke
Therapy is where you meet yourself.
Therapy isn’t about recounting your past but about seeing your life more fully—as a rich tapestry of meaning, woven with both joy and suffering. Every experience—in real life and in your wildest dreams—contains a treasure trove of wisdom that is beckoning you towards greater aliveness and wholeness, if only we gift ourselves the space and stillness to listen. I am here to help you tend to that space and stillness.
Welcome to my practice
Many of the people I work with hold marginalized identities and come from immigrant or cross-cultural families with a history of complex trauma.
My style is warm, engaged, thoughtful and practical. I tailor a unique blend of talk therapy, parts work, mindfulness-based and somatic practices to meet you where you are, and use a signature cocktail of humor and honesty to both support and challenge you. I also draw from various depth and wisdom traditions that honor dreams, images, words and sounds, synchronicities, and the body as intelligent and important ways of knowing.
The point of therapy is to exist in ways we deeply long to but find ourselves struggling to realize. I see symptoms — anxiety, addictions, depression, dissociation, etc. — as normal responses to abnormal circumstances, and believe our wounds can lead us towards greater wisdom, creativity and aliveness. I would be honored to accompany you in this process.
Services
-
Life's complexities can often leave us feeling disconnected or adrift. Whether you are struggling with anxiety, the weight of unresolved trauma, grief, or a deep sense of dissatisfaction or isolation, therapy provides a space to slow down, unravel what feels tangled and overwhelming, and move towards new possibilities of being.
Learn more about my work with adults.
-
Adolescence is a time of profound change—physically, emotionally, and socially. With these transitions can come confusion, intense emotions, and a sense of being misunderstood. Whether your teen is navigating the pressures of school, changing relationships, struggles with identity and self-esteem, or a painful experience, therapy can be a safe and supportive space to explore what they’re going through.
Learn more about my work with teens.
-
When trust is fractured or conflicts become a painful cycle, it’s common to feel hopeless, misunderstood, betrayed, resentful, or alone within the partnership. Couples therapy invites us to pause and look beyond the proverbial “dirty dishes in the sink”—to the patterns that bind you, the unspoken emotions that fuel your conflicts, and the unmet needs that long to be acknowledged.
Learn more about my work with couples.
-
Family relationships can be both a source of deep comfort and profound pain. The ties that bind us can also carry unresolved pain, inherited patterns, and unspoken expectations that echo across generations. The goal of family therapy is not to assign blame, but to help you discover new ways of relating that foster trust, mutual respect, and a deeper sense of belonging.
Learn more about my work with families.
Specialties
My interest, training and expertise extends to the following set of experiences:
-
Ruminating thoughts, sudden and intense feelings of stress, worry or panic
Numbness, hopelessness, low motivation and energy, sleep disturbance, loss of interest and pleasure in life, a sense of “stuckness”
Low self- esteem, -criticism and -doubt leading to withdrawn or avoidant behaviors
Intense mood swings, emotional overwhelm & dysregulation, insomnia
Perfectionist tendencies and a creeping sense of “not enoughness”
-
Childhood abuse (verbal, emotional, physical, sexual), exposure to domestic violence, chronic neglect
Accident, natural disaster, assault or sudden loss of loved one, job or home
Adult and intergenerational trauma (infidelity, betrayal, intimate partner violence)
Intrusive memories, flashbacks and hyper-vigilance
Immigration and assimilation trauma, as well as racial, structural and institutional trauma
-
Transition into or out of adulthood
Coping with sudden, difficult or impactful life changes (moving or relocation, relationship transitions, pregnancy/postpartum/new parenthood, career changes/retirement, etc.)
A sense of loss, grief, or loneliness as you navigate changes in identity, relationships, or physical abilities
Uncertainty about your purpose or direction and anxiety about the future
Death anxiety
-
Recurring conflicts or misunderstandings that leave you feeling unseen, unheard, or stuck in familiar patterns
Fear of intimacy or abandonment that leads to pushing others away or clinging too tightly
Difficulty expressing your needs or setting boundaries, often sacrificing your own well-being to keep the peace
Attraction to unhealthy or emotionally unavailable partners, despite wanting something different
Codependent tendencies, love/sex addiction, betrayal/ infidelity, divorce/separation
-
Waves of intense sadness, longing, or numbness that make it hard to move through daily life
Confusion about identity or purpose after losing a loved one, relationship, or a cherished role
Lingering grief from ambiguous losses, such as estrangement, miscarriage, or illness; or grief linked to ecological, systemic or cultural losses, such as displacement, exile, or generational trauma
Feelings of guilt, regret, or “unfinished business” that keep replaying in your mind
Isolation or a sense that others don’t understand the depth of your pain or the impact of your loss
-
Feeling disconnected, unreal or on “autopilot,” as if you’re watching your life from the outside or moving through a dream
Memory gaps or time fragmentations that make it hard to trust your own perceptions
Uncertainty about who you are or sudden shifts in identity, beliefs, or emotions that feel confusing
A sense of numbness or detachment from your body, emotions, or surroundings
Conflicting inner voices or parts of yourself that feel at odds with each other and are hard to reconcile
-
Intrusive thoughts or beliefs that others are watching, judging, or plotting against you, even without clear evidence
Hearing voices, seeing things, or sensing presences that others don’t perceive, leaving you confused or afraid
Episodes of feeling detached from reality, where the world seems distorted, threatening, or unreal
Difficulty trusting your own perceptions or memories, leading to self-doubt and isolation
Rapid shifts in thoughts or emotions that make it hard to hold onto a stable sense of self or what’s real
-
A deep sense of disconnection or longing for a cultural heritage that feels both yours and not
Conflicting feelings towards your biological and/or adoptive family or the circumstances of your adoption
Struggles with identity and belonging, feeling caught between two worlds yet fully part of neither
Grief, anger, or confusion around the loss of birth family, language, or homeland
A heightened sensitivity to rejection or abandonment, making it hard to trust or fully open up in relationships
-
Confusion, distress or shame about fantasies and desires that feel outside the norm, leaving you questioning your worth or acceptability
A longing for authentic expression of your sexuality, but fear of judgment or rejection keeps you hidden
Difficulty finding partners or communities who understand or share your interests without stigma
Conflicting feelings between wanting to explore and fearing what it means about who you are
Isolation or secrecy around your desires, making it hard to feel fully seen or understood
Get in touch
Curious about working together? The next step is to schedule a free 15-minute consultation. You may call, text, email or send a message here. I look forward to getting to know you.
Contact
Email: renee@rxctherapy.com
Phone: (415) 335-6678