Life By Design Therapy

DIGNITY * AUTONOMY * INTEGRITY Although I am a licensed professional, you are the expert of your life. Hello, I am Ashley Gregory (pronouns she/ her/ hers), and I practice  Somatic Psychotherapy  grounded in the intersections of social, cultural, political and economic studies.  As a queer-identified, able-bodied and cis-gendered woman with class and race privilege, I prioritize naming how social locations shape the ways we move and show up in our lives. Together we can go deeper, demystifying and getting at the roots of abusive systems (institutions/values/behaviors) towards acting on empowering stances. In collaboration, we will honor how you have gotten to this moment. The way I integrate my somatic orientation into our work will reflect our unique connection. I may ask you to bring your attention to a movement or gesture or invite you to be curious about a sensation or feeling you’re having in the moment. We may practice using new words to describe how you are feeling in

WELCOME TO OUR RICHMOND THERAPY OFFICE At Life by Design Therapy we value convenience, comfort, and accessibility. If you are interested in working with one of our holistic or somatic therapists, give us a call! Our Richmond therapy office is conveniently located across from Hilltop Mall right off Interstate 80. ADDRESS: 3150 Hilltop Mall Road, Richmond, CA 94806 PARKING: There is free parking in the lot in front of the building. ACCESSIBILITY: The building is wheelchair accessible. NEARBY CITIES: San Pablo, Pinole, Hercules, El Sobrante, Martinez, Vallejo, Concord, Pleasant Hill, Benicia WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU! CONTACT US TODAY  TO WORK WITH ONE OF OUR RICHMOND THERAPISTS! https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.com/richmondtherapy

WELCOME TO OUR BERKELEY THERAPY OFFICE At  Life by Design Therapy  we value convenience, comfort, and accessibility. If you are interested in working with one of our holistic or somatic therapists, give us a call! Our Berkeley therapy office is conveniently located across from the Downtown Berkeley BART station and is within walking distance from the UC Berkeley Campus. ADDRESS: 2140 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94704 PARKING: Street parking is available. Please note the signs for parking limits and street cleaning. BART: Our Berkeley therapy office is conveniently located across from the Downtown Berkeley station. ACCESSIBILITY: The building is wheelchair accessible. NEARBY CITIES: Kensington, Albany, Emeryville, and Oakland WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU! CONTACT US TODAY  TO WORK WITH ONE OF OUR BERKELEY THERAPISTS! https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.com/berkeleytherapy

HOW GUILT MAY BE A GUIDE By Ashley Gregory, LMFT This blog is meant to invite inquiry and foster self-compassion. Most likely, we all have little “g” guilt and big “G” guilt present with us throughout life. Everyone’s relationship with guilt will be different and complex, each asking for unique attention and care. Building a relationship with a  psychotherapist  can support you in creating and implementing individualized practices to work with guilt. What is it about the beginning of the Gregorian calendar that ignites talk of “resolutions,” seemingly en masse? As we head into month three of 2020, I’m thinking on the role of guilt in how we feel about meeting our past, present and future. The beginning of the year is, for many, a time to reflect on the past year in an effort to change some of the things that supposedly made the year before less exciting, fulfilling or successful. This is where guilt comes in. According to the Online Etymology Dictionary, the word “guilt,”

Life by Design Therapy endorses holistic and somatic psychotherapy into its approach to couples counseling. Click Here  to learn more about couple counseling. Call Now for Help 510–646–0046 https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.com/marriage-counseling

At  Life by Design Therapy  our therapists work with a wide range of topics related to mental and emotional wellness. www.lifebydesigntherapy.com

Hi! I’m Dr. Nia and I am a licensed clinical psychologist   who specializes in working with children, teens, and adults who have experienced trauma.   Central to my work are the principles of cultural responsiveness, trauma-informed treatment, and somatic healing.   Whether I am working with youth, adults, or families, I consider societal pressures and how these impact mental, emotional, and physical health. I recognize the challenges associated with being part of marginalized groups and will work with you to discover what you need and who you want to be in the face of these experiences. I feel confident that we can work together in ways that affirm your worth and bring you closer to the healing you deserve. https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.com/holistic-somatic-therapists

Life by Design Therapy  was founded out of the need to bring holistic and somatic therapy that represents the diversity of our Bay Area communities. Our  Therapists  are dedicated to creating a safe and healing space to help individuals, couples, and families connect, grow, and heal. We believe every person deserves to feel a sense of safety, trust, and connection in their lives without shame or guilt. We have had the honor of working with young professionals, blended families, people of color, parents, survivors of abuse, LGBTQ+, and interracial and multicultural couples and families. Our primary focus is helping our clients increase their physical and emotional awareness, heal from painful experiences, connect with their deepest desires and truths, and enhance their relationships. We support the human in us that’s longing for fulfillment, acceptance, connection, and deeper understanding. Our therapists take pride in giving back to our Bay Area communities and provide wor

HOW THERAPY FOR TRAUMA CAN HELP Do you feel like a radically different person ever since the trauma occurred? Victims of serious trauma often express a feeling of two different existences. One before, and one after the event happened. If you are experiencing these feelings, please know this is completely normal. While the original self was free and lived in the moment and enjoyed life, the second is cautious and reserved and mistrusting. The comfortability is gone and you start to wonder if things will ever return to normal. Life by Design Therapy  is a place that cares and we aim to help our clients recover from various forms of traumatic experiences. Our professional therapists have worked with many individuals (couples, families, etc) who have experienced some form of trauma. Holistic and somatic based therapy  for trauma is an option. We help individuals suffering from trauma find real relief and begin the healing process. https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.com/trauma-t

HOLISTIC AND SOMATIC THERAPY CAN HELP WITH DEPRESSION If you are seeking relief from symptoms of depression and want to gain tools to create a life you love, our holistic therapists can help. Life by Design Therapy  is committed to helping you build a new future, one that is founded on happiness and peace of mind. Our holistic and somatic therapists in Berkeley and Richmond have helped those dealing with depression for the first time find help. We have also provided a place of refuge for those that struggled to get answers from other sources in the past. If you’re ready to work on your depression with one of our holistic therapists, contact us today. https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.com/depression-therapy

Life by Design Therapy offers a variety of holistic and somatic therapy services to support individuals, couples, and families in all stages and phases of life. Click Here   to learn more. www.lifebydesigntherapy.com

Life by Design Therapy  endorses holistic and somatic psychotherapy into its approach to couples counseling. We believe that therapy is only effective when it heals the body along with the mind. https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.com/marriage-counseling

HOLD ME TIGHT® WORKSHOP A 2-Day Couples Workshop Supporting Honest Communication, Connection and Lasting Love Co-facilitated by our Founder, Melody Wright LMFT When: May 2nd — 3rd, 2020 Time: 9am-6pm Location: 2140 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO REGISTER,  CLICK HERE https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.com/groups-workshops

DISCOVER METHODS TO MANAGE YOUR ANXIETY WITH THERAPY Apprehension. Concern. Worry. Agitation. Tension. Nervousness. Fear. Anxiety falls under a lot of different terms. It has become so prevalent in society that many of us simply accept it as part of our existence, and regard anxiety as something that we are forced to drag through life with on a daily basis. HOLISTIC AND SOMATIC THERAPY CAN HELP WITH ANXIETY https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.com/anxiety-therapy

Licensed Clinical Psychologist , PSY31472 Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology (CSPP) at Alliant International University. M.A. in Clinical Psychology from Adelphi University B.A. in Psychology, minor in Women’s Studies, St. John’s University LEARN MORE ABOUT DR. NIA https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.com/dr-nia-saunders

Your thoughts are directly reflected in your body, which is why you might often feel the sweaty palms of anxiety, the crushing weight of depression or the whole-body fight-or-flight of PTSD. But all too often, traditional  talk therapy  concentrates solely on the mind.  Somatic psychotherapy  allows you to connect your very real feelings to the reactions of your body and work through them in a gentle, welcoming, accepting environment. It does this through a variety of methods which are designed to support you. These include, but are not limited to: https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.com/somatic-therapy

Hi, I’m   Dr. Nia   (she/her/hers) and I want to congratulate you on taking the first steps towards reaching out for support.   Although I am a licensed psychologist, I believe you already have within you the tools that can support your healing journey. https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.com/dr-nia-saunders

WHAT IS HOLISTIC THERAPY? In short,  holistic therapy  breaks away from the notion that people are broken, empty vessels that need to be filled. It does not concentrate on your flaws, but rather recognizes and honors you for the unique, independent and whole being that you are. In being the kind of person you are meant to be, sometimes you can get stuck. You feel like everywhere you turn, there’s a barrier in your way, and you just don’t know how to move forward. And this can manifest in many different parts of your life: love and relationships, work and professional life, habits and lifestyle, and much more. https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.com/holistic-therapy

Romantic relationships are important for our happiness and well-being. Yet with more than 40 percent of new marriages ending in divorce, it’s clear that relationships aren’t always easy. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to keep your romantic partnership in good working order. Relationships are complicated and if you need support,  we can help ! https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.com/marriage-counseling

CONNECTION * AFFIRMATION * EMPOWERMENT Therapy can help you discover the tools within you to write your own story and reach the healing you deserve. Hi, I’m Dr. Nia (she/her/hers) and I want to congratulate you on taking the first steps towards reaching out for support.  Although I am a licensed psychologist, I believe you already have within you the tools that can support your healing journey. I honor the experiences and resiliency that have brought you this far. My goal as a therapist is to create a space where you feel safe and empowered to explore what your own healing may look like. We may practice using new words to describe how you are feeling inside, creating a shared language for your experience and paying close attention. Ultimately, you are in control and I am a guide. I feel particularly called to work with people of color, women and girls, LGBTQ+ folks, students and young professionals, and those whose identities contribute to difficulties with feeling accepted