therapy couch | bilingual therapy in Walnut Creek CA

Welcome to Golden Heart Counseling

Meet the Therapists

 
 
 
 

 You have spent a long time going back and forth, wondering if you should see a therapist.

You believe it can help you, but it's taken you a long time to acknowledge that you need help. After all, you've been doing this on your own for so long. But you've finally gotten to a point where you can't do it by yourself anymore. You've hit a wall, and now you need help get you unstuck.

Choosing a therapist can be difficult. Please take a moment to read each therapist profile and you will have a better idea of who you feel a better connection with. There is no wrong way to choose. It is about who you believe is the best fit for you.

Bilingual Therapist in Walnut Creek, CA

Maria Carmen Luk

LICENSED CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER
(925) 891-3327
carmen@goldenheartcounseling.com

 

Meet Carmen


If you are ready to learn how to take care of yourself while still caring for the ones you love, I want to help. My clients describe me as compassionate, caring, easy to talk to, and having quiet strength. I love an interactive dialogue with honesty and respect. I will provide a safe space for your journey.

  • You have been through so much in your life, moments of despair that you thought you had overcome. But now you're feeling overwhelmed again. It feels like an endless cycle. You thought the pain was over, but it never seems to completely go away. Whether you're going through a divorce, grappling with feelings of anxiety or depression, or you have recently lost a loved one, you feel more alone than ever before.

    In therapy, I will teach you better ways to cope with these feelings and find hope again. We can tackle this together so that you can find a new way of looking at life.

    I have a Master’s degree in Social Work and have worked in many different positions for over the past 25 years. My education and training's have given me the tools to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). I have worked as an LCSW in a hospital setting with children and adults with chronic illnesses starting from initial diagnoses to end of life. During this time, I have provided ongoing emotional support and resources to many individuals and families who have dealt with life changing traumas. I have completed my EMDRIA Approved EMDR Basic Training through the Parnell Institute which specializes in Attachment-Focused EMDR.

    Your challenge is not easy. As adults, we all carry heavy burdens. You may feel uncertain about life. You may feel sad, not good enough, or lonely. But you need to climb yourself out of the hole you are in. The unsettled stress, sadness and fear of any situation is unique to you. I will guide you along a brighter path, but YOU are the only one that can make that change.

    You have the choice to feel tormented and heartbroken or to start living again. By visiting this website, you have already made the choice to start a new beginning. I would love the opportunity to help you along that journey to a peaceful place in your life.

    You are probably wondering about my therapy style. My clients describe me as compassionate, caring, easy to talk to, and having quiet strength. My clients love that no matter what they say, I bring out the positive strengths in every situation. They love that I always bring the focus back to them throughout their entire sessions. I love an interactive dialogue with honesty and respect. I will provide a safe space for your journey.

    I believe we can start working together. What is stopping you? Schedule your ​free consultation below. Hope is just around the corner.

  • Anxiety
    Depression
    Grief & Loss
    Relationship issues
    Trauma
    Perfectionism

  • Education & Licensure

    • Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), California – #LCSW 62237

    • Masters in Social Work (MSW): San Francisco State University

    • B.A. in Social Welfare (BSW) University of California, Berkeley,

    • Member: National Association of Social Workers (NASW)

    • Association Pediatric Oncology Social Worker (APOSW)

    Special Interests & Experience

    • End of Life

    • Grief and Loss in families in losing their Child

    • Oncology and Mental Health treatment

    • Effects of the brain tumors in patients

    • Hospice and palliative Care

    • Clinical Supervision

    • Immigration Issues

    • Domestic Violence

    • Child Abuse and Welfare System

    • Risk Assessment Training ​

    Trainings & Certifications

    • Brainspotting

    • EMDRIA approved EMDR Basic Training through the Parnell Institute which specializes in Attachment-Focused EMDR

    • Essentials of Trauma Treatment: Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP) Training

    • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

    • Clinical Application of Compassion Training

    • Solution Focused Therapy

    • Motivational Interviewing

    • Understanding and Treating Self-Injury

    • Advance in human brain science for clinicians

    • Treatments that Work: Evidence Based Psychotherapy for Children and Adolescents

    • End of Life Certificate

    • Advanced Clinical Supervision Certificate Program

    • Critical Palliative Care Skills for Social Workers and Counselors

    • Clinical Case Seminar

    • Law and Ethics

    • DSM 5

    • Grief Educator Certificate Program

    • Psychological Evaluation Immigration Reports Training Marc Sadoff

    • Mastering Hardship waiver Evaluation and Mastering Asylum Evaluations

    • Forensic Human Services Program Certificate (A joint project between Department of Family & Children Services, County Counsel and San Jose State University) Introduction to the Judicial Process, Juvenile Court Law; Court Report Writing, Preparing and Presenting Testimony, Collecting Information; Child Protection in a Family Preservation Context

  • Monday, Wednesday, Thursday: 5:30pm-8pm

    Friday: 8am-6pm

    Saturday: 8am-3pm

Bilingual Therapist in Walnut Creek CA

Maria Roxana Vanderlei

LICENSED CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER
(925) 891-3327
roxana@goldenheartcounseling.com

 

Meet Roxana


You are ready to do the work. You are ready to make a decision. Together we can work to re-take control of your life. What can you expect in therapy with me is a safe place with opportunity to have interactive dialogue where you can express your inner thoughts and any emotions you may have. We will take one step at a time so I can better understand you and how your experiences have affected your everyday life.

  • You are probably thinking how can I help. You have been researching for hours. You keep looking but cannot decide who is the best person to understand you. You want someone that gets you. It can be overwhelming on this journey. Just like everything in life, you may be stuck as you do not want to waste your time and make a mistake.

    You may often feel discouraged and let down as you struggle through life with disappointments, depression, anxiety, or trauma. But you are not alone. These unexpected challenges, and stressors happen in your daily life can affect how you function.

    You are ready to do the work. You are ready to make a decision. Let us make a connection and start working together.

    Picking a therapist can be nerve racking. But you are amazing to have gotten this far.

    What can you expect in therapy with me, is a safe place with opportunity to have interactive dialogue where you can express any emotions you may have. I can walk with you on your journey as we explore your thoughts and emotions. We will take one step at a time so I can better understand you and how your experiences have affected your everyday life.

    I have worked over 25 years in setting related but not limited to hospital, Family and Children Services, as a Teacher, School counselor, Palliative and Hospice Services and Board in Care home. I have completed my EMDRIA Approved EMDR Basic Training through the Parnell Institute which specializes in Attachment-Focused EMDR.

    ​Together we can work to re-take control of your life. We will explore those stressors that are causing you pain and discover new ways to cope and re-build the quality of life you have always desired.​

  • Anxiety
    Depression
    Grief & Loss
    Relationships
    Trauma

  • Education & Licensure

    • Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), California # LCSW22242

    • M.S.W., San Jose State University, May 2004

    • M.A in Psychology: Antioch Christian University in Denver Co., June 1994

    • B.A. in Clinical Psychology, San Francisco State University, 1991

    Special Interests & Experience

    • Living with Cancer

    • End of Life

    • Grief and Loss in families

    • Oncology and Mental Health treatment

    • Hospice and palliative Care

    • Clinical Supervision

    • Immigration Issues

    • Safe Sleep Practices (June 2012)

    • Comprehensive Case Planning Training (June 2010)

    • Intimate Partner Violence (May 2010)

    • Psychopharmacology: What you need to know (January 2010)

    • DSM IV (November 2009)

    • Medical Assessment of Pediatric Injuries and Sexual

    • Trauma (February 2002)

    • Drug and Alcohol Training (March and June 2000 SASSI I and SASSI II)

    Trainings & Certifications

    Grief Educator Certificate Program

    EMDRIA approved EMDR Basic Training through the Parnell Institute which specializes in Attachment-Focused EMDR

    Essentials of Trauma Treatment: Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP) Training

    Grief and Loss

    Motivational Interviewing

    Understanding and Treating Self-Injury

    Critical Palliative Care Skills for Social Workers and Counselors

    Law and Ethics

    DSM 5

    Forensic Human Services Program Certificate (A joint project between Department of Family & Children Services, County Counsel and San Jose State University) Introduction to the Judicial Process, Juvenile Court Law; Court Report Writing, Preparing and Presenting Testimony, Collecting Information; Child Protection in a Family Preservation Context (October 2012)

    Awards

    San Jose Mexican Consulate provided a special award for working for the community directly with Mexican citizens

  • Monday: 8:00am-3:00pm

 

 What Sets Us Apart

Bilingual &
multicultural

Online
scheduling

Coordination of care with other providers

Automatic appointment reminders

TeleHealth
option

Secure
messaging

Easy to navigate
personalized client portal

Assessments to
monitor your progress

Ready to Connect & Get Started?

What To Expect

Great for first time patients and parents

Common Questions

Answers to question or concerns you may have

Free Consultation

Schedule your free phone consultation