It has been said that children need to pretend to be superhuman just to feel human because our society constantly puts them in a one-down position. My job is to uplift children, empower them, and support parents in their hard work of caregiving.

I believe a truly just and healthy society is one that effortlessly meets the needs of parents and all the small beings they take care of. Sadly, our society robs children and parents of their right to be born into a supportive community of neighbors and friends where there is a natural sense of belonging and healthy interdependence. 
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When a child in our society begins to show signs of distress, they usually show up in their behavior, and this behavior becomes the focus. Now the child is told there is something wrong with them. Something that needs fixing. Our anti-child culture tells us that children’s emotions are a problem, and we as parents are failing if they are struggling. None of that is true. What is true is that we as parents are doing our very best given the hand we are dealt, and our children are like the canary in the coal mine, letting us know something needs our care and attention.

As a play therapist I support that expression of emotion and development of coping strategies by leaning on children’s most intuitive form of language: play. My therapy room is full of toys and art supplies and costumes and games; it's like a virtual reality room just ready for a child to use its technology to work through their emotional stuck places.

Child-centered play therapy is a modality that honors every child’s innate yearning for connection and growth. It centers who the child is and what they need, not the problem they present to be fixed. When we center a child and build the relationship from there, they feel respected and safe. When children are given a safe container to explore their inner worlds without excessive outside influence, they can find what they need for healing to occur. I am honored to use child-centered play therapy as my primary modality with young ones.

I strive to be a model of healthy masculinity for all my clients, doing the work to be a father and white man who will center the principles of love, humor, and justice in all I do.

I tend to work in a human-centered way in general and have particular interest in supporting parents, fathers, and people invested in creating a healthier and more just world bring more balance, connection, and purpose to their lives.

My first job in high school was as an aide for an elementary school after-school program, and I’ve worked in schools and camps ever since. One of my most rewarding professional experiences with children was as one of the founding arts educators of the RiverStars Performing Arts program in Oregon’s Illinois River Valley. As a Integral Counseling Psychology graduate student at California Institute of Integral Studies, I felt a strong resonance with the philosophy of child-centered play therapy, and I furthered my training during a post-graduate associateship with the Child Therapy Institute from 2017-2020. Like all people, I am a work in progress, and I am constantly learning and adding to my practice.

My work with adults and couples: The clients I work best with are battling with the effects of relational trauma, which can be especially difficult because most of us don’t even know what relational trauma is. You might think you had a happy childhood, but now as an adult you find yourself struggling in relationships of all kinds. You don’t know how to set boundaries. You feel selfish when you put yourself first. You feel guilty giving people negative feedback The bottom line is on a deep level you feel that it’s wrong to be your true self if it will inconvenience someone else.

I use a relational approach that honors your inner wisdom while helping you identify the messages and events in your life that taught you to stop trusting yourself. I also provide a lot of psychoeducation to help you see and understand the terrain we'll be walking together.
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If you're struggling to be your full self in relationships, you’re not alone, and there is hope. Together we’ll identify what happened in your life that taught you to hide your true self, and we’ll forge a path from where you are now to the life you were born to live. Send me a message and let's start the healing process together.Please reach out if you have any questions or are ready to schedule a free phone consult!


Phone: (510) 394-5373
Email: [email protected]
Office Locations: Oakland and Orinda

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Testimonials

"Nauser is an excellent therapist to choose for clients who are wanting to deepen their self-awareness in a way that is fun and engaging. Nauser is skilled in spiritual activism work, and is seasoned in working with clients from highly diverse cultures."
-Gregory Michael Tilden, LMFT

"Nauser's passion for making systemic changes, and his high intelligence compliment his big heart that he gives to clients. Anyone who needs a empathic male figure can count on the support provided by his practice."
-Freddie Barahona, LMFT

"Nauser has a gentle and kind demeanor. He is committed to helping people overcome relationship traumas by setting boundaries, learning to trust yourself, and allowing your true self to flourish. I highly recommend Nauser to help you on your healing journey."
-Krista L. Hawkins, LMFT