 Image by Mohamed Hassan from Pixabay Starting therapy can be overwhelming and often can take people time and a few tries. At Oak Creek Relational Counseling Center, we want to normalize that for you and provide you with some insights and tips to make the process a little easier. The thought of starting therapy can come from many things. Maybe we want to change behaviors that cause harm to ourselves or our loved ones, maybe we have suffered trauma that sticks with us and affects our life, or perhaps we just feel like we need some support and having a therapist in our life sounds like it could be beneficial. No matter where you are starting from, there is often a moment of resistance within us. It could be from not feeling comfortable for asking for help or even the preconceived notion of costs associated with therapy. We are going to take some time to break down some of these notions and hopefully help you feel more comfortable with seeking the help that you are considering. “I’m okay, I’m not that bad.” Minimizing is often an inherited trait. Maybe we were told that we were a dramatic kid, and we always make mountains out of molehills. This called minimization and can be a huge barrier in people seeking all kinds of help. Whether it is physical or mental help you’re considering, no one knows your body and mind like you. You are the expert on yourself and are worthy of exploring your concerns with a trained professional. “It costs too much.” There are various ways to receive therapeutic services. Typically, the costliest way is often what is depicted in media; Private Practice therapy. This is a therapist that does not take insurance and charges a fee that works for them. Often these therapists do provide sliding scale or pro-bono services and if you feel drawn to a certain private practice therapist, it doesn’t hurt to reach out and ask if they are open to working with you and your budget. If you have insurance, you can call your insurance provider and ask to provide you a list of in network therapists that you can contact. If you don’t have insurance, there are still many options for you that can be cost friendly. For example, at Oak Creek Relational Counseling Center, we offer low to no cost services to our community without insurance and we are not the only ones. And if you are looking for government services, California has extensive programs that are usually county based that you can look in to as well. “I’ve tried it, and it didn’t work for me.” Then there are the people that have tried therapy and it did not work for them. This is a common occurrence and it doesn’t mean that therapy isn’t for you. One of the most important things to consider when you start therapy is your connection with your therapist. If you don’t have a connection or you don’t think their method is landing with you after you have worked with them for a few sessions, it is completely fine to bring it up in session and ask if they have any references for a therapist that provides the kind of services you are looking for. Not every therapist is going to work for every person and that doesn’t mean therapy isn’t for you. Seeking therapy can be a process but once you find the right provider, it can be transformative. Whether you see a clinician in person or online, both are equally effective. Telehealth is a great option for people who are busy or in a remote area. The profession is moving toward making therapy as accessible as possible. The mental, physical, and financial barriers can be difficult but if you feel as though therapy could benefit you or your family, there are options, and Oak Creek is here to help normalize and provide resources that could help you move through them. If you are experiencing an emergency or are in crisis: please call 988, 911 or call Crisis Support Support Services at 1-800-309-2131.
To speak to one of our therapists about our counseling services and to schedule an appointment, please choose one of the following options. A therapist will contact you within two business days.
Business inquiries: call 408-320-5740 or email i[email protected]. Associate and traineeship inquiries, please visit the Clinical Internship page.  April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM), a vital time for reflection, education, and community action. This year’s theme, “Together We Act, United We Change,” reminds us that preventing sexual violence requires collective responsibility and compassionate allyship. At Oak Creek Relational Counseling Center, we stand with survivors and advocate for safer, more respectful communities. Sexual assault and abuse affect people across all demographics. Data from the CDC shows that over 53% of women and nearly 30% of men have experienced contact sexual violence. The harm is even more pronounced among marginalized groups—nearly 85% of American Indian and Alaska Native women report experiencing violence, and nearly half of all transgender people have survived sexual assault. While the statistics are sobering, they also highlight the urgent need for education on consent, healthy communication, and bystander intervention. At Oak Creek, we believe that healing begins with being heard. We encourage our clients and community members to listen to survivors’ stories with empathy, honor their courage, and elevate their voices in conversations about prevention and change. We also know that prevention starts early. Whether we’re working with families, couples, or individuals, our therapeutic work includes helping people build awareness, set healthy boundaries, and foster environments rooted in respect and safety. This April, we invite our community to take action—whether by learning more about trauma-informed care, speaking up when witnessing disrespect, or simply checking in on a friend. Together, we can help create a world where everyone feels safe, valued, and empowered. If you or someone you love is seeking support, we are here for you. If you are experiencing an emergency or are in crisis: please call 988, 911 or call Crisis Support Support Services at 1-800-309-2131.
To speak to one of our therapists about our counseling services and to schedule an appointment, please choose one of the following options. A therapist will contact you within two business days.
Business inquiries: call 408-320-5740 or email i[email protected]. Associate and traineeship inquiries, please visit the Clinical Internship page.  Photo by JD Mason on Unsplash In relationships, it’s common for partners to enter with their own set of values, communication styles, and emotional needs. These differences can create tension—especially when external stressors like work, finances, or parenting demands add pressure. What starts as a disagreement about how to spend an evening or who does more around the house can become part of a deeper cycle of misunderstanding and disconnection. At Oak Creek Relational Counseling Center, we see many couples who love each other deeply but feel stuck. One partner may crave quality time and shared experiences, while the other may need quiet and rest after a demanding day. Without clear and compassionate communication, each may interpret the other’s behavior as disinterest or rejection. Over time, this erodes trust and emotional safety. Therapy helps couples notice these repeating patterns and introduces new ways of connecting. Instead of jumping to conclusions or withdrawing, partners can learn to say, “I need a moment, but I want to come back to this,” or “I’m feeling unseen right now—can we check in?” These small shifts can make a big difference. Compromise doesn’t mean abandoning your values. It means co-creating space where both people feel heard and supported. Some differences may never be fully resolved, but mutual respect and curiosity about each other’s inner world can restore closeness. Even when things feel hard, repair is possible. And often, it starts with just one question: How can we come back to each other, even when we don’t agree? Oak Creek Relational Counseling Center offers compassionate support for couples navigating disconnection, stress, and change. Reach out to begin your journey toward reconnection. If you are experiencing an emergency or are in crisis: please call 988, 911 or call Crisis Support Support Services at 1-800-309-2131.
To speak to one of our therapists about our counseling services and to schedule an appointment, please choose one of the following options. A therapist will contact you within two business days.
Business inquiries: call 408-320-5740 or email i[email protected]. Associate and traineeship inquiries, please visit the Clinical Internship page.  When we come into partnership with someone, it is usually a joyous time filled with positive projections for the future. Whether you discussed money before you began or not, there are certain things that cannot be predicted such as job loss or economic downturn. In the heat of dealing with the pressure of the financial loss personally, it can be a pressure cooker when dealing with it with your partner. The number 1 cause of arguments in a marriage is money. At Oak Creek, we love to provide resources for people to bookmark for later when they need them, so we have put together some useful tips and links to California specific resources for you. Whether you’ve stumbled across our page or have been receiving services via telehealth or at our clinic in Pleasant Hill, we hope this information can benefit you now or in the future. Reframe When it comes to sitting down with your partner to discuss the financial situation, take a moment to tell each other that the ‘adversary’ is the financial problem and not each other. Look to see if you qualify for government assistance or resources Being a California resident comes with a high price. A part of that cost is paying into multiple assistance programs that everyone has the right to be able to apply for and take part in. These programs are there to be used by people who it could benefit and the more people that use them, the more well-funded they will be come. Whether it’s seeking assistance with your groceries through food stamps or having your taxes done for free depending on your tax bracket, these services can be an incredible help for as long as you need it. Take a look at the programs that CA has available for its residence and see if any of them could make an impact on your family. Take Breaks When things get heated or old wounds get triggered, it is fair and responsible to take a break from the conversation. Before you start the conversation, you could set the expectation that if someone needs to take a 5-10 minutes or more to cool off and be able to come back to have a productive conversation, it should be encouraged. Most Problems are not fixed overnight Just because we wish it could be fixed after one or two conversations, conversations about finances are a relationship long process. Coming into the conversation with that understanding can help reduce pressure. Seek Help Whether it’s a financial planner or a couple’s counselor, getting another person involved that has been trained to assist in the emotional or the financial conversation could help you bring long lasting tools into the relationship. Financial stress can take a serious toll on relationships—but you don’t have to navigate it alone. Whether you’re facing ongoing money arguments, the strain of job loss, or simply struggling to communicate about finances with your partner, support is available. At Oak Creek Relational Counseling Center in Pleasant Hill, California, we specialize in helping couples strengthen their connection during challenging times. If you are experiencing an emergency or are in crisis: please call 988, 911 or call Crisis Support Support Services at 1-800-309-2131.
To speak to one of our therapists about our counseling services and to schedule an appointment, please choose one of the following options. A therapist will contact you within two business days.
Business inquiries: call 408-320-5740 or email i[email protected]. Associate and traineeship inquiries, please visit the Clinical Internship page.  If you are active on the internet right now, you are probably seeing extravagant, expensive, and time-consuming morning routines that promise a better morning and a happier day. At Oak Creek, we like to keep things simple and accessible. We put together a list of 5 simple evidence-based ways that could help you start your day off on the right foot.
  If you are experiencing an emergency or are in crisis: please call 988, 911 or call Crisis Support Support Services at 1-800-309-2131.
To speak to one of our therapists about our counseling services and to schedule an appointment, please choose one of the following options. A therapist will contact you within two business days.
Business inquiries: call 408-320-5740 or email i[email protected]. Associate and traineeship inquiries, please visit the Clinical Internship page. |
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