 We are delighted to introduce Julie Beach as the newest addition to our clinical training team at Oak Creek Relational Counseling Center in Pleasant Hill, California. Julie joins us as a Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) Trainee, bringing with her a rich background of service, resilience, and deep compassion for those navigating complex emotional experiences. Julie’s path to becoming a therapist has been shaped by nearly twenty years as a paramedic and peer support provider, particularly among first responders and veterans. Her firsthand understanding of high-stress environments and the psychological toll they can take makes her uniquely attuned to the needs of clients who are often used to powering through pain silently. Julie creates a space where vulnerability is not only welcomed but honored—a space where clients can take a breath and reconnect with their emotional world. In her clinical work, Julie integrates trauma-informed principles with mindfulness and attachment-based therapy. Her approach is rooted in authenticity and mutual respect, focusing on helping individuals, couples, and families restore connection and build insight. Whether someone is working through anxiety, trauma, relational distress, or emotional exhaustion, Julie offers a thoughtful, grounded presence and a willingness to walk through the unknown alongside her clients. “I know how difficult it can be to ask for help—especially when you’re used to being the one others rely on,” Julie says. “Therapy doesn’t require you to have everything sorted out. We can begin wherever you are, together.” Please join us in warmly welcoming Julie Beach to our therapeutic community. We’re honored to support her clinical journey and look forward to the meaningful contributions she will make in the lives of those who seek care at Oak Creek. Julie is supervised by Stephen Polin, LMFT #7861. 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. Empowering Teens Through Connection and Confidence: Join Our Summer Teen Group in Pleasant Hill5/23/2025
 This summer, Oak Creek Relational Counseling Center is offering a transformative opportunity for teens aged 13 to 17 through a weekly therapy group designed to promote emotional growth, connection, and resilience. Running from June 10 through July 29, this group will meet every Tuesday from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at our Pleasant Hill location: 2100 Monument Boulevard, Suite 7. Facilitated by Associate Marriage and Family Therapist Catherine Carr (AMFT #131708) and MFT Trainee Sara Zavala, under the supervision of Stephen Polin (LMFT #7861), the group provides a safe, supportive environment where teens can practice healthy communication, increase their social confidence, and learn problem-solving skills—all while engaging in interactive and fun therapeutic activities. Group therapy offers a unique setting where teens can gain insight into themselves and others, reduce feelings of isolation, and strengthen their coping strategies. This program at Oak Creek is intentionally designed to meet teens where they are, creating space for authentic expression, peer feedback, and the cultivation of meaningful relationships. At just $80 per session, this summer group is not only impactful but also accessible. Whether your teen is navigating social anxiety, struggling with peer relationships, or simply looking for a place to connect, this group can provide the guidance and encouragement they need to thrive. Spots are limited. To learn more or to register your teen, please contact us today at [email protected]. Let’s help your teen feel seen, heard, and empowered—one Tuesday at a time. 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. 
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and this year’s theme, “Turn Awareness into Action,” emphasizes the importance of moving beyond mere acknowledgment of mental health issues to implementing tangible steps that foster well-being and resilience. At Oak Creek Relational Counseling Center in Pleasant Hill, CA, we are committed to translating this awareness into meaningful action within our community.
A compelling example of this initiative is a recent video released by the Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, who shares her personal journey of finding solace in nature during her cancer recovery. In the video, she describes nature as her sanctuary, highlighting its role in providing healing, perspective, and renewal. This message resonates with our understanding of the therapeutic benefits of connecting with the natural world. To illustrate this message, we invite you to watch the following video: Incorporating nature into our daily lives can be a powerful tool for enhancing mental health. Activities such as walking in local parks, gardening, or simply spending time outdoors can reduce stress and improve mood. These practices align with evidence-based approaches that promote mental well-being. At Oak Creek Relational Counseling Center, we encourage our clients to explore these natural avenues for healing and to engage in open conversations about mental health. By taking proactive steps and utilizing available resources, we can collectively foster a supportive environment that prioritizes mental health. Let us all commit to turning awareness into action, not just during Mental Health Awareness Month, but every day.
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.  Image by Prashant Sharma from Pixabay During the week of May 4–10, Governor Gavin Newsom officially recognized Children’s Awareness Week in California—an initiative that highlights the importance of supporting the mental health and well-being of children and adolescents across the state. At Oak Creek Relational Counseling Center, we were encouraged by this announcement, as it affirms the significance of the work we do every day with children, adolescents, and teens in Contra Costa County. Our clinic offers a thoughtfully designed playroom for young children and a dedicated space for teens, where our compassionate team of trainees and associates provides developmentally attuned care. As we reflect on this week of recognition, we remain committed to advocating for safe, nurturing therapeutic spaces for young people and their families. We even have a long running play group where children ages 7-10 meet up under the supervision of our trained team members and work on life and communication skills with their peers. We look forward to starting a Teens group this summer to create a safe space where adolescents and teens ages 13-17 can gather with their peers and work on their social confidence and enhance their communication skills. Both groups have space open if you are interested in learning more, feel free to contact the clinic here and we can get you in contact with the required parties. Children, adolescence, and teens can feel lonely and misunderstood. Often it can be hard for them to communicate their feelings because they are worried about upsetting their loved ones or getting in trouble. When people feel alone and unable to speak about what is on their minds, it can create situations where our youth feel there is nowhere for them to turn but drastic measures such as coping with substances, self-harm, or even suicide. With the increasing usage of social media and the higher the unattainable social standards become, depression and anxiety increase as well. Taking time to give space and pay attention to the youth of our communities is incredibly important. You don’t have to completely understand where they are coming from or what they are talking about to be able to be a safe space for them to land. Often parents and other caregiving adults are inundated with their own struggles, and it can be hard to spare the energy that is needed to be able to do that but that doesn’t mean you can’t encourage and help provide that through other means like supporting their mental health with a therapist or receiving services for yourself to be able to become more present. We put together a few questions that could be a great way to start a conversation about mental health with your children below:
Our youth is our future. Destigmatizing mental health and fostering a space where they can speak openly about where they are mentally and emotionally can be one of the greatest gifts we can give. 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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