Meghan Woods

I am an Associate MFT and Certified Trauma Professional. In my work, I focus on helping clients heal from past traumas and stressors so they can lives the life they want. I also specialize in working with couples to increase connection, intimacy and communication.

What I've learned after thousands of hours with clients and hundreds of hours of training, is that everyone has the capacity for change. I've found time and time again that the past impacts the present. Because of this, my goal is to help my clients process their life experiences, in order to heal in the present and thrive in the future. We’ll work together to break the patterns that keep you feeling “stuck” and get in the way of developing the relationships and life you desire. With your knowledge of your life and my experience, training, and clinical knowledge, together we can work to create safety, joy, and calm. Everyone has the potential to lead a fulfilling life, and you deserve to have some peace.

To start, we will focus on developing a relationship of trust, compassion, and self-awareness. It is my belief that in a supportive and honest therapeutic relationship, the hurt we’ve experienced and held onto can heal. From there, unresolved life difficulties and relationship problems can be processed and change can occur. Together, we will look at what is causing and maintaining your struggles and we will work on changing these patterns to create a better life. You'll find that I may act differently than the therapists you've encountered before. I treat my clients as partners. I don't believe in the "all knowing therapist" role. You know you best and I know how to help guide you on your journey. I expect all my clients to be authentic with me and I act that way with them. I use sarcasm, humor, and profanity in my work, because I'm a real person. We'll also go into the science and physiology of why your body and brain are responding in these unhelpful ways and how we can shift these responses.

You might be wondering a bit about my clientele. My clients tend to have a history of complex past traumas, family and parental distress, experiences with various types of violence, difficulties trusting others, and issues around intimacy, connection and communication. I’ve worked with countless clients to help relieve symptoms associated with PTSD, anxiety, toxic stress, relationship complications, abuse, dissociation, infidelity, and difficulties managing emotions. My clients come from a wide range of backgrounds, allowing me the opportunity to have worked with LGTBQIA+ individuals, military personnel, first responders, veterans, sex workers, couples in open and monogamous relationships, and more. I’ve spent hundreds of hours and have gone to countless trainings to ensure I provide my couples and individual clients with the best treatment possible. I’m a Certified Professional Trauma Specialist, Certified in Trauma Focused-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, EMDR trained, Certified in Domestic Violence Counseling, and attend many workshops every year to make sure I can support my clients with evidence-based, scientifically-backed interventions. We do more than “just talk” in session. We actively work to heal, develop, and grow. All of the techniques we use in the room I use in my own personal life. You can be assured that I will never ask you to do something that I am not willing to do myself.

By now you might be wondering a little about me. Before becoming a clinician, I worked as an Emergency Medical Technician for several years, with the goal of becoming a firefighter. I obtained my Associate's Degree in Fire Technology when my work with patients took me on a different path. I noticed both my patients and my coworkers seemed to be struggling on an emotional level, and at the time I wasn’t sure how to help. It was then that I decided to go back to school and get my B.A. in Psychology. After graduating from Sonoma State University, I worked in organ and tissue donation where I provided support to grieving families. I realized then that I wanted to be able to provide longer-term help to people that were struggling and decided once again to go back to school. I started volunteering on a crisis line and obtained my Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Sonoma State University. Since then, I’ve been studying trauma work and couples extensively to make sure I’m using scientifically supported methods to help my clients. My path towards becoming a therapist may have been atypical, but it has allowed me to work with people from all walks of life and I am very thankful.

Finding the right therapist can be a difficult task, but by starting the search you have already taken a step in the right direction. It takes real strength and courage to reach out for help. Let’s use that bravery to uncover your fullest potential. I’m available for in person sessions and online therapy. I look forward to meeting you and helping you on your journey.