Oakland Psychotherapy & Online Counseling
About Chloe Demisch
Mental Health Professional Experience
I have 15 years of experience in mental health as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with UCSF, the San Francisco Department of Public Health, the San Francisco County Jail and the Behavioral Health Court of San Francisco providing care for adults with severe mental illnesses and drug/alcohol addictions.
After graduating with my B.A. in Psychology from UC Berkeley, I worked in mental health rehabilitation centers in Oakland and discovered I wanted to pursue a Masters in Social Work so I could further my career in helping those with mental health issues. I completed my MSW at UC Berkeley in 2009 and obtained my license as an LCSW in 2014.
I spent time as a therapist for students at the San Francisco Art Institute in their Counseling Department while getting my Masters in Social Work and worked in halfway homes in San Francisco after I graduated with my MSW.
In all these different mental health settings, I found that I enjoyed and excelled most working with young adult clients. This led me to continue my passion helping this population in my private practice which I began in 2016.
On a personal note…
I am born and raised in San Diego, CA, I came to the Bay Area for college at UC Berkeley in 2002 and never left! After living in San Francisco for 10 years, I moved to Oakland in 2019 where I currently practice.
To take care of you, I know I have to take care of myself. To relax and unwind, I love to garden, run, travel, and explore new restaurants. I also compose piano music and am in a 90s cover band with some of my best friends from college. We occasionally perform at small venues around the Bay Area; it’s super fun and a great way to let off steam! I am passionate about creativity which I pursue through music, interior design, sewing, arranging flowers, and making greeting cards.
Why choose therapy with Chloe Demisch, LCSW?
Chloe offers a unique perspective shaped by a decade of clinical work as a social worker while also highly trained in individual psychotherapy techniques including Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing, and Psychodynamic Therapy.
I’ve helped people from all walks of life, with all kinds of difficulties. I use creativity and relatability to help clients feel safe and understood.
Working in jail and hospital settings has prepared me to tackle the most complex psychological issues and allows me to provide you with a curious and hopeful attitude. You will find an open mind and an open heart in psychotherapy to talk about the things that make you scared, sad, angry, or ashamed. I’m here for the hard stuff!
Get unbiased support and learn new skills to help you flow through life more flexibly. Book an in-person counseling or online therapy session with me today to get your life back on track!
Candor + Care
I want my clients to feel comfortable and understood. I am not a buttoned-up “suit and tie” kind of gal.
A familiar and optimistic style tends to fit best with clients who seek my help. In therapy sessions, I balance support, care, and honesty, with a dash of humor.
Using everyday language and avoiding overly complicated psychological jargon helps us be on the same page.
I find what makes you unique and capitalize on that.
Does Chloe provide therapy in-person now?
Yes! Chloe Demisch, LCSW provides in-person psychotherapy sessions at her office in Temescal in Oakland, CA. She is a licensed therapist who is fully vaccinated and boosted against Covid-19. If you prefer that you and/or I wear a mask during sessions, that is totally ok!
Book here for in-person psychotherapy sessions!
Why ACT works
ACT (Acceptance & Commitment Therapy) works because it’s not just a quick fix. ACT is a long-term mindset that is applicable in every situation.
Many therapies teach you to do things to make yourself feel better quickly. Unfortunately these tactics are short-lived and usually you find yourself back in the same difficult place over and over again. ACT teaches us that difficulty is normal and pain is not something to be feared. ACT focuses on creating a rich, purposeful life. When we do something meaningful, it is usually difficult and takes us out of our comfort zone. But if we are willing to make room for the challenges that come with working towards our dreams, nothing will stop us!
Acceptance & Commitment Therapy gets you results because just like its name, ACT is all about ACTion! You will have something to show for all your efforts at overcoming obstacles and unraveling unhelpful thought patterns.
When we just stay stuck in our head, we waste a lot of time. The energy you spent dwelling on the past, or worrying about the future, will instead be put to use doing something meaningful, something worthwhile, something life-changing!
“Now I’m figuring out that I want things. I used to think I didn’t know what my values were; with Chloe, life makes a little more sense.”
