Connecting Couples Therapy
Attachment Based Couples Therapy
Windsor, Vacaville, or online
707-955-LMFT
Regain the spark, depth, and intimacy your love relationship deserves!
About Chaela:
"It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye."
-Antoine De Saint-Exupery
Chaela Stewart, LMFT98110
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Feel free to read the biographies of myself and my fellow therapists here as you search for a therapist to support you. If you need help deciding on who would be a good fit, feel free to give us a call to discuss availabilities, rates, and therapy orientations.
When I was a teen and beginning to envision the life I wanted, I took note of the marriages, divorces, and families around me. I began to have the dream of helping couples create more beautiful, lasting, and loving relationships. I know first-hand how challenging relationships can be, especially after the transition a marriage undertakes when kids enter the picture. And I have great respect for the couples I see who put in the hard work to really make their relationship what they want it to be. I couldn't be happier doing the work I know I was meant to do.
I attended the University of Washington for my undergraduate work and then in 2006 I earned a Master's of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy from Seattle Pacific University, (SPU). During this time I held a graduate assistantship facilitating an undergraduate course for Dr. Les Parrott, international speaker and New York Times #1 bestselling author. I worked in a broad range of settings before becoming a licenced therapist. I worked in a university counseling center with individuals, and engaged and married couples; in a public school setting with "severely emotionally disturbed" (SED) children; in a residential group home with at-risk foster youth; and as a leader of a new parent support group for mothers and their new borns. In 2011, I decided to go into private practice and focus on my passion, working primarily with couples.
In graduate school I studied Family Systems theories and focused my work on Experiential Therapy, specifically, Dr. Sue Johnson's Emotionally Focused Therapy for Couples (EFT). EFT is a clear, short-term, structured approach based on clarifying and identifying relational distress and improving adult primary attachment. EFT has over 20 years of empirical research, showing it's effectiveness, with nearly 90% of couples showing dramatic improvement. Dr. Sue Johnson is the author of the book, "Hold me Tight".
I am a certified Level 2 Clinicial with Dr. Stan Tatkin, author of "Wired for Love," in PACT (Psychobiological Approach to Couples Therapy). This methodology looks at early childhood attachment and focuses on how that effects both the brain and the nervous system of partners. Using the PACT approach, I work in the moment, noticing the slight changes in affect and arousal that constantly occur within a couple, and placing a high value on experience, rather than on the cognition or analysis of events.
Since 2011, I have attended two professional trainings with Dr. Gordon Neufeld, "The Attachment Puzzle: Putting the Pieces Together" live with Dr. Neufeld, and "Neufeld Intensive Level 1: Making Sense of Kids" via distance learning facilitated by Transformative Parenting. Neufeld is one of the world's leading attachment theorists and experts on child development. The author of "Hold onto your Kids," Neufeld, uses attachment theory and the belief that the relationship IS the cure, as the basis for helping parents work through behavioral stuckness in their children. Because of the parallels between the parent-child relational needs and the primary-love relationship needs, I often make references to Dr. Neufeld in my work with couples, as well as when working with parents.
My work is also influenced by the ideas of David Deida, author of "The Way of the Superior Man," Nicole Daedone, author of "Slow Sex," and the Authentic SF movement. I utilize the concept of the energy of masculine-feminine polarity, the need for emotional containment, real intimacy and vulnerability, and a spiritual healing that comes from being more seen and more fully present within a couple relationship. I help couples experience a deeper connection through facilitating an increase in body awareness, eye-contact, and touch.
About Ingrid:
Ingrid Redding, AMFT109689
Associate Marriage and Family Therapist
Supervised by Chaela Stewart, LMFT 98110
We all want to lead a life in which our life dreams and inner potential are fulfilled. Sometimes life and we, ourselves, get in the way of pursuing these dreams and potentials. As a marriage and family therapist, I can help with these challenges whether they are within your relationships, career or your inner self. I am a client-focused therapist. I work in an engaged, supportive and relational manner. I use an integrative and holistic style in my therapeutic approach and take into consideration attachment, somatic, psychodynamic and mindfulness modalities. I view the client as a whole person and pay attention to influencing factors including trauma, spirituality, sexual orientation, gender expression and identity.
After a life working in the corporate realm and public sector, I decided to switch gears and become a therapist to really make a difference in people’s lives. My aim is to support you to reach your personal goals and development whatever they may be. And if you are not sure, we can work together to figure your goals out. It takes so much courage to seek help. Thank you for taking the first step towards healing your inner self. To schedule a free 15 minute video consultation please call or text 707-278-8553 or use the booking button.
About Brittnee:
Brittnee Berry, AMFT127448, APCC10016
Associate Marriage and Family Therapy, Associate Professional Clinical Counselor
Supervised by Chaela Stewart, LMFT 98110
Hi, I’m Brittnee Berry and I specialize in EMDR and couples therapy for adults. Many people think trauma is only the worst instances like war and abuse, but trauma can be as small as being laughed at while giving a presentation. Anything that causes lasting emotional distress can be considered trauma. Experiencing trauma can affect your mental and emotional health leaving you tired, lost, and angry. It can make managing your emotions challenging, leading to conflict within your relationships. You might feel lonely, disconnected and like communicating with your partner is impossible. It can cause anxiety, depression, or PTSD. Trauma can show up in your body in many ways, such as constant fatigue, stomach issues, or headaches. You might find yourself using substances to soothe these unpleasant feelings. It may be damaging your relationship with food. If you’re tired of living like this we can work together to help relieve these symptoms. My goal is to help guide you through the healing process so you can reclaim your life and overcome the challenges trauma is causing you.
I became a therapist because I genuinely enjoy being a part of others' healing journeys. My own positive experience with therapy made me want to help others. I'll never ask you to do anything I haven't done or am not willing to do myself! I can personally attest to how life-changing EMDR can be. My style of therapy is empathetic, direct, and collaborative. I pride myself on making my clients feel comfortable and providing a space to show up as your authentic self. Our work together will begin by creating a trusting relationship so we can then start on the path to healing.
Although I work with people from all walks of life, I especially enjoy creating a safe space for people who otherwise might not feel safe to come to therapy including the LGBTQ+, Sex worker, and Kink communities. We can work together to help you start living a more free and happy life!
I've been studying psychology for over 15 years and continue to be interested and deeply passionate about this work. I received my master's degree in clinical mental health counseling from Sonoma State University where I graduated with a 4.0. Additionally, I hold a bachelor's and associate's degree in psychology. I completed my EMDR training with DaLene Forester, a leading expert in EMDR and Past-President of the EMDR International Association. I completed PACT level I couples therapy training with Dr. Stan Tatkin, creator of the PACT approach.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a psychotherapy that enables people to heal from the symptoms and emotional distress that are the result of disturbing life experiences. Studies show that EMDR therapy can help people experience positive changes that otherwise may have taken years. There has been so much research done on EMDR therapy that it is now recognized as an effective form of treatment for trauma by the American Psychiatric Association, the World Health Organization, and the Department of Defense. Given the research and recognition EMDR has received you can easily see how EMDR therapy would be effective in treating a myriad of problems that bring people in for therapy. For more information on EMDR, you can visit https://www.emdr.com/what-is-emdr/.
PACT (Psychobiological Approach to Couples Therapy) is a type of couples therapy that quickly gets to the heart of what’s happening with conflict and tension in your relationship.
PACT works by getting couples out of the cycle of blame and instead looks at the underlying reason your partner is upset. A PACT therapist will help you explore what’s happening in your brain, body, and emotions in real time. PACT therapy helps you deeply see and connect with your partner. Connecting with your partner on a deep level can help the pain, frustration, and fear melt away so you can find the solutions you’ve been longing for. You can find more information at https://www.thepactinstitute.com/what-is-pact.
To schedule a time for a free 15 minute consultation call, text 707-583-9443 or use the booking button to schedule a video call.
About Rebecca:
Rebecca Sweeney, AMFT127352, APCC10076
Associate Marriage and Family Therapy, Associate Professional Clinical Counselor
Supervised by Chaela Stewart, LMFT 98110
Entering therapy can be a challenging step, so my primary focus is to meet my clients where they are in order to effect change in a sustainable way. I received my Master of Science in Counseling Psychology from Dominican University of California, where I completed my qualifications as both an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist and an Associate Professional Clinical Counselor. I have experience working with children, adults, and groups in Equine Assisted Psychotherapy, Attachment Theory (which forms the foundation of my work with couples), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Existential/Humanistic Therapy, and Trauma-Informed Therapy. I believe that making space for one’s own needs is the key to establishing productive relationships with others, whether those are romantic partners or platonic connections, and I care deeply about removing the barriers around mental health care, both internal and external.
To schedule a time for a free 15 minute consultation call, text 707-340-5767 or use the booking button to schedule a video call.
About Christine:
Christine Lewis, AMFT134789
Associate Marriage and Family Therapist
Supervised by Chaela Stewart, LMFT 98110
I support couples and individuals seeking to make a change in their life. I hold value in the belief that everyone has their own internal strength to solve their issues and that sometimes it takes a different perspective to help guide you towards taking those steps to improving your quality of life. I work with a variety of conflicts that come up in relationships from infidelity to premarital counseling. My approach is strengths-based and attachment theory oriented. Sometimes couples can get stuck in a cycle of unhelpful behaviors that stem from early childhood experiences. I enjoy supporting the couple to identify these cycles and then build new, more healthy ways of communicating their needs. The same can be said for my work with individuals. We find where old, unhelpful ways of getting our needs met can be replaced with more effective behaviors. I would love to support you in actualizing your goals, whether that be in individual or couples therapy.
To schedule a time for a free 15 minute consultation call, text 707-504-8594 or use the booking button to schedule a video call.
