OUR COUNSELORS
Meet Empathi's
Therapists
Work face-to-face with one of our highly-trained therapists.
We meet with couples and/or individuals to provide customized support.
We're Figs and Teale, the founders of Empathi.
We’re also husband and wife, so working on relationships is not just a job, it’s our way of life. We’re dedicated to making sure everybody gets the support they need.
Schedule a free, confidential consultation today.
One of our highly qualified counselors will learn what’s happening with your relationship, then come up with a support plan to meet your particular needs.
Meet the Empathi
Team
Figs is the creator of the Empathi method and the certification process for Empathi coaches. He’s also Chief Empathi Officer, husband, dad, wounded-healer and was featured on NPR’s All Things Considered as a champion for healthy relationships.
Figs’ life’s mission is to help couples feel more connected.
Teale is a wife, mother, artist and passionate advocate for love relationships. She has a special focus on cultural sensitivity, parenting, and how to prevent and repair affairs and other relationship injuries. Teale loves working with people to facilitate their greater sense of self-acceptance and capacity to experience joy and connection.
A gentle man who walks the talk, dedicated to supporting individuals and couples in their healing and growth. Ford is a certified teacher and senior trainer in iRest, helping train other therapists in this somatic healing practice. He is also certified in yoga therapy and SHEN therapy for emotional healing. Ford’s passion is helping clients find fulfilling connection with themselves and in their relationships.
A gentle man who walks the talk, dedicated to supporting individuals and couples in their healing and growth. Ford is a certified teacher and senior trainer in iRest, helping train other therapists in this somatic healing practice. He is also certified in yoga therapy and SHEN therapy for emotional healing. Ford’s passion is helping clients find fulfilling connection with themselves and in their relationships.
Karen is skilled at helping couples understand the painful cycle of conflict they’re stuck in and guiding them back to safety, connection, and love. She is known by her clients for offering direct and honest feedback with love, warmth, and humor. Karen specializes in working with couples and individuals dealing with relationship issues. She is trained in Gottman Couples Therapy and has intensive training in EFT for Couples.
Karen is skilled at helping couples understand the painful cycle of conflict they’re stuck in and guiding them back to safety, connection, and love. She is known by her clients for offering direct and honest feedback with love, warmth, and humor. Karen specializes in working with couples and individuals dealing with relationship issues. She is trained in Gottman Couples Therapy and has intensive training in EFT for Couples.
INTERNATIONAL COUNSELOR
Certified EFT Therapist, Licensed Psychologist in Mexico
Supervised by Fiachra Figs O’Sullivan LMFT #79062
It’s tough to see couples who really love each other fall apart just because they don’t have the insight they need to make it work. That’s why Iliana works heart-to-heart with individuals and couples, in English or in Spanish, to help them deeply connect to themselves and others.
Using the Emotionally-Focused Therapy model, Iliana leads individuals in navigating their inner world and helps partners understand and see each other so that they can rebuild the trust, safety, and love they both long for.
It’s tough to see couples who really love each other fall apart just because they don’t have the insight they need to make it work. That’s why Iliana works heart-to-heart with individuals and couples, in English or in Spanish, to help them deeply connect to themselves and others.
Using the Emotionally-Focused Therapy model, Iliana leads individuals in navigating their inner world and helps partners understand and see each other so that they can rebuild the trust, safety, and love they both long for.
EMDR-trained Marriage and Family Therapist and Somatic Experiencing Practitioner. Happily married father of two. Raphael loves helping people get more intimately connected by helping them work through emotional and traumatic blocks. His own long-term relationship has been aided greatly by Emotionally Focused Therapy and he wants to share the benefits of being more insightful, honest, and compassionate in relationships.
Raphael has worked with several different configurations of relationship with the focus on creating security, care and safety. By helping couples relate to each other more effectively, it has ripple effects on their children; friends; extended community. The stronger we are together, the easier the travails of life are to face.
EMDR-trained Marriage and Family Therapist and Somatic Experiencing Practitioner. Happily married father of two. Raphael loves helping people get more intimately connected by helping them work through emotional and traumatic blocks. His own long-term relationship has been aided greatly by Emotionally Focused Therapy and he wants to share the benefits of being more insightful, honest, and compassionate in relationships.
Raphael has worked with several different configurations of relationship with the focus on creating security, care and safety. By helping couples relate to each other more effectively, it has ripple effects on their children; friends; extended community. The stronger we are together, the easier the travails of life are to face.
Wendy is a long-time mental health practitioner who believes that, with the right amount of effort, the partnership of your wildest dreams is within reach and can turn up the heat on your personal growth.
In a culture that puts so much emphasis on “I,” Wendy works with patients to develop the “we” mentality required for a loving, thriving, satisfying relationship based on mutual respect and understanding.
Wendy uses Emotionally-Focused Therapy to help couples demystify the behaviors of their partner and learn to identify the underlying patterns and programming that cause emotional chaos. Her work helps members of a couple draw closer and build bonds that withstand the inevitable hardships of life.
Wendy is a long-time mental health practitioner who believes that, with the right amount of effort, the partnership of your wildest dreams is within reach and can turn up the heat on your personal growth.
In a culture that puts so much emphasis on “I,” Wendy works with patients to develop the “we” mentality required for a loving, thriving, satisfying relationship based on mutual respect and understanding.
Wendy uses Emotionally-Focused Therapy to help couples demystify the behaviors of their partner and learn to identify the underlying patterns and programming that cause emotional chaos. Her work helps members of a couple draw closer and build bonds that withstand the inevitable hardships of life.
COUNSELOR
Associate Marriage and Family Therapist #129762 in California
Supervised by Fiachra Figs O’Sullivan LMFT #79062
Alissa helps you befriend your demons, connect in loving relationships, and create a more satisfying life. She’s got a warm, playful spirit, and embraces folks who stick to the middle of the road as well as those who blaze their own trails.
Alissa knows first-hand how it feels to move from painful communication patterns and insecurity to vibrant, authentic, and secure relationships. She works with couples and individuals, utilizing Emotionally Focused Therapy, with relational, intersectional, somatic, and parts-work approaches.
Expect care, honesty, humor, and encouragement when working with Alissa. Her experience includes working with anxiety, grief, trauma, health issues, mixed race/culture relationships, sexuality, monogamy/polyamory, and psychedelic/entheogenic integration. She’s a part of LGBTQ+ and neurodivergent communities.
Alissa helps you befriend your demons, connect in loving relationships, and create a more satisfying life. She’s got a warm, playful spirit, and embraces folks who stick to the middle of the road as well as those who blaze their own trails.
Alissa knows first-hand how it feels to move from painful communication patterns and insecurity to vibrant, authentic, and secure relationships. She works with couples and individuals, utilizing Emotionally Focused Therapy, with relational, intersectional, somatic, and parts-work approaches.
Expect care, honesty, humor, and encouragement when working with Alissa. Her experience includes working with anxiety, grief, trauma, health issues, mixed race/culture relationships, sexuality, monogamy/polyamory, and psychedelic/entheogenic integration. She’s a part of LGBTQ+ and neurodivergent communities.
The therapeutic process has the ability to transform. I am living proof of this.
With the help of a skilled therapist, I was able to rise from my lowest point—anxious, depressed, and trapped in addiction—inspired to leave the business world in order to help others who are suffering.
For this reason, I know that we can change and grow at any point in our lives. I know that we are all worthy and capable of love. Above all, I believe in the beauty, resiliency, and strength of the human spirit.
Everyone deserves a fighting chance to live a rich, full and satisfying life. Therapy could be yours—it was mine.
The therapeutic process has the ability to transform. I am living proof of this.
With the help of a skilled therapist, I was able to rise from my lowest point—anxious, depressed, and trapped in addiction—inspired to leave the business world in order to help others who are suffering.
For this reason, I know that we can change and grow at any point in our lives. I know that we are all worthy and capable of love. Above all, I believe in the beauty, resiliency, and strength of the human spirit.
Everyone deserves a fighting chance to live a rich, full and satisfying life. Therapy could be yours—it was mine.
Counselor
Associate Marriage and Family Therapist #138601 in Oakland
Supervised by Fiachra O’Sullivan, LMFT #79062
As we let others in past our defenses, the growth of love and vulnerability also creates great opportunity for hurt—no matter the form of our relationships. When those hurts are one-sided, repair can be simple, but when all parties are in pain and reactive, negative cycles can ensue.
Sherwood works with compassionate awareness and non-judgmental curiosity to support the exploration of each couple’s unique challenges, with a deep understanding of how these negative cycles undermine what makes relationship beautiful. Using attachment theory and EFT, he transforms harder moments into opportunities for couples to love one another more fully, with greater understanding, connection, and safety.
As we let others in past our defenses, the growth of love and vulnerability also creates great opportunity for hurt—no matter the form of our relationships. When those hurts are one-sided, repair can be simple, but when all parties are in pain and reactive, negative cycles can ensue.
Sherwood works with compassionate awareness and non-judgmental curiosity to support the exploration of each couple’s unique challenges, with a deep understanding of how these negative cycles undermine what makes relationship beautiful. Using attachment theory and EFT, he transforms harder moments into opportunities for couples to love one another more fully, with greater understanding, connection, and safety.
Counselor
Associate Marriage and Family Therapist #135416
Supervised by Teale Taxis, LMFT #100084
Relationships—where the rubber meets the road, where trauma often originates, and where it can heal. Relationships invite us into a deeper knowing of who we are, seeing parts of ourselves and another that maybe we didn’t want to see. Luckily, we are built for connection and can become aware of our emotions and communicate from the depths of who we are, instead of our defenses.
Sarah believes in the power of this work to co-create coherent and resilient relationships: with oneself, each other, and the greater web of existence. Holding the complexities of the human experience with compassion and warmth, she supports the ever-unfolding journey of what it means to give and receive love.
Relationships—where the rubber meets the road, where trauma often originates, and where it can heal. Relationships invite us into a deeper knowing of who we are, seeing parts of ourselves and another that maybe we didn’t want to see. Luckily, we are built for connection and can become aware of our emotions and communicate from the depths of who we are, instead of our defenses.
Sarah believes in the power of this work to co-create coherent and resilient relationships: with oneself, each other, and the greater web of existence. Holding the complexities of the human experience with compassion and warmth, she supports the ever-unfolding journey of what it means to give and receive love.
Counselor
Associate Marriage and Family Therapist #136248
Supervised by Teale Taxis, LMFT #100084
Lily is a firm believer that healing happens in relationship, and not alone. Whether it’s in individual or couples therapy, she will be with you every step of the way, lovingly guiding you to experience yourself and your partner in ways you’ve never known, but longed for all your life.
Lily’s extensive training in developmental and relational trauma equips her to support her clients with attachment-wounding healing at the deepest level, freeing them from lifelong patterns of holding and inauthenticity. A long time meditator and former social justice educator, Lily brings a clear, compassionate presence, alongside a keen awareness of how power dynamics and identity impact our experiences into her work.
Lily is a firm believer that healing happens in relationship, and not alone. Whether it’s in individual or couples therapy, she will be with you every step of the way, lovingly guiding you to experience yourself and your partner in ways you’ve never known, but longed for all your life.
Lily’s extensive training in developmental and relational trauma equips her to support her clients with attachment-wounding healing at the deepest level, freeing them from lifelong patterns of holding and inauthenticity. A long time meditator and former social justice educator, Lily brings a clear, compassionate presence, alongside a keen awareness of how power dynamics and identity impact our experiences into her work.
Counselor
Associate Marriage and Family Therapist #135416
Supervised by Teale Taxis, LMFT #100084
Relationships—where the rubber meets the road, where trauma often originates, and where it can heal. Relationships invite us into a deeper knowing of who we are, seeing parts of ourselves and another that maybe we didn’t want to see. Luckily, we are built for connection and can become aware of our emotions and communicate from the depths of who we are, instead of our defenses.
Sarah believes in the power of this work to co-create coherent and resilient relationships: with oneself, each other, and the greater web of existence. Holding the complexities of the human experience with compassion and warmth, she supports the ever-unfolding journey of what it means to give and receive love.
Relationships—where the rubber meets the road, where trauma often originates, and where it can heal. Relationships invite us into a deeper knowing of who we are, seeing parts of ourselves and another that maybe we didn’t want to see. Luckily, we are built for connection and can become aware of our emotions and communicate from the depths of who we are, instead of our defenses.
Sarah believes in the power of this work to co-create coherent and resilient relationships: with oneself, each other, and the greater web of existence. Holding the complexities of the human experience with compassion and warmth, she supports the ever-unfolding journey of what it means to give and receive love.
Counselor
Associate Marriage and Family Therapist #135416
Supervised by Teale Taxis, LMFT #100084
Relationships—where the rubber meets the road, where trauma often originates, and where it can heal. Relationships invite us into a deeper knowing of who we are, seeing parts of ourselves and another that maybe we didn’t want to see. Luckily, we are built for connection and can become aware of our emotions and communicate from the depths of who we are, instead of our defenses.
Sarah believes in the power of this work to co-create coherent and resilient relationships: with oneself, each other, and the greater web of existence. Holding the complexities of the human experience with compassion and warmth, she supports the ever-unfolding journey of what it means to give and receive love.
Relationships—where the rubber meets the road, where trauma often originates, and where it can heal. Relationships invite us into a deeper knowing of who we are, seeing parts of ourselves and another that maybe we didn’t want to see. Luckily, we are built for connection and can become aware of our emotions and communicate from the depths of who we are, instead of our defenses.
Sarah believes in the power of this work to co-create coherent and resilient relationships: with oneself, each other, and the greater web of existence. Holding the complexities of the human experience with compassion and warmth, she supports the ever-unfolding journey of what it means to give and receive love.
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Empathi therapist for your needs!
Join the Empathi Team
Think you have what it takes to practice The Empathi Method? We want to meet you!
Meet Your Empathi Monsters
These adorable creatures will be with you every step of the way as you navigate our supplemental relationship tools. Are you a Jo? Are you a Pat? Discover it with the Empathi Quiz!
Jo
EMPATHI CREATURE Relentless Lover
Jo is an imaginary being in service to you and your partner, to reflect back relationship behaviors in a fun, engaging, and non-threatening way. Jo embodies the set of human emotions, judgments, and strategies commonly used by people with the emotional bonding style we call the Relentless Lover. By providing an external focus for you and your partner in the Empathi Exploration Quiz, Reports and Courses, Jo hopes you will be able to see your relationship behaviors with more clarity and self-compassion.
Pat
EMPATHI CREATURE Reluctant Lover
Just like Jo, Pat is an imaginary being in service to your relationship, although from the perspective of the common emotional bonding style we call the Reluctant Lover. Pat also reviews your answers to the Empathi Exploration Quiz and helps reflect back ways of being in love, because sometimes it is easier to see ourselves from an outside perspective. Pat has a deeply poignant way of illustrating relationship behaviors—and might even help you have a good laugh or two at yourself!
