Find a Brighter Path For Becoming Your Best Self
through Virtual (California) or in-person (Palo Alto) psychotherapy
by a California licensed clinical psychologist (PSY31832)
for adults, parents (of children of all ages), and older children (ages 10 and up)
At Brightways Psychology, healing begins with being seen, understood, and supported. Our practice provides compassionate, evidence-based psychotherapy for individuals navigating life’s transitions — from pregnancy and postpartum adjustment to reproductive loss, medical trauma, and complex caregiving challenges. Psychotherapy blends cognitive-behavioral, mindfulness-based, and trauma-informed approaches to help patients find resilience, clarity, and connection. Whether you are facing grief, anxiety, or the overwhelm of change, we are here to help you move forward with warmth, understanding, and hope.
Individual virtual (California) or in-person (Palo Alto) psychotherapy is available to help you find a brighter path by…
-
reducing stress
-
improving your emotional health and well-being
-
processing trauma or uniquely challenging experiences
-
developing resilience
-
coping with the demands of pediatric chronic illness and complex needs
-
finding new meaning and experiencing joy in your life
Take the next step!
Accelerated Resolution Therapy® (ART)
Use lateral eye movements (in-person or virtually) during individual psychotherapy sessions to find a brighter path by
calming your nervous system
privately recalling distressing memories
visually reprocessing the memories so they can become part of your past.
Without having to tell your personal story or share any details ART can help you
process your distressing or traumatic experiences
reduce strong physical and emotional responses (related to PTSD, depression or anxiety) that are interfering with your daily life.
Touch the image below for more info
Click the image below to learn more
Watch the founder of ART describe this powerful treatment
Common concerns…
Have you experienced trauma in your life (e.g. from a difficult birth, a NICU experience, or an unexpected life threatening event for you or your loved one) that has activated your nervous system? Are you constantly “on edge”, making it hard to be your best self?
Do you feel isolated and unable to connect with others because of your unique experiences? Do you need a safe, private space to express all your thoughts and feelings? Would you prefer to talk to someone who can imagine what you are experiencing?
Are you having trouble finding balance between your goals for your family and daily care demands? Do you feel selfish or guilty when you even think about your own needs?
Are you feeling overwhelmed or mentally “burnt out” by the constant uncertainty in your life? Are you constantly “waiting for the next shoe to drop”? Are you unable to find joy in your daily life?
Do you doubt your ability to manage the chaos or wear the multiple hats required to support your family or manage a chronic illness or complex need? Are you afraid to ask for help because you are worried about burdening others? Are you unsure if anyone has the skill or understanding required to help?
Therapy can help you find a brighter path by....
-
feeling heard and understood, possibly for the very first time
-
sharing the parts of yourself you tend to hide from others
-
sharing your experiences without fear of being judged
-
recognizing your deepest thoughts and feelings
-
calming strong feelings so they do not come out when you least expect them
-
identifying strengths that you may not be aware you have
-
increasing your confidence in your ability to manage uncertainty
-
finding new meaning and clarity in your own experiences.
-
feeling realistic hope instead of overwhelming worry about the future
-
experiencing more joyful moments along a still challenging but brighter path.
Providing individual psychotherapy for adults, parents (of children of all ages), and older children (ages 10 and up) who are facing the emotional complexities of:
Pain management and chronic health issues
Caregiving related to chronic illness or complex needs
Trauma and PTSD (related to reproductive trauma, birth trauma, NICU experiences, or medical trauma)
Anxiety and mood disorders (including during pregnancy and the postpartum period)
Grief and loss (related to chronic illness, complex needs, and fertility challenges)
Goals can include helping facilitate the ability to…
Touch photo for more info
Click photo for more info
Manage Illness or Complex Needs
Reduce Negative Emotion due to Uncertainty
Process Trauma and PTSD
Cope with Loss & Move Forward with Grief
About
Hi, I’m Dr. Armer. Thank you for taking this brave first step toward healing.
If you’re struggling with trauma, difficult medical decisions, or life’s unexpected challenges, you have come to the right place for support—I’m here to help guide you on a new path using both professional expertise and genuine understanding.
As the parent of a child with unexpected complex medical needs, I know firsthand the exhaustion from endless appointments and sleepless nights, the sadness from disappointing developments, and the anxiety and stress from making difficult parenting and medical decisions. I know how challenging and important it can be to prioritize quality of life and keep moving forward even when everything feels overwhelming.
As a psychologist, I use both my professional training and personal experience to help patients deal with trauma, crisis, and healing. I strive to offer a caring, safe space where you can process difficult experiences and talk openly about your disappointments, worries, and hopes.
Whether you’re dealing with trauma, anxiety, depression, caregiver burnout, or family stress, I’ll utilize evidence-based strategies to help you move beyond survival mode and rediscover your strength and resilience.
With my support you’ll shift your focus away from feeling stuck to seeing new possibilities—even in the face of ongoing challenges. If you are ready to take the first steps along a brighter path toward becoming your best self, do not hesitate to schedule an appointment now.
FAQs
Most frequent general questions and answers
Do you offer virtual or in-person therapy?
I offer secure telehealth sessions throughout California and in-person appointments in Palo Alto, California on Thursdays.
What ages do you work with?
I work with teens (ages 13 and up), adults and parents of children of any age virtually or in-person.
Additionally, I can work in person with tweens (children aged 10 and up) or individuals who cannot independently access or focus on a virtual session.
What types of issues do you specialize in?
I specialize in helping individuals and parent caregivers navigate trauma, pregnancy and postpartum challenges, birth trauma, NICU experiences, unexpected life events, and medical diagnoses or complex needs. I also provide tools for managing PTSD, anxiety, depression, grief and loss.
Do you provide family or couples therapy?
I do not provide family therapy, although I may include my knowledge of family systems when providing support through individual therapy.
I do not provide general couples therapy that is focused on long-standing marital or relationship issues.
However, if I am working with a parent who shares that their partner is also struggling with supporting their child with complex or medical needs and would benefit from a joint session, I will occasionally provide a focused couples therapy session.
Do I need to retell my trauma story in therapy?
No. With Accelerated Resolution Therapy®(ART) you can heal from trauma without sharing detailed descriptions of what happened. You stay in control of what you reveal.
What is Accelerated Resolution Therapy®?
Accelerated Resolution Therapy®(ART) is an evidence-based therapy that uses lateral eye movements to help you process trauma quickly and effectively, typically in 1-6 sessions. Unlike traditional therapy, you don’t need to share detailed descriptions or your traumatic experiences. [Learn more about ART]
How long does therapy typically take?
Treatment length can vary based on your needs. Accelerated Resolution Therapy®(ART) for trauma typically takes 1-6 sessions. Traditional therapy for anxiety or depression usually takes longer, with weekly sessions transitioning to every other week as you progress.
What are your qualifications?
I’m a licensed clinical psychologist in California (PSY31832). I have degrees from UCLA (Bachelor’s degree) and UNC-Chapel Hill (Master’s and Doctorate), training from Stanford Medicine (Doctoral Psychology Internship and Postdoctoral Psychology Fellowship), and certifications as a Master Accelerated Resolution Therapy® (ART) Practitioner and as a Perinatal Mental Health Professional (PMH-C).
Do you accept insurance?
I’m out of network with insurance providers which allows us flexibility in your treatment. If you have a PPO with out-of-network coverage, I’ll provide a superbill you can use for reimbursement. [See Services page for full details]
What are your fees?
Individual therapy sessions (50 minutes) are $250. Accelerated Resolution Therapy® (ART) sessions (90 minutes) are $450. [See Services page for complete fee and insurance information]
How do I get started?
Schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation to discuss your needs and determine if we are a good fit. If decide to work together, I’ll send you a patient portal invitation to complete paperwork before your first session.
Where can I find answers to more questions?
Please see our Services FAQ or our Accelerated Resolution Therapy FAQ sections.
If you would like to learn how to thrive in the face of challenges with helpful tools, such as mindfulness and self-compassion, reach out and we can set up a free 15 minute phone consultation.
Book a 15 minute Complementary Consultation
*Scheduling a Complimentary Consultation does not create a professional-patient relationship between you and Brightways Psychology.
Need Support Immediately?
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available.
Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org