LICENSED THERAPIST · CALIFORNIA & WASHINGTON

You deserve a life
you can't imagine
leaving behind.

A green leaf resting on the cross-section of a tree trunk.

WHEN CLIENTS ARRIVE

"I can't imagine my life being something good."

WHEN CLIENTS LEAVE

"I can't imagine living like that again."

Wooden desk decorated with a salt lamp, a laptop, potted plant, a mobile phone, and a table lamp, near a window with a potted plant outside and warm string lights underneath.

I'm in your corner — and I'm going to be warm, affirming, and honest with you. I provide quality therapy for women who are ready to stop over-explaining themselves and start moving forward.

View my calendar

WHAT I HELP WITH

Life's curveballs are my specialty.

Intergenerational & complex trauma

Understanding how the past lives in the present — and building a way through it.

Adult ADHD

Practical strategies and real understanding for women who were often missed or misdiagnosed.

Anxiety

Moving from managing anxiety to actually understanding what it's trying to tell you.

Relationship challenges & divorce

Practical strategies and real understanding for women who were often missed or misdiagnosed.

New motherhood

The real support and validation professional moms need — not the highlight reel version.

Identity & culture

For women who are tired of translating themselves just to feel understood.

WHO I WORK WITH

You shouldn't have to over-explain who you are just to get support.

Women of color

A space where your culture, identity, and experience are celebrated and understood.

LGBTQ+ professionals

Affirming, protected support for the whole you — not just the parts that are easy to talk about.

New & professional moms

Real support for the specific, unacknowledged pressures of new motherhood and working parenthood.

Students & 20 somethings

Navigating early adulthood, identity, quarter-life crisis, and what comes next.

Women navigating divorce & breakups

Steady, honest support through relationship endings and the transitions that follow.

Goal oriented women

For when success on the outside doesn't match how things feel on the inside.

ABOUT CYNTHIA

Born and raised in Oakland. Trained at Berkeley. Here to go beyond "holding space."

With 16 years of experience working as a mental health provider in Berkeley, Oakland, and San Francisco, and a background as a former adjunct professor of complex trauma at USF, I don't just listen — I engage. I help women build the practical skills they need to actually move forward, not just talk about it.

Your identity, culture, and experiences are believed and never have to be justified in our work together. My clients include 20-somethings finding their life purpose, working moms navigating what comes next, professional women of color, and LGBTQ+ professionals. This is a space built for all of you.

LEARN MORE

ONLINE THERAPY

Secure, private, and accessible — your choice.

LICENSED IN CALIFORNIA

LICENSED IN WASHINGTON

I provide online therapy across California and Washington. No commute or parking tickets. I create a space where your story is always safe.

If you’re in Oakland, Seattle, or anywhere in between — real therapy happens when you feel comfortable enough to be honest. A lot of clients find it's easier from home.

Let's have a real conversation.

No pressure. Just an honest first conversation to see if we're a fit.

Book your free consultation

Free 20-minute phone consultation · No commitment required

INSURANCE ACCEPTED

Optum

Anthem

Aetna

Cigna

Quest

Supportive Library

Featured

When Caring Takes Its Toll: Vicarious Trauma, Compassion Fatigue, and Burnout

Caring for others can lead to feeling gassed out. This is a signal of vicarious trauma, burnout, or compassion fatigue. Learn how to identify these three conditions, understand how they overlap, and find the first steps toward recovery.

The Stories Your Mind Tells You: Understanding Cognitive Distortions

You're managing all the things — and still, you think, "I should have handled that better." "I’m not doing enough." These thoughts feel like truth, but they're not. They're cognitive distortions, and Oakland therapist Cynthia Dimon LCSW explains how to stop letting them run the show.

Imposter Syndrome in the Bay Area: Why High-Achieving Women Doubt Themselves

Many high-achieving women with layered identities quietly struggle with imposter syndrome — the fear of being “found out” despite their success. Learn how you reclaim confidence and belonging.

The Invisible Work That’s Breaking Women: How Emotional Labor Became a Second Job

From managing emotions to remembering every detail, emotional labor often goes unseen—and unpaid. Oakland LCSW Cynthia Dimon shares how this invisible work drains women and how therapy can help lighten the mental load.

ADHD in Women: The Misdiagnosis Epidemic

For decades, subtle ADHD symptoms in adult women have been misread as anxiety, moodiness, or "being too much." This post uncovers the misdiagnosis epidemic, addresses the shame, and details the unique way ADHD presents in women. If you're struggling in the Bay Area, learn the critical steps for finding a trustworthy, accurate diagnosis—because you deserve clarity.

The Uncomfortable Truth About Boundaries

Setting boundaries can feel uncomfortable. Learn practical examples to protect your energy, reduce stress, and build stronger, more authentic relationships.

Your Guide to Finding a Therapist in the Bay Area: What to Expect at Your First Session

Taking the first step into therapy is a big one. This guide demystifies the process, offering a comprehensive look at what your first therapy session might look like, specifically for women navigating life in the dynamic Bay Area.

Social Media for Better Mental Health

Many of us consider scrolling through social media a form of self-care. It’s a quick and easy way to stay in touch with friends and family, and it can be a source of entertainment and inspiration. But what happens when the very thing meant to connect us starts to feel overwhelming?