About Me
Hello! I'm Eric, and I’m guessing like you, I wear many hats. I'm a stepfather, a husband, and a devoted pet dad to rescue animals and feral cats. One of my passions is indoor gardening, particularly nurturing orchids and other leafy greens. I'm also an unapologetic sci-fi and science geek, and I play the guitar and bass, although it's been a while. My taste in music is eclectic, and I enjoy cooking and appreciating various forms of art. Also, I find that laughter truly soothes my soul.
Like many of the people I work with, I have experienced difficult and painful events, and trauma, and yes made some choices in my life that I came to later regret. I've knowingly and unknowingly sabotaged relationships and missed out on opportunities in the past. When I felt pressured or scared, I used to act impulsively and could turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms. There was a time when I felt trapped in a deep, dark hole, convinced I would never escape its grasp. Thankfully, however, my journey of healing from these painful experiences has not only contributed to my own personal growth but also inspired me to become a therapist and walk alongside others to find their own paths to healing.
It's important to note that my path to becoming a therapist was somewhat different from what might be perceived as a traditional norm. First and foremost, I want to emphasize that I respect and honor each client's unique worldview and beliefs, regardless of what they may be. This includes spiritual beliefs, whether you identify as atheistic, agnostic, or hold strong faith or belief systems.
Eric Winton, LMFT
Before I became a psychotherapist, I spent a good chunk of time working in pastoral ministry throughout the East Bay Area. It was during this time that I became aware of my own limitations, biases, and privileges, and realized just how crucial it is to provide specialized and individual care and support for those in need. This realization led me to pursue further education and training in therapy. And as a result, I feel comfortable working with clients who choose to bring their spirituality and/or faith into our sessions, as much or as little as they feel comfortable with. However, I want you to know that the role of spirituality and faith in our work, or its absence, is entirely up to you. Your comfort and individual needs are what matter most.
I've been a Bay Area resident for most of my life, and I absolutely love the diversity, experiences, and opportunities that the San Francisco Bay Area offers. When it comes to my approach, I embrace inclusivity, as well as being affirming towards all transgender and non-binary individuals, and actively anti-racist. As a white male, I am aware of the privilege I hold, and I'm committed to constantly learning and growing in my awareness and how I engage with marginalized groups, such as BIPOC and the LGBTQ+ community.
In my therapy practice, I strongly believe that healing is facilitated through meaningful relationships with others. I consider it a privilege to walk alongside my clients through all the seasons of life, especially the challenging ones. While therapy can often involve tough and painful experiences, I also try to make space for humor and celebration. I strive to collaborate with my clients, bringing empathy, intuition, and engagement to our sessions. My goal is not only to alleviate distressing symptoms, but also to assist you in finding renewal, revitalization, and a more fulfilling way of living your life! If you're someone who dares to dream of conquering your own obstacles and desire clarity, confidence, and peace of mind, then you're my kind of person so… Let’s talk!
EDUCATION, LICENSURE and CERTIFICATIONS:
Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy from Western Seminary
Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Counseling from William Jessup University
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist - LMFT #134250
Certified Clinical Trauma Professional - CCTP #707899
THERAPEUTIC APPROACH:
Some Psych and tech speak for those that are curious…
I come from a Psychodynamic perspective utilizing Attachment Theory, Family, and Internal Family Systems Theory including Somatic conceptualization where and when appropriate while working with clients.
Treatment approaches other than talk therapy include Brainspotting (BSP), Image Transformation Therapy (ImTT), Mindfulness Centered Therapy (Mindfulness), Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) as well as Somatic approaches to name a few.
I have advanced training in Brainspotting (BSP) and Image Transformation Therapy (ImTT) Both of which are treatment protocols for various emotional distress issues including Trauma.