Tom Paderna
Top Specialties
- Trauma & Loss
- Gottman Method Relationship Therapy
- Sex & Intimacy
- Discernment
- Infidelity Recovery
- First Responders & Veterans
- LGBTQIA Informed
- ADHD and Neurodiverse Clients
“We are all going through something.” – Anonymous.
Feeling stuck, overwhelmed and unable to move forward and live your best life?
Oftentimes it’s about your relationships, communicating with your partner, major decisions, or facing life’s unexpected challenges. Every so often it can even be those long-standing issues that you’ve been able to deal with, but this time, you just need a little help.
To be human is to be in a relationship. Relationships can be with your spouse or partner, with your family, with Yourself, or even with your community. We were born social creatures. When relationships are working, we’re able to live our happiest life. Relationships can heal. But sometimes, because they are so important to us, relationships can also hurt.
After decades in the technology field, I changed careers because I found that helping others be the best versions of themselves was more rewarding than any other work in my life. I feel very fortunate to have discovered my calling, and love what I do.
As an empathetic intellectual, I first strive to understand who you are and how a lifetime of relationships came to shape who you are. Then together build a roadmap to a better life using your strengths.
I’ve been in the field for over five years of psychology training, in community mental health settings, neighborhood non-profits, high schools, in hospitals and in in-patient facilities helping people with serious mental illness, addiction and poverty.
Most recently, I completed training at the Sacramento VA, where I gained additional experience and expertise in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for depression and anxiety, Mindfulness practice, and Motivational Interviewing. I’m a big fan of Cognitive Processing Therapy for trauma, and have completed provider certification. You can learn more about CPT here It’s a well researched, evidence-based treatment that works for many people suffering from trauma. I’m also a devotee and trained in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, which can help you crack those big problems in life, by rediscovering your values and creating a life that moves not just toward goals, but by living a valued life. I have completed Gottman Level 3 training which is an evidenced base couples therapy method.
I love working with elder adults, people of color, cross cultural relationships, and immigrants because I personally understand the stigma that can come when you’re raised to believe that therapy is something ‘other people’ do.
We all have the potential to live a fulfilling, rewarding life in relationship. Then something happens, whether it’s circumstances, conflict or trauma, life goes awry, and it can be hard to know how to fix it. I believe that we have the ability to heal ourselves and our relationships, with expert help from us at the Relationship Therapy Center.
*Registered Psychological Assistants are pre-licensure clinicians supervised by a fully licensed psychologist. Registered Psychological Assistants have earned a master’s degree in psychology, completed three or more years of postgraduate education in psychology, completed at least 1500 hours of pre-doctoral internship, and passed all doctoral examinations.
I’d love to walk alongside you to understand and help you overcome those obstacles.
Reach out to start your healing journey today