415-450-7888
About me
I am the parent of two thriving teenagers (a son and daughter) and have been happily married for 18 years. I have an M.A. in Counseling Psychology from the California Institute of Integral Studies and a B.A in English Literature from the University of Virginia. Prior to being a Psychotherapist I was a High School English teacher and a stay at home Dad. Prior to starting my private practice, I worked for six years as a therapist and behavioral specialist at St Vincent's School for Boys in San Rafael: with boys between the ages of 7-18 with extensive trauma histories. Currently, I work with clients that range from 15 to 82 years old.
As a therapist I have been described as kind, supportive, gentle, grounded, and playful. I work with clients to help them build authentic, supportive, and nurturing relationships with others and themselves. Through these relationships, they can experience an increased sense of feeling safe and loved in their lives. I help clients integrate different parts of themselves which may be in conflict, leading to more harmony in their self systems. This naturally results in healing, growth, and a greater sense of meaning and purpose in their lives. My work is informed by IFS (Internal Family Systems); Bruce Perry; Stephen Porges; Bessel Va der Kolk; Dan Siegel; Janina Fisher; and Carl Rogers.
I have learned in my years of working with clients who have unresolved trauma (physical, emotional, sexual, neglect) that when they feel safe and supported, then they can access, integrate, and heal their trauma. When appropriate, I include behavioral work (following the client’s lead), helping my clients replace problematic behaviors with healthy ones (eg. aggressive, isolating, and addictive behaviors). As a long time spiritual practitioner, if the client is so inclined, I also welcome the inclusion of spiritual and existential dimensions in therapy.
Welcome.
I am a psychotherapist with ten years of experience helping people improve their relationships and create physical, emotional, and mental wellness. I have an background working with trauma and attachment issues. I work with children, adolescents and adult individuals, as well as with couples and families. My work centers on helping clients cultivate safe, supportive relationships (in their lives and with themselves) that enables them to heal and grow. I am a long time meditator-spiritual practitioner, and welcome including mindfulness and spirituality in the therapeutic work if clients wish to do so.
I also specialize in working with young men in their teens and twenties. Right now, they are are struggling under the constraints of the Covid crisis. Many could benefit from building a safe and supportive relationship outside of the family. This can be a mentoring relationship and/or a therapeutic one.
You can read more about me and my credentials below.
I’m currently working with clients at my office, online and outside (in Marin County) in California. Please call me at 415-450-7888 to schedule a complementary consult, or email me at grtompkins@icloud.com.
“It is astonishing how elements that seem insoluble become soluble when someone listens, how confusions that seem irremediable turn into relatively clear flowing streams when one is heard.”