Psychotherapy

practice and Treatment philosophy

Dr. Yakov Barton founded Oakland Psych to offer trauma-informed psychological treatment for post-traumatic stress, addiction, grief, anxiety, depression, and related life challenges, as well as support for positive growth and insight building. He primarily utilizes a combination of EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) and IFS (internal family systems) therapies to provide a somatic and source-focused approach to healing. Dr. Barton educates his clients on the universality of traumatic and addictive experiences. He defines trauma broadly as any past experience that remains charged and disturbing, and thus has value in alleviating mental health challenges in the present. It's helpful to understand how traumatic and addictive elements exist in all of us and are not static, but rather ebb and flow as reverberations of past experiences (and those of our family of origin). Dr. Barton frames the looping amplification of addiction as stemming from a healthy evolutionary need to feel safe and easeful, but in a way that can become self-destructive through the distortion of trauma that resides in our nervous systems, until processed.

Next steps

Please complete the contact form to schedule a free mental health consultation with Dr. Yakov Barton. This appointment will explore your needs and goals, consider mutual fit, and answer any questions on therapy approach and treatment planning.

Fees

Individual psychotherapy
45-minutes: $335

*sessions of shorter or longer durations are prorated accordingly.

Insurance
Oakland Psych does not currently accept insurance directly, but can provide documentation that you may submit for partial or full out-of-network reimbursement from your healthcare plan. You are encouraged to contact your insurance provider to clarify details regarding your out-of-network benefits prior to your first session.

Sliding scale
Fee-reduced and pro bono services are available on a case-by-case basis and depending on availability and need. Please reach out if the stated fees are a concern for you.

Good Faith Estimate Notice: You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical and mental health care will cost. Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the expected charges for medical services, including psychotherapy services. You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency healthcare services, including psychotherapy services. You can ask your healthcare provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule a service. If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill. Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate. For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, please click here.

Reviews From colleagues

“It is rare to meet someone who is masterful at what they do, especially when it comes to helping others open the doors to their own healing. As a colleague in the field, I can attest to the presence, compassion, and competence that Dr. Barton holds when he is in the room with another. His client-centered approach draws on the strengths of his clients while gently bringing light to the loops that trauma can create. Dr. Barton impressively weaves techniques from IFS (Internal Family Systems) and EMDR to unburden parts of self that have been frozen by trauma, all while respecting the valuable role that coping mechanisms have played in his clients’ lives. I am without a doubt in recommending Dr. Barton to future clients as well as colleagues who are looking for mindful collaboration.” —Travis Shubeck, PhD

As a trauma-informed sex and intimacy coach, I have had the distinct pleasure of connecting with Dr. Yakov Barton as both a colleague and a friend. I can’t speak highly enough of Dr. Barton and his skillful capacity for therapeutic trauma work and supporting those navigating addiction. He is a passionate educator; his breadth of training and knowledge is clear and impressive. I have received valuable consultation related to trauma and addiction and have referred several clients to Dr. Barton. I know so many folks who have benefited immensely from his offerings, myself included. His gentle way of being and depth of compassionate care create a clear sense of safety. His ability to help others understand and befriend all parts of themselves is profoundly impactful and life-changing. —Alison Ash, PhD, founder of TurnON.love

“As a fellow therapist, I have had the pleasure of knowing Dr. Barton and observing his trauma-informed approach to psychotherapy over the past several years. I have referred over a dozen clients to him and have witnessed first hand the incredible impact he has had when helping folks who were feeling ‘stuck’ and/or ‘trapped’ by pervasive trauma cues that kept them in holding patterns that were no longer serving them. We have co-collaborated with several clients over the past few years and I am always impressed by his wise presence, his ability to articulate the essence of people's core wounding while honoring their inherent strengths and gifts. He is committed to de-pathologizing mental health challenges that people experience by utilizing strengths-based models such as Internal Family Systems and EMDR/Flash technique amongst others. He also has an incredible breadth of knowledge and experience working with folks living with addiction and co-dependency strategies. I have been working as a psychotherapist for over 20 years, and I always learn something new when collaborating with Dr. Barton. He is such a pleasure to work with and I couldn't feel more grateful to have a colleague who I can refer clients to who possesses such deep integrity, warmth, solid clinical expertise, clear communication skills, and the rare gift of authentic soulful presence. I couldn't recommend him more highly to prospective clients and colleagues who are looking for clinical consultation or collaboration opportunities!” —Alexandra Elite-Marcandonatou, LCSW

“I had the pleasure of working closely with Dr. Barton, and collaborating with him on cases in weekly consultation groups, including a group we were in that served for EMDR certification. I've seen him handle almost everything you could imagine, with a sense of ease and a good natured sense of humor. He really cares about his patients, and he helps them with cutting edge treatments that work. I wouldn't hesitate to refer a family member or loved one to him. You or your loved one will be in very good hands. I highly recommend him.” —Matthew Rojo, LMFT

“I have had the absolute pleasure of working closely with Dr. Barton and cannot recommend him enough. His focus on trauma-informed care and somatic work has been helpful to so many. Dr. Barton and I led a weekly psychotherapy group together and it was incredible to observe his foundation of psychological knowledge and client-centered approach. I also received clinical supervision from Dr. Barton and benefited incredibly from his expertise and therapeutic intuition. I still often hear from former clients of his how much value they got out of their work with him. Dr. Barton is kind, thoughtful, incredibly skillful, and has created meaningful change in the lives of so many. I would recommend him to any friend or family member looking for support.” —Saba Omidvar, LMFT

Education

PhD, Clinical Psychology | Columbia University

MPhil, Clinical Psychology | Columbia University

MS, Clinical Psychology | Columbia University

MA, Psychology in Education | Columbia University

BA, Psychology + Film | UCLA

Clinical Training & Former Positions

Staff Psychologist + Trauma Specialist, Kaiser Permanente, Department of Psychiatry, Richmond, CA

APA Accredited Post-Doctoral Residency, Kaiser Permanente, Department of Psychiatry, Oakland, CA

APA Accredited Clinical Internship, Kaiser Permanente, Mental Health & Chemical Dependency Services, Walnut Creek, CA

Clinical Externship, Jacobi Medical Center, Department of Psychiatry, Bronx, NY

Clinical Practicum, Dean Hope Center for Educational & Psychological Services, New York, NY

Professional Credentials and Affiliations

American Psychological Association (APA)

Alameda County Psychological Associations (ACPA)

Northern California Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Network (NCCBT)

Credentialed Health Service Psychologist (HSP)

Licensed Psychologist, Califnornia Lic. PSY29455