Dr. Yakov Barton is a Columbia-trained clinical psychologist and trauma specialist who provides evidence-based psychotherapy to adults, with an emphasis on personal inquiry and growth.

Dr. Barton founded Oakland Psych to provide quality trauma-informed psychotherapy treatment, individual and couple’s coaching, education, and consultation to the greater Bay Area, and online throughout California.

Treatment Philosophy

Brief & Structured

Customized treatment plans to efficiently target areas of challenge and growth.

Evidence-Based

Utilizing empirically-supported psychotherapeutic modalities to effectively work towards goals.

Integral Treatment

Combining synergistic treatment modalities, including eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), internal family systems (IFS), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT).

Positive Psychology

Strengths-based psychological support for depression, anxiety, trauma, and addiction, as well as insight, empowerment, and growth.

Symptom & Source Focused

Providing rapid symptom relief while addressing sources of suffering, such as trauma, distorted beliefs, and maladaptive coping patterns.

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… (read more).” —Travis Shubeck, PhD

“I can’t speak highly enough of Dr. Barton and his skillful capacity for therapeutic trauma work. He is a passionate educator; his breadth of training and knowledge is clear and impressive. …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… (read more).” —Alison Ash, PhD, founder of TurnON.love

“I have referred over a dozen clients to Dr. Barton 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… (read more).” —Alexandra Elite-Marcandonatou, LCSW

“I've seen Dr. Barton 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… (read more).” —Matthew Rojo, LMFT

“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… (read more).” —Saba Omidvar, LMFT

Background & Specialization

Dr. Barton is a clinician, speaker, and instructor based in the San Francisco Bay Area. He completed his PhD in clinical psychology at Columbia University, BA in psychology at UCLA, and clinical residency at Kaiser Psychiatry. His research examines the potential for psychological turmoil to catalyze personal growth and transformation.

ExperTise

Dr. Barton offers psychological support for depression, anxiety, trauma, addiction, codependency, grief, social challenges, relationship problems, and major life transitions. With expertise in trauma and addiction, he provides treatment for chemical dependency, behavioral addiction, and related psychological and interpersonal challenges to adults (18+).

Dr. Barton’s strengths-based approach integrates eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), internal family systems (IFS), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), to support recovery across the individual, family, and community levels. These approaches collectively target the original sources and present symptoms of mental health challenges.

Treatment Approach

Dr. Barton’s practice draws from the positive psychology framework. Historically, mental health care has focused only on symptom reduction. While this is an important aspect of treatment, he believes our unique personal strengths and insights are essential in alleviating suffering and supporting human flourishing. As an educator, he strives to reduce psychological stigma and believes that a successful recovery examines the genetic, developmental, interpersonal, intergenerational, and cultural roots of mental health.

Depression, anxiety, and addiction often develop as ineffective means of coping with psychological, existential, and interpersonal difficulties. Since we all experience these challenges, we all carry risk for developing maladaptive coping mechanisms. That risk can be elevated by heredity, trauma, family dysfunction, mental health factors, and sociocultural stressors, thus these factors must be addressed to support effective treatment.

INDIVIDUAL

psychoTHERAPY

Weekly or biweekly individual psychotherapy for adults (18+) seeking focused trauma healing, recovery, secure attachment in relationships, psychological stability, personal insight, growth, and support through major life transitions.

LIFE, Career +

COUPLE’S Coaching

Trauma-informed coaching for individuals and couples, to support effective action-taking, future strategizing, communication, pursuing goals, increasing life satisfaction, and harnessing empowerment—prior to, concurrent with, or following psychotherapy treatment.