Oak Creek Relational Counseling Center

01/23/2026

Does it feel like we are living through a "Time of Monsters"? Between political polarization and global crises, it’s easy to feel like the ground is shifting beneath our feet. This sense of unease can lead to relationship strain, burnout, and a deep sense of powerlessness.

At Oak Creek Relational Counseling Center, we want you to know: You are not powerless.

While we can’t control the headlines, we can control how we care for ourselves and each other. Our latest blog post offers a guide on how to find stability and meaning even when the world feels chaotic.

From developing new coping strategies to strengthening your personal bonds, there are steps you can take today to find your footing.

Read more on the blog: https://www.oakcreekcounseling.org/blog/navigating-the-time-of-monsters-finding-stability-amidst-global-upheaval

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, our compassionate therapists are here to help. Reach out for a consultation. ❤️

01/22/2026

We are thrilled to welcome Jennifer Mellin, AMFT, to our team. Jennifer is passionate about helping clients navigate life's complexities from internal conflicts to relationship communication breakdowns. 🤝

A graduate of Saint Mary’s College of California, Jennifer specializes in evidence-based modalities like the Gottman Method for couples and Internal Family Systems (IFS). She works with teens, adults, and couples to foster resilience and lasting relief.

Are you or a loved one feeling overwhelmed? Jennifer is here to help you make meaningful changes.

📍 Located in Pleasant Hill, CA 💻 Telehealth options available 📞 Call 925-276-5781 for a free consultation.

Learn more about Jennifer: https://www.oakcreekcounseling.org/blog/welcoming-jennifer-mellin-amft-to-oak-creek-relational-counseling-center

01/19/2026

01/09/2026

Mantras are not just for yoga studios. They are simple, positive phrases that can help calm your mind and reconnect you to who you are when things feel hard.

Our newest blog explores what mantras are, how to create your own, and how they can support your 2026 intentions with more self-compassion and less pressure.

Read it here: https://www.oakcreekcounseling.org/blog/mantras-what-are-they-and-how-to-utilize-them-in-2026

If you find yourself stuck in negative self-talk or struggling to sustain change, Oak Creek Relational Counseling Center offers sliding-scale therapy in California via telehealth and in person in Pleasant Hill.

12/27/2025

Arguments with a narcissist often feel different. You leave the conversation feeling guilty, blamed, or emotionally exhausted, even when you raised a reasonable concern.

In our newest blog, we outline six red-flag phrases narcissists commonly use during conflict and explain why they are so destabilizing.

Awareness is the first step toward protecting your emotional well-being and setting healthier boundaries.

Read more here: https://www.oakcreekcounseling.org/blog/red-flag-narcissist-phrases-how-to-spot-manipulation-fast

12/19/2025

Generation X women are stretched between children, aging parents, work, and home, often with expectations that never evolved.

Couples therapy can help partners step back, update old agreements, and create a more balanced way forward.

Read the full post here:
https://www.oakcreekcounseling.org/blog/generation-x-women-and-the-invisible-load-how-couples-therapy-helps-reset-the-rules

12/17/2025

Happy holidays from all of us at Oak Creek Relational Counseling Center.

May this season bring gentle moments of rest, connection, and hope.

We are grateful for our community and honored to support your emotional and relational well-being.

Wishing you peace, warmth, and care as we move into the new year.

12/09/2025

Keep going. Even the smallest step forward can change everything. You are not behind. You are becoming.

12/07/2025

Have you ever felt like talking about your stress or trauma isn’t enough?

Many people discover that their body still holds tension or emotional memories even after meaningful talk therapy work.

That’s where body-based and somatic therapies can make a powerful difference.

At Oak Creek Relational Counseling Center, our therapists use approaches such as breathwork, mindful movement, and creative arts therapies to help clients calm their nervous system and process emotions in a deeper, more complete way.

If you’re curious about how somatic therapy works—or whether it might help you or a loved one—we’ve put together a helpful overview.

Read the full blog post here:
https://www.oakcreekcounseling.org/blog/body-based-and-somatic-therapies-a-more-complete-way-to-heal

11/29/2025

We’re excited to announce that Oak Creek Relational Counseling Center is launching an email newsletter created to gently support your emotional and relational health.

Each issue offers short articles, practical coping tools, grounding practices, journaling prompts, and updates on groups and services available through our Pleasant Hill clinic and telehealth.

If this sounds helpful to you—or someone you care about—you’re welcome to subscribe at the link below.

Please feel free to pass this along to a friend, family member, colleague, or client who may appreciate compassionate, trauma-informed mental health resources.

Subscribe here:

Explore expert therapy insights, relationship advice and mental-health wellness tips from Oak Creek Relational Counseling Center in Pleasant Hill. New posts weekly

11/26/2025

As we head into Thanksgiving, we know this weekend can bring a mix of emotions. For some, it’s connection and celebration. For others, it’s stress, family tension, grief, or the pressure to “be okay.”

Wherever you are this week, your feelings are valid.

If you need a moment to breathe, step outside, or set a boundary with someone you love, that’s not only allowed — it’s healthy.
If the holiday brings up difficult memories or complicated relationships, you are not alone.
If this season is joyful for you, we hope you get the rest and warmth you deserve.

Our team at Oak Creek Relational Counseling Center is wishing you a gentle, grounded Thanksgiving. Take care of your mind and body, reach out if you need support, and remember that caring for yourself is necessary, not selfish.

Wishing you safety, comfort, and connection in whatever way feels right for you.

11/23/2025

Have you ever felt like you're "overreacting" every time you share a feeling? 😥 You're not imagining it.

The silent relationship killer no one talks about is Chronic Invalidation—the repeated minimizing, dismissing, or ignoring of your emotions and experiences. Over time, this slowly erodes your self-trust and makes you question your own reality. It’s an emotional software bug that can shut down even the strongest connections.

The good news? We can reverse the pattern! Our latest blog post from Oak Creek Counseling discusses how to:

✅ Name the invalidation in real time. ✅ Anchor your internal truth ("My feelings make sense because they are real to me."). ✅ Set simple micro-boundaries.

Click the link to read the full article and learn how to reclaim your emotional clarity and confidence. What's one piece of invalidating advice you've received that you wish you could take back? Share your thoughts below. 👇

https://www.oakcreekcounseling.org/blog/the-silent-relationship-killer-no-one-talks-about