It only takes one step of courage to start the healing journey.
Trauma Therapy for Children and Families —Across the Full Lifespan in Oakland and Online in CA
Dennis McCollins, AMFT
(he/him)
Associate Marriage&Family Therapist#12847
$150 per 55-minute session
Supervised by Caitlin Billings
Licensed Clinical Social Worker #60863
$150 per 55-minute session
It only takes one step of courage to start the healing journey.
This simple truth has guided me in my work as a counselor, where I have come to see how meaningful change often begins with a single moment of bravery.
With a background in clinical counseling and years spent working within diverse communities, I understand that each person's story is unique — carrying both visible and invisible wounds.
Trauma can shape us, but it does not have to define us.
I’m here to support that courage, to walk alongside individuals in their journeys, and to help create a space where healing feels possible — even when the path seems uncertain.
In-Person · Oakland
Telehealth · CA
Children · Teens · Adults/Couples · Families · Faith-Affirming
Now accepting clients!
Specialties
Trauma & PTSD
Child & Adolescent Therapy
Men's Issues
Couples Therapy
Family Therapy
Depression & Anxiety
Treatment Approaches
Trauma-Informed Care
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
Motivational Interviewing
Person-Centered Therapy
Racial Justice & Identity
Dennis is affirming of clients whose Christian faith is central to their lives and their healing journey. He understands the role faith and church community play in many Black families and welcomes clients who want to integrate their spirituality into their therapeutic work.
How Dennis Works:
Empowering resilience, one step at a time
Trauma-Informed Foundation
Dennis's work begins with understanding — not just what you're struggling with, but the experiences that shaped you. He creates a space where your history is honored, your pace is respected, and your healing is genuinely possible.
Meeting You Where You Are
Whether you're a child navigating big feelings, a teenager pushing against the world, an adult carrying weight you've held for years, or a couple trying to find your way back to each other — Dennis adapts his approach to what you actually need.
Evidence-Based Tools
Drawing from CBT, DBT, Motivational Interviewing, and person-centered approaches, Dennis brings a practical toolkit to each session — skills and frameworks that translate into real change outside the therapy room.
Compassion & Respect
At the center of Dennis's work is a deep respect for each person's dignity and capacity for growth. He believes wholeheartedly that healing is possible — and that you don't have to earn that belief by being "ready enough" first.
Serving people
who look like me
Dennis brings a deeply personal commitment to serving Black communities and communities of color. He understands that representation in mental health care matters — that there is something powerful and healing about sitting with a therapist who shares your lived experience, who doesn't need the world explained to them.
His work is grounded in racial justice, cultural humility, and a genuine understanding of the specific challenges that Black men, Black families, and Latino communities face. He doesn't just tolerate these conversations — he welcomes them.
Dennis's practice is open to all — and his cultural grounding makes him a particularly meaningful resource for clients seeking a therapist who truly understands their world.
About Dennis
Dennis graduated from Palo Alto University in Palo Alto, CA with an Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology.
It only takes one step of courage to start the healing journey. This simple truth has guided Dennis in his work as a therapist, where he has come to see how meaningful change often begins with a single moment of bravery.
Dennis works with a wide range of clients: children, preteens, teens, adults, couples, and families. He is particularly passionate about serving Black communities and communities of color — people who look like him and who deserve to see themselves reflected in their care. His approach is rooted in trauma-informed care, understanding that healing takes patience, empathy, and a genuine commitment to meeting clients where they are.
If you're ready to explore your own resilience and reclaim a sense of peace, Dennis is here to walk with you.
Ready to take that one step of courage?
A free 15-minute consultation to see if Dennis is the right fit for you, your child, or your family. No commitment — just a conversation.