about
hello and welcome!
I'm Zara Drapkin (she/her), a native Californian and lover of art, nature, and human connection. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who earned a Master's Degree in Social Welfare from UC Berkeley and obtained a Master's Degree in Art Therapy from Notre Dame de Namur. I have worked with teens and adults in a variety of settings, including inpatient hospitals, short term rehabs, assisted living facilities, a Veterans Administration Hospital, outpatient mental health clinics and a group private practice. My experience includes working with individuals who have a variety of severe and complex mental health challenges, including those with PTSD due to complex trauma, sexual trauma and/or combat trauma; bipolar disorder; major depressive disorder; anxiety; grief and loss; and chronic health/pain issues. I also have experience working with individuals across the gender spectrum. I enjoy working with people with diverse cultural backgrounds, beliefs, and perspectives. My work is rooted in mindfulness, narrative based work, and social justice. My framework is LGBTQIA+ affirming, social justice-oriented, trauma-informed, and strengths-based.
I am a licensed clinical social worker who also has a masters in art therapy
I have specialized training in a wide array of therapeutic approaches, including, narrative therapy; mindfulness based stress reduction (MBSR); acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT); cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT); wellness recovery action planning (WRAP); and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). Therapy varies in length depending on what brings you in the door. I am able to offer brief, solution focused therapy, tools / resource building, and long term insight oriented therapy. We will work together to find the approach that would work best for you
In addition to my clinical work, I participate in trainings and conferences. I have been a guest lecturer at UC Berkeley School of Social Welfare and I have been a speaker at national conferences on topics including art therapy, mental health microaggressions, radical self-care, and caregiver burnout. When I am not in the office, I love getting outside, spending time in nature, taking photos, or creating art.