Beth Sorensen Agnew, MFT
Therapy for Individuals, Anxiety and Maternal Mental Health
(408) 834-6985
I use evidence-based practices to work with individuals and young adults, both in-person in the San Jose/Campbell area, and online throughout California. I have been working in the mental health field for over twenty years and feel privileged to be able to walk alongside my clients to teach coping skills, uncover patterns, gain insight and reduce any unwanted symptoms.
My goal is to help you create a greater understanding of yourself, while also reducing worry, fear, avoidance, and unwanted thoughts/images. I take a compassionate and judgement-free approach. I am skilled in sharing tactics that can work for you. I have experience helping clients manage:
Generalized Anxiety Disorder Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder - Phobias
- Perinatal Anxiety Disorder
- Anxiety that is co-existing with Trauma, Eating Disorders, ADHD/Learning Differences or any other experience of being “othered”.
To help overcome these struggles, I engage in these approaches:
Affirmative Therapy: creating an inclusive, open-minded and safe space for all clients. This includes LGBTQIA+ individuals, parents, and families, as well as Neurodiverse individuals, parents and families.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): evidence-based approaches to manage anxiety, panic, including cognitive restructuring (challenging negative thoughts), exposure therapy (facing fears gradually), and behavioral activation (scheduling positive activities).
Nervous System Regulation: teaching relaxation skills and mindfulness techniques.
Perinatal Support: navigate identity shifts related to parenthood, body changes, and parenting approaches. Explore areas including communication with your partner, labor anxiety, and self-care. If you are feeling uninterested in the baby, worry about the lack of bonding or are experiencing intrusive thoughts and/or images, then you may be suffering from a Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorder. I can help you find a way to have a more positive mothering experience.
Relational Framework: exploring attachment styles and experiences, what is serving you and what might be contributing to distress.
About Me
I have an M.A. in Counseling Psychology from Santa Clara University (2003) and a B.S. in Psychology from Washington State University (1996). I completed my California Marriage and Family Therapy License in 2007 and my California Professional Clinical Counselor License in 2013. I have continued to expand my expertise and training by completing the JFKU Eating Disorders Certificate Program in 2012, as well as the Postpartum Support International certificate training in 2019.
I am often engaged in learning about new research developments and interventions. My training and background has been forged by working with at-risk teens and their families at both outpatient community clinics and residential teen shelters. My eyes and heart were opened with the experience of providing family and youth support within the context of foster care and social services. My training continued when providing individual therapy for child witnesses of family violence and counseling for women impacted by domestic violence. I have also thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity serving my alma mater, Santa Clara University, as a Practicum Leader, as well as an Adjunct Lecturer in the Group Counseling class. I continue to pledge that portion of my work is with pro-bono clients, either through The Coming Home Project for returned veterans or for women who are victims of domestic violence.