A woman with long brown hair, wearing a black lace blouse, sitting on a wooden bench outdoors, smiling, with trees and greenery in the background.

Anya Bates, MA, AMFT

Associate Marriage & Family Therapist, Expressive Art Therapist

Anya’s therapeutic approach is creative and collaborative. She is passionate about helping clients reconnect with their own voice, build self-understanding, and move toward meaningful personal growth. By creating a safe and welcoming space, Anya supports children, teens, and adults in feeling seen, heard, and understood as they explore their emotions, experiences, and personal stories.

Anya thoughtfully tailors her work to each client’s life stage, needs, and goals through conversation, creative storytelling, art, and play. She believes creativity can help hold and express what words sometimes cannot, offering clients another pathway toward insight, connection, and healing.

Client Focus: Children, Teens, Young Adults, Adults, Couples, Families

Therapeutic Approach

  • Art Therapy / Expressive Arts Therapy

  • Person-Centered Therapy

  • Trauma-Informed Care

  • Narrative Therapy

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

  • Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)

  • Solution-Focused Therapy

  • Positive Psychology

  • Mindfulness

Advanced Specialization

  • Anxiety

  • Depression

  • Identity & LGBTQIA+ 

  • Life Transitions

  • Trauma

  • Grief and loss

    • Associate Marriage & Family Therapist – TherapyWorks

    • Associate Marriage & Family Therapist – Effective School Solutions 

    • Associate Marriage & Family Therapist – Ohana Center for Child & Adolescent Behavioral Health / CHOMP Hospital

    • Associate Marriage & Family Therapist – Loma Prieta Elementary School

    • Associate Marriage & Family Therapist – Cabrillo College

    • Associate Marriage and Family Therapist #137307

    • Supervised by Kim Threeths #48257

    • Master of Arts Clinical Psychology: Expressive Arts Therapy, California Institute of

    • Integral Studies, San Francisco

    • Bachelor of Arts in Sociology: University of Colorado, Boulder

    • California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT)

    • International Expressive Arts Therapy Association (IEATA)

Additional Special Interest

Stress, Trauma, Communication, Parenting Struggles, Life Transitions, Suicide or Self-Harm, Work or Professional Issues, Anger, Self-Esteem, Self-Confidence, Identity Issues, Cultural and Diversity Concerns, Behavioral Issues, ADHD/ADD, Academic Stress, Social Skills, Autism Spectrum Concerns.

On A Personal Note

Outside of the therapy room, Anya enjoys making art, spending time outdoors at the beach or on local hiking trails, connecting with family, and exploring local restaurants with friends.

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