Center for Mindful Psychotherapy is a non-profit collective of 125+ Associate Marriage and Family Therapists in the San Francisco Bay Area. You can learn more about each of them by perusing our Therapist Directory. In our Conversations with Clinicians series, we interview therapists in more depth. They share more about the work that they do, the clients that they work with, their inspirations, passions, personal interests and more.
Today, we’re talking with Tucker Malloy. Tucker is a somatic and relational trauma therapist in North Oakland who is also a published author, a holistic sex educator, and one of the more distinctly themselves people you’ll meet in this field.
Tucker Malloy brings a layered, whole-person perspective to therapy that extends well beyond the session room. In addition to their clinical work, Tucker authored Expansive Love: A Practical Guide to Relationship Anarchy and offers relationship coaching alongside their therapy practice.
Working from a somatic lens, Tucker specializes in supporting queer, neurodivergent, and trans clients navigating trauma, relationships, and the full range of what it means to be human. Their approach is gentle and direct in equal measure, and their office in North Oakland is a place where laughter, tears, and everything in between are genuinely welcome.
What is your therapeutic orientation?
Somatic, relational trauma therapist
What are your areas of specialty?
Queer, neurodivergent, trans, and non-monogamous clients, with a focus on trauma.
What other modalities inform your work?
Holistic sex education and relationship coaching.
Author of Expansive Love: A Practical Guide to Relationship Anarchy.
What is it like to work with you?
“I have a gentle and direct approach. I welcome the whole spectrum of human emotions, from laughter to tears, dissociation to tenderness. My clients say that I am very supportive of their pacing without being complacent or letting things stagnate. I am a very active and engaged therapist who blends offering concrete and helpful tools with a safe and supportive environment to just be and feel.”
Who do you LOVE working with?
“I love working with queer, neurodivergent people of all ages! I love working with kids, couples, and individuals. I love working with folks who are excited about somatic work and interested in incorporating different creative modalities into therapy like art, music, dance, writing, and more.”
What most inspires you about doing this work?
“I have experienced first hand how transformative having therapy with a therapist you really vibe with can be. I’ve been with my current therapist for four years and I’ve experienced so much more joy and connection to my body and others because of my work with her.”
Outside of the work, Tucker loves playing with their cat and dog, reading, going on nature walks, listening to music, and doing crafts.
What is one takeaway moment from your own experience as a client in therapy?
My therapist once said to me, ‘we’ve been working together for almost 3 years and it’s still very hard for you to feel my care.’ I didn’t realize how unconsciously guarded I was from receiving love. It helped me start to learn how to lower my defenses and actually receive care instead of just pretending to receive.
I believe that therapy is most effective when we think of it as part of a liberatory project that includes protesting, mutual aid, community care, advocacy and organizing.
We’d love some recommendations …
Best places to laugh and cry in the Bay Area?
Best place to laugh is a river day at the Russian River.
Best place to cry is with a friend at Piedmont Springs.
Best self-care suggestions?
- Free: A walk in Piedmont Cemetery.
- On a budget: Red Rocks Beach (just paying the bridge toll).
- At a higher price point: Piedmont Springs.
What are your favorite books and other media?
- Favorite therapy books: My Grandmother’s Hands by Resmaa Menakem and Anchored by Deb Dana.
- Favorite non-therapy books: Tucker is a devoted fan of queer fantasy. Some favorites: The Binti Trilogy, House on the Cerulean Sea, The Shades of Magic trilogy, and The Last Binding trilogy.
- Favorite quote: “The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change.” — Carl Rogers
- What are some of your favorite films, songs, podcasts, etc.?
- “I love horror movies because they so often deal with topics like grief and fear.” Tucker particularly loves The Haunting of Hill House series.
If you could sum up in one sentence why someone might go to therapy, what would you say?
As Mary Oliver asks: “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”
Therapy is a place to explore that question.
What is one thing that clients might be surprised to learn about you?
I am very introverted and much prefer crafting at home than going out!
How can people contact you?
- Tucker Malloy, AMFT #162154, supervised by Katie Burrill.
- Website: somaticholistictherapy.com
- Instagram: @somaticandsensual
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: (510) 588-5925
Center for Mindful Psychotherapy is a non profit collective of 125+ Associate Marriage and Family Therapists in the San Francisco Bay Area. You can learn more about each of them from perusing our Therapist Directory.