Much of our pain stems from an internal conflict between who we think we should be and what we truly want. This tension can leave us feeling disconnected from ourselves, stuck in familiar patterns, or uncertain how to move forward. Over time, the effort of living up to expectations that no longer serve us can take a toll on our relationships, our sense of self, and our emotional well-being. We may become so accustomed to meeting the needs of others or striving toward an ideal that we lose touch with what feels authentic to us.

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Toph takes a warm, collaborative, and nonjudgmental approach to helping clients better understand themselves and the patterns that shape their lives. Grounded in attachment theory, humanistic and psychodynamic perspectives, and mindfulness-based practices, his work centers on developing greater self-awareness, reconnecting with core values, and creating space for a more authentic way of being. He is particularly interested in the stories we tell ourselves about who we are supposed to be, where those stories come from, and what becomes possible when we begin to question them.

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Toph specializes in working with couples seeking deeper connection, more meaningful communication, and a way out of recurring conflict. Drawing on emotionally focused therapy (EFT) and attachment theory, he helps partners look beneath the surface of their disagreements to understand the fears, unmet needs, and early experiences that shape how they relate to one another. Rather than simply finding better ways to argue, the work is about building greater emotional security, understanding, and the ability to show up for one another with more openness and care.

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He also works with adults and teens experiencing depression, anxiety, complex family dynamics, and the pressures of high achievement. He has a particular appreciation for overthinkers, athletes, and those from high-expectation backgrounds who feel caught between who they are and who they believe they need to be. His work with artists and creatives explores the relationship between identity and creative expression, including the challenges of burnout, self-doubt, perfectionism, and finding a sustainable balance between creative ambition and personal fulfillment. Across these experiences, Toph hopes to help clients move beyond self-criticism and toward a deeper sense of acceptance, purpose, and connection with themselves and others.

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Before becoming a therapist, Toph spent more than two decades working in the arts as a writer, alongside experience in education and nonprofit settings. His clinical work also includes supporting individuals navigating substance use and recovery in a treatment center, as well as specialized grief work with children and teens. These experiences have deepened his belief that healing does not happen through willpower alone, but through meaningful relationships, a willingness to understand ourselves more fully, and the recognition that we do not have to face life's hardest experiences alone.

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​​​Toph holds a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University and a BA in Film Studies from the University of California, Berkeley.