Yar Za Myint (Rocky)
Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist
Friendship problems, family conflict, or a big transition can leave a child or teen feeling alone, down, or unsure where they fit. Starting a new grade, college, moving away from home, or beginning a job can also bring anxiety and pressure that are hard to manage on your own.
I work primarily with children, teens, young adults, and families navigating peer conflict, depression, anxiety about change, or tension at home. With younger clients, I help build emotional awareness and regulation. With teens and young adults, I make room to explore identity, independence, relationships, and the uncertainty of what comes next.
I'm calm, caring, organized, and flexible, with a sense of playfulness that can help younger clients feel at ease. I listen closely, meet you where you are, and adapt our sessions to what helps you feel comfortable and engaged. Depending on your age and needs, that might include conversation, play, practical tools, or looking at a challenge from a different perspective. Safety and trust come first, and I want therapy to be a place where you feel supported and able to be yourself.
My experience includes counseling children and caregivers in an elementary school, working with teenagers, and supporting community college students, many of whom were navigating the transition out of high school. As an Asian male therapist and immigrant, I understand how culture and stigma can shape whether asking for help feels possible. I approach each person's identity with openness and curiosity and offer therapy in English and Burmese, both in person and online.
rocky@valleyoakcounseling.co
(925) 322-0137
“Therapy should feel safe and warm - a place where you can be yourself, feel cared for, and take the next step at your own pace.”
Education
M.S. COUNSELING
Concentration in Marriage, Family, and Child Counseling, San Francisco State University
B.A. SOCIOLOGY
University of California, San Diego
Registration and Supervision
REGISTERED ASSOCIATE MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPIST
Yar Za Myint, AMFT #156072
EMPLOYED BY
Valley Oak Counseling
SUPERVISED BY
Kate Leyva, LMFT #84265
Clinical Experience
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL COUNSELING
Supporting children and collaborating with caregivers
TEEN COUNSELING
Supporting adolescents through peer, family, mood, and transition concerns
COMMUNITY COLLEGE COUNSELING
Supporting students, including recent high school graduates navigating greater independence
LANGUAGES
Therapy offered in English and Burmese
Advanced Training & Associations
EMDR
Basic training
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION
California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists
Areas of Support
Peer Conflict and Belonging
Making friends, dealing with conflict, or feeling left out can be painful, especially for children and teens. We can slow down what is happening, identify emotions and patterns, practice ways to regulate strong feelings, and build confidence communicating and connecting with others.
Family Conflict and Caregiver Support
When arguments keep repeating, both caregivers and children can feel unheard. I create space for each person to name their needs, understand what may be driving the conflict, and practice more effective ways of communicating. Caregiver support sessions can help carry that work into daily family life.
Life Transitions and Growing Independence
A new grade, college, moving away from home, or a first job can bring excitement and uncertainty at the same time. I help teens and young adults make sense of the anxiety that comes with change, consider different perspectives, and set manageable goals for the transition ahead.
Depression and Emotional Regulation
Feeling down, withdrawing, or becoming overwhelmed by strong emotions can affect school, friendships, and family life. I help clients recognize what they are feeling, build regulation skills, and reconnect with the strengths and supports that can make daily life more manageable.
My Approach
My approach begins with safety and trust. I see you as the expert on your own life. My work is informed by solution-focused therapy, play therapy, and EMDR, and I adapt each session to your age, needs, and goals. We will build on your strengths, name goals together, and find steps that feel useful and realistic rather than forcing you into a single method.
With children, play can be the language of therapy. I follow the child's lead as they choose games or toys, offering a steady, attentive place to decompress, express themselves, and practice regulation. Because a weekly session is only one part of a child's life, I regularly collaborate with parents and caregivers so support can continue beyond the therapy room.