Psychological Counseling

Annette Humm
Psychologist, MSc

A few Words

About Annette

I am convinced that the quality of our relationships shapes the quality of our lives. This belief, grounded in both professional training and personal experience, guides my work as a psychologist and my commitment to helping you improve your relationship with yourself and the people closest to you.

I believe that when we work through our inner patterns and build more secure relationships, this change extends beyond ourselves. It influences how we connect with others and creates a more compassionate environment in our daily lives.

Having lived and studied psychology in different countries, I bring both an international perspective and a strong understanding of local cultural dynamics. This allows me to support clients from diverse backgrounds with sensitivity and awareness.

While self-reflection and personal growth are central to our work, I also value humor and lightness. Both are important resources that help us navigate even deeper emotional processes.

In addition to working with individuals, I support couples in building greater emotional closeness and understanding. Together, we explore attachment needs, improve communication, and create a stronger sense of connection and security within the relationship.

I would be honored to accompany you on your journey and look forward to meeting you.

Patricia Sauerbrey Colton
Diplom-Psychologin (equivalent to MSc, Psychology)

Founder or PSYNC™ Counseling
Graduate of Developmental Model Training by Couples Institute^®

A few Words

About Patricia

One of the things I particularly appreciate about Stefanie Stahl’s work is how she makes complex psychological patterns understandable and accessible. Her Inner Child approach helps us recognize how profoundly our early experiences, inner beliefs, and protective strategies shape the way we see ourselves and relate to others. Understanding these often unconscious patterns is a crucial step toward greater freedom in how we live, love, and connect.

In my work with individuals and couples, I explore these patterns with curiosity, compassion, and an orientation toward meaningful change. Together, we examine how patterns developed, why they once made sense, and how they continue to influence our feelings and relationships today. As awareness grows, protective defenses can soften and new ways of responding become possible.

In relationships, this work gains another dimension: when two people’s patterns interact, one partner’s triggers and protective responses can activate those of the other, creating cycles that leave both feeling misunderstood, disconnected or stuck. Yet these moments can also become opportunities for greater understanding, connection, and growth.

I think of this process as Psychological Syncing — the idea behind the name of my practice, PSYNC. Being “in sync” does not mean always agreeing or being perfectly attuned. It means understanding ourselves and each other more deeply while learning to stay connected without losing ourselves.

I am a German-trained psychologist (Diplom-Psychologin, equivalent to an MSc in Psychology) with specialized training in the Developmental Model at the renowned Couples Institute. Building on this relational growth perspective and Stefanie Stahl’s Inner Child approach, my work draws on attachment theory, Morphological Psychology, and Internal Family Systems (IFS).

My professional background also includes more than 20 years as an in-depth psychological researcher, most recently as Managing Partner USA at the international Rheingold Institute. Much of this work involved in-depth psychological interviews, exploring people’s often unconscious motivations, emotional responses, and internal conflicts. This experience continues to shape my counseling approach: listening closely, asking thoughtful questions, recognizing underlying patterns, and helping people make sense of complexity.

Having grown up and studied psychology in Germany and lived in the United States since 2005, I bring an international perspective and an appreciation for diverse backgrounds and experiences. I enjoy working with individuals and couples from all walks of life, including those navigating intercultural or bilingual relationships.

I offer individual and couples counseling through my practice in Oakland, California, both in person and online, in English or German.

For me, emotional connection is not a romantic miracle, but a psychological capacity that can be developed. When we understand more deeply what happens within us and between us, new possibilities for growth and connection can emerge.

For more information, please visit www.psync-counseling.com or reach out for a free initial consultation.

The child in you

The breakthrough million-copy international bestseller about how to befriend your inner child to find happiness

“A thousand thanks for this simplified path to discovering your inner child. I have used this therapeutic model in my practice to excellent results. In fact, in a recent seminar, a 73-year-old man broke out in tears and stammered: ‘All of my major life decisions are becoming clear to me now.’ He put his wife’s hand over his own, clutched both to his heart, and promised his inner child: ‘I will heal us before our life on earth is over.’ ”
– Hilde Wiemann, Certified Family and Relationship Coach

A few Words

A few Words

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