Psychobiological Approach Couple Therapy in San Francisco, CA

Photo of Michael Griffith, Marriage & Family Therapist in San Francisco, CA
Michael Griffith
Marriage & Family Therapist, MFT, MA, MS
Verified Verified
San Francisco, CA 94114
I use Stan Tatkin's PACT psychobiological couples therapy model, embellished with many other styles.
Successfully helping individuals and couples has always been a priority to me. First and foremost I want you to feel comfortable and safe when we work together and this is essential to fostering your growth. I will be open with you in my understanding of your situation and to share what I can about options you might use in your life situation. Your sessions will encourage you to learn how to make sense of yourself in relationship to others, in love and work. Our work will leave you both supported and also challenged to explore new options in your personal style. Heal dental anxiety and phobias.
I use Stan Tatkin's PACT psychobiological couples therapy model, embellished with many other styles.
Successfully helping individuals and couples has always been a priority to me. First and foremost I want you to feel comfortable and safe when we work together and this is essential to fostering your growth. I will be open with you in my understanding of your situation and to share what I can about options you might use in your life situation. Your sessions will encourage you to learn how to make sense of yourself in relationship to others, in love and work. Our work will leave you both supported and also challenged to explore new options in your personal style. Heal dental anxiety and phobias.
(628) 244-8524 View (628) 244-8524
Photo of Annette Barnett, Marriage & Family Therapist Associate in San Francisco, CA
Annette Barnett
Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, MA, AMFT
Verified Verified
San Francisco, CA 94102
Couples therapy lights me up! Not feeling heard, understood, valued or supported? Repetitive shaming & blaming? Withdrawing? Needing help? Utilizing evidence-based EFT & powerful tools from PACT, NVC & IFS,I help couples create a secure bond & safe haven with each other. You'll learn to trust, support, hear & "be there" for each other. Develop critical self-awareness, accountabiity & WE instead of just ME mentality. Turn towards each other instead of away with vulnerability, authenticity, compassion & attunement. Discover attachment styles, the brain & nervous system, survival parts & trauma that may be hurting your relationship.
Couples therapy lights me up! Not feeling heard, understood, valued or supported? Repetitive shaming & blaming? Withdrawing? Needing help? Utilizing evidence-based EFT & powerful tools from PACT, NVC & IFS,I help couples create a secure bond & safe haven with each other. You'll learn to trust, support, hear & "be there" for each other. Develop critical self-awareness, accountabiity & WE instead of just ME mentality. Turn towards each other instead of away with vulnerability, authenticity, compassion & attunement. Discover attachment styles, the brain & nervous system, survival parts & trauma that may be hurting your relationship.
(408) 684-5477 View (408) 684-5477
Photo of Koo Im Robbins, Marriage & Family Therapist in San Francisco, CA
Koo Im Robbins
Marriage & Family Therapist, JD, MA, LMFT
Verified Verified
San Francisco, CA 94111  (Online Only)
Relationships are core to our identity and play a fundamental role in the quality of our life, shaping who we are, and how we perceive ourselves. Relationships are endowed with our heart’s deepest longings: to be seen, loved and accepted for ourselves, to find healing and wholeness, and to reach our greatest potential. It is no wonder that relational conflicts can, at times, feel so gut-wrenching, heartbreaking, and terrible.
Relationships are core to our identity and play a fundamental role in the quality of our life, shaping who we are, and how we perceive ourselves. Relationships are endowed with our heart’s deepest longings: to be seen, loved and accepted for ourselves, to find healing and wholeness, and to reach our greatest potential. It is no wonder that relational conflicts can, at times, feel so gut-wrenching, heartbreaking, and terrible.
(415) 625-6180 View (415) 625-6180
Photo of Christina Cowger, Marriage & Family Therapist in San Francisco, CA
Christina Cowger
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, MFT
Verified Verified
San Francisco, CA 94123
Recognizing patterns and applying actionable techniques for change is the cornerstone of our work together. I customize an emotional insight approach, cognitive-behavior structure, and mind-body tools for each client. We can safely explore how trauma and family patterns may have seeded beliefs and feelings that no longer serve the life you are striving to live. My neurobehavioral training informs how I partner with you to shift thinking, feeling, and reactivity, positively impacting self-esteem and relationships. Between sessions, tools are offered for ongoing continuity.
Recognizing patterns and applying actionable techniques for change is the cornerstone of our work together. I customize an emotional insight approach, cognitive-behavior structure, and mind-body tools for each client. We can safely explore how trauma and family patterns may have seeded beliefs and feelings that no longer serve the life you are striving to live. My neurobehavioral training informs how I partner with you to shift thinking, feeling, and reactivity, positively impacting self-esteem and relationships. Between sessions, tools are offered for ongoing continuity.
(415) 594-4976 View (415) 594-4976
Photo of Intrepid Therapy Collective, Marriage & Family Therapist in San Francisco, CA
Intrepid Therapy Collective
Marriage & Family Therapist, PhD, MA, LMFT
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
San Francisco, CA 94111
We are an innovative community of unconventional, yet comprehensively trained, psychotherapists providing practical, non-reductive, and in-depth support to help you overcome adversities, resolve outdated patterns, craft more fulfilling relationships, achieve your mental health goals—and address the traumas, stressors, burdens, and conflicts that hold you back from enjoying what your life and relationships have to offer. In general, we foster a holistic and integrative approach to mental health care that focuses on what works and is not limited to what has traditionally been practiced.
We are an innovative community of unconventional, yet comprehensively trained, psychotherapists providing practical, non-reductive, and in-depth support to help you overcome adversities, resolve outdated patterns, craft more fulfilling relationships, achieve your mental health goals—and address the traumas, stressors, burdens, and conflicts that hold you back from enjoying what your life and relationships have to offer. In general, we foster a holistic and integrative approach to mental health care that focuses on what works and is not limited to what has traditionally been practiced.
(628) 265-3125 View (628) 265-3125
Photo of Jeff Shore, Marriage & Family Therapist in San Francisco, CA
Jeff Shore
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified Verified
San Francisco, CA 94123  (Online Only)
Imagine what it would be like to have enough space inside to feel anything and be OK with it. To not get thrown around, to not feel like you are sinking or drowning, and to maintain your balance when things get tough. To be calm when you normally would get angry. To find moments of joy when it seems like everything is negative. While it may not feel like it right now, change is possible. You can do something about your feelings of anxiety or depression, drug or alcohol use, OCD, eating disorders, etc.
Imagine what it would be like to have enough space inside to feel anything and be OK with it. To not get thrown around, to not feel like you are sinking or drowning, and to maintain your balance when things get tough. To be calm when you normally would get angry. To find moments of joy when it seems like everything is negative. While it may not feel like it right now, change is possible. You can do something about your feelings of anxiety or depression, drug or alcohol use, OCD, eating disorders, etc.
(415) 594-4207 View (415) 594-4207
Photo of Joshua Cross, Marriage & Family Therapist in San Francisco, CA
Joshua Cross
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, MFT
Verified Verified
San Francisco, CA 94102  (Online Only)
Do you know what you want? Do you want to be free? Happy? Relaxed in your body? Content? Passionate and sexy? Courageous in the face of fear? More connected to your partner or to the Divine? How do you get in the way of living the life you want? Do you constantly judge yourself? Noticing all the ways you "fail" to live up to way you "should" be. Or do you tend to direct that criticism outwards? Blaming others, feeling envy, or always waiting for external circumstances to line up just right so you can finally live how you want.
Do you know what you want? Do you want to be free? Happy? Relaxed in your body? Content? Passionate and sexy? Courageous in the face of fear? More connected to your partner or to the Divine? How do you get in the way of living the life you want? Do you constantly judge yourself? Noticing all the ways you "fail" to live up to way you "should" be. Or do you tend to direct that criticism outwards? Blaming others, feeling envy, or always waiting for external circumstances to line up just right so you can finally live how you want.
(415) 968-5393 View (415) 968-5393
Photo of Alejandro Daniel Pina Online Couples Counseling, Marriage & Family Therapist in San Francisco, CA
Alejandro Daniel Pina Online Couples Counseling
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified Verified
San Francisco, CA 94109  (Online Only)
Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy for relationships in conflict, couples feeling stuck and hopeless; learn to redevelop genuine empathy for each other. I offer online couples counseling for partners going through difficult life transitions, married couples considering divorce, new couples moving in together, interracial couples with cultural differences, couples experiencing various tiers of infidelity; EFT helps many couples in different situations. Im an Inclusive Therapist providing LGBTQ Affirming and Latinx Therapy and I offer a free 10-minute consultation.
Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy for relationships in conflict, couples feeling stuck and hopeless; learn to redevelop genuine empathy for each other. I offer online couples counseling for partners going through difficult life transitions, married couples considering divorce, new couples moving in together, interracial couples with cultural differences, couples experiencing various tiers of infidelity; EFT helps many couples in different situations. Im an Inclusive Therapist providing LGBTQ Affirming and Latinx Therapy and I offer a free 10-minute consultation.
(415) 650-4362 View (415) 650-4362
Photo of Jen Joseph, Marriage & Family Therapist in San Francisco, CA
Jen Joseph
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT, CST
Verified Verified
2 Endorsed
San Francisco, CA 94109  (Online Only)
As a specialist in sex and relationship, people seek my help for a variety of sexual and relational issues including: recovery from infidelity, out of control sexual behavior aka 'sex addiction,' desire discrepancies, low-sex or no-sex marriages, sex pain, 'sexual performance' issues, challenges with ethical non-monogamy or a desire to open up a relationship, conflicts around porn or fetishes, religious sexual shame, arguing + communication issues, lack of intimacy, major life transitions and couples on the brink of divorce who want clarity and confidence about how to move forward.
As a specialist in sex and relationship, people seek my help for a variety of sexual and relational issues including: recovery from infidelity, out of control sexual behavior aka 'sex addiction,' desire discrepancies, low-sex or no-sex marriages, sex pain, 'sexual performance' issues, challenges with ethical non-monogamy or a desire to open up a relationship, conflicts around porn or fetishes, religious sexual shame, arguing + communication issues, lack of intimacy, major life transitions and couples on the brink of divorce who want clarity and confidence about how to move forward.
(415) 212-5329 View (415) 212-5329
Photo of Ilya Parizhsky, Marriage & Family Therapist in San Francisco, CA
Ilya Parizhsky
Marriage & Family Therapist, MFT
Verified Verified
6 Endorsed
San Francisco, CA 94104  (Online Only)
As a licensed therapist, I have dedicated my career to helping people thrive. But the uneven nature of the process always struck me as limiting the human potential. Each of my clients has an incredible power to heal other people, but they’re not being empowered to use it when they see me for 1-1 therapy. I now specialize in an innovative and transformative small-group approach called Effective Listening. This unique method is taught in groups of 6 people, and each person gets to learn to use their awesome healing power and to be an instrumental part of each other person’s transformational journey.
As a licensed therapist, I have dedicated my career to helping people thrive. But the uneven nature of the process always struck me as limiting the human potential. Each of my clients has an incredible power to heal other people, but they’re not being empowered to use it when they see me for 1-1 therapy. I now specialize in an innovative and transformative small-group approach called Effective Listening. This unique method is taught in groups of 6 people, and each person gets to learn to use their awesome healing power and to be an instrumental part of each other person’s transformational journey.
(510) 876-4835 View (510) 876-4835
Photo of Spiritual Unification Istitute of AIWP, Pastoral Counselor in San Francisco, CA
Spiritual Unification Istitute of AIWP
Pastoral Counselor, PhD, PC, FNCPC, FNCCCE, Counsel
Verified Verified
San Francisco, CA 94118
Do you have a relationship that needs improving? Do your career, business skills, performance, and money power need a boost? Are negativity and self-doubt sabotaging the very things you want to do ... stopping you before you begin? Is your creativity at a dead stop? Has your power of attraction tad the dust? Do you start projects and never finish? Do you want to increase your personal magnetism and attract the right kind of people in your life? Your goals are achievable and the possibilities are endless with Biblical Counseling and Hypnosis sessions. I am Certified COVID-19 and Behavioral Health
Do you have a relationship that needs improving? Do your career, business skills, performance, and money power need a boost? Are negativity and self-doubt sabotaging the very things you want to do ... stopping you before you begin? Is your creativity at a dead stop? Has your power of attraction tad the dust? Do you start projects and never finish? Do you want to increase your personal magnetism and attract the right kind of people in your life? Your goals are achievable and the possibilities are endless with Biblical Counseling and Hypnosis sessions. I am Certified COVID-19 and Behavioral Health
(415) 524-7894 View (415) 524-7894
Photo of Sabrina Rayner, Marriage & Family Therapist Intern in San Francisco, CA
Sabrina Rayner
Marriage & Family Therapist Intern, MA
Verified Verified
San Francisco, CA 94110
Together we'll co-create a space to share the feelings, thoughts, and desires that can feel difficult to say out loud let alone to another person. We'll go even deeper and explore why and how this affects you. Change can feel so scary that we'd rather not do anything different. You are not alone, together we can move through the cycle of feeling stuck to connect with personal growth and joy. Somatic therapy includes the body in a reflective process that can build a sense of wholeness. It's a place to cultivate awareness and acceptance of ourselves, our challenges, and our happiness.
Together we'll co-create a space to share the feelings, thoughts, and desires that can feel difficult to say out loud let alone to another person. We'll go even deeper and explore why and how this affects you. Change can feel so scary that we'd rather not do anything different. You are not alone, together we can move through the cycle of feeling stuck to connect with personal growth and joy. Somatic therapy includes the body in a reflective process that can build a sense of wholeness. It's a place to cultivate awareness and acceptance of ourselves, our challenges, and our happiness.
(415) 862-4961 View (415) 862-4961
Photo of Sara K Levley, Psychologist in San Francisco, CA
Sara K Levley
Psychologist, PsyD
Verified Verified
2 Endorsed
San Francisco, CA 94118  (Online Only)
As a warm, supportive, and interactive therapist, I specialize in helping people who feel stuck and want to move forward. I work with individuals and couples struggling to figure out a specific issue, including simply wanting to feel better, as well as those who want help managing relationship concerns, loss, difficult childhood experiences, and struggles with perfectionism. Through my work at UCSF, I have had extensive training focused on improving relational dynamics within challenging situations and helping people heal from trauma and painful early childhood experiences.
As a warm, supportive, and interactive therapist, I specialize in helping people who feel stuck and want to move forward. I work with individuals and couples struggling to figure out a specific issue, including simply wanting to feel better, as well as those who want help managing relationship concerns, loss, difficult childhood experiences, and struggles with perfectionism. Through my work at UCSF, I have had extensive training focused on improving relational dynamics within challenging situations and helping people heal from trauma and painful early childhood experiences.
(206) 350-8283 View (206) 350-8283
Photo of Tessa Sugarbaker MD MFT, Marriage & Family Therapist in San Francisco, CA
Tessa Sugarbaker MD MFT
Marriage & Family Therapist
Verified Verified
6 Endorsed
San Francisco, CA 94121  (Online Only)
I offer you an empathetic, direct, and practical presence in your journey towards healing. After becoming a physician (I am a licensed Obstetrician Gynecologist), I discovered another calling of mine is working with people and their emotions. As a therapist who is also a physician, I bring knowledge and wisdom of medicine, the body, and the mind-body connection. With this background, I offer you a unique, experienced, and well-rounded therapist. (For safety reasons, I am currently only offering online therapy sessions.)
I offer you an empathetic, direct, and practical presence in your journey towards healing. After becoming a physician (I am a licensed Obstetrician Gynecologist), I discovered another calling of mine is working with people and their emotions. As a therapist who is also a physician, I bring knowledge and wisdom of medicine, the body, and the mind-body connection. With this background, I offer you a unique, experienced, and well-rounded therapist. (For safety reasons, I am currently only offering online therapy sessions.)
(415) 326-7726 View (415) 326-7726
Photo of Kristina Holloway, Marriage & Family Therapist Associate in San Francisco, CA
Kristina Holloway
Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, MA, MFT
Verified Verified
3 Endorsed
San Francisco, CA 94118
We all experience challenges in life. At times, these can seem beyond our ability to handle. I would like to offer you my support. I welcome individuals and couples of all ages, backgrounds, and orientations into the therapeutic journey.
We all experience challenges in life. At times, these can seem beyond our ability to handle. I would like to offer you my support. I welcome individuals and couples of all ages, backgrounds, and orientations into the therapeutic journey.
(925) 492-7266 View (925) 492-7266
Photo of Qin Fan, Psychologist in San Francisco, CA
Qin Fan
Psychologist, PsyD
Verified Verified
San Francisco, CA 94104
Video/phone consults available for all California residents. Whether you are a young adult launching yourself or a well-seasoned adult taking stock of your life, our work together should help you discover more joy & purpose in the realm of work and love. I offer individual & couples therapy including consults for entrepreneurs & cofounders & have helped with a wide range of issues including relationships, career, sexual concerns, work/life harmony, women's health, depression, anxiety & the process of coming to terms with the past. I practice active and engaged forms of therapy and offer an open, trusting, and collaborative process.
Video/phone consults available for all California residents. Whether you are a young adult launching yourself or a well-seasoned adult taking stock of your life, our work together should help you discover more joy & purpose in the realm of work and love. I offer individual & couples therapy including consults for entrepreneurs & cofounders & have helped with a wide range of issues including relationships, career, sexual concerns, work/life harmony, women's health, depression, anxiety & the process of coming to terms with the past. I practice active and engaged forms of therapy and offer an open, trusting, and collaborative process.
(415) 524-0386 View (415) 524-0386
Photo of Frances Verrinder, Marriage & Family Therapist in San Francisco, CA
Frances Verrinder
Marriage & Family Therapist, PhD, MFT
Verified Verified
San Francisco, CA 94146  (Online Only)
Feeling anxious, depressed, stuck in your life? I offer individual therapy to help you identify your strengths, work through your unresolved issues and find greater pleasure and success in everyday life. If you are struggling with romantic relationships, I can assist you in developing romantic intelligence skills. Dealing with communication problems and conflict in your relationship? I offer Psycho-biological Attachment Couples Therapy to expand your loving connection and build trust and safety.
Feeling anxious, depressed, stuck in your life? I offer individual therapy to help you identify your strengths, work through your unresolved issues and find greater pleasure and success in everyday life. If you are struggling with romantic relationships, I can assist you in developing romantic intelligence skills. Dealing with communication problems and conflict in your relationship? I offer Psycho-biological Attachment Couples Therapy to expand your loving connection and build trust and safety.
(415) 689-9150 View (415) 689-9150
Photo of Honeycomb Wellness Group, Marriage & Family Therapist in San Francisco, CA
Honeycomb Wellness Group
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified Verified
San Francisco, CA 94102  (Online Only)
We believe that the value of your health goes beyond just your physical health. Emotional, psychological and social health are important in creating overall health and well being. It is our goal at Honeycomb Group to help you become the person, couple or family you want to be, and uncover your full potential.
We believe that the value of your health goes beyond just your physical health. Emotional, psychological and social health are important in creating overall health and well being. It is our goal at Honeycomb Group to help you become the person, couple or family you want to be, and uncover your full potential.
(415) 338-9366 View (415) 338-9366
Photo of Laura Rose, Marriage & Family Therapist in San Francisco, CA
Laura Rose
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified Verified
3 Endorsed
San Francisco, CA 94115
I work with individuals and couples who are seeking to transform their inner and relational conflicts into opportunities for growth and life change. I have seen deep transformation take place in clients when they begin to learn compassion for themselves and begin to address the source of their symptoms so that true and lasting change can occur. Clients I work with most are those suffering from mood disorders, complex trauma, PTSD, midlife transitions, and relationship issues. I also offer support to family members of individuals with mood disorders, PTSD and ADD/ADHD. I also offer clinical supervision to associates.
I work with individuals and couples who are seeking to transform their inner and relational conflicts into opportunities for growth and life change. I have seen deep transformation take place in clients when they begin to learn compassion for themselves and begin to address the source of their symptoms so that true and lasting change can occur. Clients I work with most are those suffering from mood disorders, complex trauma, PTSD, midlife transitions, and relationship issues. I also offer support to family members of individuals with mood disorders, PTSD and ADD/ADHD. I also offer clinical supervision to associates.
(415) 335-4199 View (415) 335-4199
Photo of Kevin Orzech, Psychologist in San Francisco, CA
Kevin Orzech
Psychologist, PsyD
Verified Verified
2 Endorsed
San Francisco, CA 94104
Psychotherapy is about change. I work grounded in the belief that we have innate resources for thriving and ease that become concealed or underdeveloped. It is my role to help you understand your fundamental needs, history and challenges so you can realign with your strengths and wisdom; while uncovering whats blocking these resources. I work in a straightforward, compassionate and collaborative way to help you integrate thinking, feeling and intuition. The focus of my style is helping you become more confident and knowledgeable about yourself, your mind and relationships; while offering you the tools and guidance to do that.
Psychotherapy is about change. I work grounded in the belief that we have innate resources for thriving and ease that become concealed or underdeveloped. It is my role to help you understand your fundamental needs, history and challenges so you can realign with your strengths and wisdom; while uncovering whats blocking these resources. I work in a straightforward, compassionate and collaborative way to help you integrate thinking, feeling and intuition. The focus of my style is helping you become more confident and knowledgeable about yourself, your mind and relationships; while offering you the tools and guidance to do that.
(510) 606-8993 View (510) 606-8993

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Psychobiological Approach Couple Therapy

How does the psychobiological approach to couples therapy work?

The psychobiological approach to couples therapy combines research in three domains—attachment theory, developmental neuroscience, and arousal regulation—to address relationship challenges. Couples learn about their underlying emotional and physiological responses to different situations so as to identify these responses and then shift them with the help of practice exercises in sessions.

Is the psychobiological approach to couples therapy evidence-based?

While some research has been conducted by its creator, there is little peer-reviewed research to support the efficacy of the psychobiological approach to couples therapy. It’s not as evidence-based as other forms of therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behaviour therapy, or acceptance and commitment therapy.

How long does the psychobiological approach to couples therapy last?

The psychobiological approach to couples therapy is a relatively short-term therapy, typically less than 12 sessions. However, individual sessions can be much longer. A typical couples therapy session lasts 45 minutes, while these sessions often last for two to three hours, and sometimes three to six hours. Some couples may opt to attend two or three sessions per week.

What are the limitations of the psychobiological approach to couples therapy?

A limitation of the psychobiological approach to couples therapy is that the evidence is much more limited than it is for other forms of therapy, such as cognitive behavioural therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, or acceptance and commitment therapy. Additionally, the psychobiological approach to couples therapy only applies to couples in relationships, so keep in mind that it cannot treat mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety.