Therapists in Castro, San Francisco, CA

Throughout our lives, we all have experienced feelings of depression, anxiety, and anger. These emotions leave you feeling insecure, shameful, lonely, unworthy and stuck in unhealthy patterns of behavior. Trauma can have negative emotional and physical effects and can lead to family/relationship issues. I specialize in solution-focused brief therapy, motivational interviewing, mindfulness and CBT. These approaches allow me to work with the client to decrease symptoms of anxiety and depression and other health/behavioral issues.

I specialize in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Exposure/Response Prevention (ERP) for adults with OCD and anxiety disorders (such as generalized anxiety, panic, and phobias). I'm also experienced in working with depression, bipolar, bulimia and binge eating, and other disorders. In addition, I have an interest in health psychology and enjoy working with people on issues like weight management, smoking cessation, and coping with medical problems.

Are you experiencing challenges dealing with anxiety, depression, relationship/family issues, and trauma/PTSD? Due to these symptoms, we can be in too much emotional pain and feel too stuck to reframe our perceptions or to find solutions to our problems. Childhood or recent trauma can cause emotional distress that can be difficult to process. I am here to support you in working through unresolved trauma and guide you toward healing. Therefore, you can feel empowered, rejuvenated, and enthusiastic about life again.

There are many factors that can lead a person to therapy. Perhaps you’re experiencing a persistent feeling of fear, loneliness, or anxiety, but can’t quite put your finger on where it’s coming from. You may have experienced a recent change or loss of a loved one, relationship, or job that is profoundly impacting you. Or, it could be that the voice of your inner critic is so loud that they/she/he is all you hear.

Navigating life’s precious or difficult moments can be challenging for anyone, and seeking help is an important step for you to achieve fulfillment. Working with a wide range of clients, from children to adults, I lead with empathy to help my clients balance their emotions and understand what may be preventing them from realizing their full potential.

I believe that each of us has the ability to make the changes necessary in order to live the life we want. Unfortunately, we cannot always clearly see that path. My goal is to help you uncover the answers which will allow you to take the necessary steps in order to make positive changes in your life. Whether you want to make changes in your habits, further understand your behaviors in relationships, get a handle on your anxiety or depression, or maybe something else, I believe a strong connection with an understanding therapist will help you along your journey.

If you're struggling with anxiety, depression, feeling stuck, burnt-out, or giving more than you are getting in your relationships, these are signs telling you it's time for a change. I work with individuals that want to shift painful patterns such as co-dependency, self-criticism, poor boundaries, or difficulty in intimate relationships. I also work with people who are experiencing transitions such as grief and loss, breakups, and career changes. I am trained in EMDR therapy (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing), a highly effective tool for coping with and healing trauma.

Are you having any mental blocks stemming from stress? Would you like to learn creative, evidence-based practical skills that can facilitate positive lasting change? As an active psychotherapist and professional musician I work with motivated clients who want to obtain greater self compassion, acceptance and productive strategies to assist in establishing a healthy balance in their professional and personal lives.

There is no one reason to enter therapy that is more meaningful or valid than any other. In my approach, all of your experiences matter and there are no wrong answers. I view each person as unique and multi-dimensional–not just a diagnosis or a set of symptoms. You and I will discuss and think together about your past, present, and future to gain a deeper understanding of how you experience the world. Through this process we can uncover thoughts and feelings you may not have realized you had, and help you to gain a new understanding of yourself and your relationships that improves your quality of life and sense of peace of mind.

Are you struggling to process depression, anxiety, relationship/family issues, and trauma? These emotional ruptures can cause major disruptions in our lives. The work to process these types of life events is multifaceted, and I can help you identify your feelings and potential relational patterns, build tolerance and acceptance around challenging ones, and set meaningful goals. In order to do so, I utilize various therapeutic approaches consisting of ACT, CBT, and Problem Solving Therapy and somatic interventions.

Do you find yourself having a difficult time coping with anxiety, depression, and trauma? Do you have a hard time communicating and setting boundaries with others? Life is full of obstacles and hardships that may be difficult to overcome without the right tools, resources, and, guidance leading to the manifestation of these symptoms. I specialize in working with adults, couples, and adolescents using a Psychodynamic approach to explore unconscious thoughts and behaviors. In doing this, we are able to collaboratively recognize old ineffective patterns and process unresolved feelings and trauma.

Whether you’re stuck in your life, or having trouble coping with problem relationships, addictions, anxiety, or depression, now is the perfect time to start therapy. Therapy can help you to improve your quality of life and learn to reconnect with yourself and the world. For more than 12 years I have been helping clients transcend their problems, gain insight, develop new coping strategies, and change unhealthy behavior patterns through empathy, warmth, and understanding. My many years of experience mean I can quickly help you zero in on the underlying causes of your unhappiness, while supporting you throughout the process.

Sometimes we feel anxious, depressed, ashamed, disappointed, or just plain numb because we think we should be better, faster, smarter, or simply not have these feelings at all. With the goal of moving forward in a more positive direction, relationship challenges, communication breakdowns, trauma history, substance use dependency, procrastination, fear, isolation, grief, positive expressions of anger, coming out, are just some of the things we work on in therapy. The solutions my clients seek are often found within, and I help them find them with insight, gentle nudging or sometimes with stronger, more direct interventions.

Therapy provides a space to speak freely and be heard with care that can provide a person with more internal space for lived experience, emotion, thought and desire. In psychotherapy, you can express your thoughts and feelings and gain insight into the unconscious sources of your conflicts. With warmth and curiosity, I will provide an attentive ear and a thoughtful mind.

Are you interested in having a consistent place to explore and better understand yourself and your relationships? Are there issues that date back to early life that seem to surface in your current relationships or in how you see yourself? Do you find it difficult to feel comfortable in social situations, or avoid them because they leave you feeling anxious? Or perhaps you are a couple with many strengths, yet find differences in history, approaches to life, coping or communication styles that result in recurring disconnections or communication roadblocks. I would like to help.

Are you hindered by anxiety, depression, or trauma, preventing you from expressing your authentic self? Do you find yourself trapped in navigating challenging family and relationship situations? Every minor issue now feels incredibly overwhelming, reopening past wounds and creating new ones. Despite attempting to bury the pain, it persists, leaving you feeling isolated and tormented. The constant exhaustion, stress, and anger make you question your resilience. Unsure of where to seek assistance, you don't have to endure this painful journey by yourself. I aim to assist you in achieving a more integrated and balanced sense of self.

Do you have trouble with anxiety, depression, and relationship/family issues due to trauma? Past experiences can create imprints onto your brain that activate your fight/flight responses whenever your emotions feel dysregulated, but life without the constant feeling of being on edge is possible. Those traumatic memories don’t have to permanently influence who you are meant to be. Through therapy, you will gain control of your feelings/thoughts and your response to everyday life hurdles. Healing from trauma can create healthier beliefs about yourself and your relationships along with sustainable changes.

Are you struggling with anxiety, panic, phobias, OCD, stress, self-criticism, shyness, or excessive worry? My goal is to help you break out of old, unproductive ways of dealing with these problems and find more flexible and effective ways of responding and healing. I am an experienced and caring therapist who is supportive, engaged, and interactive. Together we focus on what matters most to you and help you move towards what you care about most deeply in your life.

Are you ready to take control of your mental health and unlock your full potential? As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, I am here to help. With over a decade of experience working in the mental health field and with a Doctorate in Marriage and Family Therapy, I am deeply committed to empowering individuals to thrive through a holistic and humanistic approach to mental health care.