Therapists in San Francisco, CA

Are you looking to make a shift in your life, free yourself from an addiction, decrease anxiety, or improve your relationship with others and live a life that is most meaningful for you? I believe therapy is a way for individuals to connect and access their own wisdom to make the necessary changes for a life that is most aspiring and fulfilling to them. I invite people to explore areas that may be affecting them and make a transition from where they are to where they would like to be. I use a treatment approach that is warm, relational, accepting and authentic, and am action-oriented and solution-focused.

Dr. Denise Stilwell is a licensed clinical psychologist with seven years of experience providing psychotherapy in a variety of clinical settings. She worked as a nurse for sixteen years before she became a psychotherapist and brings that rich experience into her practice. She specializes in treating anxiety, depression, identity issues, interpersonal issues, grief, managing chronic illness, and somatic symptom disorder. Dr. Stilwell collaborates with her clients to ensure they feel seen and heard in their sessions while utilizing evidence-based therapy approaches that are culturally sensitive and individually focused.

Sometimes we need extra support to get through difficult times in our lives, or a sounding board when making difficult decisions. I am here to provide a safe space for you on your path towards positive change and healing. If you are looking for a change in your life or struggling with feelings of depression, anxiety, grief or trauma, please reach out for a free consultation. If you are not sure if therapy is right for you, I am happy to discuss what you are looking for and support you wherever you are in this process.

I welcome individuals, families and adolescents to my private practice. A few of my specialties: Standard EMDR therapy protocols to resolve trauma and other related symptoms; Teaching coping & life skills to safely & effectively improve sleep and reduce stress, anxiety & depression; Helping adolescents and young people thrive by addressing low-self-esteem, relationship issues, ADHD and behavioral challenges; Supporting individuals and families through issues around substance use & co-occurring disorders; Providing a compassionate and supportive place for you to explore balance, self-awareness and life satisfaction.

I view psychotherapy as a joint venture in which we work collaboratively to reach your goals. My style is direct, transparent and positive, warm, interactive and nonjudgemental. I create the safety needed within our relationship to allow us to explore the issues that underlie depression, anxiety, loneliness, lack of fulfillment and other concerns. As a therapist I follow your lead. With over two decades of experience I work diligently to understand each individual, employing elements of psychoanalytic, mindfulness and cognitive behavioral theories to create an approach that best suits the unique individual with whom I am working.

I offer an organic approach of cognitive behavioral therapy that is discreet, private, and very client centered. I specialize in life transitions, whether that be a transition into adulthood, through a divorce, through depression or anxiety. Regardless of what you have heard therapy is for everyone, and something is always gained from a person working to be the best they can be. II provide a safe and confidential environment for reflection and honest feedback. I provide comprehensive psychological assessment services for general mental health, which includes significant clinical insight and a sound diagnostic impression.

Tired of struggling with your body, food, exercise or with yourself? You may be growing weary of feeling like you don't measure up and your constant mental chatter about your short-comings is taking a toll on you, your family, friendships, health and well-being. You may be feeling hopeless about breaking self-destructive pattens. Don't despair - you don't have to do this alone. Working together with a Kindful Body clinician we will begin a process that can heal your relationship with food, your body and yourself so you can live your life with greater ease and joy.

Life is a journey, and like every journey, it has various possibilities, challenges, and gifts. There was a time when you had a clear vision of what you wanted out of life, but lately, you’ve lost your way. It’s especially difficult when moving to a new place and navigating different cultures. If only there were a way to take a step back and gain some perspective. Then maybe you could reorient your path to align with your goals and ambitions. But that feels impossible. You’ve spent so long going through the motions of life that you’ve lost touch with yourself. You know you need to make a change, but you just don’t know how.

Anxiety is something you’ve struggled with for a long time. While you seem to be functioning OK on the outside, inside you’re dealing with feelings of dread, catastrophic thoughts that you can’t seem to stop, and constantly feeling like you need to plan for what could go wrong. The good news is that therapy can help you struggle less with anxiety. You and I will work together to help you relate to anxiety more effectively and focus on building a full and vital life.

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.

Are you a driven person yet having difficulties managing your relationships, work stress, and family life? Are you feeling anxious or depressed? Do you need help getting through a traumatic event? Are you feeling like you’ve exhausted all your coping skills and nothing seems to work? From a trauma informed and attachment-based lens we will explore your core issues and help you improve your mental health and emotional well-being. You can heal from past trauma, learn to regulate your emotions, lift your mood, and communicate effectively. Together we'll work through unresolved feelings and patterns to live a more authentic life now.

Sarah specializes in helping teens and adults navigate OCD, anxiety disorders (social, generalized, phobias, panic), depression, work stress, and trauma. She is trained in evidence-based treatments that include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC). Sarah has attended several multi-day residential mindfulness retreats and is a Certified Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Teacher. Sarah has also has completed intensive training in Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP). More info at www.mindfulsf.com.

Licensed in CA (in person/virtual) and VA (virtual). Transitions bring us face to face with the joys, anxieties, grief, and triumphs of change, and offer an opportunity for us to see where we might be stuck, lost, confused, or needing clarity or compassion. The way transitions manifest in your life can be informed by trauma, attachment styles, and the unique way your brain and temperament process the world around you. These can appear as depression, anxiety, obsessive thinking, dissociation, or other symptoms. But you’re more than a list of symptoms and diagnoses, and I can help you find relief and make meaning from your experience.

Psychotherapy with me will be a guided, supportive exploration of how you think, feel, act and relate to others. I am a relational therapist: an approach to therapy which combines self-understanding and self-acceptance in relationship to your significant others, both past and present. We all need to be understood. This is my primary job with you: to understand how you think and feel. Once you feel understood, together we can figure out what is getting in the way of living a happier, fulfilling life. I am an expressive therapist, and you will never go away from a session wondering what I think.

Do your worries or thoughts feel overwhelming? Do your compulsive behaviors feel out of your control? Now imagine that you can experience your thoughts and feelings without getting stuck trying to block them, change them, or act on them. Imagine being able to spend time with the people you love and accomplishing your goals. If you are ready to live your life joyfully, let's talk.

Therapy is a space where you can learn to understand, love, and express your authentic self, and as a therapist, my role is to support you in this journey. I believe that collaboration is essential and that by working together, we can find ways to enhance your growth, build your resilience, and promote your strengths. I also tend to bring humor and playfulness into the therapy space as appropriate – life is about many moods and expressions. I specialize in working with sexual and gender diversity, multiculturalism, anxiety, improving communication and relationships, life transitions, and personal and career growth/identity.

We work with a diverse population of adult individuals, couples, and special interest groups who may be struggling with any number of mental health challenges related to anxiety, depression, stress, trauma, relationship issues, and substance abuse, among others. We are committed to providing culturally competent care across the spectrum of age, race, gender, sexuality, religion, and background.

My name is pronounced E-O-Anna, and I have 15 years of experience in assisting unique individuals, like yourself, in overcoming obstacles and setbacks, to shine as you are meant to. I work from a Strength-Based Approach and believe in your potential, whether you are a child or an adult, with a collaborative, individualized and Brief strategy to help you to alleviate those symptoms with haste. I specialize in treating Anxiety and Trauma with EMDR, CBT and Somatic modalities to ensure progress, with a Brief/Solutions focused framework. Together we will see the progress you desire, and quickly.

My goal is to create an empowering space to draw from your strengths in overcoming current challenges. I work collaboratively with clients to establish ongoing, flexible goals for therapy to make our sessions most effective. I individualize therapy to each person using a range of techniques and approaches. I am particularly interested in the stories we tell about our lives and the meaning we make of them. My clients describe me as warm, positive, and insightful.