Therapists in Inner Sunset, San Francisco, CA

I am a caring, empathetic, and experienced therapist with more than 20 years in practice. I can assist you to find your unique life's path, overcome obstacles such as difficult emotions and past trauma, and expand your potential for happiness. I work with individuals, families, and people in many sorts of relationships, especially in the areas of anxiety and stress management, trauma and post-traumatic stress, depression, self worth and self-actualization, gender identity, sexuality and intimacy, and life transitions.

Are you burned out from "imposter syndrome" at work, stuck in an unfulfilling relationship, or feeling perpetually disconnected and isolated? Living inauthentically can feel exhausting. I work with individuals and couples to provide a range of therapy services from short-term evidence-based treatment for anxiety/depression to long-term relational work. Mental health is about having choices; in our first session, I am excited to get to know you and walk you through the process of therapy. My goal is to help you release painful emotions, reflect on patterns of thoughts and behaviors, and reconnect with a deeper sense of inner freedom.

I approach my work with clients with compassion, authenticity and openness. As a psychotherapist, I will work together with you to access the resources you have within you. When you are able to connect with this core strength, you are able to see more possibilities. Clients have reported that ,through our work together, they have developed a deeper understanding of themselves, more openness to meaningful and fulfilling experiences and a greater capacity for connection with others. They have also reported that their underlying depression has been alleviated and they have a greater ability to manage the stress in their lives.

Whether you are facing transitional or deeply rooted challenges, psychotherapy is a powerful way to regain balance, and bring back meaning and a sense of purpose in your life. You might find yourself at a time when you feel stuck, struggling with various difficulties. It is my goal to support you in uncovering patterns that no longer serve you and in fostering new experiences to support your own growth.

Right now I am offering therapy remotely, using video sessions. It actually works very well. The technology is easy, involving only a link to click at our appointment time. The connection is steady, secure, and HIPAA-compliant. I have been conducting video sessions as an effective part of my practice for many years. I welcome inquiries for working with adults, couples, families, and teens.

I believe every person has a unique story, and my open, compassionate approach reflects my respect and desire to help. In working together, we will create a therapy plan tailored around your coping style, relational patterns, and most importantly- your goals. No matter what you come in for (anxiety, depression, stress, relationship issues, identity questions, personality issues, career issues, etc.), I will meet you where you are in life, and work actively to understand your situation and collaborate on the best treatment plan.

Choosing to see a therapist is a courageous act; I applaud you for taking this step. Therapy works best when we collaborate. I believe that in working together in an authentic and curious way, we can figure out effective ways to meet your current challenges in a supportive environment. Learning to use wholesome coping skills is a central part of the work we'll do together.

My style is approachable, interactive, and relational. I hope to create a space of trust and openness for us both to be who we are, without shame or judgment. I focus on themes of difference and inclusion, offer a social justice perspective, and stress the importance of choice and awareness. I incorporate mindfulness, existential inquiry, somatic awareness, and emotionally focused approaches that take an integral approach towards healing that connects the mind, body, and spirit, and honors the uniqueness of each person. As everyone is unique in their own ways, I believe therapy needs to be personalized for the individual.

In your search for a therapist, you are taking an important step to explore ways to create a shift in developing healthier patterns in your life.It is my role to support you in this important process. Untangling the seeming complexity of how we perceive our experiences is a crucial element in my practice. Each one of us embodies profound gifts that are typically suppressed primarily due to years of unhealthy patterns. Our sessions are an exploration to quiet emotional discomfort and establish healthier patterns that feel authentic and sustaining.

Welcome! I view therapy as a means by which we can increase curiosity about ourselves and the world around us. We'll work together to identify patterns and stuck points that may be impacting your relationships, work, school, and other parts of your life. Taking steps towards healing and self-discovery can be daunting. As a therapist, I work to create a safe, supportive space in which you feel secure in exploring the parts of your life that may feel overwhelming. Whether you are coming to therapy for self-exploration or for a specific concern, I look forward to being part of your healing journey.

Would you like to gain new perspectives, see what is happening inside - and outside yourself with more clarity, step out of unskillful habits, learn to nurture yourself consistently and feel more at ease?

Starting therapy is a tremendous gesture of hope and self-love. It can also be scary or daunting to know where to begin. Whatever is bringing you to therapy right now- a break up, a loss, the overwhelm of being highly sensitive, the gut wrenching challenges of fertility struggles, the anticipation and transitions of pregnancy- will be explored with openness, curiosity and acceptance. We all struggle in life and are not meant to do it alone. Things really do get easier when we share what is hard with others.

Safety is the essence of therapy. My interactive approach focuses on the unique requirements each person needs to feel safe to recover their authentic sense of self which had to be set aside in order to not feel alone. It offers relief from unreasonable beliefs about hurting others. This also allows me to calibrate when treatment is progressing and how to keep it on track. Those who feel stuck in unsatisfying relationships or careers, have difficult family relationships, procrastinate, are indecisive, doubt their talents, think they are an imposter and who protect others at their own expense will find this therapy helpful.

Have you recently received a medical diagnosis that has thrown you "off your path?" Do you have an upcoming surgical procedure that has you frightened, and you want to be as prepared as possible? Are you scheduling an elective procedure that will make your life better, but that has inherent risks? Or perhaps you need help in healing from a disturbing medical procedure? One of my specialties as a psychotherapist is to help you manage and heal from such events. I have spent 30 years helping people diagnosed with breast cancer, other forms of cancer, and medical crises as well as life transitions, depression, anxiety, PTSD, and grief.

“And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.” - Anais Nin. Creativity, liberation, and transformation — getting your power back — these are core tenants in my practice. My approach merges reflective space to spark insight with concrete tools and strategies to drive change. I draw from existential philosophy, the arts, and culture, as well as research and theory to match unique needs with individualized treatments that resonate.

The core of human suffering lies in the resistance to what is... J. Prendergast