Therapists in Pacific Heights, San Francisco, CA

Dr. Garibaldi is a psychologist with expertise in mood disorders, life stressors, and substance abuse. She specializes in treating a variety of disorders, such as depression, anxiety, trauma, and addiction. Dr. Garibaldi utilizes an integrative approach, incorporating evidence-based treatments; such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). Additionally, she has experience working from a relational, attachment focused model. She tailors her approach to best fit the presenting needs of each patient.

I am a Licensed Psychologist who works with adults in psychotherapy, psychoanalysis, and couples therapy, Over the last 25 years, I have helped people with a wide range of problems including depression, anxiety, substance abuse, sexual concerns, interpersonal relationship issues, career obstacles, blocks in creativity, and the process of coming to terms with difficult and traumatic life situations. Usually my work extends further in helping people discover and develop a more lively and authentic sense of self, which in turn brings a sense of deeper meaningfulness and engagement in life.

What if there is nothing wrong with you? What if you never had to judge you again? My specialty is inviting clients to their greatness and success; clearing the energies that don't allow for achievement, creativity, and possibilities. I work with clients from all walks of life who are demanding freedom and change. My clients tend to be the seekers, the highly creative, and the dissatisfied dreamers of the world who want more out of living. If you have "been there and done that" and know that more is possible, I would be an ideal therapist for you. My new book "What If You're Not As F-ed Up As You Think You Are?" is all about this.

Like any new endeavor, beginning therapy can bring both anxiety and hope. Whether you're seeking therapy to address specific concerns or to engage in personal exploration, I bring many years of experience working with a broad range of issues and people. I see therapy as a unique opportunity to help my clients gain a deeper understanding of themselves, develop greater awareness and insight, and make meaningful changes that lead to greater fulfillment in their lives, relationships, and careers.

As we change and grow, and get caught up in the daily grind, we forget to tend to our relationships and they can begin to feel burdensome. Part of what I do is normalize that relationships are work. Over time they disappoint us, trigger us, and often serve as mirrors for parts of ourselves we like the least. We start to forget that they bring us joy and purpose and get wrapped up in toxic thought patterns. The neglect breeds contempt and then we feel more disconnected than ever. My passion lies in helping you reconnect with yourself and your loved ones.

As a relational and somatic therapist, my approach is to provide a supportive and collaborative environment for your therapy process. We'll work together to explore and understand any challenges you're experiencing. We'll use mindfulness and somatic exploration to unearth hidden beliefs and patterns which may be preventing a more connected and fulfilling life. My hope is to help you relieve suffering, foster growth, and develop insight.

I work with individuals looking to benefit from brief, problem-focused treatments that work. I provide treatment for individuals and/or couples coping with a wide range of concerns including trouble sleeping, anxiety, depression, couples conflict and concerns with sexual health. I am passionate about helping my patients optimize their physical, mental and emotional health and take a collaborative and practical approach. I am committed to making sure we are a good fit, so please feel free to call me for a complimentary phone consultation.

So often we live in the grip of anxiety and depression. Our families pull out our worst, the realities of adulthood drain us, loss of loved ones or our own capacities become existential reality, yet the good news is we can always make changes in ourselves to increase our resilience. The work of psychotherapy is serious business. While humor and levity in the present can help lighten difficult memories, we will dive deep into the past with expert attention to inform movement into a more complete future.

As a therapist, I enjoy cultivating authentic relationships with clients and learning about the communities in which you both thrive in and have endured pain in. I’m curious about how you connect with others and how your past experiences impact your relationships and the energy you carry every day. Cross-cultural differences, family systems, and past trauma can make navigating our interpersonal relationships messy and cloud our thoughts. We’ll explore your narrative and the lens through which you see yourself to better understand and rebuild your relationship with yourself and others.

I believe that therapy is a gift that a person can give themself. It can be part of the journey that enables a person to join with me to figure out what may be getting in the way of living their best life. Starting therapy takes courage. I have 30 years of experience working in this field. I believe that each of us deserves to live our best life and that working with me, people come to new places of self-acceptance, forgiveness, self-awareness, resiliency and can go on to realize more of their hopes and dreams.

I enjoy working with motivated, well-educated, intelligent people. I help identify what troubles them and work toward understanding and addressing how these difficulties prevent them from experiencing satisfying relationships and making change in their lives. I am an experienced therapist who is direct, collaborative and can help you move toward a potential that's not being reached. I have a nursing / medical background that facilitates my comfort in working within the medical professions, emergency & paramedic services. I have years of experience with those who work in law enforcement and have been chronically traumatized.

I generally work with high functioning people at important junctures in life where the suffering is great. Asking for help is often a powerful step of surrendering the ego's attempts to resist change. Symptoms are often a sign that something is trying to wake up inside of you. When you turn your attention inward and get intimate with your inner life you can start to find the energy to heal, to grow and to change. I specialize in somatic table work for treating developmental trauma. This work focuses on repairing developmental wounds, strengthening somatic resilience and increasing capacity for regulation in the nervous system.

Emotions can sometimes be difficult to bear-sadness, worries about yourself and others, fears, painful recurrent interactions and relationships. Working with an understanding professional to explore feelings and expectations about yourself and your relationships can be the key to clarifying troubling emotional states. These feelings can cause recurrent painful states, or push us toward repetitive or self-destructive behaviors. Exploring these feelings in a safe relationship can cause feelings about yourself and others to shift, opening to new ways of thinking and behaving. This allows for greater flexibility, enhanced creativity, a better relationship with yourself, and better connections and relationships.

Perhaps you are seeking a path of self-exploration or struggling with anxiety, depression or low self-esteem. You may need some additional time to talk and make some sense out the barriers to your personal goals. Or you may desire to learn practical skills to cope with your pain. Every person is unique, which means that our time together would be tailored to your particular needs based on cultural background, family dynamics and personal values. Either way, I will be present with you and assist you as you journey toward a meaningful life.

Life can be very overwhelming and lonely at times. When this feels too much to deal with alone, psychotherapy can be a place to have someone else see your struggles and help you bear them. I believe that through a meaningful relationship, we can work together to help you understand why you are suffering and how you can have more options for relating to yourself and others. For couples, being in a relationship itself can feel impossible. Through allowing in a third person to witness your dynamics and understand both members of the couple, it can be easier to communicate with each other.

Let's face it, talking about sex can be uncomfortable but sexual concerns are actually common. As a compassionate, competent sex therapist, I can help you with: Problems with sexual desire, Wanting to experience orgasm, Erectile dysfunction or premature ejaculation, Painful intercourse, Sexual behaviors that are troubling to you, Rekindling sex after pregnancy/childbirth, Overcoming relationship and sexual problems associated with infertility and its treatment, Processing trauma and thriving after negative sexual experiences, Working through affairs, Sexual desire discrepancy concerns, Support in polyamorous relationships

Each of us is at our own unique place in the healing process: facing old and new challenges, wondering whether to stay with what we've been trying, or feeling ready to start something new. Our time in this life is brief; we cannot afford to keep making the same mistakes and hope to live an inspired life. Let me help you identify the next step on your journey to wholeness. The best place to start is right where you are; the time to start is now.

I am a licensed clinical psychologist working with adults of all ages. I have significant experience supporting adults in the tech industry through my role as the Mental Health Manager at the onsite wellness center at Meta/Facebook for 7+ years. Additionally, I am certified in perinatal mental health and specialize in supporting individuals through the complicated journey of parenthood, including fertility challenges, fetal loss, and perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. Other areas of expertise include depression, anxiety, substance use/addiction, life transitions, personal/professional growth, and relationships/dating.