Teletherapy for Western Addition - San Francisco, CA

When seeking a skilled therapist, you are probably a bit overwhelmed by how and whom to choose at such a vulnerable time.  It is of paramount importance, I feel, that it’s the ‘right fit” and to ascertain that the issues you are wrestling with can be addressed, clarified, and resolved by a highly skilled, attuned psychotherapist.  I have been practicing as a psychotherapist for 40 years, and consider myself a “depth psychotherapist” — rather than a quick ‘fix.” My style is flexibly active and engaged.

My name is Monique Martin. I have years of experience working with youth and families. I am compassionate, intuitive and authentic in my therapeutic approach. I use cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), solution focused therapy, client-centered therapy, mindfulness and motivational interviewing. I specialize in treating individuals struggling with depression, family conflict, relationship issues, history of trauma, anxiety, and life traditions.

Are you interested in growing and looking at your patterns and the wisdom behind them? Are you struggling with anxiety or depression in a relationship or with the anxiety of not being in a relationship? Are you willing to risk making changes in your life? Together we will understand the intelligence behind your patterns and help you shift into more conscious life choices. I am active, direct and passionate about supporting you as you mature into a healthier, happier and more fulfilled you.

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 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 individuals and relationships with whom I am working.

Meaningful relationships are an essential part of fulfillment and happiness. I believe in the unique power of the relationship that develops between therapist and client. Through an exploration of this interaction, we can more wholly understand your past and current relationships and help shape future experiences. I work with people who are struggling in a variety of ways and are ready to dig in and do some difficult and deeply powerful work that will lead to greater choice and freedom. I view my opportunity to join individuals in their journey toward self-understanding as a great privilege and find the work exciting and gratifying.

As a licensed therapist based in San Francisco, I help individuals, couples, and families dive beneath the surface-level issues to discover the underlying causes of their distress. Many men, women, and non-binary individuals who choose to work with me are at the grips of anxiety, depression, addiction, grief, or relationship challenges. Many are highly motivated professionals who are self-reliant and achievement-focused but often struggle with self-defeating thoughts and patterns that keep them stuck.

Everyone is unique. Your thoughts, feelings and needs are shaped by your own background, family history, past interpersonal encounters and other significant events, including early child trauma. Psychotherapy is an emotional process. As we discuss your concerns, it will surface unexamined parts of your life of which you may not be aware or want to experience. My central role as your therapist is to help you talk about and understand more fully these unexamined thoughts, feelings, and needs in the context of your past, develop greater understanding, tolerance and acceptance, and to bring changes to your current situation.

I am a licensed psychologist with eight years of clinical experience providing services to individuals and families from a diverse population. I am enthusiastic about putting my skills to service and assisting my clients in the process of healing and growth. I help my clients identify effective ways to deal with everyday life stressors and help them with their interpersonal situations. I assist individuals working through their depressive and anxiety symptoms by increasing awareness of these emotional experiences and identifying ways to alleviate their afflictions by applying therapeutic tools.

I am so glad you're here. I understand how daunting it can be to take steps towards healing. Perhaps you feel misunderstood by the people around you. Or perhaps you are accustomed to confronting problems alone, without the help of others. Whatever you might be facing, I am here to assure you that you are not alone. I am honored to walk alongside you as you step outside of your comfort zone to embark on your journey to growth and self-discovery. I offer warm and collaborative therapy services to individuals and couples who are seeking to work through past traumas and challenges with identity.

Gilbert received his M.S. in Clinical Psychology from San Francisco State University with internships at UCSF and SFGH Psychiatry Departments. For 7 years, he was the Mental Health Director at UCSF Epilepsy Center. He has been working with individuals with seizures since 2004 and has provided psychotherapy in a variety of settings, including child adolescent services and LGBT community clinics. He is also an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of San Francisco.

As your therapist, I maintain curiosity about your unique perspective, assessing your threshold for growth within your cultural context. I work with you, tailoring the work to your need. I utilize various modalities, including somatic, art and play therapy. I work with you in the present moment, accessing and resolving past traumatic experiences. I work with individuals, couples, families and children.

I work with adults, adolescents, and couples. Most of the adults in my practice are ambitious people who want to grow in their careers and/or romantic lives. As a psychoanalytic therapist, I'm trained to provide intensive psychotherapy that leads to long-term change. As a psychodynamic coach, I help individuals tap social and psychological resources that enable them to grow into demanding leadership roles. My style is curious and playful, direct and deep.

My therapeutic intention is to cultivate a safe and supportive space for clients to connect with themselves and express their deepest truths in order to foster personal growth, healing, and self awareness. Together, we will sort through difficult emotions, major life changes, past trauma, negative belief patterns, work stress, relationship challenges, grief and loss, and any other issue that is leaving you feeling stuck, distressed, or not like yourself. We will explore the roots of what is going on, implement tools to promote balance and resilience, process unresolved trauma, and learn how to be more loving to yourself and others.

Serving couples and individuals (including moms navigating prenatal, postpartum, parenting, career and personal growth). In your relationship, do you and your partner seem to be stuck in the same exhausting patterns? Maybe you're feeling stuck individually, too, caught in patterns of anxiety, trauma, and feeling like you're just not good enough. Do the painful memories of your past keep creeping up even though you’re desperately trying to move forward? I offer online individual and couples/marriage therapy for clients in Los Angeles, San Francisco and anywhere you are in CA, PA, and FL to help you heal, strengthen and grow.

Do you feel disconnected from yourself after experiencing challenging or traumatic events, including medical traumas like cancer, pregnancy loss/traumatic birth, NICU stay, or infertility? Do you grapple with overwhelming feelings of anxiety, isolation, fear, or persistent sadness every day? Are your relationships with peers and romantic partners strained by unresolved childhood trauma and emotional challenges? Do you sense that your trauma and relationship issues are preventing you from living a healthy life? If you often wonder if there's a way to improve your situation, you're not alone.

You are feeling overwhelmed by your thoughts and emotions. You feel disconnected from those around you and maybe from yourself. Maybe you shut out the world. Maybe you don't feel like yourself. Maybe you are not sleeping well. Maybe it is challenging to create boundaries. Past negative experiences may be contributing to your current concerns. You want to find a way to manage these feelings. Your goal is to have an awareness of yourself and triggers. With the right tools and interventions customized to your needs, healing is possible.

I grew up in Lake Tahoe, CA, surrounded by the beauty of nature, which gave me a holistic view of health and a love for the outdoors. My journey initially led me to pursue a career in acting, but a transformative experience working with a Nutritionist and CBT Therapist ignited my passion for psychology. I completed my Bachelor's at NYU with a focus on Psychology, Narrative Writing, and Child and Adolescent Mental Health studies. Now, as a Therapist Trainee at the Center for Mental Health Excellence (CFMHE), I am committed to helping individuals, couples, and families navigate life's challenges and foster meaningful connections.

Currently accepting new clients. Reaching out for support can feel scary and takes courage. I use a strengths-based approach when working collaboratively with clients to identify goals and develop a plan to move forward. I believe a safe and comfortable therapy environment is created through empathy, teaching, and humor.

You seek a compassionate therapist to help regulate emotions, address trauma, and provide a sounding board. Embracing courage and creativity, you see therapy as a resource and a mindset. You yearn to be heard, process, feel supported, and gain insights while being mindful to accountability. You are willing to take charge of your healing journey, know your destination, and welcome guidance along the way. Open to offerings, you try on new things while remaining authentically you- able to accept or decline invitations. You welcome going deep and exploring the quiet places within you. You are ready to explore beyond talk therapy.