Buddhist Therapists in San Francisco, CA
Welcome. Are you ready for the work necessary to make real, enduring change? Do you have a troubling personal issue or suffer from general dissatisfaction? My orientation is to focus on the unconscious, the elusive essence of the problem. A powerful process unfolds when change occurs at this level of the mind. This opens the space for authentic personal transformation.
Welcome. Are you ready for the work necessary to make real, enduring change? Do you have a troubling personal issue or suffer from general dissatisfaction? My orientation is to focus on the unconscious, the elusive essence of the problem. A powerful process unfolds when change occurs at this level of the mind. This opens the space for authentic personal transformation.
Are you on a Spiritual path and seeking enlightenment? Do you find there are some recurrent patterns in your life that cause you to feel anxious, less than, and/or depressed? Is your life ruled by should(s) and shouldn't(s), instead of the peace and ease of this moment? The calling to a spiritual path and meditation practices can and do help to feel more calm, but as you are finding it alone can not bring the sense of wellbeing and an end to suffering.
Are you on a Spiritual path and seeking enlightenment? Do you find there are some recurrent patterns in your life that cause you to feel anxious, less than, and/or depressed? Is your life ruled by should(s) and shouldn't(s), instead of the peace and ease of this moment? The calling to a spiritual path and meditation practices can and do help to feel more calm, but as you are finding it alone can not bring the sense of wellbeing and an end to suffering.
My work is strongly influenced by eastern philosophy and my own Buddhist practice.
At some point it’s time to do the deep healing work. Not all at once and not in a way that takes over your life, but in a steady, measured way that frees you from painful things that you have been dragging around. Things that you might not even fully realize are the drag. If you’re asking yourself questions like; Why am I never really happy? Why do I keep repeating the same relationship patterns? Is life supposed to be this hard? Then it might be time to focus on your inner world for a while and attend to things that need care. You’d be surprised at how much better you can feel in just six months.
My work is strongly influenced by eastern philosophy and my own Buddhist practice.
At some point it’s time to do the deep healing work. Not all at once and not in a way that takes over your life, but in a steady, measured way that frees you from painful things that you have been dragging around. Things that you might not even fully realize are the drag. If you’re asking yourself questions like; Why am I never really happy? Why do I keep repeating the same relationship patterns? Is life supposed to be this hard? Then it might be time to focus on your inner world for a while and attend to things that need care. You’d be surprised at how much better you can feel in just six months.
I love my work with clients. My goal is to uplift my clients toward being their best confident purposeful selves.
You are who I am interested in. I am willing and interested in working with anyone who feels drawn to working with me. I look forward to meeting you and developing this therapeutic alliance with you for your growth and success.
Here is what a mentor said we are able to do together:
"Sierra Forest is a talented and empathic therapist who has the ability to help people change and transform their lives." Bob Shelby, LMFT, John F Kennedy University
I love my work with clients. My goal is to uplift my clients toward being their best confident purposeful selves.
You are who I am interested in. I am willing and interested in working with anyone who feels drawn to working with me. I look forward to meeting you and developing this therapeutic alliance with you for your growth and success.
Here is what a mentor said we are able to do together:
"Sierra Forest is a talented and empathic therapist who has the ability to help people change and transform their lives." Bob Shelby, LMFT, John F Kennedy University
You're noticing limiting patterns in yourself and in your relationships but feel helpless to change them. You're confused about how you feel and have forgotten who you are. You're going through a major life transition and need help finding your inner compass. Perhaps you've tried traditional talk therapy but found yourself understanding your issues intellectually yet still feel stuck. In therapy with me, you'll go beyond surface-level insight, uncovering the deeper beliefs keeping you stuck and reconnect with your authentic self.
You're noticing limiting patterns in yourself and in your relationships but feel helpless to change them. You're confused about how you feel and have forgotten who you are. You're going through a major life transition and need help finding your inner compass. Perhaps you've tried traditional talk therapy but found yourself understanding your issues intellectually yet still feel stuck. In therapy with me, you'll go beyond surface-level insight, uncovering the deeper beliefs keeping you stuck and reconnect with your authentic self.
Welcome to my practice, where I specialize in providing supportive psychotherapy for ADHD. I also offer neurodiversity affirming ADHD evaluations. If you've been experiencing challenges in your work or relationships, you're not alone. Many of my clients seek support in navigating these areas and are eager to cultivate new perspectives and skills. Your brain is a remarkable beauty and inherently whole just as it is. However, it's undeniable that the world around us often fails to fully accept and accommodate our unique strengths and vulnerabilities.
Welcome to my practice, where I specialize in providing supportive psychotherapy for ADHD. I also offer neurodiversity affirming ADHD evaluations. If you've been experiencing challenges in your work or relationships, you're not alone. Many of my clients seek support in navigating these areas and are eager to cultivate new perspectives and skills. Your brain is a remarkable beauty and inherently whole just as it is. However, it's undeniable that the world around us often fails to fully accept and accommodate our unique strengths and vulnerabilities.
I integrate techniques from a variety of theoretical orientations, including Internal Family Systems, Attachment Theory, Structural Dissociation, EMDR, CBT, Social Thinking, Mindfulness, Non-Violent Communication, and Buddhist Psychotherapy.
With over 30 years of working with adolescents and adults, my therapy style is authentic, empowering, strength based, compassionate, creative and fun. I am particularly skilled in working with trauma, managing strong emotions, and living with ADHD, Autism or Learning Disabilities. I enjoy supporting those looking for more purpose, self understanding, direction, peace, creativity or perspective. I have a great deal of experience working in multicultural and LGBTQ+ supportive contexts. I feel especially inspired by working with young adults because finding one’s own way in life is hard, exciting and full of possibilities.
I integrate techniques from a variety of theoretical orientations, including Internal Family Systems, Attachment Theory, Structural Dissociation, EMDR, CBT, Social Thinking, Mindfulness, Non-Violent Communication, and Buddhist Psychotherapy.
With over 30 years of working with adolescents and adults, my therapy style is authentic, empowering, strength based, compassionate, creative and fun. I am particularly skilled in working with trauma, managing strong emotions, and living with ADHD, Autism or Learning Disabilities. I enjoy supporting those looking for more purpose, self understanding, direction, peace, creativity or perspective. I have a great deal of experience working in multicultural and LGBTQ+ supportive contexts. I feel especially inspired by working with young adults because finding one’s own way in life is hard, exciting and full of possibilities.
Before becoming a social worker and a therapist, I was a meditator in the Buddhist tradition.
I view psychotherapy as a specialized form of communication that can evoke transformation. I feel that effective psychotherapy involves a combination of mental/emotional processing and skills training. I draw from different wisdom traditions including DBT/CBT, mindfulness-based, somatic, solution focused, Enneagram, and self-inquiry.
Before becoming a social worker and a therapist, I was a meditator in the Buddhist tradition.
I view psychotherapy as a specialized form of communication that can evoke transformation. I feel that effective psychotherapy involves a combination of mental/emotional processing and skills training. I draw from different wisdom traditions including DBT/CBT, mindfulness-based, somatic, solution focused, Enneagram, and self-inquiry.
Dr. Madrone Love | Neuro-inclusive Psychologist
Psychologist, PsyD
2 Endorsed
San Francisco, CA 94102
You probably already have a theory about what's going wrong. You might even know the solution. Most people do by the time they call. The hard part is rarely knowing what isn't working, it's identifying and working through a process that leads to long term change. This is where I come in. I work with you to understand what would have to shift for things to feel different, and explore how to make those changes in ways that stick. While insight is valuable, the process of turning insight into new behavior is where most people get stuck, and it's where I can help.
You probably already have a theory about what's going wrong. You might even know the solution. Most people do by the time they call. The hard part is rarely knowing what isn't working, it's identifying and working through a process that leads to long term change. This is where I come in. I work with you to understand what would have to shift for things to feel different, and explore how to make those changes in ways that stick. While insight is valuable, the process of turning insight into new behavior is where most people get stuck, and it's where I can help.
Seeing you leave my office feeling better and more comfortable in your skin makes my day. Hearing that your life has changed for the better makes my year. I pledge that when you come to me you will find my heart open to you no matter how you have suffered, no matter what you look like, no matter where you come from and no matter how you live your life. My goal is to look at those things you give me permission to look at and to work with you to meet your wants and needs. .
Seeing you leave my office feeling better and more comfortable in your skin makes my day. Hearing that your life has changed for the better makes my year. I pledge that when you come to me you will find my heart open to you no matter how you have suffered, no matter what you look like, no matter where you come from and no matter how you live your life. My goal is to look at those things you give me permission to look at and to work with you to meet your wants and needs. .
Human connection is the catalyst needed to explore any underlining psychic distress. In my psychotherapy practice, I prioritize fostering a collaborative relationship to provide emotional and personal safety, allowing you to dive beneath the surface to better understand the underlying causes of your personal distress. The goal is, through exploration, to create opportunities for you to become more self-aware of your own thoughts and feelings, empowering you to re-create new ways of connecting to yourself and loved ones
Human connection is the catalyst needed to explore any underlining psychic distress. In my psychotherapy practice, I prioritize fostering a collaborative relationship to provide emotional and personal safety, allowing you to dive beneath the surface to better understand the underlying causes of your personal distress. The goal is, through exploration, to create opportunities for you to become more self-aware of your own thoughts and feelings, empowering you to re-create new ways of connecting to yourself and loved ones
Maybe life has taught you that you don’t matter or that’s not ok for you to take space, to express yourself authentically, like you are worth less than others. Maybe you just don’t seem to know how to relate to your feelings or simply feel so much that it feels overwhelming. Maybe you have grown tired of feeling alone or sad, keeping distance from others to feel safer. Maybe you are tired of worrying about what others might say or think and that worrying stops you from doing or saying what you’d like to. Maybe there’s something you always wanted to do, like a dream, but you don’t believe possible.
Maybe life has taught you that you don’t matter or that’s not ok for you to take space, to express yourself authentically, like you are worth less than others. Maybe you just don’t seem to know how to relate to your feelings or simply feel so much that it feels overwhelming. Maybe you have grown tired of feeling alone or sad, keeping distance from others to feel safer. Maybe you are tired of worrying about what others might say or think and that worrying stops you from doing or saying what you’d like to. Maybe there’s something you always wanted to do, like a dream, but you don’t believe possible.
Congratulations (and condolences) on seeking therapy! It means you want or need to change.
Therapy with me doesn't look like one thing, because everything is different. We'll start with a few sessions where I get to know you and your family history, your goals for therapy, and what's bothering you. Over time I'll gain an understanding of what kind of relationships you've had throughout your life, your individual brain chemistry, your thought patterns and personality, your environment, and how all of this influences the way you feel. Together, we'll try to shift as many of these dynamics as we can so that you can feel better.
Congratulations (and condolences) on seeking therapy! It means you want or need to change.
Therapy with me doesn't look like one thing, because everything is different. We'll start with a few sessions where I get to know you and your family history, your goals for therapy, and what's bothering you. Over time I'll gain an understanding of what kind of relationships you've had throughout your life, your individual brain chemistry, your thought patterns and personality, your environment, and how all of this influences the way you feel. Together, we'll try to shift as many of these dynamics as we can so that you can feel better.
Hi — I'm Janeen. For over 20 years I've been helping people in San Francisco and the Bay Area find their footing after trauma, loss, burnout, and the kinds of life transitions that make everything feel uncertain.
My approach is collaborative and strength-based. I'm not here to just listen — I'll be actively engaged with you, offering honest feedback, real tools, and the kind of warm challenge that actually moves things forward. We may work through some heavy things, but there will be moments of humor and real human connection along the way.
Hi — I'm Janeen. For over 20 years I've been helping people in San Francisco and the Bay Area find their footing after trauma, loss, burnout, and the kinds of life transitions that make everything feel uncertain.
My approach is collaborative and strength-based. I'm not here to just listen — I'll be actively engaged with you, offering honest feedback, real tools, and the kind of warm challenge that actually moves things forward. We may work through some heavy things, but there will be moments of humor and real human connection along the way.
Fiona Brandon MPS, MA, LMFT Codependency Therapy
Marriage & Family Therapist, MPS, MA, LMFT
2 Endorsed
San Francisco, CA 94114
Buddhist psychology, depth psychology, expressive arts therapy, dream imagery, contemplative practices for regulating the nervous system, and trauma-informed sensorimotor psychotherapy are the main therapy modalities I use in my work with adults and couples.
Many of us struggle to find, or be happy, in our personal relationships. And it can feel like a mystery as to why it is so difficult to feel seen and understood by a partner. Some of us may feel we give too much energy to our relationships, while some of us feel reticent to engage at more intimate levels. I work with clients to pinpoint the personal struggles and self-beliefs that are impeding the ability to feel comfortable and energized in relationship. With skill and care I bring a new perspective to your specific situation.
Buddhist psychology, depth psychology, expressive arts therapy, dream imagery, contemplative practices for regulating the nervous system, and trauma-informed sensorimotor psychotherapy are the main therapy modalities I use in my work with adults and couples.
Many of us struggle to find, or be happy, in our personal relationships. And it can feel like a mystery as to why it is so difficult to feel seen and understood by a partner. Some of us may feel we give too much energy to our relationships, while some of us feel reticent to engage at more intimate levels. I work with clients to pinpoint the personal struggles and self-beliefs that are impeding the ability to feel comfortable and energized in relationship. With skill and care I bring a new perspective to your specific situation.
You’ve felt it building—that knot in your stomach, and that ache in your chest, that sense that something inside you is stuck. You know it’s time to move forward, to feel free and whole, but you just keep getting pulling back into patterns you know you need to break out of. Emotions you’ve tried to push away keep bubbling up, leaving you feeling out of control. Deep down, you remember that there’s more to life than this constant inner battle, but finding your way back feels impossible. My message is one of hope: by working with your body and unconscious, we can help you uncover the true root of your struggle and release it.
You’ve felt it building—that knot in your stomach, and that ache in your chest, that sense that something inside you is stuck. You know it’s time to move forward, to feel free and whole, but you just keep getting pulling back into patterns you know you need to break out of. Emotions you’ve tried to push away keep bubbling up, leaving you feeling out of control. Deep down, you remember that there’s more to life than this constant inner battle, but finding your way back feels impossible. My message is one of hope: by working with your body and unconscious, we can help you uncover the true root of your struggle and release it.
Have you been struggling with anxiety, loneliness, confusion, or grief in this time of global uncertainty? Do you feel the swirling emotions around you and have trouble controlling your own? I can help. I specialize in supporting people who have experienced trauma or just have that nagging sense in the back of their mind that something isn’t quite right. I enjoy supporting people on developing self-esteem and strengthening their relationships. I also train and supervise associate therapists in my group practice.
Have you been struggling with anxiety, loneliness, confusion, or grief in this time of global uncertainty? Do you feel the swirling emotions around you and have trouble controlling your own? I can help. I specialize in supporting people who have experienced trauma or just have that nagging sense in the back of their mind that something isn’t quite right. I enjoy supporting people on developing self-esteem and strengthening their relationships. I also train and supervise associate therapists in my group practice.
I bring in a Buddhist informed lens and incorporate modalities such as Ketamine Assisted Therapy.
If you are feeling stuck and have been frustrated with therapy that hasn’t taken you far enough, if you're ready to face the deeper roots of your challenges and experience real change, I’m here to guide you. My 3-step program will help you heal and reclaim your life: Step 1—Uncover and process hidden wounds; Step 2—Build inner strength with personalized tools; Step 3—Create lasting transformation with proven strategies. As a certified EMDR Consultant and IFS-trained therapist, I’ll help you break free from the patterns keeping you trapped, so you can embrace peace, confidence, and lasting freedom. Proudly serving the LGBTQIA+ comm
I bring in a Buddhist informed lens and incorporate modalities such as Ketamine Assisted Therapy.
If you are feeling stuck and have been frustrated with therapy that hasn’t taken you far enough, if you're ready to face the deeper roots of your challenges and experience real change, I’m here to guide you. My 3-step program will help you heal and reclaim your life: Step 1—Uncover and process hidden wounds; Step 2—Build inner strength with personalized tools; Step 3—Create lasting transformation with proven strategies. As a certified EMDR Consultant and IFS-trained therapist, I’ll help you break free from the patterns keeping you trapped, so you can embrace peace, confidence, and lasting freedom. Proudly serving the LGBTQIA+ comm
Therapy is not about fixing ourselves. It's about building resilience and developing flexibility and creativity in how you navigate your intimate relationships. as well as deepening your trust and understanding of yourself. As your therapist I act as your partner and teammate, offering a nonjudgmental space for you to explore underlying difficulties. Understanding the origins of persistent relational patterns, learning to track and regulate our nervous systems and healing attachment wounds can help to bring us out of the past-where our traumas were originally experienced-and into the present moment, where something new is possible.
Therapy is not about fixing ourselves. It's about building resilience and developing flexibility and creativity in how you navigate your intimate relationships. as well as deepening your trust and understanding of yourself. As your therapist I act as your partner and teammate, offering a nonjudgmental space for you to explore underlying difficulties. Understanding the origins of persistent relational patterns, learning to track and regulate our nervous systems and healing attachment wounds can help to bring us out of the past-where our traumas were originally experienced-and into the present moment, where something new is possible.
Hannah
Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, MA, AMFT
San Francisco, CA 94107
Waitlist for new clients
If you're feeling stuck, struggling with recurring patterns in relationships, or navigating loss, trauma, or big life changes, seeking support through therapy can be a transformative step. It offers a safe relationship and space where you can explore parts of yourself that are asking to be known, connect with your deepest longings and aspirations, and cultivate greater clarity, compassion, and resilience in the face of life's challenges. Our collaborative work will be guided by your unique strengths and needs. It's a privilege to walk with you, help facilitate your process, and trust your innate wisdom for growth and healing.
If you're feeling stuck, struggling with recurring patterns in relationships, or navigating loss, trauma, or big life changes, seeking support through therapy can be a transformative step. It offers a safe relationship and space where you can explore parts of yourself that are asking to be known, connect with your deepest longings and aspirations, and cultivate greater clarity, compassion, and resilience in the face of life's challenges. Our collaborative work will be guided by your unique strengths and needs. It's a privilege to walk with you, help facilitate your process, and trust your innate wisdom for growth and healing.
See more therapy options for San Francisco
Nearby Buddhist Therapists Searches for San Francisco
- Alameda
- Albany
- Berkeley
- Corte Madera
- Daly City
- Emeryville
- Mill Valley
- Oakland
- Piedmont
- Sausalito
- South San Francisco
- Tiburon
Buddhist Therapists
Is buddhism beneficial for mental health?
While Buddhism itself is not a treatment for mental health conditions, its practices can greatly enhance mental well-being by introducing coping skills and ideas that promote overall wellness. Key Buddhist practices, such as mindfulness, have been shown to alleviate symptoms of various mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, addiction, and trauma. Moreover, Buddhism's focus on self-compassion, non-judgment, and acceptance can benefit individuals with particularly negative or self-critical thought patterns.
What are the concepts and principles of buddhism as a therapeutic approach?
Core Buddhist principles are often used in therapy to help clients gain insight into their thoughts and emotions. Concepts such as suffering (dukkha) and impermanence (anicca) are applied to help clients recognize that common forms of suffering, like repetitive negative thought patterns, can be accepted and viewed as impermanent. The Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path are additional core concepts utilized frequently in Buddhist therapy sessions. The Four Noble Truths highlight the existence of suffering as an inherent part of the human experience—an insight frequently used to move clients toward greater acceptance. The Eightfold Path, which includes right understanding, right thought, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right concentration, and right mindfulness, offers practical skills to alleviate suffering.
What is the buddhist approach and practice during a therapy session?
Therapists informed by Buddhist principles often integrate mindfulness and meditation practices into therapy sessions to help clients cultivate greater acceptance, compassion, and non-judgment toward themselves and others. Typically, Buddhist therapists guide clients through mindfulness exercises, such as breathing exercises or body scans, and encourage them to practice similar exercises outside of sessions. Additionally, many Buddhist therapists utilize elements of Positive Psychology or Compassion-Focused Therapy, which can help reduce symptoms of self-criticism and shame common among clients with various mental health conditions. In general, Buddhist therapists strive to embody the compassion and non-judgmental approach they promote, often incorporating exercises aimed at developing compassion in session, such as loving-kindness meditation (Metta).
Is mindfulness the same as buddhism in the context of therapy?
While Buddhist therapists frequently integrate mindfulness practices into therapy sessions, the terms mindfulness and Buddhism are not synonymous in the context of therapy. Therapists may use mindfulness techniques, such as Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) or Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), without identifying as a Buddhist therapist. In contrast, those practicing within a Buddhist belief framework typically encourage mindfulness therapies, in addition to foundational Buddhist beliefs, such as the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path. These therapists may also guide clients toward a deeper understanding of Buddhist philosophy, unlike those who use Buddhist mindfulness principles without the broader spiritual context.