Photo of Walter Beckman, PhD, Psychologist
Walter Beckman
Psychologist, PhD
Verified Verified
San Francisco, CA 94115
Something is troubling you. What you can gain from greater self-awareness, understanding and true compassion for yourself can be extraordinary. Our conversations will help you overcome the obstacles to accessing the resources you already possess and developing those that are yet to come forth. Whether you suffer from anxiety, difficult grief or loss, creative blocks, or under-utilization of your full potential, talking to a non-judgmental professional listener can help.
Something is troubling you. What you can gain from greater self-awareness, understanding and true compassion for yourself can be extraordinary. Our conversations will help you overcome the obstacles to accessing the resources you already possess and developing those that are yet to come forth. Whether you suffer from anxiety, difficult grief or loss, creative blocks, or under-utilization of your full potential, talking to a non-judgmental professional listener can help.
(415) 789-3477 View (415) 789-3477
Photo of David Thomson - David A Thomson, LCSW, LCSW, BCD, CAS, Clinical Social Work/Therapist
David A Thomson, LCSW
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW, BCD, CAS
Verified Verified
San Francisco, CA 94118
Do you feel that your everyday challenges are beginning to overwhelm you? Have you set goals for yourself, but you have not been able to achieve them? The solution is in sight. With skill, professionalism, empathy, and compassion I can help you to achieve your goals and the life that you want. Because you are a unique individual, I will tailor my treatment methods to fit your unique situation and needs. I believe that we all have what it takes to meet and conquer life's many challenges and difficulties.
Do you feel that your everyday challenges are beginning to overwhelm you? Have you set goals for yourself, but you have not been able to achieve them? The solution is in sight. With skill, professionalism, empathy, and compassion I can help you to achieve your goals and the life that you want. Because you are a unique individual, I will tailor my treatment methods to fit your unique situation and needs. I believe that we all have what it takes to meet and conquer life's many challenges and difficulties.
(415) 508-8805 View (415) 508-8805
Photo of Jonathon Gray - Dr Jonathon Gray MFT, MFT, Marriage & Family Therapist
Dr Jonathon Gray MFT
Marriage & Family Therapist, MFT
Verified Verified
San Francisco, CA 94110
The most important thing in working with me is your positive desire to change. Given that I'll bring you into the office, we will discuss your issues of concern and design and implement suggestions to create growth , understanding and lasting solutions. Many clients see me once for behavior change through hypnotherapy. Others see me for ongoing psychotherapy appointments. Some clients combine both modalities to insure continued growth and change. I am optimistic about the possibilities of health and healing through our work together. After forty years in practice I remain committed to my clients and their work with me
The most important thing in working with me is your positive desire to change. Given that I'll bring you into the office, we will discuss your issues of concern and design and implement suggestions to create growth , understanding and lasting solutions. Many clients see me once for behavior change through hypnotherapy. Others see me for ongoing psychotherapy appointments. Some clients combine both modalities to insure continued growth and change. I am optimistic about the possibilities of health and healing through our work together. After forty years in practice I remain committed to my clients and their work with me
(415) 630-5741 View (415) 630-5741
Photo of Larry Santiago, MA, MFT, Marriage & Family Therapist
Larry Santiago
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, MFT
Verified Verified
San Francisco, CA 94131
I have a particular expertise in working with clients who have diverse cultural backgrounds (e.g. ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation.) I also have a deep association working with artistic/creative type individuals and can address particular issues that arise being an artist confined to a conventional/mainstream worldview.
I have a particular expertise in working with clients who have diverse cultural backgrounds (e.g. ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation.) I also have a deep association working with artistic/creative type individuals and can address particular issues that arise being an artist confined to a conventional/mainstream worldview.
(925) 247-3396 View (925) 247-3396
Photo of Panayiotis Frangos, LMFT, Marriage & Family Therapist
Panayiotis Frangos
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified Verified
San Francisco, CA 94107
I am licensed from the Board of Behavioral Sciences as a Marriage Family Therapist.  I graduated from Notre Dame de Namur with a Master's in Science Clinical Psychology MFT.  I was born in Greece and moved to the United States as a child, and have been a California Bay Area native ever since.  Growing up in a Greek household, I am able to speak Greek fluently and I am proficient in Spanish.  In my spare time, I am also learning Mandarin Chinese as languages are a passion of mine.
I am licensed from the Board of Behavioral Sciences as a Marriage Family Therapist.  I graduated from Notre Dame de Namur with a Master's in Science Clinical Psychology MFT.  I was born in Greece and moved to the United States as a child, and have been a California Bay Area native ever since.  Growing up in a Greek household, I am able to speak Greek fluently and I am proficient in Spanish.  In my spare time, I am also learning Mandarin Chinese as languages are a passion of mine.
(650) 525-2494 View (650) 525-2494

Online Therapists

Photo of Andrew Schnell, LMFT, Marriage & Family Therapist
Andrew Schnell
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified Verified
Sunnyvale, CA 94087
This includes areas of community mental health, private practice, residential facilities, foster care, county mental health, juvenile hall, schools, substance abuse and chemical dependency, adults with severe and persistent mental illness, and crisis intervention.
As human beings we learn, develop meaning, and create a sense of purpose through each other and the relationships we form. In the same spirit I believe the therapeutic process is driven by the relationship formed between the client and the therapist. This is why my approach in therapy is guided by the question - "How can I provide a relationship which this person may use for their personal growth?" I strive to create an empathic, nonjudgmental atmosphere where you feel safe and empowered to work toward personal growth and creating lasting change; forming trust and leaning toward vulnerability.
This includes areas of community mental health, private practice, residential facilities, foster care, county mental health, juvenile hall, schools, substance abuse and chemical dependency, adults with severe and persistent mental illness, and crisis intervention.
As human beings we learn, develop meaning, and create a sense of purpose through each other and the relationships we form. In the same spirit I believe the therapeutic process is driven by the relationship formed between the client and the therapist. This is why my approach in therapy is guided by the question - "How can I provide a relationship which this person may use for their personal growth?" I strive to create an empathic, nonjudgmental atmosphere where you feel safe and empowered to work toward personal growth and creating lasting change; forming trust and leaning toward vulnerability.
(650) 405-0646 View (650) 405-0646
Photo of Jason Briggs, LMFT, BSW, MHRS, Marriage & Family Therapist
Jason Briggs
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT, BSW, MHRS
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Sacramento, CA 95816
What do you want? What are you doing to get it? Is it working, and if not, what can you do differently? Your personal goals for therapy, once defined, will be at the heart of our work together. I'll support you in applying your strengths, deepening your sense of connection to yourself and those you love, and finding healthy ways to relate to negative thoughts, feelings and behaviors. Suffering is part of the human condition, but together, we can learn to respond to it skillfully. Slowing down, healing and integrating life experiences will be our focus!
What do you want? What are you doing to get it? Is it working, and if not, what can you do differently? Your personal goals for therapy, once defined, will be at the heart of our work together. I'll support you in applying your strengths, deepening your sense of connection to yourself and those you love, and finding healthy ways to relate to negative thoughts, feelings and behaviors. Suffering is part of the human condition, but together, we can learn to respond to it skillfully. Slowing down, healing and integrating life experiences will be our focus!
(530) 723-1579 View (530) 723-1579
Photo of Edward L Prothero, MS, LMFT, Marriage & Family Therapist
Edward L Prothero
Marriage & Family Therapist, MS, LMFT
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Roseville, CA 95678
As a Cognitive Behavioral / Object relations therapist, my therapeutic approach is to provide support and practical feedback to help clients effectively address personal life challenges. I integrate complementary methodologies and techniques to offer a highly personalized approach tailored to each client. With compassion and understanding, I work with each individual to help them build on their strengths and attain the personal growth they are committed to accomplishing. With a broad spectrum of clients, common areas of focus are Trauma based anxiety and depression, PTSD, Childhood Trauma, Marriage challenges, Blended families.
As a Cognitive Behavioral / Object relations therapist, my therapeutic approach is to provide support and practical feedback to help clients effectively address personal life challenges. I integrate complementary methodologies and techniques to offer a highly personalized approach tailored to each client. With compassion and understanding, I work with each individual to help them build on their strengths and attain the personal growth they are committed to accomplishing. With a broad spectrum of clients, common areas of focus are Trauma based anxiety and depression, PTSD, Childhood Trauma, Marriage challenges, Blended families.
(916) 668-4149 View (916) 668-4149
Photo of Tim Tisdell, PsyD, Psychologist
Tim Tisdell
Psychologist, PsyD
Verified Verified
6 Endorsed
Oakland, CA 94618
I am well trained as a licensed Clinical Psychologist with more than 20 years of experience providing individual therapy to children, adolescents and adults. I strive to create a genuine relationship with my clients to allow for collaborative exploration of the areas in their lives that interfere with personal fulfillment. My approach also involves listening actively, building trust, being curious, providing empathy, and making direct comments to help my clients develop greater awareness about themselves and the patterns in their lives that cause emotional distress or relationship difficulties. This allows my clients to grow and to live more meaningful lives.
I am well trained as a licensed Clinical Psychologist with more than 20 years of experience providing individual therapy to children, adolescents and adults. I strive to create a genuine relationship with my clients to allow for collaborative exploration of the areas in their lives that interfere with personal fulfillment. My approach also involves listening actively, building trust, being curious, providing empathy, and making direct comments to help my clients develop greater awareness about themselves and the patterns in their lives that cause emotional distress or relationship difficulties. This allows my clients to grow and to live more meaningful lives.
(510) 358-4819 View (510) 358-4819
Photo of Marc L'Ecluse, LMFT, Marriage & Family Therapist
Marc L'Ecluse
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified Verified
Soquel, CA 95073
I support you in remembering yourself and allowing your inner healing intelligence to return you to connection with your wholeness.
I support you in remembering yourself and allowing your inner healing intelligence to return you to connection with your wholeness.
(831) 353-3975 View (831) 353-3975
Photo of Dr. Cory R. Sullins, PhD, Psychologist
Dr. Cory R. Sullins
Psychologist, PhD
Verified Verified
Roseville, CA 95661  (Online Only)
We provide a full spectrum of services for mental health concerns in order to be of service to the community. We are goal/plan oriented to assist patients in overcoming obstacles in their lives. We very much provide an eclectic approach that is often inclusive of a variety of theories/treatments in order to meet the needs of each patient .
We provide a full spectrum of services for mental health concerns in order to be of service to the community. We are goal/plan oriented to assist patients in overcoming obstacles in their lives. We very much provide an eclectic approach that is often inclusive of a variety of theories/treatments in order to meet the needs of each patient .
(424) 347-1991 View (424) 347-1991

See more therapy options for San Francisco

Chronic Pain Therapists

How does chronic pain therapy work?

Engaging with a psychotherapist to help treat chronic pain does not mean that one’s pain is all in their head. Therapy for chronic-pain patients has been shown to benefit both the mind and the body, targeting physical symptoms and increasing daily functioning. In other words, for many, addressing their emotional health through therapy affects their physical health. A therapist can help a client challenge unhelpful thoughts about pain and develop new ways to respond to it, such as distraction or calming breathing techniques. Studies have found that therapy can be as effective as surgery for certain cases of chronic pain and many doctors recommend trying psychotherapy in advance of considering invasive surgery.

What are the most effective treatment options for chronic pain?

Stress, anxiety, depression, catastrophizing, ruminating, lack of activity, and social withdrawal all make chronic pain worse. Addressing these issues, research shows, can help people gain control over their pain symptoms. Therapeutic approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy, biofeedback, and mindfulness-based stress reduction, along with greater pain-management education, have been found to help people reduce fear and disability.

Are there new treatments for chronic pain?

Many cases of chronic pain, particularly those involving back pain, remain medically unexplained. But there is evidence that changes in the brain or nervous system are caused by previous physical ailments such as tissue damage; in such cases, the brain may continue to send out pain signals despite the physical cause having healed. To aid patients under these circumstances, a recently developed treatment known as pain reprocessing therapy (PRT) is designed to help the brain “unlearn” this response. A PRT practitioner helps individuals to reduce the “threat value” of their ongoing pain signals until they can reappraise them as less threatening and fear-inducing. They also help an individual to develop new emotional regulation skills.

How long does therapy for chronic pain take?

There is no set timeline for recovery from chronic pain, especially as there may be a range of physical and psychological causes for any individual’s discomfort, but most patients should expect to see a therapist for a number of weeks or months, typically spanning at least 12 sessions. Studies of pain reprocessing therapy found that many individuals’ experience of pain lessened in eight sessions over four weeks.