Narcissistic Personality (NPD) Therapists in San Francisco, CA

I have 20 years of experience but I don't believe that says anything unless I can relate, connect and feel with my clients. I can be professional when necessary but I am better at just being real. I am not everyones therapist and I am okay with it. I engage in the conversation with respect and authenticity. I'm direct with the intention to help and shift the issues in a place for change . I am good at what I do and passionate about helping people through pain.

I specialize in treating survivors of narcissistic abuse, relationship issues, anxiety and depression. I am also very interested in what it means and how to become, a fully functioning human being, emotionally, mentally, physically and spiritually. In this world that has been accelerating at a pace beyond our expectations and sometimes our ability to cope,how do we find peace, happiness and fulfillment, or at least the absence of anxiety and depression? Locked within our own personal stories lie the answer to these questions. Whatever "pathology" you present with can be turned into a "path" toward healing.

The therapeutic process has the ability to transform. I am living proof of this. At my lowest point, I was anxious, depressed, suicidal, and trapped in addictions. With the help of a skilled therapist, I was able to come out of this darkness - inspiring me to leave the business world in order to help others who are suffering. I believe that everyone deserves a fighting chance to overcome trauma and abuse and live a rich, full, and satisfying life. I believe that we can change and grow at any time in our lives. I believe in the beauty, resiliency, and strength of the human spirit. I believe that we are all worthy and capable of love.

Are you Super Loyal? An excellent listener, who perhaps doesn’t share much about yourself? The one everyone leans on for support, advice, money, or favors? Are you the glue in your family, and the one who puts out fires? Many of my clients who identify with these kinds of qualities struggle in characteristic ways. Many are uncomfortable acknowledging their own feelings & desires. They make too many sacrifices to avoid being "selfish". They fear confrontation and the possibility of upsetting or disappointing others. They often get drawn into imbalanced relationships... or worse, toxic ones with selfish or narcissistic people.

Whether you are struggling with, anxiety, narcissistic abuse,depression, or self image, there is one common denominator-YOU! In our work together you will learn to discover yourself, challenge and overcome dysfunctional behaviors, develop effective tools and coping strategies,set boundaries,recognize your triggers,become more self aware and learn to take responsibility for your part in developing healthy relationships. As we work together we will create challenge false realities and create new map.

Major stressors bringing you down? Feeling overwhelmed, unproductive, or isolated? Learn how to interrupt racing thoughts, relax under pressure, and bring joy back in your life. What if therapy could help you feel like yourself again? You can regain your energy, manage irritability, and connect with people more easily. It's okay to set boundaries, prioritize yourself, and make space to figure out what you want and need. Together, we can address what doesn't seem right in your job, life, or business and develop custom tools and strategies to help you reach your goals.

Many different life circumstances may bring you to a therapist’s door. And, ultimately, therapy invites you to explore your inner doorways. Are you looking to recover from the wounds of narcissistic abuse and codependency and forge happier, healthier relationships? Welcome. Or do you need support for having a loved one with serious mental illness (SMI)? Welcome.

Did you grow up in an unstable household with challenging parents? Do you struggle with holding boundaries and saying no? Do you feel like you keep repeating negative patterns in relationships? I work with adults/couples who struggle with anxiety, trauma, family/partner relationship issues and consequences of childhood abuse and neglect. My specialty is in working with adult children of narcissistic /borderline parents and how early childhood experiences affect the individual’s adult relationships. Additionally, I help clients improve communication, build healthy relationships, set healthy boundaries and advocate for their needs.

Divorce/ high conflict relationships/ narcissistic abuse/ conflict coach /mediator If you are in a high conflict relationship and want to get out, you've come to the right place. My focus is on helping men and women develop the skills and strategies they need to disengage, deescalate, and move on with their lives. Endless conflict, "word salad" arguments, gaslighting, love bombing, walking on eggshells...these are all signs of emotional abuse and it can be so hard to move on from that. But that doesn’t mean empowering solutions aren’t waiting for you at the other end of it: I’ll walk that path to empowerment and freedom with you .

People come to psychotherapy for a variety of reasons. Making our way in this world demands so much self-reliance and yet we are given very little opportunity to get to know ourselves well. We keep our fears and uncertainty about whether we have what it takes to survive our struggles very close to our chests. This is such a fragile place to live. Ignoring our emotions and "soldiering on" creates a life of isolation and confusion. This may manifest as depression, anxiety, or uncertainty about how to wish, desire, and create a life worth living.

BRINK OF BREAKUP OR DIVORCE; INFIDELITY; PARTNER BETRAYAL; DECEPTION, LIES, SECRECY; NARCISSIST TRAITS; CODEPENDENCY; TOXIC LOVE ATTACHMENT: Can you bounce back and heal from partner infidelity or betrayal? Can you feel better and rebuild trust again? Can your relationship or marriage become stronger and more connected after the devastating discovery of infidelity and betrayal? ABSOLUTELY! Majority of relationships not only survive infidelity, but many relationships & marriages can become stronger and more intimate after undergoing infidelity couples counseling/coaching process with a competent couples therapist/counselor/coach.

GASLIGHTING; NARCISSIST ABUSE; CODEPENDENCY; TOXIC ATTACHMENT; HI-CONFLICT RELATIONSHIP: Gaslighting is a form of psychological/emotional abuse where the abuser manipulates situations repeatedly to trick the victim into doubting his/her own memory, perception & sanity. You're accused of doing something that you know you didn't do or say. Often belittled, demeaned, and raged upon. You walk on eggshells & constantly need to watch what you say for fear your partner might blow up. You often feel confused & now distrust yourself; have trouble making decisions & feel like you lost yourself or don't know the person you used to be.

I offer sensitive, humanistically-oriented psychotherapy and testing services to clients; and psychodiagnostic consultation to mental health, medical, and legal professionals.

Christopher Lawver is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, with over 20 years of experience in private practice and community mental health settings. He is a graduate of Antioch University Los Angeles with an M.A. in Clinical Psychology and the University of Southern California B.A. Communication Arts and Sciences. Chris Lawver has practiced in West Hollywood and San Francisco California, specializing in substance use and addiction recovery, codependency and relationship evaluation, and self empowerment in diverse populations. 2010, he received a certification in Psychoanalysis from The Los Angeles Institute of Psychoanalysis

Are you suffering from the impact of trauma, painful life transition, perhaps relationship with a narcissist? Have you experienced a death, loss of a job or a friendship or other impactful change, and want to use the most profound of spiritual principles to strengthen you and answer the deepest of life's questions? For 30 years, I have guided people toward authentic and meaningful ways of living and relating - working to transform thoughts, feelings, actions and relationships. We focus on real actions you can take, to see change now. To get a feel for my ways of working and my voice​ feel free to go to: madeofclay.org/maria-holden/

Seeking out psychotherapy is an investment in yourself so you can reach your dreams and overcome emotional hurdles like depression, anxiety, trauma, loss, relationship and work problems, and recovery from addictions. I have helped many people jump over these barriers to get more of what they want in their lives. The therapy I practice can lead to longstanding changes in your relationships and how you feel about yourself. I create a safe and confidential space where we can explore what’s getting in the way. My approach understands complexity and privileges the uniqueness of your personality.

Going through life's journey is like riding a roller coaster full of ups, downs, twists, and turns. On a roller coaster, you often have someone sitting next to you regardless of if you know the person. Think of life the same way. It is challenging and shouldn't be done alone. My passion is to help clients go through life transitions and challenges with more ease by identifying and rediscovering their strengths to develop a healthy lifestyle.

Life can feel impossible to avoid struggling and we often don't feel we have the skills to cope successfully through. Unfortunately, sometimes we don't have all the resources we need for a given situation. Parts of us take on desperate roles trying to help us to survive. This might look like anxiety, depression, PTSD, addiction, and relationship/family issues. I aim to help you process unresolved issues and feelings and find solutions.