Positive Psychology Therapists in San Francisco, CA
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Shirley Ailsworth
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified
4 Endorsed
Verified
4 Endorsed
I draw from a variety of approaches in my work: CBT,
Positive Psychology
, Solution Focus, and Mindfulness are a few approaches that we may use.
Congratulations on taking this FIRST step. Life’s challenges can leave you feeling defeated, exhausted, anxious and depressed. All of these feelings can take a toll on our daily lives, sense of self and relationships. However with the right therapeutic support those feelings can decrease or become easier and more manageable. I also have a special interest in supporting individuals and couples who have breast cancer or have experienced breast cancer and its lasting impacts. I’m an out-of-network provider and DO NOT accept insurance.

Tarrah D Wauson
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
I provide individual therapy that is strength based and has roots in
Positive Psychology
, Solution focused therapies and Humanistic.
I support young people to find their voice, become more self confident, and communicate in a way that expresses their needs. Many times there is a disconnect between behavior and desires. I work closely to increase awareness of why these behaviors are happening and encourage an awareness to begin to identify triggers, with an overall goal of self awareness and self control.

Dr. Mariel Barcebal
Psychologist, PsyD
Verified
Verified
I draw from various therapy modalities ranging from ACT &
Positive Psychology
to trauma-informed methods such as Internal Family Systems and Brainspotting that support deep emotional processing and rehabilitation of the nervous system.
And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom. ― Anais Nin. Choosing to start therapy is so powerful as it means that you are looking to create a shift within yourself and what you've been doing is no longer serving you. Have you noticed yourself feeling stuck and overwhelmed within the negative cycle of your circumstances & deeply established emotional patterns? Do you identify as a people pleaser, shrinking yourself & prioritizing others' needs over your own? I will work collaboratively with you to break intergenerational trauma patterns at its source & move forward anew.

Larry O'Connor, Marriage and Family Therapist
Marriage & Family Therapist, MFT, MA, MS
Verified
2 Endorsed
Verified
2 Endorsed
Recently I’ve been interested in
positive psychology
, theories of learning, and blending elements of coaching and psychotherapy.
Choosing a therapist that is a good fit and you can see working with deserves consideration. It’s important the therapist is someone you can trust, who gets you, and has professional experience with what you need, and conveys a sense of confidence and commitment to helping you. I try to get to know every client I work with, understand who they are, what their lives are like. I look for your individual strengths, unique capabilities, positive qualities, and help you recognize and build upon these to improve your current circumstances.

Akira Olsen
Psychologist, PsyD, MA
Verified
2 Endorsed
Verified
2 Endorsed
I practice Mindfulness, Cognitive-Behavior Therapy,
Positive Psychology
, Acceptance Commitment Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, and Somatic Therapy.
Hello, Thank you for visiting my profile! I am a board-certified psychologist with 17+ years of clinical experience working with adults, family, couples, children, and teens in the San Francisco Bay Area. My working style is interactive, culturally sensitive, compassionate, problem-solving, and collaborative. Please check out my website for details.

Megan Brubaker
Marriage & Family Therapist, AMFT, MA
Verified
Verified
I have also been strongly influenced by
positive psychology
for its ability to add good to one’s life, as opposed to focusing on "fixing problems".
Life is tough and seeking help at any point helps you become the hero of your story. One of the most amazing things I witness are people who want to bring positive changes into their lives and are willing to set aside time to work on themselves their growth as individuals, couples and families.

Taleen Sahakian
Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, MA, MBA
Verified
Verified
I use a variety of therapeutic approaches, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), exposure & response prevention (ERP), psychodynamic, psychoeducation, reframing, mindfulness training,
positive psychology
& structured problem solving to help you uncover positive beliefs, regain hope and explore solutions that will help you thrive.
I am a Marriage & Family Therapist Associate who strives to make a positive impact in people's lives. I specialize in working with adults, young adults and teenagers and create a safe, confidential and judgement-free space for my clients. By working collaboratively with you and providing support along your journey, I can help you transform your mindset and relationship with yourself and others. Working as a therapist is a second career for me since I worked in the Entertainment industry leading a team in Marketing for many years. I made the career switch to psychology since I find fulfillment in helping others reach their goals.
Not accepting new clients

Lisa Pasquinelli
Psychologist, PhD
Verified
Verified
When working with clients, I come from a strengths-based,
positive psychology
approach which allows you to recognize your own unique capacities and increase your positive mindset. I enjoy working with individuals who are struggling with a wide range of concerns helping you align with the truth of who you are. My goal is to help you engage in life through a meaningful relationship with yourself and others through releasing old thoughts and behavior patterns which are no longer serving you.
Waitlist for new clients

Sara R. van Koningsveld
Counselor, MA, LPCC, BC-DMT, GL-CMA
Verified
4 Endorsed
Verified
4 Endorsed
My practice integrates: CBT, DBT,
positive psychology
, mindfulness, and holistic healing approaches.
Life gets difficult. -Our distress may make us uncomfortable, overwhelmed, anxious, angry, sad and/or depressed. -Maybe we experienced a job loss, have to move, had a significant relationship end, or experienced a major shift, change, or transition in our life. -Really, we want to feel "better" and "happier", but how do we get there? Short-term counseling or coaching can help and sometimes we needed to address deeper issues and patterns through psychotherapy. Each of us is different, but maybe you found your way here because you are ready to let go, ready to grow, and ready for something new, different, and better for your life.

Danielle Kassouf
Psychologist, PsyD
Verified
3 Endorsed
Verified
3 Endorsed
Therapy is customized to address your unique goals with a variety of research-proven techniques: Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), mindfulness, and
positive psychology
.
There is hope for a more meaningful, satisfying life. No matter what your circumstances are, know that you are not alone in your suffering. As humans, we all feel overwhelmed by stress, depression, anxiety, body image issues, or pressures to perform in school or work. Therapy can help! Using a warm and active approach, I help you feel at ease while gently facilitating change and growth. I help identify your unique strengths and empower you to build confidence and self-worth. Together we can reduce suffering and increase resiliency.

Andrea Cook
Psychologist, PhD
Verified
Verified
Using a
positive psychology
perspective, we focus both on decreasing unproductive patterns and building strengths.
We are all feeling the effects of the corona virus. For many of us, that means increased chronic stress and worry, and its associated symptoms of fatigue, appetite and digestive challenges, poor sleep, body aches, irritability, and sadness. All appointments are provided using Telemental Health using HIPAA compliant Zoom, so that you can receive therapy by video conferencing in the comfort of your home or other private space.

Victoria L. Vogel
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified
Verified
Brief Solutions Oriented Counseling, Mindfulness Based Therapy, Meditation Instruction, LENS Neurofeedback,
Positive Psychology
, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Body Oriented Psychotherapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Enneagram Counseling.
I combine LENS Neurofeedback with ancient wisdom, warmth and caring. Are you longing for someone positive to talk to who cares and understands? Someone who has experience with anxiety, ADHD, head trauma, PTSD, depression and finding your place in life and love? I can hold your issues and teach you mindfulness which brings happiness and relief. Days, evenings, some insurance.

Beverly Swann
Marriage & Family Therapist, PhD, LMFT, MA
Verified
Verified
Trauma...current political climate...feeling stuck...anxiety...wanting more from life...clients come to me for many reasons. My holistic, body-oriented psychotherapy & health services are based on principles of wholeness,
positive psychology
, & empowerment. It's about more than venting stress. It's about identifying & transcending challenges/roadblocks/speedbumps. It's about cultivating happiness/peace/well-being, learning & expanding tools, discovering & nurturing your authentic self & the resources you already have, & seeing yourself as the complex & unique being you are. Cultivate a life of thriving!

Mindfulness Psychotherapy, Jim Mathis LMFT
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified
Verified
I use the principles of
Positive Psychology
and Mindfulness to teach techniques that increase awareness and ability to control attention so that you can experience happiness and not be a slave to compulsive thinking. You will learn and experience living in a way that frees energy that is being spent on habitual regrets of the past and worries of the future. I can guide you through loneliness, isolation, emotional pain, grief, relationship distress and trauma.

The Mindful Lemon
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified
Verified
Here at The Mindful Lemon, we believe in treating the whole person – we focus on the mind-body connection,
positive psychology
, law of attraction and mindfulness in conjunction with a multitude of evidenced based practice and therapeutic modalities to help you to achieve your greatest potential.
Our mission is to provide quality online mental health and substance abuse services while breaking down the barriers of traditional, office based therapy. Traditional mental health and substance abuse treatment tends to focus on what makes you sick, what you are lacking but at The Mindful Lemon, our clinicians let you sit in the driver’s seat, focusing on your strengths and assets to help you become the best version of you! This can be via traditional talk therapy, medication management, mindfulness techniques, an emphasis on health, wellness and fitness or any combination of the above.

Mariola Craver
Licensed Professional Counselor
Verified
Verified
My name is Mariola Craver, and I am a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor. Utilizing cultural competency and trauma-informed capability, I provide services to teens and adults. During sessions, we address symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression, among others, as well as coping skills for many life transitions. In my practice, I use CBT/DBT as well as
Positive Psychology
and Mindfulness. I am client-centered and emphasize unconditional positive regard.

Krystal Pope
Psychologist, JD/PhD
Verified
Verified
CBT tools,
Positive Psychology
, and other disciplines as needed will provide a Strength-based approach to build resilience, a foundation to meet personal goals, overcome stressors, and reduce your barriers to a successful life.
Do you have a high stress job with unique struggles and stressors? Is your personal life complicated and you're doing everything you can to live your best life but still facing obstacles? Do you have some very specific goals that you're looking to accomplish but need extra support. Overcoming barriers is part of the human experience but we all face unique struggles in this journey. Together, we will develop a plan to help you overcome your barriers. Evaluation services available: fitness for duty, competency, etc.

Kellie Bougard Jordan
Licensed Professional Counselor, LPCC
Verified
Verified
Greetings, my name is Kellie Bougard Jordan, LPCC. I have worked with diverse clients ranging from children, adolescents, and adult populations. My focus areas of practice include depression, anxiety, addiction, familial / relationship issues, life stressors, grief and trauma-related issues, parenting, impulsivity, and self-esteem. My therapeutic approach to providing therapy combines Cognitive-Behavioral, Humanistic,
Positive Psychology
, Motivational Interviewing, and Solution Focused counseling. I believe in meeting anyone where they are in the journey of healing.

Career and Relationships, Holistic Life Coaching
MA
Through mindset shifts, accountability, a mindfulness approach, and
positive psychology
tools, you will gain more direction and confidence!.
Is a big transition bringing up fear and uncertainty for you? You may be: seeking more meaningful work or considering self-employment; navigating a breakup or desiring new love; moving cross-country or across the street. Any of these changes can be "nerv-citing" (nerve-wracking and exciting!) You might have high expectations of what is possible, but also worry that you won't live up to your potential. Though you are caring, open-minded, and driven, you may be harder on yourself than anyone you know. In our work together, I can help you claim the MORE you know is possible, while feeling grateful, enlivened, & ENOUGH along the way.

Patricia Eaton
Psychologist, PsyD
Verified
Verified
I am well versed in the latest Evidence Based Practices (CBT, DBT, ACT, CPT, mindfulness and
positive psychology
).
If you are struggling with depression, anxiety, OCD, effects of trauma and other life stressors, congratulations of this first step of seeking professional care. I am here to help you ease these symptoms and steer you in the direction of the life you want you want to live. Additionally, if you have been impacted by abusive, critical, neglectful, invalidating and/or high expectation environments and want to shed the lifelong effects of these traumas, my approach may be an ideal match for you. We can use evidence based practices to identify and reduce the effects of these negative core beliefs.
See more therapy options for
Positive Psychology Therapists
How does positive psychology therapy work?
Positive psychology therapy derives from the work of Martin Seligman of the University of Pennsylvania. He and others developed the field of positive psychology building on humanistic theory. Positive psychology therapy is similar to acceptance and commitment therapy, and it essentially quiets emotional distress through positivity, contentment, and well-being. This therapy does not reduce the individual to symptoms and conditions.
When do I know if I need treatment using positive psychology?
If an individual is overwhelmed by emotional distress and general negativity, they may feel trapped. A positive psychology therapist can help them view their emotions and behaviors differently, and approach life with a better understanding of their positive strengths. This therapy can provide an individual with the coping skills needed for a healthier and more constructive life.
What should I expect from positive psychology therapy?
The patient may be asked to explore their signature strengths. The therapist will also ask the individual to talk about their goals, which should be specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and timely. Discussing negative experiences and symptoms is important, but so is the exploration of positive experiences. The objective is to identify and lessen negative thoughts and behaviors and move toward optimal health and productivity. The individual will see life in a more positive and fulfilling way. This therapy is proactive and may use forgiveness, gratitude, hope, and compassion to help reframe negativity.
Is positive psychology effective in therapy?
Positive psychology therapy is evidence-based and effective. One study found that people with eating disorders benefit from this type of intervention. This therapy encourages the person to reframe their distressed thoughts and move into healthier patterns of functioning. This therapy also aims to move an individual toward what works well in their life. Positive psychology therapy can elicit lifelong change, with higher levels of satisfaction, less stress, as well as positive emotional and behavioral habits.