Therapists in San Mateo, CA

You want to be listened to--really heard. You are sick and tired of conflict that creates lonely distance between you and your partner. You would like fewer angry moments and more times when you feel close and connected to your partner. You want the tools and skills to have RESPECTFUL conflict conversations that bring you closer. You are ready to grow, if only someone really understood you and had the expertise to coach both of you each step of the way. You may be feeling discouraged: "We've tried everything." So you want couples therapy rooted in solid research and a therapist who tailors it to your unique situation.

I provide compassionate, conscientious and meaningful psychotherapeutic treatment to individuals seeking to overcome difficult life circumstances, understand/manage emotions, or to those simply seeking self-growth or personal/career development. With twenty plus years as a practicing psychotherapist, having worked with diverse ethnicities, races, ages and sexual orientations, I have vast skills/resources and experience to offer/impart. My approaches/technique includes an eclectic mix of Psychodynamic, Cognitive Behavioral, Jungian, Gestaltian, and some Buddhist philosophy.

I have worked for over 25 years with folks who have struggled with a range of internal, interpersonal, relational, and environmental challenges and questions. This includes: difficult thoughts; "stuck" patterns of behavior, including addictions; persistent sadness and depression; relationship and family difficulties; loneliness; thoughts of life-and-death; trauma; identity and sexuality questions; experiences of madness; and other difficult life situations. I focus on working with adolescents (16+), young adults (18-25), and adults of all ages. I also work with men of all ages on questions of masculinity and "manhood".

I’m a licensed clinical psychologist with a strong commitment to providing high-quality individualized mental health care to adults. I offer both individual and group psychotherapy. I enjoy working with a diverse range of people, ages, and issues. I bring specialized training and experience in working with young professionals, people struggling with depression, anxiety, trauma, substance abuse and relationship challenges. If you’d like to learn more about how I’d work with you or have any questions about starting therapy, please email or call me for a free phone consultation.

I specialize in sexual issues and persistent psychogenic pain. Both of these realms entail working through trauma, anxiety, grief, impulsivity, and depression. In sex therapy, I help clients grappling with issues around functioning, sexual shame, sexual trauma, impulsive behaviors, sex and porn "addictions," low and hyper-arousal issues - all from a sex-positive, kink/poly/bdsm-friendly stance. I also help couples navigate challenges in their intimate relationships. With chronic pain and discomfort, I help people change their relationship to the symptoms, which leads to drastic reduction and often elimination of symptoms.

I specialize in treating vulnerable narcissistic issues that involve low self-esteem, illness anxiety, depressive thoughts and feelings, emotional conflict, self-defeating behaviors, anxiety, alienation, and difficulties with trust.

I approach therapy as education - helping clients to better identify patterns associated with difficulties, develop skills to overcome these difficulties, and learn how to utilize these skills in their daily lives in order to live as optimally as possible. We focus both on addressing the issues that have been plaguing you as well as learning to live more fully and comfortably in each moment and activity you are engaged in. Learning powerful skills helps overcome specific problems, boost resilience against future problems, and more fully enjoy daily life. Therapy is individually tailored to your specific needs and lifestyle.

In therapy it’s sometimes said you must feel it- to heal it, and for couples this can be especially true. I can help you process difficult emotions together and come to a mutual understanding, grow closer as a couple, and improve communication. I can also work with you independently. For the individuals I work with, I promote improving emotional strength, independence, developing confidence, refining assertiveness, accepting responsibility and finding your direction. I can help you to take an objective look at the relationship dynamics you may be trying to navigate and see if solutions can be found that work for you.

Welcome to my practice. I have been in practice since 2007 and have been featured on ABC, NBC, and KCAL as an expert psychologist. I work primarily with men who have hit “rock bottom” and would like help getting up. These men are often in crisis when we first meet. The issues I address are typically related to unhealthy sexual behaviors, infidelity, financial recklessness, gambling, drugs/alcohol, dishonesty/lying, and relational conflicts. My therapy approach is a combination of psychoanalytic, cognitive-behavioral, and the 12-Step recovery model. I also share insight from my own painful but redemptive recovery journey.

Douglas was educated in Great Britain and brings a wealth of professional experience from careers in Corporate America and Europe.

Patients come to me with a wide range of difficulties and consistently tell me that my responsive and interactive style is helpful to them. You may already have a clear idea of the problems you want to solve. Or you may need time to explore your experience and to clarify what you'd like to change. I provide a safe space for this exploration to take place.

I believe that the most important trait that leads to a successful outcome is motivation to learn about oneself. This is the essence of desire- or willingness- to change. I am trained as a psycho-analyst, and try to apply the essential understanding of people that psycho-analytic theory and practice, even when- as is usually the case- the psycho-analtyic method is not indicated, for reasons of time, money, and/or practicality. I work with all kinds of people, but feel that the common denominator is a strong motivation to examine oneself honestly and forthrightly, and to interact emotionally.

As a psychoanalyst and clinical psychologist, I work with a variety of issues ranging from depression, sadness and anxiety to more severe issues such as schizophrenia and personality disorders. I work best with those clients who are interested in making lasting changes in their inner lives and circumstances. In my practice, I provide you with a place to speak freely, so that through this singular experience of speaking you can articulate your desire and assume responsibility for your life.

Welcome to my practice. I have been in practice since 2007 and have been featured on ABC, NBC, and KCAL as an expert psychologist. I work primarily with men who have hit “rock bottom” and would like help getting up. These men are often in crisis when we first meet. The issues I address are typically related to unhealthy sexual behaviors, infidelity, financial recklessness, gambling, drugs/alcohol, dishonesty/lying, and relational conflicts. My therapy approach is a combination of psychoanalytic, cognitive-behavioral, and the 12-Step recovery model. I also share insight from my own painful but redemptive recovery journey.

I have been a counselor for more than 30 years. I remain passionate about making a difference in the lives of others and believe that genuine caring is an essential element to an effective counseling relationship. Over the years I have worked with clients with significant trauma and loss. I consider it a privilege to stand with another individual as he or she resolves great pain. I am currently seeing clients exclusively via telemedicine (secure video platform). I am able to see clients in Texas, Kansas, Alabama, and California.