Therapists in San Francisco, CA
Lucia C Cargill
PhD, MSN, MA, PHN, FNP-C
Verified Verified
San Francisco, CA 94110
l am a cross-cultural specialist with a PhD in Medical Anthropology & a Family Nurse Practitioner with 15 years in psychiatric, pain & primary care practice.
Greetings! Welcome to our multidisciplinary, holistic, integrative mental health coaching practice. We are open to new ideas from Integrative/Functional Medicine, supportive care for your psychiatric needs, drug free care, and nutritional support. We believe whole body health is the best way to good brain health. Good brain health impacts mental health. We invite you to a different approach to brain health and mental health through coaching and support for referrals to the best functional medicine providers sourcing balance, resolution of inflammation & for all your whole body-mind-spirit healing. We invite you to join us for care.
l am a cross-cultural specialist with a PhD in Medical Anthropology & a Family Nurse Practitioner with 15 years in psychiatric, pain & primary care practice.
Greetings! Welcome to our multidisciplinary, holistic, integrative mental health coaching practice. We are open to new ideas from Integrative/Functional Medicine, supportive care for your psychiatric needs, drug free care, and nutritional support. We believe whole body health is the best way to good brain health. Good brain health impacts mental health. We invite you to a different approach to brain health and mental health through coaching and support for referrals to the best functional medicine providers sourcing balance, resolution of inflammation & for all your whole body-mind-spirit healing. We invite you to join us for care.
Leah R Finn
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified Verified
3 Endorsed
San Francisco, CA 94109 (Online Only)
I've successfully treated many people who have experienced anxiety, depression, trauma, chronic illness/ pain and other issues.
As your therapist, I create an environment for you to feel safe to explore fears, challenges and your deepest desires. I'm here to empower you! I'll offer a variety of techniques and collaborate with you in developing goals to co-create a therapeutic experience, facilitating healing and personal growth. I use an anti-oppression, disability justice framework and consider how ethnicity, class, gender, age, ability and sexuality intersect. My background as a community organizer for social justice informs my practice. I will tailor our work together to address your unique and specific needs and preferences.
I've successfully treated many people who have experienced anxiety, depression, trauma, chronic illness/ pain and other issues.
As your therapist, I create an environment for you to feel safe to explore fears, challenges and your deepest desires. I'm here to empower you! I'll offer a variety of techniques and collaborate with you in developing goals to co-create a therapeutic experience, facilitating healing and personal growth. I use an anti-oppression, disability justice framework and consider how ethnicity, class, gender, age, ability and sexuality intersect. My background as a community organizer for social justice informs my practice. I will tailor our work together to address your unique and specific needs and preferences.
Brooke Ferragamo
Psychologist, PhD
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
San Francisco, CA 94118
In our work together, we can explore deeper unconscious patterns that are causing you unnecessary pain.
I offer a grounded, warm, and personalized approach to help adolescents and adults cope with life transitions, chronic distress, trauma, and other mental health challenges such as depression and anxiety. I am passionate about serving adolescents who are struggling to find their place in our rapidly changing world, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and any folks who feel as though they have difficulty fitting into society's prescribed norms. Some folks reach out with a specific goal in mind, while just as many enter therapy with more of a feeling that something is not quite right. In either case, you are welcome here.
In our work together, we can explore deeper unconscious patterns that are causing you unnecessary pain.
I offer a grounded, warm, and personalized approach to help adolescents and adults cope with life transitions, chronic distress, trauma, and other mental health challenges such as depression and anxiety. I am passionate about serving adolescents who are struggling to find their place in our rapidly changing world, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and any folks who feel as though they have difficulty fitting into society's prescribed norms. Some folks reach out with a specific goal in mind, while just as many enter therapy with more of a feeling that something is not quite right. In either case, you are welcome here.
Roxanne Shooshani
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified Verified
San Francisco, CA 94114 (Online Only)
Hello and welcome to your psychotherapy journey. I am here to join you as you weather life's storms. Whether it's trauma, family tensions, illness, depression, anxiety, relationship issues, loneliness, work stress, or just plain existential dread - I can support you on your healing path. I bring a breadth of experience to my sessions, including a history of therapeutic work with teens, families, the LGBTQIA community, folks with chronic pain and illnesses, college students, and elderly adults.
Hello and welcome to your psychotherapy journey. I am here to join you as you weather life's storms. Whether it's trauma, family tensions, illness, depression, anxiety, relationship issues, loneliness, work stress, or just plain existential dread - I can support you on your healing path. I bring a breadth of experience to my sessions, including a history of therapeutic work with teens, families, the LGBTQIA community, folks with chronic pain and illnesses, college students, and elderly adults.
Denise Stilwell
Psychologist, RN, PsyD
Verified Verified
San Francisco, CA 94109 (Online Only)
Dr. Denise Stilwell is a licensed clinical psychologist with seven years of experience providing psychotherapy in a variety of clinical settings. She worked as a nurse for sixteen years before she became a psychotherapist and brings that rich experience into her practice. She specializes in treating anxiety, depression, identity issues, interpersonal issues, grief, managing chronic illness, and somatic symptom disorder. Dr. Stilwell collaborates with her clients to ensure they feel seen and heard in their sessions while utilizing evidence-based therapy approaches that are culturally sensitive and individually focused.
Dr. Denise Stilwell is a licensed clinical psychologist with seven years of experience providing psychotherapy in a variety of clinical settings. She worked as a nurse for sixteen years before she became a psychotherapist and brings that rich experience into her practice. She specializes in treating anxiety, depression, identity issues, interpersonal issues, grief, managing chronic illness, and somatic symptom disorder. Dr. Stilwell collaborates with her clients to ensure they feel seen and heard in their sessions while utilizing evidence-based therapy approaches that are culturally sensitive and individually focused.
Karen Macklin
Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, MA, MFA, AMFT, APCC, Coach
Verified Verified
8 Endorsed
San Francisco, CA 94115
I support folks through transition and loss, questions around identity, navigating a new or chronic illness, and communication & relationship challenges.
Are you at a crossroads in your life or relationship(s)? I work with dynamic individuals, couples, and family pairs who feel lost and want to find their way back to clarity & connection. I'm an East-West combo, bringing a mix of soulful mindfulness practice + practicality + creative exploration to the therapy space. I support big thinkers and feelers, including creatives, artists, scientists, healers, dreamers, sensitive people, queer, and/or neurodivergent folks & anyone who doesn't fit the standard narrative to heal (& grow) from the trauma and drama of this world, and to create a life worth living and loving.
I support folks through transition and loss, questions around identity, navigating a new or chronic illness, and communication & relationship challenges.
Are you at a crossroads in your life or relationship(s)? I work with dynamic individuals, couples, and family pairs who feel lost and want to find their way back to clarity & connection. I'm an East-West combo, bringing a mix of soulful mindfulness practice + practicality + creative exploration to the therapy space. I support big thinkers and feelers, including creatives, artists, scientists, healers, dreamers, sensitive people, queer, and/or neurodivergent folks & anyone who doesn't fit the standard narrative to heal (& grow) from the trauma and drama of this world, and to create a life worth living and loving.
Laine Demetria
Marriage & Family Therapist, MS, LMFT
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
San Francisco, CA 94104
Couples, parents of children with chronic medical conditions as well as adult survivors of childhood abuse and illness.
Do you feel trapped by your past and anxious about your future, unable to live in the present? This malaise of modern living is often a sign of past trauma. I can help you uncover and release the experiences that keep you from living a full and zestful life. My primary focus is women and parents, particularly those with a history of trauma. We’ll explore the feelings that arise in your body, and notice their links to your thoughts and behaviors. I’ll empower you to choose a more positive narrative, to look at your life through a different lens.
Couples, parents of children with chronic medical conditions as well as adult survivors of childhood abuse and illness.
Do you feel trapped by your past and anxious about your future, unable to live in the present? This malaise of modern living is often a sign of past trauma. I can help you uncover and release the experiences that keep you from living a full and zestful life. My primary focus is women and parents, particularly those with a history of trauma. We’ll explore the feelings that arise in your body, and notice their links to your thoughts and behaviors. I’ll empower you to choose a more positive narrative, to look at your life through a different lens.
Rebecca A. Ward
Marriage & Family Therapist, MS, MA, LMFT, SEP, PCC
Verified Verified
4 Endorsed
San Francisco, CA 94117 (Online Only)
Regardless of your suffering, there is a way through it and because we each have our own way of processing emotional wounds, I take an individualized approach to help you transform pain into healing. I specialize in addressing trauma and grief. This includes the loss of a loved one, traumatic loss (event-related, developmental), as well as psychological symptoms associated with chronic and terminal illness. Through an integrated approach, my work is about healing the soul and finding light in the darkness despite facing life-threatening conditions afflicting the body, mind, heart, and spirit.
Regardless of your suffering, there is a way through it and because we each have our own way of processing emotional wounds, I take an individualized approach to help you transform pain into healing. I specialize in addressing trauma and grief. This includes the loss of a loved one, traumatic loss (event-related, developmental), as well as psychological symptoms associated with chronic and terminal illness. Through an integrated approach, my work is about healing the soul and finding light in the darkness despite facing life-threatening conditions afflicting the body, mind, heart, and spirit.
Barbara Claire Freeman
Licensed Psychoanalyst, PhD
Verified Verified
San Francisco, CA 94101
Sometimes it seems life asks us to bear the unbearable. A heartbreaking loss, difficult transition, illness of yourself or loved one, the lack of anything that might make your life meaningful and pleasurable—these are some of the issues I respond to and can help with. If you’re suffering or your life lacks purpose look at my website and, if you feel a connection, please reach out. I work from a generous and flexible sliding scale and am committed to providing accessible treatment. Whatever you’re facing, you don’t have to do this alone. Psychoanalytic therapy, especially as practiced by Lacanian analysts, can be transformative.
Sometimes it seems life asks us to bear the unbearable. A heartbreaking loss, difficult transition, illness of yourself or loved one, the lack of anything that might make your life meaningful and pleasurable—these are some of the issues I respond to and can help with. If you’re suffering or your life lacks purpose look at my website and, if you feel a connection, please reach out. I work from a generous and flexible sliding scale and am committed to providing accessible treatment. Whatever you’re facing, you don’t have to do this alone. Psychoanalytic therapy, especially as practiced by Lacanian analysts, can be transformative.
Aliah Kristin Mestrovich Seay
Marriage & Family Therapist, LCMFT, MA, PhD
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
San Francisco, CA 94104
I work with clients with a wide range of concerns and identities including but not limited to: depression, anxiety, relationship issues, neurodiversity (ADHD and Autism), and other developmental disabilities, vocational stress, chronic illness, women’s issues, infertility and disability-related work and school-place barriers. I have experience working with individuals from historically underrepresented underserved communities, international clients, interracial couples and families, women, immigrants/refugees as well as the LGBTQIA+ community.
I work with clients with a wide range of concerns and identities including but not limited to: depression, anxiety, relationship issues, neurodiversity (ADHD and Autism), and other developmental disabilities, vocational stress, chronic illness, women’s issues, infertility and disability-related work and school-place barriers. I have experience working with individuals from historically underrepresented underserved communities, international clients, interracial couples and families, women, immigrants/refugees as well as the LGBTQIA+ community.
Amynta Hayenga
Psychologist, PsyD
Verified Verified
2 Endorsed
San Francisco, CA 94104
You may feel lost, but you are not alone. We all experience suffering as a part of the human condition, yet sometimes our symptoms of stress, despair, worry, or self-criticism stand in the way of living the life that we want. If you find yourself troubled by a particular life problem or psychological condition, or generally lacking a sense of vitality and purpose, working with a clinician can help you reconnect with yourself and your strengths. Therapy often helps us to make useful connections between our actions, our thinking, our emotional reality, and patterns in relationships that we have developed over years.
You may feel lost, but you are not alone. We all experience suffering as a part of the human condition, yet sometimes our symptoms of stress, despair, worry, or self-criticism stand in the way of living the life that we want. If you find yourself troubled by a particular life problem or psychological condition, or generally lacking a sense of vitality and purpose, working with a clinician can help you reconnect with yourself and your strengths. Therapy often helps us to make useful connections between our actions, our thinking, our emotional reality, and patterns in relationships that we have developed over years.
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Jasper Cornelius Mather
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT, APCC
Verified Verified
San Francisco, CA 94112
I am passionate about helping individuals in the transgender community navigate the unique challenges that come with gender identity and expression. As a transgender person myself, I understand firsthand the complexity of these issues and the importance of providing a safe and inclusive space for clients to explore their identity. I believe that every person has the capacity to heal and grow, and I am committed to providing a supportive and nonjudgmental environment where clients can explore their identity, work through challenges, and build resilience. I also work with anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, and relationship issues.
I am passionate about helping individuals in the transgender community navigate the unique challenges that come with gender identity and expression. As a transgender person myself, I understand firsthand the complexity of these issues and the importance of providing a safe and inclusive space for clients to explore their identity. I believe that every person has the capacity to heal and grow, and I am committed to providing a supportive and nonjudgmental environment where clients can explore their identity, work through challenges, and build resilience. I also work with anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, and relationship issues.
Christhmus (Christopher Chu) Presence
Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, MA, AMFT, APCC
Verified Verified
3 Endorsed
San Francisco, CA 94114 (Online Only)
Offering CA-based Telehealth ideal for BIPOC: Black, Indigenous, &/or People of Color, including white-passing & mixed-race BIPOC. Also welcoming Families & Partnerships with 1 or more BIPOC in regular attendance. I offer Xychotherapy: psychotherapy that recognizes therapeutic experiences existed long before psychotherapy was invented, and incorporates psychotherapy into global therapeutic wisdoms and practices.
Offering CA-based Telehealth ideal for BIPOC: Black, Indigenous, &/or People of Color, including white-passing & mixed-race BIPOC. Also welcoming Families & Partnerships with 1 or more BIPOC in regular attendance. I offer Xychotherapy: psychotherapy that recognizes therapeutic experiences existed long before psychotherapy was invented, and incorporates psychotherapy into global therapeutic wisdoms and practices.
Thomas Marchevsky
Licensed Psychoanalyst, PhD
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
San Francisco, CA 94115
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.
Taylor Isaacson
Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, AMFT
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
San Francisco, CA 94114 (Online Only)
We all deserve space to be our full selves. I view my role as therapist as a co-explorer – I walk alongside you as you navigate your authentic experience of this world. In session, we follow what feels present for you in the moment and approach what arises with curiosity. This mindful awareness helps us meet and build relationship with more “parts” of you. I aim to allow all of you in. Eventually, this process of being “more you” can lead to a more grounded and connected existence, one in which you find yourself with more choice, agency, and fulfillment in life.
We all deserve space to be our full selves. I view my role as therapist as a co-explorer – I walk alongside you as you navigate your authentic experience of this world. In session, we follow what feels present for you in the moment and approach what arises with curiosity. This mindful awareness helps us meet and build relationship with more “parts” of you. I aim to allow all of you in. Eventually, this process of being “more you” can lead to a more grounded and connected existence, one in which you find yourself with more choice, agency, and fulfillment in life.
Rosie Zeolla Calle
Marriage & Family Therapist, MEd, MA, LMFT
Verified Verified
6 Endorsed
San Francisco, CA 94110 (Online Only)
Waitlist for new clients
I am a queer, neurodivergent therapist who is passionate about working with the LGBTQIA+ community, including those who are navigating their sexuality and/or gender expression. I work with both teens and adults who need help managing anxiety and depression, accommodating neurodiversity, unpacking trauma, and dealing with relationship and identity issues. I also provide letters for people seeking gender-affirming medical care. I strive to create a trusting relationship with each of my clients so we can safely explore obstacles and work together to find your authentic and thriving self.
I am a queer, neurodivergent therapist who is passionate about working with the LGBTQIA+ community, including those who are navigating their sexuality and/or gender expression. I work with both teens and adults who need help managing anxiety and depression, accommodating neurodiversity, unpacking trauma, and dealing with relationship and identity issues. I also provide letters for people seeking gender-affirming medical care. I strive to create a trusting relationship with each of my clients so we can safely explore obstacles and work together to find your authentic and thriving self.
Kevin Graves
Marriage & Family Therapist, MS, LMFT
Verified Verified
San Francisco, CA 94110
“Bridging is the work of opening the gate to the stranger, within and without.” – Gloria E. Anzaldúa. You’re at an inflection point. The ground has shifted; you find yourself on rocky terrain. The trail’s end is hazy, but you catch a glimpse: the outline of a hopeful future, somehow. Let us nurture those neglected pieces of yourself too oft ignored. With sincerity, compassion, and levity, I offer steady company on your voyage. You’ll discover bridges to yourself, your loved ones, and the goals that matter to you. The discourse shall be rich; the reflection, deep; the change, meaningful. You needn’t travel alone.
“Bridging is the work of opening the gate to the stranger, within and without.” – Gloria E. Anzaldúa. You’re at an inflection point. The ground has shifted; you find yourself on rocky terrain. The trail’s end is hazy, but you catch a glimpse: the outline of a hopeful future, somehow. Let us nurture those neglected pieces of yourself too oft ignored. With sincerity, compassion, and levity, I offer steady company on your voyage. You’ll discover bridges to yourself, your loved ones, and the goals that matter to you. The discourse shall be rich; the reflection, deep; the change, meaningful. You needn’t travel alone.
Kay Guyer
Counselor
Verified Verified
2 Endorsed
San Francisco, CA 94101
I am Kay Guyer, and I’m a queer and genderqueer liberation-focused art therapist. I provide art therapy in a beautiful art studio in the bay area and online. I specialize in working with queer and trans teens and adults who want to increase their sense of rootedness and agency in order to live vibrantly.
I am Kay Guyer, and I’m a queer and genderqueer liberation-focused art therapist. I provide art therapy in a beautiful art studio in the bay area and online. I specialize in working with queer and trans teens and adults who want to increase their sense of rootedness and agency in order to live vibrantly.
Sterling Walker
Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, AMFT
Verified Verified
San Francisco, CA 94114
Throughout our lives, we all have experienced feelings of depression, anxiety, and anger. These emotions leave you feeling insecure, shameful, lonely, unworthy and stuck in unhealthy patterns of behavior. Trauma can have negative emotional and physical effects and can lead to family/relationship issues. I specialize in solution-focused brief therapy, motivational interviewing, mindfulness and CBT. These approaches allow me to work with the client to decrease symptoms of anxiety and depression and other health/behavioral issues.
Throughout our lives, we all have experienced feelings of depression, anxiety, and anger. These emotions leave you feeling insecure, shameful, lonely, unworthy and stuck in unhealthy patterns of behavior. Trauma can have negative emotional and physical effects and can lead to family/relationship issues. I specialize in solution-focused brief therapy, motivational interviewing, mindfulness and CBT. These approaches allow me to work with the client to decrease symptoms of anxiety and depression and other health/behavioral issues.
W. Craig McDermit, PhD
Psychologist, PhD
Verified Verified
San Francisco, CA 94117
I'm a "seasoned" psychologist in practice for 40 years. I enjoy working with people from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds and have always preferred having a "general practice" which allows addressing a wide range of personal concerns. While each individual requires a unique approach; the transformative power of therapy is rooted in the trusting relationship that evolves between you & I. It's the alliance between us which helps you become the person you aspire to be. The work is serious but also allows for having a bit of fun while seeking the most gratifying life to foster a sense of fulfilling purpose for yourself.
I'm a "seasoned" psychologist in practice for 40 years. I enjoy working with people from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds and have always preferred having a "general practice" which allows addressing a wide range of personal concerns. While each individual requires a unique approach; the transformative power of therapy is rooted in the trusting relationship that evolves between you & I. It's the alliance between us which helps you become the person you aspire to be. The work is serious but also allows for having a bit of fun while seeking the most gratifying life to foster a sense of fulfilling purpose for yourself.
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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.