Photo of Lucia C Cargill 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.
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Photo of Dietmar Brinkmann, Marriage & Family Therapist in San Francisco, CA
Dietmar Brinkmann
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified Verified
3 Endorsed
San Francisco, CA 94114
Are you overwhelmed by emotional turmoil? Is a relationship causing you pain? Do you feel stuck in anxiety or depression? As an expert in emotional resilience and relational wellbeing, I help you get in touch with what you deeply want and uncover internal resources that have been buried. I assist you in developing communication skills to navigate the complexities of friendship, family and work. From this place of strength, we create together a safe space in therapy to experience and express the full range of human emotions so that even the most difficult experiences and traumatic events can be processed.
Are you overwhelmed by emotional turmoil? Is a relationship causing you pain? Do you feel stuck in anxiety or depression? As an expert in emotional resilience and relational wellbeing, I help you get in touch with what you deeply want and uncover internal resources that have been buried. I assist you in developing communication skills to navigate the complexities of friendship, family and work. From this place of strength, we create together a safe space in therapy to experience and express the full range of human emotions so that even the most difficult experiences and traumatic events can be processed.
(415) 639-9029 View (415) 639-9029
Photo of Cecilie Herring, Marriage & Family Therapist in San Francisco, CA
Cecilie Herring
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified Verified
San Francisco, CA 94118
I specialize in working with pre and postnatal moms, supporting parents as they navigate and adjust to parenthood, strengthening the parent-child connection, grief surrounding the loss of a loved one, coping with a chronic illness and/or pain, and working with the challenges of anxiety and depression.
I am a Licensed Marriage Family Therapist offering psychotherapy to adults, adolescents, and children. My training focuses on helping my clients improve their relationships with themselves and others, navigate life transitions, and heal from traumatic experiences. My overall approach seeks to provide a warm, trusting, nonjudgemental relationship in which you are deeply listened to and can safely and freely discuss your challenges, concerns, and vulnerabilities.
I specialize in working with pre and postnatal moms, supporting parents as they navigate and adjust to parenthood, strengthening the parent-child connection, grief surrounding the loss of a loved one, coping with a chronic illness and/or pain, and working with the challenges of anxiety and depression.
I am a Licensed Marriage Family Therapist offering psychotherapy to adults, adolescents, and children. My training focuses on helping my clients improve their relationships with themselves and others, navigate life transitions, and heal from traumatic experiences. My overall approach seeks to provide a warm, trusting, nonjudgemental relationship in which you are deeply listened to and can safely and freely discuss your challenges, concerns, and vulnerabilities.
(415) 517-9319 View (415) 517-9319
Photo of Liz Pace, Marriage & Family Therapist Associate in San Francisco, CA
Liz Pace
Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, AMFT, APCC
Verified Verified
San Francisco, CA 94123
Waitlist for new clients
I also offer evidence based techniques that allow bodies that have experienced trauma and pain to release old patterns and become open to feeling more authentically alive.
I offer long-term and short-term therapy for adults, children, and teens. My approach is direct and compassionate. I believe therapy should be deeply comforting while also inviting you to be genuinely challenged toward real growth and healing. My goal is to create a space of trust and safety, where we can blend humor and lightness with deep, meaningful therapeutic work.
I also offer evidence based techniques that allow bodies that have experienced trauma and pain to release old patterns and become open to feeling more authentically alive.
I offer long-term and short-term therapy for adults, children, and teens. My approach is direct and compassionate. I believe therapy should be deeply comforting while also inviting you to be genuinely challenged toward real growth and healing. My goal is to create a space of trust and safety, where we can blend humor and lightness with deep, meaningful therapeutic work.
(415) 212-4557 View (415) 212-4557
Photo of Jo Sopko, Marriage & Family Therapist in San Francisco, CA
Jo Sopko
Marriage & Family Therapist, MFT, RDT
Verified Verified
3 Endorsed
San Francisco, CA 94110
* ADULTS: I work with issues of loss, stress, anxiety, depression, abuse, sex addiction, spiritual guidance, and developmental life changes.* CHILDREN: I invite their stories that may be troubled due to emotional and academic issues. Through play, art and sand tray, I address issues of divorce, traumatic losses, abuse, adoption, bullying and low self esteem that may be affecting your children. * COUPLES: My passion is to help the couple find a yet unknown way to a compassionate, loving, open communicative relationship; to become vulnerable to the pain and wounds of each other's soul.
* ADULTS: I work with issues of loss, stress, anxiety, depression, abuse, sex addiction, spiritual guidance, and developmental life changes.* CHILDREN: I invite their stories that may be troubled due to emotional and academic issues. Through play, art and sand tray, I address issues of divorce, traumatic losses, abuse, adoption, bullying and low self esteem that may be affecting your children. * COUPLES: My passion is to help the couple find a yet unknown way to a compassionate, loving, open communicative relationship; to become vulnerable to the pain and wounds of each other's soul.
(415) 799-4143 View (415) 799-4143
Photo of Rylan Jay Testa, Psychologist in San Francisco, CA
Rylan Jay Testa
Psychologist, PhD
Verified Verified
San Francisco, CA 94109
As a health psychologist, my approach bridges mental and physical well-being, allowing you to reclaim your life from chronic health issues, such as chronic disease (ex. diabetes, chronic fatigue, IBS, CIRS etc.), weight and eating difficulties, stress-related illness, insomnia, pain, addiction, depression, and anxiety. I combine my expertise in multiple state of the art evidence-based treatment methods, with a nuanced understanding of who you are as a person, to create a tailored treatment approach specific to your aims. I also offer opportunities to incorporate mindfulness, music, art, movement, and nature therapy practices, to maximize your therapeutic success.
As a health psychologist, my approach bridges mental and physical well-being, allowing you to reclaim your life from chronic health issues, such as chronic disease (ex. diabetes, chronic fatigue, IBS, CIRS etc.), weight and eating difficulties, stress-related illness, insomnia, pain, addiction, depression, and anxiety. I combine my expertise in multiple state of the art evidence-based treatment methods, with a nuanced understanding of who you are as a person, to create a tailored treatment approach specific to your aims. I also offer opportunities to incorporate mindfulness, music, art, movement, and nature therapy practices, to maximize your therapeutic success.
(415) 358-0128 View (415) 358-0128
Photo of Haley Hewitt, Marriage & Family Therapist in San Francisco, CA
Haley Hewitt
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT, E-RYT
Verified Verified
12 Endorsed
San Francisco, CA 94115
Waitlist for new clients
My name is Haley Hewitt and I specialize in individual, couples, and family therapy. I believe that because we are complex and unique individuals, an approach that integrates both mind and body is essential for the healing, growth, and resiliency that is the goal of therapeutic counseling. Treatment specializations include: depression and anxiety, couples counseling, children and adolescents, psychedelic-assisted therapies, stress and/or pain management, life transitions, self-esteem, mental illness/mental health issues, gender and/or sexual identity, and LGBTQIA. I am trained in EMDR, Brainspotting, IFS, DBT/CBT & Somatics.
My name is Haley Hewitt and I specialize in individual, couples, and family therapy. I believe that because we are complex and unique individuals, an approach that integrates both mind and body is essential for the healing, growth, and resiliency that is the goal of therapeutic counseling. Treatment specializations include: depression and anxiety, couples counseling, children and adolescents, psychedelic-assisted therapies, stress and/or pain management, life transitions, self-esteem, mental illness/mental health issues, gender and/or sexual identity, and LGBTQIA. I am trained in EMDR, Brainspotting, IFS, DBT/CBT & Somatics.
(925) 275-5742 View (925) 275-5742
Photo of Grechell Siy, Marriage & Family Therapist in San Francisco, CA
Grechell Siy
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
San Francisco, CA 94118
My name is Grechell Siy, and I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in California via telehealth. I primarily focused on working with individual adults struggling with anxiety, depression, PTSD, other relational trauma, grief, and chronic pain using a client-centered approach. I love working with individual adults who are ready to enrich their relationship with themselves due to the impact of relational or childhood trauma.
My name is Grechell Siy, and I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in California via telehealth. I primarily focused on working with individual adults struggling with anxiety, depression, PTSD, other relational trauma, grief, and chronic pain using a client-centered approach. I love working with individual adults who are ready to enrich their relationship with themselves due to the impact of relational or childhood trauma.
(805) 749-2095 View (805) 749-2095
Photo of Michelle Takemoto, Marriage & Family Therapist in San Francisco, CA
Michelle Takemoto
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
San Francisco, CA 94127  (Online Only)
Therapy will open new doors for you, allow you to gain insight into your struggles, and create movement toward healing. I specialize in supporting women, families, and couples through difficult times such as parenting, chronic illness, marriage conflicts, grief and loss, parenting children with disabilities, cultural loss and trauma, anxiety/depression, and work-related stressors. Recovery and leading a life of fulfillment is truly possible. Take the first step toward finding hope and leading an authentic, love-filled life.
Therapy will open new doors for you, allow you to gain insight into your struggles, and create movement toward healing. I specialize in supporting women, families, and couples through difficult times such as parenting, chronic illness, marriage conflicts, grief and loss, parenting children with disabilities, cultural loss and trauma, anxiety/depression, and work-related stressors. Recovery and leading a life of fulfillment is truly possible. Take the first step toward finding hope and leading an authentic, love-filled life.
(707) 532-2360 View (707) 532-2360
Photo of Amy Ruben, Marriage & Family Therapist in San Francisco, CA
Amy Ruben
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified Verified
2 Endorsed
San Francisco, CA 94103  (Online Only)
In your therapy, we will explore the language of your body to gain insight into parts of yourself previously kept in your subconscious or under muscular holding, tension or pain.
Thank you for finding your way here. I believe we all have the innate ability to heal. My goal is to support clients in expanding their awareness of themselves and deepening into here-and-now experiences. When we meet, I will offer you an opportunity to work experientially, as well as to share through talking. Whatever approach we employ, I hope you will leave each session feeling supported and accompanied on your journey. I'm passionate about offering support to parents in the perinatal period (including trying to conceive, fertility treatment, pregnancy & pregnancy challenges/loss, birth, loss, postpartum and early parenthood.
In your therapy, we will explore the language of your body to gain insight into parts of yourself previously kept in your subconscious or under muscular holding, tension or pain.
Thank you for finding your way here. I believe we all have the innate ability to heal. My goal is to support clients in expanding their awareness of themselves and deepening into here-and-now experiences. When we meet, I will offer you an opportunity to work experientially, as well as to share through talking. Whatever approach we employ, I hope you will leave each session feeling supported and accompanied on your journey. I'm passionate about offering support to parents in the perinatal period (including trying to conceive, fertility treatment, pregnancy & pregnancy challenges/loss, birth, loss, postpartum and early parenthood.
(510) 876-9705 View (510) 876-9705
Photo of Phoenix Song, Marriage & Family Therapist in San Francisco, CA
Phoenix Song
Marriage & Family Therapist, MFT, CHT
Verified Verified
5 Endorsed
San Francisco, CA 94121
As an LGBTQIA empath, intuitive, or highly sensitive person, you experience this world in a deeper, more complex, intuitive way - including painful experiences of trauma. With so much pain in the world, it's hard to care for your own feelings and needs, let alone heal from your experiences of trauma. I specialize in supporting LGBTQIA empaths to heal from the trauma of oppression, abuse, and sexual violence and reclaim their gifts and voice. To embody their own sacred needs and ways of being, and find sustainable, empowered ways to integrate empathy, spirituality, community, and nourished activism.
As an LGBTQIA empath, intuitive, or highly sensitive person, you experience this world in a deeper, more complex, intuitive way - including painful experiences of trauma. With so much pain in the world, it's hard to care for your own feelings and needs, let alone heal from your experiences of trauma. I specialize in supporting LGBTQIA empaths to heal from the trauma of oppression, abuse, and sexual violence and reclaim their gifts and voice. To embody their own sacred needs and ways of being, and find sustainable, empowered ways to integrate empathy, spirituality, community, and nourished activism.
(415) 548-2797 View (415) 548-2797
Photo of Kiran Haynes, Marriage & Family Therapist in San Francisco, CA
Kiran Haynes
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified Verified
San Francisco, CA 94114
I am particularly qualified in helping those with grief and loss, chronic illness, reproductive issues, questions of gender and sexuality, military personnel and their families, systemic trauma, attachment trauma, and non-traditional families (e.
Hello! My name is Kiran Haynes, and I am a licensed marriage and family therapist in California. By nurturing wholeness, a deep personal understanding, and empowerment, therapy can help foster lasting and positive change. I believe that collaboration in the therapeutic process is key as you are the expert in your own life. I take a compassionate approach while engaging and empowering you towards processing, exploring, and developing a deeper understanding and healthier relationship with yourself.
I am particularly qualified in helping those with grief and loss, chronic illness, reproductive issues, questions of gender and sexuality, military personnel and their families, systemic trauma, attachment trauma, and non-traditional families (e.
Hello! My name is Kiran Haynes, and I am a licensed marriage and family therapist in California. By nurturing wholeness, a deep personal understanding, and empowerment, therapy can help foster lasting and positive change. I believe that collaboration in the therapeutic process is key as you are the expert in your own life. I take a compassionate approach while engaging and empowering you towards processing, exploring, and developing a deeper understanding and healthier relationship with yourself.
(951) 944-1928 View (951) 944-1928
Photo of Irene Schell Capuchino, Marriage & Family Therapist in San Francisco, CA
Irene Schell Capuchino
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT, LPCC, ATR-BC
Verified Verified
San Francisco, CA 94118  (Online Only)
My approach to counseling begins with careful listening to understand your unique situation and personal goals. I will listen without judging you or rushing to a quick fix that might not be applicable for your specific situation. Many of my clients enter counseling feeling alone or overwhelmed by feelings of sadness, anxiety, anger, or stress. They may feel stuck in painful relationships that aren't working, or stuck with intense feelings of hopelessness, helplessness, dread, or inner pain. My treatment approach is gentle, educational, and experiential.
My approach to counseling begins with careful listening to understand your unique situation and personal goals. I will listen without judging you or rushing to a quick fix that might not be applicable for your specific situation. Many of my clients enter counseling feeling alone or overwhelmed by feelings of sadness, anxiety, anger, or stress. They may feel stuck in painful relationships that aren't working, or stuck with intense feelings of hopelessness, helplessness, dread, or inner pain. My treatment approach is gentle, educational, and experiential.
(510) 343-7798 View (510) 343-7798
Photo of Kari Gila Sacks, Clinical Social Work/Therapist in San Francisco, CA
Kari Gila Sacks
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Not Verified Not Verified
San Francisco, CA 94118
Together, we can move forward through pain and doubt, toward living a fuller, more meaningful life.
From a "Strengths Perspective", I work with you to find your inner light and resilience and help you move from grief to light to expand into the valuable person you were meant to be. Facing adversity and change, or even loss at times, is part of a life well-lived, and you don't have to do it alone. I have seen the metamorphosis happen time and time again, and I look forward to working on the issues and goals that are sacred to your life.
Together, we can move forward through pain and doubt, toward living a fuller, more meaningful life.
From a "Strengths Perspective", I work with you to find your inner light and resilience and help you move from grief to light to expand into the valuable person you were meant to be. Facing adversity and change, or even loss at times, is part of a life well-lived, and you don't have to do it alone. I have seen the metamorphosis happen time and time again, and I look forward to working on the issues and goals that are sacred to your life.
(510) 405-1351 View (510) 405-1351
Photo of Melissa A. Garvey Better Self Better Life Inc, Clinical Social Work/Therapist in San Francisco, CA
Melissa A. Garvey Better Self Better Life Inc
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified Verified
San Francisco, CA 94101
Welcome! Whether you have been diagnosed with a mental illness,... feeling a little down or lost lately,... or maybe you are going through one of life's major transitions with a move, job, divorce or retirement, I so glad you're here. With warmth and friendly good humor, I welcome you to my practice. Choosing from a variety of well-researched and evidenced-based therapies (CBT, DBT, ACT), I hope to work with you to identify your needs and "together " create a highly personalized treatment plan for you. I am committed to helping individuals achieve their "Better Self" by guiding them in new ways to achieve a "Better Life"!
Welcome! Whether you have been diagnosed with a mental illness,... feeling a little down or lost lately,... or maybe you are going through one of life's major transitions with a move, job, divorce or retirement, I so glad you're here. With warmth and friendly good humor, I welcome you to my practice. Choosing from a variety of well-researched and evidenced-based therapies (CBT, DBT, ACT), I hope to work with you to identify your needs and "together " create a highly personalized treatment plan for you. I am committed to helping individuals achieve their "Better Self" by guiding them in new ways to achieve a "Better Life"!
(831) 223-9399 View (831) 223-9399
Photo of Cait Glenn, Clinical Social Work/Therapist in San Francisco, CA
Cait Glenn
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
San Francisco, CA 94103  (Online Only)
I specialize in helping clients overcome anxiety, perfectionism, depression, trauma and navigate illness.
Those in your life might think everything is fine, but inside you feel overwhelmed and stuck. Your anxiety is ramped up trying to control something that you cannot control. You find yourself not trusting yourself and seeking external validation frequently. Feelings of distraction are constant and worries take over your thoughts. You may even feel that your relationships have changed and that you need to protect the ones you love by hiding how you truly feel. Trying to stay "positive" just isn't working. If you are ready for change, you have come to the right place. I am not a smile and nod therapist and will partner with you.
I specialize in helping clients overcome anxiety, perfectionism, depression, trauma and navigate illness.
Those in your life might think everything is fine, but inside you feel overwhelmed and stuck. Your anxiety is ramped up trying to control something that you cannot control. You find yourself not trusting yourself and seeking external validation frequently. Feelings of distraction are constant and worries take over your thoughts. You may even feel that your relationships have changed and that you need to protect the ones you love by hiding how you truly feel. Trying to stay "positive" just isn't working. If you are ready for change, you have come to the right place. I am not a smile and nod therapist and will partner with you.
(949) 702-9453 View (949) 702-9453
Photo of Be Mindful and Well in San Francisco, CA
Be Mindful and Well
PhD
Verified Verified
San Francisco, CA 94101  (Online Only)
3- Grief and loss 4-Terminal illness 5- Family/Couples conflict and relationship issues 6- transition from school to college and adaptation to college.
We provide a holistic mental health coaching/counseling committed to personal, social and professional growth. Our professionals are expert professors, PhD, MA, BS in the field of health and counseling, and serving clients of all ages, and organizations for more than 20yrs.The center provides: 1- life coaching to women for varied health concerns: Nutritional counseling/ concerns for women, children, students, chronic diseases; Adaptation to pregnancy; Postpartum; menopause; Dealing with aging process; health concerns, and chronic diseases, parenting issues, adolescence challenges, body image, and skin problems and concerns.
3- Grief and loss 4-Terminal illness 5- Family/Couples conflict and relationship issues 6- transition from school to college and adaptation to college.
We provide a holistic mental health coaching/counseling committed to personal, social and professional growth. Our professionals are expert professors, PhD, MA, BS in the field of health and counseling, and serving clients of all ages, and organizations for more than 20yrs.The center provides: 1- life coaching to women for varied health concerns: Nutritional counseling/ concerns for women, children, students, chronic diseases; Adaptation to pregnancy; Postpartum; menopause; Dealing with aging process; health concerns, and chronic diseases, parenting issues, adolescence challenges, body image, and skin problems and concerns.
(617) 744-7497 View (617) 744-7497
Photo of Shannon Knorr, Pre-Licensed Professional in San Francisco, CA
Shannon Knorr
Pre-Licensed Professional, AMFT
Verified Verified
San Francisco, CA 94101  (Online Only)
I enjoy in working with; self esteem & worth, trauma healing & recovery, body image & body positivity, disordered eating & relationship to body, belonging as our birthright, transforming deep shame into liberation, body & sex shame, relationships and boundaries, anxiety, stress & hyper-vigilance, nervous system imbalances, life transitions & identity, honoring grief, loss & death, life threatening illness, cancer, auto-immune disease, rites of passage, aging, adolescence, menopause, women's empowerment, highly sensitive people & empaths, people pleasers, intergenerational trauma & ancestral healing, mothering & the mother wound.
I enjoy in working with; self esteem & worth, trauma healing & recovery, body image & body positivity, disordered eating & relationship to body, belonging as our birthright, transforming deep shame into liberation, body & sex shame, relationships and boundaries, anxiety, stress & hyper-vigilance, nervous system imbalances, life transitions & identity, honoring grief, loss & death, life threatening illness, cancer, auto-immune disease, rites of passage, aging, adolescence, menopause, women's empowerment, highly sensitive people & empaths, people pleasers, intergenerational trauma & ancestral healing, mothering & the mother wound.
(510) 983-4457 View (510) 983-4457
Photo of Ask Alison Leigh, PHD, MFT, Marriage & Family Therapist in San Francisco, CA
Ask Alison Leigh, PHD, MFT
Marriage & Family Therapist, PhD, MFT
Verified Verified
San Francisco, CA 94111  (Online Only)
The past 22 years I've seen an eclectic group of clientele: men, women & couples of any gender/orientation who want to improve their sexual lifestyle. I've helped men overcome ED through increasing their self confidence and women who want to feel more sexually in charge. I've seen over 25,000 couples throughout every stage of their relationship whether single, dating, married, or exploring and experimenting couples to ones who are curious how to stay together and keep the chemistry strong. My clients include stay at home moms, stressed out executives, artists, entrepreneurs & communities: LGBTQ, BDSM, & Transgender Families.
The past 22 years I've seen an eclectic group of clientele: men, women & couples of any gender/orientation who want to improve their sexual lifestyle. I've helped men overcome ED through increasing their self confidence and women who want to feel more sexually in charge. I've seen over 25,000 couples throughout every stage of their relationship whether single, dating, married, or exploring and experimenting couples to ones who are curious how to stay together and keep the chemistry strong. My clients include stay at home moms, stressed out executives, artists, entrepreneurs & communities: LGBTQ, BDSM, & Transgender Families.
(628) 226-1830 View (628) 226-1830
Photo of Bay Area Gestalt Institute, Marriage & Family Therapist in San Francisco, CA
Bay Area Gestalt Institute
Marriage & Family Therapist, MFT
Verified Verified
16 Endorsed
San Francisco, CA 94117
We are Bay Area Gestalt Institute (BAGI), a non-profit collective of highly trained marriage and family therapists and associates, providing affordable psychotherapy throughout the Bay Area. We offer counseling to individuals, couples, families, and children. Our work is active, creative and holistic. Our therapists work with a variety of issues including: * Relationship Issues * Anxiety * Depression * LGBTQI Concerns * Trauma * Substance Use / Abuse * Eating Disorders * Spiritual * Personal Growth * Integration of Non-Ordinary States
We are Bay Area Gestalt Institute (BAGI), a non-profit collective of highly trained marriage and family therapists and associates, providing affordable psychotherapy throughout the Bay Area. We offer counseling to individuals, couples, families, and children. Our work is active, creative and holistic. Our therapists work with a variety of issues including: * Relationship Issues * Anxiety * Depression * LGBTQI Concerns * Trauma * Substance Use / Abuse * Eating Disorders * Spiritual * Personal Growth * Integration of Non-Ordinary States
(415) 969-3361 View (415) 969-3361

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.