Therapists in Cow Hollow, San Francisco, CA

Welcome! I bring a deep sensitivity and nurturing approach to my therapy practice. I believe that we become who we truly are in a safe, welcoming, and loving environment -- free from judgement and imposed expectation. Working with me you can expect to feel unconditionally seen for who you are, and safely encouraged to explore the most challenging parts of your life. My experience is in working with individuals, families, young adults, and adolescents. I focus on working with life transitions, relationship challenges, identity, self-esteem, career hurdles, anxiety, depression, panic disorders, and early childhood trauma.

We all experience some level of depression, anxiety and low self esteem at some point in our lives. It can feel lonely and isolating. It affects our desires and aliveness, our ability to feel joy, fulfillment, and connection. We are craving to be understood and seen and have more clarity about our place in the world. We crave to find peace, self love and love from others. Healing starts with our relationship, client and therapist. Together we build a safe and brave space to meet the fears, to rediscover your intuition and creativity and to understand your unique experience, needs and wants.

Struggles in your relationship can be overwhelming and confusing where you're constantly arguing over small things and feel a growing distance as a couple. "How did things get to this point and how do I fix it?" I want you to know that I understand because I have been in your shoes. I know the pain and frustration that comes with feeling disconnected in a relationship.

I provide contemporary psychoanalytic psychotherapy, focusing on individuals grappling with anxiety, depression, and relationship challenges, and with an emphasis on queer, trans and non-binary experiences. My approach integrates a keen understanding of queer and gender issues, recognizing the unique challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in these contexts. I believe that our psychological symptoms are deeply connected to our early experiences, family histories, and the broader societal systems we inhabit, including those related to race and gender identity, class, and sexual orientation. I also offer EMDR for trauma and phobias.

I am dedicated to helping people identify and work through symptoms, problems, and obstacles to true health and vitality in personal and professional relationships. I have over thirty years experience working as a therapist, teacher, consultant, coach. I am Certified as an EFT Therapist for couple's and individuals (ICEEFT.com). I am also a Certified EFT Supervisor. Currently I am helping several therapists become certified in EFT for Couples via Zoom or in person. I am Certified in Coherence Therapy (CoherenceTherapy.com). I am Certified and a trainer in Emotional Brain Training. (EBTconnect.net) www.LoveandMarriageWorks.com

In today’s fast paced world, we are faced with many stressors, obstacles and challenges. Sometimes we need to slow down and take stock of what we have and changes we may want to make. My practice is geared towards helping adults and couples achieve the life that they want rather than struggling just to get by. Therapy can be both challenging and an exciting experience. Together, we can work on eliminating your anxiety, depression, relationships problems and general discontent.

Are you struggling with your relationship to alcohol, food, or other substances? Is your communication with your partner or family member(s) filled with tension or conflict? Do you often feel worried or on edge? Do you ever experience stigma or discrimination from others due to having an identity that is marginalized or misunderstood? I have over 9 years of experience working with people who are dealing with these issues.

Anxiety is the most common mental health problem, with an estimated 18% suffering from anxiety disorders at any one time. Fortunately, anxiety disorders are one of the most researched areas of mental health and have numerous treatments with strong research showing its effectiveness. Anxiety can come in many different forms from specific phobias to an inability to stop worrying about most everything. Anxiety can cause physical illness, pain, difficulty sleeping, weight gain, distress in relationships with partners, children, or parents, and can have a profoundly negative effect on work and school.

If you are suffering with food & body image issues, issues of self-esteem & self-worth, relationship issues or dealing with trauma, I can help you. There are so many women who feel as though they are not enough. They believe that they somehow have to be better, look different, lose weight, be a whole different person to have a good relationship and a happy life. They beat themselves up constantly and are always trying to change. Do you understand this feeling? If so, I can help you have a loving relationship with yourself and settle into who you really are.

I work principally with individuals and couples struggling with personal relationship problems (e.g., gridlocked conflict, detachment, break-up and divorce, infidelity, sexual intimacy, loneliness, trauma history, etc.), as well as professionals struggling with relationship challenges in the workplace (e.g., communication, empathy, etc.).

I offer psychotherapy for individuals and couples. I provide personalized, thoughtful support and guidance to help you create more satisfaction and success in your life. I work with people of diverse backgrounds, ages and lifestyles. Many people find that taking the first steps to begin therapy are the scariest. It may be the first time where you are attempting to make positive and healthful changes in your life. A trusting, secure relationship is important for your therapy. I am happy to discuss any concerns you may have and will answer your questions about therapy.

Our therapists at the Bay Area Center for Couples Therapy can help you and your partner improve your relationship. Don't wait until it's too late. Research has found that couples wait an average of six years to seek help after their problems begin. Whether you're in the beginning of your relationship, been together a long time, have been just starting to struggle, or are on the brink of calling it quits, remember, its never too late to fix your relationship. We use effective, evidence based therapy called Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy, which has shown significant improvement in 88% of couples treated with EFT and 70-73% of couples moving from distress to recovery in an average of 20 sessions. Our work is also informed by John Gottman's research on couples.

Feeling anxious and unsettled? Feeling like an imposter at work? Relationship struggles?Tired of being single? Not sleeping? Feeling cut off from your joy? You’re not alone. Now is a good time to reach out for help. Working together will help you gain clarity, let go of the past, develop practical coping strategies, increase your Emotional Intelligence and enjoy more happiness and success in all areas of your life, personal and professional. I hold our work together in the highest regard. Having an ally to help you navigate life's challenges is invaluable.

Something just feels "off". You are exhausted from looping in thoughts and patterns that are no longer serving you. You are overwhelmed by the state of things....the anxiety just won't go away, the grief is too much, the challenge is too big, the relationship is too far gone.... you secretly fear that you don't have what it takes to make the change you desire. Together we will uncover pain, fears and unmet desires that drive the spiral. We will rediscover and utilize your strengths to create a life that reflects your values.

Nellie works with late teens, couples and adults of all ages to address sticking points, navigate transitions, and overcome challenges. Through a positive and supportive framework of therapy and coaching, she provides guidance to help clients get their lives back on track, surmount obstacles, and reach their goals.

At times, we find ourselves stuck and feeling frozen. We get overwhelmed with emotions and burn out from the demands of everyday life. In our work together, we can filter out external pressures, voices, and expectations to learn to tune into your inner wisdom. By fostering a deeper understanding of yourself, we can identify what’s causing pain and work towards feeling better. Together, we will work on finding acceptance, clarity, and a goal toward peace.

My approach to my work with clients is warm and engaging, honest and straightforward. Together we can explore the areas of your life that you have concerns about so that we can identify and understand what is getting in your way. We will work collaboratively in a non-judgmental atmosphere that is individually tailored to your needs. Engaging in a focused and thoughtful therapy process can help you gain clarity about yourself and your relationships, develop new emotional skills and capacities, and overall cultivate a more fulfilling life.

I adore my clients. I'm a former management consultant and I apply my problem-solving skills to support clients with a wide variety of challenges and goals, be they deeply personal, work-related, or something else entirely. I enter every new relationship with utmost curiosity while I learn what is most supportive to my client, and I regard every individual as the expert of their own lived experience.

We often come to therapy in crisis. Something has gone wrong in a relationship. Major, disorienting life transitions are underway. Emotional experiences are becoming increasingly overwhelming. Life seems stuck, static, depressing. Anxiety is on the rise. A series of events have altered our course. We are feeling lost. Therapy can offer a soothing lifeboat for these rough seas. Often crisis is a wake up call, a time for necessary change, new growth, a reconnoitering of the landscape, a vivid reorientation. My practice is designed to move you from crisis to care, from care to confidence, confidence to creative, enlivening capacity.