Therapists in Pacific Heights, San Francisco, CA

Hi I'm Krista, and I'm so glad you're here. I specialize in working with individuals who are experiencing anxiety, depression, stress/burnout, relationship issues, or those who come from dysfunctional family systems. I also have a focus in working premarital couples and women who are perinatal in the transition from maiden to mother and the issues that can come up around pregnancy, postpartum, and parenthood. I take a holistic approach to therapy, weaving together eastern philosophy with western psychology in my sessions, bringing awareness to the present moment and the body.

My goal is to create a safe and open space for you to explore your story and deepen your self understanding, putting you on a path to healing. I work with you to identify areas of frustration and concern, as well as areas of strength. My approach is based in relational psychotherapy and also incorporates Emotionally Focused Therapy, family systems and Existential perspectives.

Many challenges we experience in daily life relate to conflict between parts of ourselves. Each part reflects our body’s own loving attempts to care for us in the ways it knows. When we shift one part of the feedback loop, the whole system rearranges - in our bodies, & in our relationships. My approach to individual & couples therapy is holistic, somatic & client-centered. I start with creating a non-judgmental, inclusive space for you to come as you are. As we form & reach for your goals, our work may include movement, developmental psychology, trauma work, regulation practices, behavior/communication coaching, & creative guidance.

Too often psychotherapy focuses on causality, pathology and cures. However, rather than being "sick" or 'broken", often we are just lost inside ourselves or relationships. Everyone is a unique person with their own story, experience and perspective. The goal of therapy is to achieve a deeper awareness of where we are, to discover internal meaning for our many experiences, and to experience a life worth living. While working towards that awareness, I also feel it important to teach individuals, couples and families the skills needed to cope with the pain and day to day stressors that bring them into therapy.

Therapy is about uncovering patterns that restrict emotions, thoughts, experience, and behavior. I see a variety of clients, from tech leaders to stay at home parents. The client feedback I receive is that I am especially helpful at relationships, career related issues, grief and loss, perfectionism, and self esteem. I have been in private practice for 20 years, and I am the onsite therapist at Google's SF Wellness Center, where clients have specifically sought me out. Clients find me easy to connect with, and appreciate my warmth, sense of humor, and ability to dissect issues. Together, we will work deeply in a safe environment.

As a San Francisco therapist, I work with adults, young children and adolescents. I provide marriage therapy, couples counseling and individual psychotherapy. I have over 20 years of experience, and am expert in helping my patients understand their thoughts, behaviors and emotions. I have helped people facing a diverse, wide variety of challenges in their lives. I use my expertise to provide a safe atmosphere where you can explore solutions for your problems. I use an interactive approach to help you develop improved ways of coping with issues. My goal is to help improve the quality of your life.

Life is change and, mostly, you've been rolling with the punches. But complicated life transitions can leave anyone at a loss. You might feel helpless, hopeless and alone in trying to cope with relationship issues and troublesome or debilitating symptoms of depression, anxiety, trauma, and obsessions. With nearly two decades of experience, I help adults and families like you navigate the turmoil of challenging life passages including death of a loved one, chronic or terminal illness, relationship issues, separation or divorce, or adjustments to a different job, culture, gender, or sexual orientation.

When you are struggling individually or in your relationships, it can be hard to know where to begin, and harder at times to believe that getting what you need is even possible. You may have feelings you don't understand, experiences that you are trying to make sense of, or patterns that you feel stuck in. Your experiences and feelings are worthy of our curiosity and consideration. Through our conversations together, the therapy process can help us get to know you better, and open up possibilities for deepening understanding, compassion, connection, and resilience in your life.

I am a licensed psychotherapist with over 30 years of experience in Psychotherapy, Relationship/Marriage Counseling and Organizational Development and Transformation. Before becoming a licensed psychotherapist, I was a wooden boatbuilder, USCG Licensed Captain, businessman and educator. I still am. Over the years, a diverse spectrum of individuals, couples and groups have arrived in my practice with an equally diverse spectrum of challenges …some common …some not so common. We have worked on them together, usually with satisfying success for all concerned.

No matter what age or developmental phase of life we are in, it can be so easy to become trapped in ideas of who we should be or how we should be by looking to external comparisons. In therapy, I offer myself as an ally and guide to help you discover the version of yourself that brings you the most internal joy and satisfaction. I strive to create a safe and nurturing environment in the therapy room that allows you to consider all facets of yourself and to truly examine what your needs are and how to meet them.

Whether your decision to make changes involves freedom from painful limiting beliefs, release from repetitive relationship patterns, or transformation through sincere self-examination, I help people to fully realize the person they are destined to become. I work with adults, couples, teens, and families, helping them to successfully attain short-term goals and craft long-range solutions by utilizing a variety of approaches matched to their specific needs or expressed desires as they learn new ways to address life's challenges. As a level 3 Gottman couples therapist, I work with couples utilizing John Gottman's evidence-based theory.

Are you stuck in unhealthy relationship patterns? Are you coping with the stress of life in destructive ways- by bottling up your feelings or acting out through addiction or in toxic relationships? You do not have to struggle alone. During the different stages of our lives, our relationships, and our family life cycle, we can get stuck in certain places. As your therapist we would work together to help you find what you need so that you can move through these stuck places, experience healthier relationships, find hope and be free from destructive behaviors.

No issue is too small or unworthy of consideration and care. Sometimes the reasons for seeking therapy are beacons for something deeper. Together, we can focus on alleviating distress in the short term while beginning the more in-depth process of addressing issues at their core. In this process, many of the people I work with discover what is most important to them, what can be changed, and what can be actualized within their relationships and career.

I have been registered as an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT) by the Board OF Behavioral Sciences in California; my Registration number is AMFT144021. I provide psychotherapy to individuals, couples, and families. MEd in Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) and Professional Clinical Counselling (PCC). Supervised by Anastasia Berezovskaya, Clinical Psychologist PsyD, PSY 25100