In Person Therapists in Civic Center, San Francisco, CA

Are you interested in growing and looking at your patterns and the wisdom behind them? Are you struggling with anxiety or depression in a relationship or with the anxiety of not being in a relationship? Are you willing to risk making changes in your life? Together we will understand the intelligence behind your patterns and help you shift into more conscious life choices. I am active, direct and passionate about supporting you as you mature into a healthier, happier and more fulfilled you.

Psychotherapy with me will be a guided, supportive exploration of how you think, feel, act and relate to others. I am a relational therapist: an approach to therapy which combines self-understanding and self-acceptance in relationship to your significant others, both past and present. We all need to be understood. This is my primary job with you: to understand how you think and feel. Once you feel understood, together we can figure out what is getting in the way of living a happier, fulfilling life. I am an expressive therapist, and you will never go away from a session wondering what I think.

I have been working and teaching in the mental health field for the past 18 years and have helped many people grow, live a more authentic life and form stronger bonds with the ones they love. I believe a good therapeutic relationship forms the foundation from which emotional growth and change occur. I create a warm, playful and collaborative environment where your thoughts and feelings can be safely experienced and explored. Ultimately, a good experience in therapy should help you to become more yourself and feel more secure in who that is.

Absolute sexual addiction elite level expert 27 years + 45,000 hours sexual misbehavior specialist psychotherapy provided, Together we will use evidence based research oriented methods on your Infidelity / Cheating /Affairs, Prostitution Use, "Seeking Arrangements", Sugar Daddy, Sex Apps, Strip Clubs, Massage Parlors, Sex Misconduct, Certified Specialist. I created government funded sexual misbehavior programs utilizing highly effective clinical models. You and I will use the most up to date understanding to have you change your thinking and end your self destructive actions, have you love yourself, and the great life you have.

Welcome to my psychotherapy practice. I work with adults 18yrs. and up in individual and couples therapy. I have worked with a wide range of client symptoms and issues over many years of work in mental health. I have extensive experience in short-term therapy and am good at keeping the therapy focused on the task at hand once goals have been collaboratively set. I really enjoy getting to know the individual strengths and needs of each client and adapting my approach to be as effective as possible.

Life can be complicated and confusing. Making room for joy, for satisfaction – for even a deep breath – can get pushed aside amid the demands of family, school, work, and the flood of world news. You may be struggling with newness, such as new parenthood or going away to college, or with the loss of a loved one or a long-term way of living. You may have experienced a traumatic event, or be concerned with emotional eating. Or maybe you just feel that something isn’t quite right, as an individual or as a couple, even though life looks fine on the surface.

As a licensed therapist based in San Francisco, I help individuals, couples, and families dive beneath the surface-level issues to discover the underlying causes of their distress. Many men, women, and non-binary individuals who choose to work with me are at the grips of anxiety, depression, addiction, grief, or relationship challenges. Many are highly motivated professionals who are self-reliant and achievement-focused but often struggle with self-defeating thoughts and patterns that keep them stuck.

Welcome, my name Dorene Paul and I am a licensed psychotherapist and marriage counselor. I have had the honor of practicing therapy for over 20 years, working with adults, couples and youth with a wide variety of issues. In my experience, each person comes to therapy with a unique set of experiences, feelings, issues, gifts, goals, therefore I use a variety of therapeutic approaches, from cognitive to current psychodynamic approaches and EMDR for those dealing with past trauma. In therapy I am your companion and counselor on a deeply meaningful journey.

I help people lead an examined life, especially when they're making transformative, profound shifts. I love to meet people when they're trying to make big changes relationships, careers, or rebooting their life out of addiction, depression, or bad marriahes. I offer both practical, tactical solutions and exploration of deeper, unconscious currents. I have a particular interest in people looking to develop or integrate a sense of spirituality. I work with people in tech, leaders, artists and seekers who are looking to lead a vital and integrated life.

Maybe life has taught you that you don’t matter or that’s not ok for you to take space, to express yourself authentically, like you are worth less than others. Maybe you just don’t seem to know how to relate to your feelings or simply feel so much that it feels overwhelming. Maybe you have grown tired of feeling alone or sad, keeping distance from others to feel safer. Maybe you are tired of worrying about what others might say or think and that worrying stops you from doing or saying what you’d like to. Maybe there’s something you always wanted to do, like a dream, but you don’t believe possible.

Anxiety can leave you feeling paralyzed, trapped in a constant battle against your own mind. You may feel pressure to project a strong facade but deep down you're struggling with self-doubt, persistent worries, and fear of failure. The pressure to appear confident and in control at all times is exhausting. As a therapist who specializes in treating anxiety, I understand how isolating and debilitating this experience can be.

Depression. Anxiety. Relationship struggles. Low self-esteem. These are common issues that people face when it comes to mental health challenges, which are enough to make life difficult. Chances are your relationships, and most importantly your relationship with yourself, have been greatly impacted by these factors. There's this sense that something has to change, but you might not know where to begin. Together we embark on this journey of uncovering just how you got here and discovering where you want to go.

We often come to therapy because something in our life has emerged in a way we find challenging to navigate on our own. I approach our work together with this in mind, and as an honored participant in your journey toward growth and deepened insight. My therapeutic style is rooted in relational psychodynamic, IFS, and ACT interventions and centered in values of patience, humility, empathy, and humor. I strive to see you through the lens of your unique life experiences and to work collaboratively so we can effectively address your concerns. My hope is that, together, we can help you live a life that feels authentic and empowered.

I create a therapeutic space for adults who are overcoming challenging pasts to build fulfilling lives. Maybe you were raised in an invalidating environment, had stifled self-expression and creativity, felt pressured to conform to societal expectations, or had limited opportunities. These conditions can lead to immense anxiety, sadness, and loneliness. It’s also normal to struggle with low self-esteem and feeling out of place in the world. And perhaps these ghosts from the past hold you back from leading your best life today, whether that’s choosing a childfree lifestyle or coming out as LGBTQ+.

Whether you are looking for help with specific situations, or a place to continue your recovery, having an objective and supportive guide is essential. Therapy is an invaluable process for anyone who is trying to come to terms with painful experiences, to change patterns that no longer serve you, or to find inner balance in an ever-changing world.

I work with unique individuals who are seemingly successful and happy but deep inside feel lost, alone, even if they are in a relationship, and often feel like they don't belong or struggle to be present in life. With expertise gathered from years of experience across borders, time zones and cultures, I dive alongside men and women into the deep ocean of darkness— including all types of diversity, in-between/intersecting identities, worldwide travelers, high-achieving/performing and creative people. I am Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) certified and was formerly a clinical supervisor and psychologist at Johns Hopkins University.

In these uncertain times I am committed to provide warm, strong, calming help. I offer in person session for vaccinated clients as well as telehealth, video or phone. My potential client is looking for support around issues of family neglect in childhood, alcohol or drug abuse, anxiety, depression, communication, and boundary setting in relationships--whether family, romantic, friendships or at work. They may be struggling with accessing or enjoying their creativity and expressions of it. They may also be looking for support around discovering spirituality or a fuller expression of living.

We work with a diverse population of adult individuals, couples, and special interest groups who may be struggling with any number of mental health challenges related to anxiety, depression, stress, trauma, relationship issues, and substance abuse, among others. We are committed to providing culturally competent care across the spectrum of age, race, gender, sexuality, religion, and background.

Do you feel overwhelmed by challenging relationships with loved ones, friends, or coworkers? Do you feel anxious or depressed, or struggle with low self-esteem, OCD, or the effects of trauma? Are you seeking a way to live a meaningful life that reflects your values? The Bay Area CBT Center is a group practice of behavioral therapists dedicated to providing high quality evidence-based treatments. Our integrative approach allows us to apply principles from the most up to date research-based treatments while adapting these tools to meet your unique needs and build an authentic relationship with you.