Therapists in Civic Center, San Francisco, CA

I enjoy supporting my clients' curiosity to uncover and explore what contributes to who they are and how they connect with the people in their lives. I work especially well with traumatic experiences, troubled upbringing, grief and anxiety. If you want to understand or change the way you relate to yourself, your story and the world and maybe are longing for a more authentic self expression and acceptance or sense of iner strength, we might be a good fit. I believe that sustainable change happens from the inside and you have the capacity to create this change.

As a psychologist, I see my role as your partner on your path to greater wellbeing. I believe the bedrock of this partnership is your sense of safety within it, and it is from this safe place that change begins to feel possible. I believe that the quality and strength of our partnership has a great impact on how effective our work is together, and our first step forward is developing a relationship in which you feel secure and empowered.

On the Margins offers trauma-informed and culturally responsive therapy services in-person and virtually. Services are provided in English and Spanish by our bilingual and multicultural practitioners. The cost of each session is set by an income-based sliding scale. We also accept Medicare and Carelon Commercial insurances (formerly Beacon Health).

I help clients experiencing anxiety, low self-esteem, perfectionism/over-functioning, work burnout, depression or unresolved childhood trauma. Each of my clients is an expert in their own experience, and my role is to help you understand the obstacles holding you back from making positive change in key areas of your life - like in relationships, your career, or in building a healthier self-esteem.

I am an integrative therapist, using a holistic model and techniques from somatic, relational, inter-subjective, and transpersonal psychology, as well as techniques from my own long-standing spiritual practices, such as drumming, chanting and Vipassana Buddhist meditation practice. I got my masters in Psychology with a Somatic Concentration from JFK, Orinda, CA in 1997. As LGBTQIA identified and a Pacific Islander, I know that both trauma and healing can come from our individual and cultural histories. I welcome anyone seeking growth or healing and I'm committed to healing within marginalized communities. My areas of specialty include people with histories of trauma and/or addiction, people looking to integrate spiritual experiences, people of color and members of the LGBTQ community.

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.

People can feel stuck in their lives for many reasons. You may have vague feelings of dissatisfaction, or have an idea of what isn’t working but struggle to find a way forward. Perhaps you're feeling overwhelmed by familiar feelings from earlier difficulties or trauma that are being stirred up by current situations. My aim is to help you uncover the meanings and underlying causes of patterns of thinking, feeling, and interacting that may be holding you back. These can emerge in addressing day-to-day challenges, or while untangling old narratives formed by deeply rooted experiences.

I work with high-functioning professionals whose stressful lives are causing relationship issues, depression, or anxiety. I have a passion for helping organizational leaders better manage their work-life balance. By talking things through with an expert you can get a better handle on your difficulties, and realize your potential.

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.

I am a licensed psychologist with 20+ years of experience. My style is warm, collaborative and down to earth. Along with helping you identify patterns and stuck places, I offer new perspectives and coping skills training to help you overcome challenges and live a fulfilling life.

If you're feeling overwhelmed or stuck, I’d like to offer you a space where we can think and reflect together, and find a way through the difficulties you're facing. I work with adolescents and adults who are dealing with a variety of challenges, including depression, anxiety, histories of trauma, relationship issues, work or school stress, and low self-esteem. I also have a particular interest in helping clients explore and understand difficulties related to cultural identity.

Stepping into therapy with someone is an inherently risky process. You are courageously opening up to someone that you don't really know, in hopes of changing, of finding something new, of building a relationship that can create positive change. I respect those who take the leap and I get the importance that you find the right therapist so that you can be understood at a deep level and begin looking more closely at the places in your life that you would like to see change.

I practice within a psychodynamic, relational framework, with a focus on issues of trauma, neglect, depression, anxiety and isolation. My clinical experience have been in hospital and hospice settings that surround anticipated grief and bereavement; community mental health outpatient settings and research institutes. Reaching out for help can be a daunting and vulnerable step, and understanding what it is you are entering into can help soften feelings of confusion and apprehension.

My work is grounded in helping people feel more like themselves, more connected in relationships, and less anxious or depressed. Together we can work to understand parts of you that may feel lost, stuck, or in pain, find new ways of relating to yourself and to others, and help you come into a more full sense of who you are. Often people who come to work with me seek support in resolving past trauma. No matter what brings you in, my goal is to offer a safe haven where you feel understood, confront your joys and sorrows, and get the support you need to develop a more full and meaningful life.

Starting therapy for the first time or returning after a long break can feel intimidating. You might have even had bad experiences before. I'm here to help. We will go at your pace because your experience is important to me. I believe that lasting change and healing can only happen when our whole selves are seen and welcomed. I provide a safe healing space and bring a strong, grounded presence so that you can begin to cultivate more love and compassion for yourself, connect with your inner wisdom and become more whole and authentic in your relationship with others.

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.

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.

Perhaps you are struggling with depression or anxiety; perhaps you had a difficult childhood; maybe you are seeking a deeper, even spiritual connection to yourself, others, the universe. I strongly believe that your capacity to heal lies within you, and that my role is to create a safe place so that your inner healer can work its natural magic.

Are you feeling stuck in life, struggling with depression, anxiety, shame, relationship conflicts, or patterns you want to change? I’m here to support you in finding your way, cultivating self-awareness, and greater clarity. I approach therapy with warmth, sensitivity, and compassion. Our work together will hold a space for you to feel seen, heard, and understood. We will identify your goals, get attuned to what you need, and how to achieve it while learning to be gentle with yourself in the process.