Chronic Illness Therapists in San Francisco, CA

We all want the same things. To be understood, recognized, treated with kindness and respect. To feel like we belong. We share the same path to growth through self-effort in overcoming challenges in our life’s journey. Are you mastering the game of life? You are more powerful than your past or stories. Truth be told, “life is simply what you create it to mean.” Imagine yourself as the eagle that soars up into the sky with Wisdom as a compass. I can help you with self-esteem, family, career, trauma, grief, chronic illness, depression, anxiety, womens’ empowerment, life transitions, relationships, death/dying, and pet loss.

Greetings! I'm Dr. Steve. My name is Steven Degelsmith and I am a licensed psychotherapist based in Los Angeles. As a licensed LMFT, which I earned in 1986, and then in completing my Ph.D. in Psychology four years later, I have had the privilege of working with a whole spectrum of people in need of mental health treatment for a variety of conditions.

Welcome! I'm Kelly, a certified professional life coach with a gentle, strengths-based approach. I help women and members of the LGBTQIA+ community break cycles of dysfunction and self-sacrifice to finally claim the lives they need. My coaching philosophy is grounded in psychodynamic theory and incorporates concepts borrowed from Internal Family Systems, Co-Active Coaching, and somatic work. While the work we do together is not psychotherapy (my role is not to diagnose or treat mental illness), the pace and rhythm of my coaching sessions are very similar to what you would experience in a therapist’s office.

Unresolved childhood issues provide recurring challenges in adulthood and may show up in the form of sadness, worry, relationship problems, substance abuse or poor self-esteem. For adults abused as children, complex trauma may leave one with panic, obsessive thoughts, self-harming behaviors, or mood disorders. Sometimes individuals are given many diagnoses and medications and end up in therapies that do not resolve their underlying issue. Dissociative processes go unrecognized in many therapies, resulting in treatment that may not resolve the underlying problem, leaving one symptomatic. In my professional experience most individuals change and grow through a successful therapeutic encounter.

Are you or a loved one having difficulty coping with chronic illness (cancer, HIV, heart disease, diabetes, COPD, pain or other illness) or managing stress in your life? Health issues can affect every aspect of your life, including relationships, work, finances, mood, and sense of self. I have 2 decades of experience helping individuals, couples and families improve the quality of life and reduce suffering. As a Clinical Health Psychologist, I take an integrative approach to psychotherapy and will work with you to create a treatment plan that is tailored to your unique needs and goals.

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.

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 a licensed clinical social worker with many years of experience working with adults, adolescents, children, and families. I know that change is hard and seeking support is brave. It is a privilege to be alongside you in your journey towards becoming the person you want to be and living the life you want to live. Our therapy will be a space where it is okay to show up as your authentic self and share your feelings. We will collaborate to identify and work towards the changes you want to see in your life, brainstorm ways to overcome patterns you may feel stuck in, and support you in gaining the insight needed to foster progress.

I work with clients who are struggling with anxiety, challenging life transitions, or new roles (e.g., caregiving, parenthood, breakups, juggling family and professional life). I often work with high-achieving individuals in demanding fields (e.g, physicians, attorneys, entrepreneurs) who are facing burnout and barriers to growth. I also have expertise working with family caregivers of loved ones with dementia or chronic illness. I have training in evidence-based therapies (CBT, ACT, EFT) for a wide range of problems.

The current pandemic, environmental conditions, and political situation are overwhelming. Psychotherapy is helpful and transformative in dealing with the challenges that affect our social interactions and emotional well-being. I work with people dealing with depression, anxiety, life transitions, grief, and chronic illness. We set goals to redefine personal and professional directions.

Hello, my name is Karen Kaiser, I'm a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor. I have worked in behavioral health since 1986 and believe in a client-centered approach. I view my role as a therapist not as an expert dictating your path, but as a guide accompanying you on your journey towards healing and self-discovery. I believe that each individual holds the key to their own well-being; my job is to support you in unlocking your inherent potential and navigating the challenges that arise along the way.

I help clients navigate difficult life experiences by providing a safe and supportive space to understand their challenges and transitions. My approach is client-centered, trauma-informed, and culturally sensitive. I integrate different modalities such as psychodynamic therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy to meet each individual's immediate needs. Together, we’ll explore your past experiences to understand and address your current challenges, while using evidence-based techniques to improve your symptoms and overall well-being.

As a queer, trans, disabled, diasporic therapist, I am grateful to have built a flow of practices, rituals, and care webs that have allowed for my ongoing survival and healing. In return, I find grounding and power in community care- with the hopes of offering my lived experience and held presence to be supportive in your deep dives, excavations, and loving journeys. I offer co-created, trauma-informed space to explore, play, and feel through the pain, stuckness, or uncertainty you may be experiencing. I ground and honor your lived experience through an intersectional lens, and towards collective healing and liberation.

I'm not going to lie, personal growth and healing is hard work. But it can also be playful and (dare I say) fun. I seek to co-create a supportive safe space for your self-exploration. My approach is collaborative and rooted in the belief that you are the expert of you. In addition to talk therapy, I specialize in Expressive Arts (EXA) Therapy. EXA Therapy uses the creative arts (visual art, music, movement, writing, drama) to explore and process your lived experiences. Do not fear, you do not have to be “good” at art! This process is about what emerges during the process of creative expression and what it means to you.

My practice welcomes individuals, couples, teens and families from all backgrounds, cultures, and life stages. Whether you're grappling with anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, professional stress, chronic illness, or the complexities of neurodiversity, I provide a safe and supportive space for exploration, curiosity and growth. I have a particular affinity for working with creative minds, highly sensitive souls, and those who dance to the beat of their own drum.

Dr. Dihmes is a licensed clinical psychologist one of the few board certified biofeedback psychologists in Northern California. With specialties in life stressors, executive coaching, psychophysiology, and teens, she has expertise in working with various psychological concerns including depression, anxiety, life transitions and chronic illness. Dr. Dihmes' integrates evidence-based treatments such as CBT and mindfulness-based interventions, with consideration for each patient’s unique cultural, biological, and psychological background. Dr. Dihmes is now accepting new clients in California and New York!

Accepting New Clients! Are you a trans, non-binary, or poly person looking for a therapist who understands & reflects your identity? Are you a newly diagnosed neurodivergent or neuroqueer adult? Are you chronically ill and tired of educating your therapists about your medical conditions? Are you a queer Muslim seeking a therapist who's familiar with both your background & queerness? If so, I want to work with you on your unique challenges, like navigating your transition, exploring sexual dynamics with partner(s), dealing with a new diagnosis, and/or needing an HRT or GAS (surgery) letter. Therapy should cater to you and your needs.

Therapy is meant to be a warm, inviting, safe, and healing place to learn your true self and find your peace, beauty, and power. I find it an honor to be a guide on your journey of discovery. I am a compassion focused queer therapist who believes in social justice and knows strength and courage grows from our struggles. Life is hard but it is important to know we are not alone and there are many therapeutic skills we can learn such as art, music, self-compassion, narrative, nature, and laughter that can be used to overcome. At Compassion Connects our mission is to heal your whole being!

The single most consistent predictor of success in therapy is the relationship between therapist and client. I prioritize creating a trusting relationship. My approach is collaborative, relational, and interactive. I balance listening deeply with gently challenging clients to make meaningful change. I am not a therapist who sits back silently. I also do not presume that any given technique or my own experience hold all the answers in our journey together. Rather, I draw on evidence-based, relational practices, more than a decade of clinical practice, and your lived experience, cultural and personal practices, beliefs, and values.