Existential Therapists in San Francisco, CA

I work well with individuals going through life transitions, in love, work, identity, grief, parenting, infertility. Psychotherapy is not one size fits all, but a relationship finely tailored to each individual(s). Your needs determine the approach I take. I have over 30 years of experience and a wide variety of approaches to choose from. My main tools are good listening, and a strong belief people can learn from their past and current experiences, if they have the support to face themselves honestly. No one is too old to learn new strategies to make life more fulfilling.

Throughout our lives, we all have experienced feelings of depression, anxiety, and anger. These emotions leave you feeling insecure, shameful, lonely, unworthy and stuck in unhealthy patterns of behavior. Trauma can have negative emotional and physical effects and can lead to family/relationship issues. I specialize in solution-focused brief therapy, motivational interviewing, mindfulness and CBT. These approaches allow me to work with the client to decrease symptoms of anxiety and depression and other health/behavioral issues.

I work with Asian American individuals and couples around relationship issues. Most of my clients are thriving in their careers, but they want more. They want meaningful and deep connections. They want to be seen and accepted for who they are. But as Asians living in the US, being seen and understood is often complicated by cultural misunderstandings, holding conflicting values and identities, communication differences, prejudice and racism, intergenerational trauma, and immigration issues.

'Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?' - Mary Oliver. Choosing a therapist can be an intimidating process and reaching out for help can be uncomfortable, but we all need support in order to thrive. Within a warm, open and compassionate environment, my practice helps clients make sense of the challenges they face and use this understanding to navigate their lives with increased resilience and grace.

I'm a very experienced psychotherapist with over 30 years experience in many settings. I'm warm and compassionate, but also practical. I work from a growth model that helps you access your own wisdom and make a commitment to change. My background in the arts and Jungian psychology attunes me to the dreams and imagery that can inform you about your life course, but I also help you bring these dreams into action. My experience with mind/body can help you prepare for and recover from surgery, develop resilience, stress reduction, confront mortality and life changes, find meaningful work, and appreciate relationships.

Life can present many obstacles, and I aim to offer you a space where your voice is heard, your experiences validated, and where you can learn new strategies to navigate challenges. I come from a trauma-informed and integrative approach, I utilize techniques like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and others tailored to your needs. In recognizing each person's individuality, background, and culture, my approach is flexible, adapting to your unique circumstances. My priority is to create an environment that feels welcoming, safe, and meaningful, however this may look for you in our journey!

Having a safe and supportive space where one can talk openly, is so very important. Feeling understood and listened to promotes growth and change. I am warm and understanding as well as insightful and objective, bringing experience and honesty to my work. Together we will talk about what’s going on now, past events and relationships, and how they might be affecting you. I will work to develop a trusting, supportive relationship to more clearly understand what is troubling you. My clients have enjoyed success in overcoming anxiety and depression, connecting with others, defining and attaining goals, and increasing self-esteem.

Sometimes we feel stuck and need understanding into our own feelings, thoughts and behaviors. We may wonder if there is a way to face difficulties in our lives that allow for change and growth. We are all conditioned through our familial, cultural and societal systems. By examining the intersections of our identities, we can look closer at how early experiences have shaped us. Through self-reflection, we may be able to begin to unlock patterns and increase our awareness around areas where we struggle.

My clients are high-achieving creatives or in the tech industry, working for companies such as Meta, Google, Tesla, etc… I make an effort to create a strong therapeutic relationship in a safe, encouraging and supportive environment. From that foundation we might process difficult experiences and establish healthier ways of coping based in mindfulness practices. My clients typically leave sessions feeling a greater sense of freedom with more possible choices in front of them. They are able to access their own inner wisdom, achieving a better understanding of who they are and a clearer direction in where they wish to lead their lives.

Most people who come to see me are individuals and couples who are aware that something's wrong, but find that their own solutions to their issues are falling short, or even making matters more complicated. They are looking for support, understanding and REAL help that can be felt both in the present and that will leave a lasting impact.

in my private practice I see individuals, couples, and families. I work with you to find what is most important for you; what is your best practice. Together we can heal the past and allow you to move forward. My years of life experience and gentle yet direct manner will help you get back on track and get the most from your life and relationships.

I welcome you to the crossroads. This is a place where you can learn to live your life to its full potential. Although I have a diverse practice, I specialize in working with roughly 25-to-35 year-old individuals and couples, helping them find ways to foster safety, strength and inner peace when facing depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and relationship challenges. Whether you are looking for relief from painful confusion, sadness, or worry, or are just looking for more meaningful life experiences and relationships, I welcome you on this journey towards personal growth.

Everyone deserves a safe pace. I'm here to meet you where you’re at and reach the goals that are important to you. Let’s talk and figure out what your next journey looks like.

"Look within. All you need, you have. Use it. Behave as best you know; do what you think you should. Don't be afraid of mistakes; you can always correct them; only intentions matter. The shape things take is not within your power; the motives of your actions are." (Nisargadata 1973, p.365)

My name is Christie Pfalzgraf and I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) based in North Carolina, and working with clients statewide via telehealth. I work with adults and adolescents and specialize in trauma, coping skills, life transitions, loss and grief, relationship difficulties, and personal growth, using Mindfulness Based Psychotherapy, EMDR, The Flash Technique, Focusing, Somatic Experiencing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to help my clients make progress and start feeling better.

In my private practice I work with individuals, couples and families. I help individuals feel more personal freedom, alignment and ease in relation to stressors and dilemmas. I help couples connect with deeper clarity, intimacy & autonomy. I specialize in psychotherapy for healthcare workers, particularly physicians and nurses, to address burnout, emotional exhaustion, and workplace dynamics. I've also worked extensively with couples, family and those suffering from anxiety, panic, dissociation.

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.

Modern life can feel like a paradox. Surrounded by technology meant to bring connection, ease, and order to our lives, you may instead feel isolated, anxious, and overwhelmed. Bombarded by reminders about the value of purpose, meaning, and contentment, you may find yourself feeling disoriented, distracted, and insufficient. You are far from alone. There is a path toward feeling whole. And I encourage you to nourish the seed of hope that brought you to search for a therapist.

As a CBT (Cognitive Behavioral) therapist, Anahata uses logic and humor to inspire healing and change. She loves working with thoughts of all varieties and provides a comfortable and supportive environment to ease your therapeutic experience. Anahata explains concepts through metaphors that help new ideas become part of your everyday thinking processes. With over 10 years of experience working with people diagnosed with severe mental illness, she has excelled in learning how to best serve people in her private practice.