Therapists in San Francisco, CA
I have extensive experience working with adults and children as young as 3. I specialize in helping children other therapists describe as "difficult to treat," including children who are traumatized, emotionally unregulated, physically aggressive, or have difficulty connecting with adults and caregivers. I will work with your child whose needs have not been met in schools or by other therapists. I help children through play, physical movement, games, art, and words. I help overwhelmed parents with sound psychological guidance. I have seventeen years' experience and I teach and train other therapists.
I have extensive experience working with adults and children as young as 3. I specialize in helping children other therapists describe as "difficult to treat," including children who are traumatized, emotionally unregulated, physically aggressive, or have difficulty connecting with adults and caregivers. I will work with your child whose needs have not been met in schools or by other therapists. I help children through play, physical movement, games, art, and words. I help overwhelmed parents with sound psychological guidance. I have seventeen years' experience and I teach and train other therapists.
We will work together to address both your acute distress and the underpinnings that may be at play in your life.
I am an experienced psychologist serving people of different racial, ethnic and religious backgrounds. As a psychologist, I am interested in and dedicated to the understanding of people. As a therapist, I help individuals, couples, adolescents and children with problems such as depression and sadness, anxiety and worry, grief and loss, challenges in relationships, work-related issues, and difficulty during transitional periods in life. As a person, I am an open-mined female who is comfortable working with people of different genders, orientation and identifications. I emphasize a balance between compassion and critical thinking to meet my clients with a kind and attentive approach.
We will work together to address both your acute distress and the underpinnings that may be at play in your life.
I am an experienced psychologist serving people of different racial, ethnic and religious backgrounds. As a psychologist, I am interested in and dedicated to the understanding of people. As a therapist, I help individuals, couples, adolescents and children with problems such as depression and sadness, anxiety and worry, grief and loss, challenges in relationships, work-related issues, and difficulty during transitional periods in life. As a person, I am an open-mined female who is comfortable working with people of different genders, orientation and identifications. I emphasize a balance between compassion and critical thinking to meet my clients with a kind and attentive approach.
Audrey Martin, Psychotherapist
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, MFT
Verified Verified
San Francisco, CA 94117
I am an experienced psychotherapist with offices in both San Francisco and Berkeley. I provide therapy for adults and adolescents as my primary focus. I meet with individuals, couples, and families to help them overcome areas of emotional and relational difficulties.
I have an active, open way of working and am curious, engaged, honest, and direct. I take people's need for change very seriously, and am an advocate for finding ways to help people live with greater depth, satisfaction, and choice. While this can involve diligence, resilience, and perseverance, play and creativity are also integral in the process.
I am an experienced psychotherapist with offices in both San Francisco and Berkeley. I provide therapy for adults and adolescents as my primary focus. I meet with individuals, couples, and families to help them overcome areas of emotional and relational difficulties.
I have an active, open way of working and am curious, engaged, honest, and direct. I take people's need for change very seriously, and am an advocate for finding ways to help people live with greater depth, satisfaction, and choice. While this can involve diligence, resilience, and perseverance, play and creativity are also integral in the process.
I also see children ages 4 and older in play therapy.
I am a psychoanalyst in private practice in San Francisco. In addition to my clinical work with patients, I also offer consultation for other clinicians and teach and supervise with various psychoanalytic sites in the Bay Area. My writing about the intersection between Buddhism and psychoanalysis has received awards from NCSPP, a local psychoanalytic organization, and APsaA, a national one. I can help guide you in the process of more clearly seeing and navigating your emotional landscape - why you might be prone to anger or worry, why accomplishments feel fleeting, or why things aren't working as you'd like interpersonally.
I also see children ages 4 and older in play therapy.
I am a psychoanalyst in private practice in San Francisco. In addition to my clinical work with patients, I also offer consultation for other clinicians and teach and supervise with various psychoanalytic sites in the Bay Area. My writing about the intersection between Buddhism and psychoanalysis has received awards from NCSPP, a local psychoanalytic organization, and APsaA, a national one. I can help guide you in the process of more clearly seeing and navigating your emotional landscape - why you might be prone to anger or worry, why accomplishments feel fleeting, or why things aren't working as you'd like interpersonally.
Honeycomb Wellness Group
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified Verified
San Francisco, CA 94102 (Online Only)
Our therapists have a variety of helpful certifications including and not limited to play therapy, parent child interactive therapy, EMDR, cognitive behavioral therapy, family systems, psychodynamic.
We believe that the value of your health goes beyond just your physical health. Emotional, psychological and social health are important in creating overall health and well being. It is our goal at Honeycomb Group to help you become the person, couple or family you want to be, and uncover your full potential.
Our therapists have a variety of helpful certifications including and not limited to play therapy, parent child interactive therapy, EMDR, cognitive behavioral therapy, family systems, psychodynamic.
We believe that the value of your health goes beyond just your physical health. Emotional, psychological and social health are important in creating overall health and well being. It is our goal at Honeycomb Group to help you become the person, couple or family you want to be, and uncover your full potential.
Christhmus (Christopher Chu) Presence
Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, MA, AMFT, APCC
Verified Verified
5 Endorsed
San Francisco, CA 94114 (Online Only)
My last name furthers holiday vibes, word play, and relationship to the here-and-now.
Offering CA-based Telehealth ideal for BIPOC: Black, Indigenous, &/or People of Color, including white-passing & mixed-race BIPOC. Also welcoming Families & Partnerships with 1 or more BIPOC in regular attendance. I offer Xychotherapy: psychotherapy that recognizes therapeutic experiences existed long before psychotherapy was invented, and incorporates psychotherapy into global therapeutic wisdoms and practices.
My last name furthers holiday vibes, word play, and relationship to the here-and-now.
Offering CA-based Telehealth ideal for BIPOC: Black, Indigenous, &/or People of Color, including white-passing & mixed-race BIPOC. Also welcoming Families & Partnerships with 1 or more BIPOC in regular attendance. I offer Xychotherapy: psychotherapy that recognizes therapeutic experiences existed long before psychotherapy was invented, and incorporates psychotherapy into global therapeutic wisdoms and practices.
I do play therapy in-person and help coparents cooperate and communicate.
Most people come to see me because they are experiencing some sort of distress that they want help with. What they come to discover is that therapy can be about so much more than relieving pain. I facilitate a process of reflection and self-discovery that can help you connect to your inner creativity and capacity to grow. I focus on helping you expand your relationships, your ability to love and receive love. And together we search for your sense of meaning, purpose, and fulfillment in life.
I do play therapy in-person and help coparents cooperate and communicate.
Most people come to see me because they are experiencing some sort of distress that they want help with. What they come to discover is that therapy can be about so much more than relieving pain. I facilitate a process of reflection and self-discovery that can help you connect to your inner creativity and capacity to grow. I focus on helping you expand your relationships, your ability to love and receive love. And together we search for your sense of meaning, purpose, and fulfillment in life.
Svenson Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, MSW, LCSW, LICSW
Verified Verified
2 Endorsed
San Francisco, CA 94118
If your child has experienced trauma & dissociation, they may have trouble managing their feelings, communicating their needs, or be using challenging behaviors. The world can feel scary to the traumatized child, so it's hard for them to communicate. They often cope in ways that were the best solution during the trauma, but no longer fit current circumstances, and which seem confusing or destructive. I see it as my job to help your child explore their inner world, so, through the language of play, they can learn how to express emotions, solve problems, & get needs met in healthy ways that fit the present!
If your child has experienced trauma & dissociation, they may have trouble managing their feelings, communicating their needs, or be using challenging behaviors. The world can feel scary to the traumatized child, so it's hard for them to communicate. They often cope in ways that were the best solution during the trauma, but no longer fit current circumstances, and which seem confusing or destructive. I see it as my job to help your child explore their inner world, so, through the language of play, they can learn how to express emotions, solve problems, & get needs met in healthy ways that fit the present!
Emelia Applegate
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
San Francisco, CA 94115
I also work with children of all ages doing play and talk therapy.
People start therapy for a variety of reasons. Are you curious about therapy because you’ve heard its been helpful for others? Maybe you lack contentment in aspects of your life or relationships. You may feel like this is a particularly difficult time in your life and you need help making sense of it. Perhaps you’ve always felt like life has been hard and you don’t want to keep feeling this way. The beauty of therapy is that is it tailored just for you. We work together to make sense of how you are feeling, make changes when it feels appropriate, and allow you to have more choice in your life.
I also work with children of all ages doing play and talk therapy.
People start therapy for a variety of reasons. Are you curious about therapy because you’ve heard its been helpful for others? Maybe you lack contentment in aspects of your life or relationships. You may feel like this is a particularly difficult time in your life and you need help making sense of it. Perhaps you’ve always felt like life has been hard and you don’t want to keep feeling this way. The beauty of therapy is that is it tailored just for you. We work together to make sense of how you are feeling, make changes when it feels appropriate, and allow you to have more choice in your life.
My skilled use of dreams, sand play therapy, and expressive arts makes my practice unique.
If you are reading this now, you may be struggling with feelings or experiences that have become hard to bear and even understand. You may feel alone and as though no one seems to really get what you are going through. It may be some immediate situation or transition in life that feels extra hard to navigate, or some long-standing grief or pattern in relationships that seems to have a hold on you. You may have symptoms such as anxiety or depression, perhaps with less than optimal means of coping. Psychotherapy can help you understand and change.
My skilled use of dreams, sand play therapy, and expressive arts makes my practice unique.
If you are reading this now, you may be struggling with feelings or experiences that have become hard to bear and even understand. You may feel alone and as though no one seems to really get what you are going through. It may be some immediate situation or transition in life that feels extra hard to navigate, or some long-standing grief or pattern in relationships that seems to have a hold on you. You may have symptoms such as anxiety or depression, perhaps with less than optimal means of coping. Psychotherapy can help you understand and change.
Talking to someone who truly listens can be life-changing. You may have clear ideas about what is troubling you or a general sense that things could be better. I work well with people who are motivated to to deepen self-understanding. My approach is collaborative, exploring new ways of thinking while attending to underlying feelings. Working together, you can gain more freedom in your life and have more satisfaction in areas of self-esteem, relationships, work and play.
Talking to someone who truly listens can be life-changing. You may have clear ideas about what is troubling you or a general sense that things could be better. I work well with people who are motivated to to deepen self-understanding. My approach is collaborative, exploring new ways of thinking while attending to underlying feelings. Working together, you can gain more freedom in your life and have more satisfaction in areas of self-esteem, relationships, work and play.
15 Second Videos
Emelia Applegate
Psychoanalysis For Artists - Peter Merritt Dobey
Kenneth Leong
Chelsea Owens
Ilya Parizhsky
Shira Appell
Michael A Langlois
Kendra Feliz Paulsen
Therapy Link
Welcoming Joy Counseling
Elena Covo
Jose Manuel Feliciano
Stephanie Pawlowicz
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT, RPT
Verified Verified
San Francisco, CA 94101
I am also a certified Gestalt Therapist with Children and Adolescents and a Registered Play Therapist.
A person comes to therapy when their present ways of being in relationship, or in the world, no longer seem to hold the meaning they once did. My aim is to support you in creating a new foundation of hope, purpose, and meaning in your life. I help people seek wholeness through the integration of mind, body, and soul, thus expanding their current level of understanding, and in so doing, creating the capacity to live more meaningfully.
I am also a certified Gestalt Therapist with Children and Adolescents and a Registered Play Therapist.
A person comes to therapy when their present ways of being in relationship, or in the world, no longer seem to hold the meaning they once did. My aim is to support you in creating a new foundation of hope, purpose, and meaning in your life. I help people seek wholeness through the integration of mind, body, and soul, thus expanding their current level of understanding, and in so doing, creating the capacity to live more meaningfully.
Moving closer to a balanced and whole state of mind is the main goal of talk therapy. In a trusting and collaborative environment, you are given the chance to remove obstacles on the way of reaching your full potential for personal growth and improved mental health. Also, through conversation with an objective and trained individual, you will be able to understand the complexities of your mind, making your unknown known. In addition to working with adults, one of my main focuses is individual and family psychotherapy with adolescents dealing with issues such as identity formation and relationship building.
Moving closer to a balanced and whole state of mind is the main goal of talk therapy. In a trusting and collaborative environment, you are given the chance to remove obstacles on the way of reaching your full potential for personal growth and improved mental health. Also, through conversation with an objective and trained individual, you will be able to understand the complexities of your mind, making your unknown known. In addition to working with adults, one of my main focuses is individual and family psychotherapy with adolescents dealing with issues such as identity formation and relationship building.
Drawing from my background as editor of an arts magazine and a contemporary artist, I offer tailored psychoanalytic consulting services aimed at helping artists and other individuals tap into their imagination, surmount creative blocks, and unearth fresh inspiration. My practice is rooted in the belief that engaging with existential and metaphysical concepts, as well as understanding one's vocational essence, can pave the way for transformative growth and the realization of personal aspirations.
Drawing from my background as editor of an arts magazine and a contemporary artist, I offer tailored psychoanalytic consulting services aimed at helping artists and other individuals tap into their imagination, surmount creative blocks, and unearth fresh inspiration. My practice is rooted in the belief that engaging with existential and metaphysical concepts, as well as understanding one's vocational essence, can pave the way for transformative growth and the realization of personal aspirations.
Bianca Aarons Integrative Psychotherapy
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified Verified
6 Endorsed
San Francisco, CA 94114 (Online Only)
Bianca Aarons is a San Francisco based Couples Therapist and Individual Therapist who works in an integrative way, incorporating a psychoanalytic, relational, and somatic styles of working. Bianca treats couples who struggle with communication, survivors of sexual abuse, and others to help people find their voice, to feel empowered, and to access healthy anger and boundaries. Bianca also works with people who struggle within relationships because of anxiety and past family issues which may have let to lower self esteem and perfectionism. She works in a direct and honest way while also being very compassionate and empathetic.
Bianca Aarons is a San Francisco based Couples Therapist and Individual Therapist who works in an integrative way, incorporating a psychoanalytic, relational, and somatic styles of working. Bianca treats couples who struggle with communication, survivors of sexual abuse, and others to help people find their voice, to feel empowered, and to access healthy anger and boundaries. Bianca also works with people who struggle within relationships because of anxiety and past family issues which may have let to lower self esteem and perfectionism. She works in a direct and honest way while also being very compassionate and empathetic.
I offer services for adults struggling with difficult family dynamics, mental health distress, and emotional burdens. The emotional experiences you encounter can be shaped by your upbringing and family history. My role as your therapist is to help you rediscover important parts of yourself, gain more emotional flexibility, and facilitate change to your current circumstances. I specialize in working with adults dealing with depression, grief, loneliness, anxiety, relational issues, anger management, and history of trauma and abuse. I connect with my patients in a warm and steady manner, establishing trust for our work together.
I offer services for adults struggling with difficult family dynamics, mental health distress, and emotional burdens. The emotional experiences you encounter can be shaped by your upbringing and family history. My role as your therapist is to help you rediscover important parts of yourself, gain more emotional flexibility, and facilitate change to your current circumstances. I specialize in working with adults dealing with depression, grief, loneliness, anxiety, relational issues, anger management, and history of trauma and abuse. I connect with my patients in a warm and steady manner, establishing trust for our work together.
Diana Halfmann
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, MFT
Verified Verified
4 Endorsed
San Francisco, CA 94110
I’m certified in Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy for adults from Integrative Psychiatry Institute. I have also throughly enjoyed working with children, teens, & families for 19+ yrs. I listen with the intent of thoroughly understanding your concerns, unhealthy patterns, what is keeping you stuck, as well as your vision for what you want more of in life. I get that as a parent, it’s hard to watch your child struggle with emotional dysregulation & show signs of low self-esteem. We’ll work collaboratively to come up with more tools & behavioral plans to help your child develop and deepen their skills.
I’m certified in Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy for adults from Integrative Psychiatry Institute. I have also throughly enjoyed working with children, teens, & families for 19+ yrs. I listen with the intent of thoroughly understanding your concerns, unhealthy patterns, what is keeping you stuck, as well as your vision for what you want more of in life. I get that as a parent, it’s hard to watch your child struggle with emotional dysregulation & show signs of low self-esteem. We’ll work collaboratively to come up with more tools & behavioral plans to help your child develop and deepen their skills.
Like any new endeavor, beginning therapy can bring both anxiety and hope. Whether you're seeking therapy to address specific concerns or for personal exploration, I bring many years of experience working with a broad range of issues and people. I see therapy as a unique opportunity to help my clients gain a deeper understanding of themselves, develop greater awareness and insight, and make meaningful changes that lead to greater fulfillment in their lives, relationships, and careers.
Like any new endeavor, beginning therapy can bring both anxiety and hope. Whether you're seeking therapy to address specific concerns or for personal exploration, I bring many years of experience working with a broad range of issues and people. I see therapy as a unique opportunity to help my clients gain a deeper understanding of themselves, develop greater awareness and insight, and make meaningful changes that lead to greater fulfillment in their lives, relationships, and careers.
I've been in private practice for twenty years offering psychodynamic therapy and psychoanalysis. I received my B.A. at the Un. of Iowa where I studied poetry and creative writing, my Ph.D. in clinical psychology at U.C. Berkeley, trained in psychoanalysis at PANY-NYU. I am on the Faculty at San Francisco Center for Psychoanalysis, currently accepting new patients only in my San Francisco CA office. I take Aetna insurance through Headway. I've worked with children and families on early attachment issues, adults with depression, anxiety, early trauma, creative blocks, gay and lesbian issues, psychosomatic problems.
I've been in private practice for twenty years offering psychodynamic therapy and psychoanalysis. I received my B.A. at the Un. of Iowa where I studied poetry and creative writing, my Ph.D. in clinical psychology at U.C. Berkeley, trained in psychoanalysis at PANY-NYU. I am on the Faculty at San Francisco Center for Psychoanalysis, currently accepting new patients only in my San Francisco CA office. I take Aetna insurance through Headway. I've worked with children and families on early attachment issues, adults with depression, anxiety, early trauma, creative blocks, gay and lesbian issues, psychosomatic problems.
As a child and adult therapist I am fortunate to witness the entire developmental span. With this unique window into the lifespan, I help children, parents, adults and couples gain insight into the patterns being created and already created in the mind of how they relate to and with the world i.e.how they relate to themselves and others. By first developing a safe and respectful relationship with my patients, we can begin to understand and uncover these complicated yet reflexive patterns that at some point served them, by protecting their self integrity, but along the way began to cause more harm then good.
As a child and adult therapist I am fortunate to witness the entire developmental span. With this unique window into the lifespan, I help children, parents, adults and couples gain insight into the patterns being created and already created in the mind of how they relate to and with the world i.e.how they relate to themselves and others. By first developing a safe and respectful relationship with my patients, we can begin to understand and uncover these complicated yet reflexive patterns that at some point served them, by protecting their self integrity, but along the way began to cause more harm then good.
See more therapy options for San Francisco
Play Therapy
Who is play therapy for?
Play therapy is generally targeted to children between the ages of 3 and 11 who have social, emotional, or behavioral difficulties. Play therapy has also been found helpful for children who have experienced physical or emotional abuse or witnessed atrocities. Play therapy is also often recommended for children who are undergoing major medical procedures or who are suffering from chronic illness; many children’s hospitals are equipped to offer play therapy on-site. Play therapy is also sometimes used for adults; creative writing, music, and art are expressive forms that can all be adapted for therapeutic purposes.
Why do people need play therapy?
Children often do not have the language skills or words to know or to express what is troubling them. Yet they often spontaneously draw or use playthings to depict scenarios that reflect problems in their everyday life. Play therapy provides children with an array of objects and play situations to act out their feelings or experiences so that therapists can get a clear picture of what children might be struggling with and help them find solutions. In addition, play therapists are skilled at helping children understand their inner experience and find words for them, necessary steps toward helping children learn to control their own behavior and come up with solutions to problems they encounter.
What happens in play therapy?
A child enters a comfortable playroom where they are free to choose the objects they want to play with. The play therapist will typically observe how they play with the toys—whether a sandbox, puppets, dolls and action figures, trucks, costumes, drawing and painting materials, or more—because such play provides clues to a child’s family and social relationships, difficulties they are encountering in the world, and what going on inside themselves. Sometimes the therapist may ask the child to use the play objects to tell a story about their family. Using the same instruments of play, therapists can help children discover more advantageous ways of thinking and behaving.
What kinds of problems do play therapists treat?
Play therapy can help children who display destructive or self-destructive impulses; children who seem angry, sad, or fearful; children who experience frequent social, emotional, family, or school difficulty. Play therapy is often of value to children who have experienced a loss or distressing family experience, who are regularly exposed to family conflict, or who have been physically or emotionally abused. Play therapy can help children who are perpetrators of bullying as well as those who are targets of bullying. It helps children learn to identify their feelings, to express them in constructive ways, and to regulate them so they can get on with the business of development.
How long does play therapy last?
Play therapy sessions may last for 30 to 45 minutes, and they usually occur weekly for about 20 sessions. Each session is tailored to the individual child and the kinds of problems they are struggling with. Play that is highly repetitive often indicates a problem requiring further exploration. Therapists typically measure progress through session-to-session changes in play behavior.