Therapists in San Mateo County, CA
![Photo of Deanne Edwards, LMFT, Marriage & Family Therapist](https://photos.psychologytoday.com/a9a73566-061f-4d72-88d4-5c2164be0b8a/2/320x400.jpeg)
Deanne Edwards
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified Verified
South San Francisco, CA 94080 (Online Only)
Welcome. My name is Deanne Edwards and I’ve been honored to be in the helping field since 1994. I work to create an inviting, safe space for you to share your story, your pain, your strengths and your heart in hopes of finding a new and transformative experience through our work together. Looking for help takes courage and I will do my best to help you find a way through difficult times and support you to find your strength and healing. Please feel free to reach out and let me know what brings you here.
Welcome. My name is Deanne Edwards and I’ve been honored to be in the helping field since 1994. I work to create an inviting, safe space for you to share your story, your pain, your strengths and your heart in hopes of finding a new and transformative experience through our work together. Looking for help takes courage and I will do my best to help you find a way through difficult times and support you to find your strength and healing. Please feel free to reach out and let me know what brings you here.
![Photo of Monika - Grace, PhD, MDiv, ThM, MA, Psychologist](https://photos.psychologytoday.com/97ebb2b2-3465-42b4-b5d5-f3e9f7119732/2/320x400.jpeg)
I am Rev. Dr. Monika Maria Grace and I welcome you to my page! In our first session together, I also welcome you to my real or virtual office and I invite you to make it your own safe space. I explain that therapy is a process, a relationship, and an adventure. It's also a gift of discovery and renewal that only you can give to yourself, especially in our challenging days. In this process, my role is to listen, to support, to challenge, to guide, and to celebrate you as you are becoming more courageous to face the parts of yourself you were avoiding, more accepting of yourself and of others, and fully present in your life.
I am Rev. Dr. Monika Maria Grace and I welcome you to my page! In our first session together, I also welcome you to my real or virtual office and I invite you to make it your own safe space. I explain that therapy is a process, a relationship, and an adventure. It's also a gift of discovery and renewal that only you can give to yourself, especially in our challenging days. In this process, my role is to listen, to support, to challenge, to guide, and to celebrate you as you are becoming more courageous to face the parts of yourself you were avoiding, more accepting of yourself and of others, and fully present in your life.
![Photo of CK Olivieri Blackmore, MFT, PhD, Marriage & Family Therapist](https://photos.psychologytoday.com/10e4c5c2-a96f-4c78-a265-45b0c4faa3af/1/320x400.jpeg)
CK Olivieri Blackmore
Marriage & Family Therapist, MFT, PhD
Verified Verified
2 Endorsed
Pacifica, CA 94044 (Online Only)
CK Olivieri Blackmore is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who approaches life with warmth, compassion, and creativity. CK specializes in relationship dynamics, post-traumatic stress disorders, and developmental life transitions. She is particularly adept at issues pertaining to the queer community and their loved ones. CK utilizes eclectic modalities such as CBT, DBT, EMDR, EFT, Gottman, and IFS to navigate the nuanced needs of her diverse clientele and the associated sexual and gendered concerns that arise. Blending insight-oriented and behavioral change practices, CK works from a quirky and truly innovative lens.
CK Olivieri Blackmore is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who approaches life with warmth, compassion, and creativity. CK specializes in relationship dynamics, post-traumatic stress disorders, and developmental life transitions. She is particularly adept at issues pertaining to the queer community and their loved ones. CK utilizes eclectic modalities such as CBT, DBT, EMDR, EFT, Gottman, and IFS to navigate the nuanced needs of her diverse clientele and the associated sexual and gendered concerns that arise. Blending insight-oriented and behavioral change practices, CK works from a quirky and truly innovative lens.
![Photo of Tara Leilani Metcalf-Gonzales, RDT, LMFT, Marriage & Family Therapist](https://photos.psychologytoday.com/6accf810-4fab-4b48-a177-b49e03efcea1/1/320x400.jpeg)
Tara Leilani Metcalf-Gonzales
Marriage & Family Therapist, RDT, LMFT
Verified Verified
San Mateo, CA 94401
I am an empathetic creative arts mental health counselor, with experience in high need areas working with children, adolescents, adults, and elders. I utilize a trauma-informed flexible model in individual, couple/relationship, and family sessions. Although I am completely comfortable with a "talk only" approach to therapy, I also value and gently offer options from exercises in theatre, dance. mindfulness practices, and diverse ability-informed movement. My primary experience has been working with adults and families with anxiety, depression, substance-use disorders, and challenges related to life transitions.
I am an empathetic creative arts mental health counselor, with experience in high need areas working with children, adolescents, adults, and elders. I utilize a trauma-informed flexible model in individual, couple/relationship, and family sessions. Although I am completely comfortable with a "talk only" approach to therapy, I also value and gently offer options from exercises in theatre, dance. mindfulness practices, and diverse ability-informed movement. My primary experience has been working with adults and families with anxiety, depression, substance-use disorders, and challenges related to life transitions.
Online Therapists
![Photo of Messina Basta, ASW](https://photos.psychologytoday.com/825a446b-f2d7-4bf3-9752-10c0fcd58e05/1/320x400.jpeg)
Messina Basta
Associate Clinical Social Worker, ASW
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Sacramento, CA 95816 (Online Only)
Waitlist for new clients
Some of my favorite clinical acomplishments include reconnecting partners after a diagnosis of psychosis and supporting a transgender teen in coming out to his parents.
I’m comfortable working with clients across the lifespan, but I work best with those who have historically felt misunderstood and unheard, and even those that are distrustful of the therapy process. With that in mind, my goal is to make each client feel special and empowered during and after their time with me. I enjoy talking about “hard things” or even “taboo” things, and encourage my clients to use their time with me in whatever way they need. I don’t believe that progress is linear and I am interested in meeting my client where they are with their goals even if the starting point is simply making an appointment and showing up.
Some of my favorite clinical acomplishments include reconnecting partners after a diagnosis of psychosis and supporting a transgender teen in coming out to his parents.
I’m comfortable working with clients across the lifespan, but I work best with those who have historically felt misunderstood and unheard, and even those that are distrustful of the therapy process. With that in mind, my goal is to make each client feel special and empowered during and after their time with me. I enjoy talking about “hard things” or even “taboo” things, and encourage my clients to use their time with me in whatever way they need. I don’t believe that progress is linear and I am interested in meeting my client where they are with their goals even if the starting point is simply making an appointment and showing up.
![Photo of Melissa Tihin - Central Valley Family Therapy, LMFT, Marriage & Family Therapist](https://photos.psychologytoday.com/87e39ecd-6d98-4962-9b14-9b3727a3b6f2/2/320x400.jpeg)
Central Valley Family Therapy
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified Verified
Sacramento, CA 95814
Central Valley Family Therapy is a group practice whose sole focus is providing individuals, couples and families support through all walks of life. Our clinicians recognize the importance of quality treatment for each and every client that walks through our doors. We welcome clients with culturally diverse identities, backgrounds, socio-economic statuses, and experiences. We believe that every person who seeks support should have access to quality mental health services. Our focus is not only on your unique therapeutic goals, but in providing our clients with a warm, friendly and nurturing environment.
Central Valley Family Therapy is a group practice whose sole focus is providing individuals, couples and families support through all walks of life. Our clinicians recognize the importance of quality treatment for each and every client that walks through our doors. We welcome clients with culturally diverse identities, backgrounds, socio-economic statuses, and experiences. We believe that every person who seeks support should have access to quality mental health services. Our focus is not only on your unique therapeutic goals, but in providing our clients with a warm, friendly and nurturing environment.
Barbara Jean A Douglass
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW, PhD
Verified Verified
Emeryville, CA 94608 (Online Only)
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and PhD with 15 years experience working with adults, children and youth. My goal is to help you in your path towards feeling better, and experiencing an improved sense of confidence, self-esteem and functioning in your life. My approach is one of respect, warmth, and attention to the dignity of every person. I utilize a humanistic and person-centered perspective, and maintain a psychodynamic framework for understanding my clients' emotional and therapeutic needs, to help you learn coping skills, and help you explore your options towards recovering a stronger sense of self, identity, spirituality, and balance.
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and PhD with 15 years experience working with adults, children and youth. My goal is to help you in your path towards feeling better, and experiencing an improved sense of confidence, self-esteem and functioning in your life. My approach is one of respect, warmth, and attention to the dignity of every person. I utilize a humanistic and person-centered perspective, and maintain a psychodynamic framework for understanding my clients' emotional and therapeutic needs, to help you learn coping skills, and help you explore your options towards recovering a stronger sense of self, identity, spirituality, and balance.
![Photo of Assaf Jaffe, PsyD, Psychologist](https://photos.psychologytoday.com/e4df772b-e7a3-460a-8538-5bcf0074582c/2/320x400.jpeg)
Congratulations, starting the journey towards seeking help is one of the biggest step. My name is Assaf Jaffe and over the past 20 years it has been my privilege to walk alongside client working to make changes. Having trained in Holistic Therapy at Native American Health Center I have tremendous experience with trauma, anxiety, depression and treating addictive disorders.
Congratulations, starting the journey towards seeking help is one of the biggest step. My name is Assaf Jaffe and over the past 20 years it has been my privilege to walk alongside client working to make changes. Having trained in Holistic Therapy at Native American Health Center I have tremendous experience with trauma, anxiety, depression and treating addictive disorders.
![Photo of Sarah Lynn Guzick - Sarah Lynn Guzick MFT, MFT, Marriage & Family Therapist](https://photos.psychologytoday.com/e61ee600-1838-4f85-b3ed-bcd96dae383d/1/320x400.jpeg)
I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who currently works with women over 18. I enjoy spending quality time with friends and family, comedy, theatre, film making, creative writing, improvisation, nature, traveling, film and television, documentaries, dancing and making art of all kinds.
I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who currently works with women over 18. I enjoy spending quality time with friends and family, comedy, theatre, film making, creative writing, improvisation, nature, traveling, film and television, documentaries, dancing and making art of all kinds.
![Photo of Phuong Le, LMFT, Marriage & Family Therapist](https://photos.psychologytoday.com/4862dfbd-8aab-4cd0-8e53-c885fdcf390f/3/320x400.jpeg)
Hello, My name is Phuong Le. I am a Vietnamese bilingual psychotherapist who would like to bring therapy to people who feel therapy is only accessible to just the few. I am particularly passionate about offering services to people experiencing marginalization. I have been trained in psychodynamic approaches, objects-relations theory, cognitive behavioral therapy approaches and use mindfulness as an integral part of of work with clients. I have worked as a direct service clinician, manager, Clinical Supervisor, and overseeing contracts for mental health provider agencies. I have dedicatedly career to empower and enhance the voice
Hello, My name is Phuong Le. I am a Vietnamese bilingual psychotherapist who would like to bring therapy to people who feel therapy is only accessible to just the few. I am particularly passionate about offering services to people experiencing marginalization. I have been trained in psychodynamic approaches, objects-relations theory, cognitive behavioral therapy approaches and use mindfulness as an integral part of of work with clients. I have worked as a direct service clinician, manager, Clinical Supervisor, and overseeing contracts for mental health provider agencies. I have dedicatedly career to empower and enhance the voice
![Photo of Kate Hellenga, PhD, Psychologist](https://photos.psychologytoday.com/545230bf-46cd-11ea-a6ad-06142c356176/3/320x400.jpeg)
Kate Hellenga
Psychologist, PhD
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
San Francisco, CA 94102
Waitlist for new clients
Seeking professional help for yourself, your child or your family takes courage. Not only are we taught that we shouldn't need help or tell strangers our business, but it’s hard to imagine what we’ll be like if we change our old habits. Many of the adults who have made progress working with me have experienced trauma, the impacts of oppressive social biases, or both. They have adapted and survived, but they are not thriving. They may feel stuck, or they feel the need to hide or silence parts of themselves to succeed in relationships. Younger clients may have similar issues along with defiance, withdrawal or other troubling behavior.
Seeking professional help for yourself, your child or your family takes courage. Not only are we taught that we shouldn't need help or tell strangers our business, but it’s hard to imagine what we’ll be like if we change our old habits. Many of the adults who have made progress working with me have experienced trauma, the impacts of oppressive social biases, or both. They have adapted and survived, but they are not thriving. They may feel stuck, or they feel the need to hide or silence parts of themselves to succeed in relationships. Younger clients may have similar issues along with defiance, withdrawal or other troubling behavior.
![Photo of Tina Glishich, MS, LMFT, Marriage & Family Therapist](https://photos.psychologytoday.com/41912706-46cd-11ea-a6ad-06142c356176/3/320x400.jpeg)
I provide safe, accepting, and mindful environment as well as culturally sensitive services for children, adults, and families who are experiencing difficulties with emotional stress such as anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress, behavioral issues such as ADHD, defiant, and oppositional behaviors, culture-related stress such as immigration and issues regarding identity including gender variant clients. I love helping couples and use Emotionally Focus Therapy in addition to CBT techniques.
I provide safe, accepting, and mindful environment as well as culturally sensitive services for children, adults, and families who are experiencing difficulties with emotional stress such as anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress, behavioral issues such as ADHD, defiant, and oppositional behaviors, culture-related stress such as immigration and issues regarding identity including gender variant clients. I love helping couples and use Emotionally Focus Therapy in addition to CBT techniques.
![Photo of Elizabeth Scalise, AMFT, Pre-Licensed Professional](https://photos.psychologytoday.com/6ee64ec0-b7c5-4836-807f-5073f712844b/1/320x400.jpeg)
Elizabeth Scalise
Pre-Licensed Professional, AMFT
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Campbell, CA 95008 (Online Only)
Struggling to feel understood? Looking to learn more about yourself in a safe, respectful environment? My name is Beth and I am a queer, asexual therapist with ADHD who loves helping others on their journeys with identity, neurodivergence, and coping with life stress and anxiety. My approach to therapy is collaborative and relational- you are the expert in your own life, and I am here to provide the environment where all parts of you are welcome as we explore your goals together. As a therapeutic game master with a passion for ttrpgs, I also love finding ways to incorporate your hobbies into your healing journey.
Struggling to feel understood? Looking to learn more about yourself in a safe, respectful environment? My name is Beth and I am a queer, asexual therapist with ADHD who loves helping others on their journeys with identity, neurodivergence, and coping with life stress and anxiety. My approach to therapy is collaborative and relational- you are the expert in your own life, and I am here to provide the environment where all parts of you are welcome as we explore your goals together. As a therapeutic game master with a passion for ttrpgs, I also love finding ways to incorporate your hobbies into your healing journey.
![Photo of Annabelle Niebel Drda, MA, LMFT, Marriage & Family Therapist](https://photos.psychologytoday.com/6193b569-dbb6-40aa-8f87-ff907deacf59/1/320x400.jpeg)
As I see it, the primary role of a counselor is to serve as a mirror to help reveal what the client hasn't yet been able to see-especially those patterns of relating to self, others, and the environment that might be causing suffering. At the same time, the counselor is there to reflect, affirm, and strengthen the client's unique gifts and talents.One of the biggest impediments to healing, growth, and creativity is shame. To help clients move through this debilitating emotion, I use a combination of mindfulness, body awareness, and other healing modalities.
As I see it, the primary role of a counselor is to serve as a mirror to help reveal what the client hasn't yet been able to see-especially those patterns of relating to self, others, and the environment that might be causing suffering. At the same time, the counselor is there to reflect, affirm, and strengthen the client's unique gifts and talents.One of the biggest impediments to healing, growth, and creativity is shame. To help clients move through this debilitating emotion, I use a combination of mindfulness, body awareness, and other healing modalities.
See more therapy options for San Mateo County
Transgender Therapists
As a gender-diverse individual, why might I want to see a therapist who is also gender diverse?
A trans or gender-diverse client may want to see a therapist who is also trans or gender diverse because the client may feel safer sharing their experiences and more confident that the therapist will understand, validate, and support them. But trans or gender-diverse clients can also benefit from therapy with cisgender therapists; this is a personal decision based on the connection between the client and the therapist, and if that connection is strong, therapy will be successful.
What if I cannot find a therapist who shares my gender identity?
Therapy can still be effective if a therapist does not share a client’s gender identity; a large body of research indicates that the most important factor in successful therapy is the therapeutic alliance. A therapist can also be interviewed for sensitivity and competence on gender identity and expression to ensure they possess appropriate knowledge and skills. Many therapists have excellent training and extensive experience working with gender-diverse clients, and that expertise can be invaluable despite a therapist not sharing the same firsthand experiences.
How can I recognize a good therapist for working with gender-diverse clients?
An experienced therapist should be able to help clients explore their gender identity and expression, alleviate discomfort related to their gender identity, treat mental health challenges and trauma, address existing relationships and communication with family members and loved ones, and determine the next steps pertaining to nonmedical or medical gender-affirming interventions. To recognize a good therapist, clients can ask about these topics and explore their comfort and connection with the clinician.
How might I inquire about a therapist’s experience working with transgender clients?
Clients should feel comfortable asking therapists directly about their experience working with transgender or gender-diverse clientele. For example, clients may ask about the therapist’s training and education with regard to gender identity, how many trans clients they’ve worked with in the past, and what sorts of matters were discussed. You may wish to inquire how a therapist specifically supports the needs of transgender clients or clients questioning their gender identity. A good clinician who is nonetheless not the right fit for you is often happy to make referrals to others based on the concerns you articulate in a preliminary conversation.