Therapists Providing Relational Therapy in San Francisco Bay Area

The common denominator in virtually all of my clients' struggles and problems is the lack of relationship with Self.

The relationship with your Self is the most important relationship. It's the “X-factor” for empowerment, change through awareness and action, and what makes transformation possible.

The common denominator in virtually all of the problems and symptoms that bring people to therapy is relationships, past and current and there is a prevailing lack of knowhow to boot.

Most of the relationships I work come in are mired in discord and disconnection due to the backlog of unexpressed feelings and unresolved issues that never get any airtime and a palpable wedge of mistrust and unsafety between them

Relationships are as good as the conversations had. Can you talk to each other? How much do you talk to each other? What can you talk about? But, more importantly, how well do they understand each other and feel in the process.

Usually the first conversation I facilitate and one you can expect to have, one I consider to be perhaps the most standard and basic one every couple needs to be able to have is, How are you feeling in the relationship and towards each other?

I create a safe space for you to begin having these ‘more difficult’ conversations and facilitate a process that ensures that you talk and listen to each other in a way, and about things, you never did before.

The therapeutic relationship is one of the leading proponents of change in the work that we do. Yes, concrete tools are necessary, but without the solid relationship foundation, the tools are not as impactful to the therapy process. I view the therapeutic relationship as an opportunity for us to examine a relationship closely in order to associate what happens between us to patterns/tendencies that occur for you elsewhere in other settings. In my approach to treatment, I am authentic, warm, understanding, and non-judgmental. I take a collaborative approach in helping you rediscover yourself and gain a better understanding of your experiences on both a cognitive and emotional level. We will work together to put our insight and curiosity into action by slowly shifting deeply engrained patterns and beliefs that no longer serve you. Doing so will allow us to make space for new shifts to unfold and the reduction of distressing symptoms that are preventing you from thriving in life.

My views are holistic in that I believe a multitude of various factors impact our overall wellbeing and therefore need to be examined. This includes how we nourish ourselves, movement, spiritual beliefs and practices, social connections, biological factors, creative outlets, thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Humans are so complex and dynamic that no single approach is going to suit every healing process. This is why I draw from a variety of different modalities including psychoanalytic, psychodynamic, humanistic, and cognitive-based approaches. I pride myself in my curiosity and honoring of various cultural backgrounds and practices. You are the expert in yourself and I am here to learn alongside of you and get curious about what you bring into our sessions.

A lot of the clients I work with are high achievers; they’re organized, on top of things, and on the outside, it may look like they have it all together, but underneath they are struggling with self-doubt, never feeling good enough, and that feeling like their emotions are unmanageable. Being kind to yourself is so important to working with these issues and beginning therapy is a great way to start practicing this self-compassion.

I particularly enjoy working with people who are struggling with their relationship with food and their body, eating disorders and disordered eating, as well as anxiety and perfectionism. I’ll provide a supportive space to explore your challenges and together we’ll begin to notice themes and patterns and find better ways to cope. I work with you to understand the root of the issue so that you can create change in a meaningful and lasting way.

My practice philosophy is driven by the belief that genuine connection with others is essential to well-being. My hope is that you feel like you can talk to me about anything and trust that you’ll get supportive and objective feedback. Many of my client clients notice that not only do the issues they come in with improve significantly but they also gain a greater understanding of themselves and other areas of their lives improve as a result.

I’d love to talk to you more about what you’re looking for and how we can work together. I look forward to meeting you!

I believe that therapy should always be a safe environment, but "comfort" may need to be challenged in order for desired, transformative change to occur. My clients tend to come at a weekly session frequency for maintenance of a steady "flow" to our work.

My hope for any potential client is that they find the therapist that sufficiently aligns with their needs. If we find that after a couple sessions that our dynamic is not quite working, I will help you find a therapist that is a better fit.

Please feel free to contact me for a free, 15 minute phone consultation to determine whether we are a good therapeutic match. I look forward to hearing from you!

We don’t heal in isolation. We heal in the context of healthy and safe relationships. Together, we can lighten load that you’ve been carrying and make sense of the messiness of life. In sessions with me, you can expect to be empowered with practical tools, observations, insights and nurturing containment. I offer a safe, authentic space to unpack issues, repair emotional wounds, develop practical skills, engage in exploratory processing of patterns, and be connected with resources and information. Our work together will build on and activate your inner strength and resiliency.

Connecting with a professional therapist can shed light on patterns that may need to shift in order to align with the healthiest version of you. Weekly sessions can offer you a restorative sanctuary from which to heal, grow and break cycles of dysfunction. The therapeutic process is enlightening, transformative, and can surprisingly even be fun! The process puts you in the driver seat of your life rather than continuing to repeat unconscious patterns which are no longer serving you.

I would be honored to be a partner in your path to wellness. If you feel drawn to my approach, let's connect for a free consult.

I want you to know that I love my work and look forward to collaborating with you. Psychotherapy is a hopeful endeavor. We will work together to understand your challenges and struggles and develop a path towards greater happiness and contentment in your life. You will have the opportunity to speak openly and honestly and be heard with empathy and respect.

It might help you to know that I have been a caretaker and understand the challenges. I also have three wonderful stepdaughters and can help you navigate the sometimes rocky road and eventually the joy of step parenting.

My clinical approach is flexible and will be based on what you need and feel comfortable with. Once we establish trust we will develop a plan to work together. Therapy can be brief or longer term depending upon your specific situation and needs. I enjoy using humor in our work as it can provide a fresh perspective on entrenched issues.

Some therapists focus on “problems,” “disorders” or what’s “wrong” with people—I do things a little differently. I help you identify your strengths and support your capability to design and achieve new outcomes for yourself.

I don’t pretend to have the answers to all life’s questions. I am, however, prepared to create a safe environment where you can gain insight into your life, discover new possibilities and make new choices to create the life you want.

The weight of emotional pain can be unbearable and lonely. It is difficult, impossible even, to envision feeling better, feeling fulfilled, feeling connected or just feeling like yourself again. These emotions may result from depression, anxiety, grief, relationship problems, pregnancy issues, school challenges, sports injuries, or life/work stressors. The Blue Clinic understands how daunting this first step can be and we provide a safe, warm space to help you make your way through this.

The Blue Clinic was founded in 2015 with the mission of providing care that is smart, warm, and pays careful attention to cultural markers. All the ways you move through the world impact your experience and your symptoms, and your treatment should be carefully crafted to address your unique needs. The Blue Clinic is committed to offering quality therapy and each clinician is carefully selected to be a member of our group. Our mental health clinicians graduate from board accredited training institutions, have extensive clinical experience, and share our founding ethos. Our clinicians employ their respective expertise to carefully and respectfully help you develop insight around unconscious processes, past patterns, relationship trends, and current behaviors through individual therapy, couples therapy, group therapy and assessment.

It is in this process that you begin to feel better, feel more fulfilled, more connected, feel like yourself. We strive to help you lead a more fulfilling life. We welcome you to get to know our practice.

You're probably feeling a little overwhelmed and frustrated about looking for a therapist. You're wondering if I'm the right therapist for you and if I have experience working with people like you. It may be helpful for you to know that I’ve worked with many different kinds of people of all ages, diverse backgrounds and experiences, and I have experience effectively treating many different kinds of mental health issues.

You might be struggling with relationships (including friendships, romance, sex, kink, etc.), feeling lonely or isolated, have trouble figuring out life goals or staying motivated, or you might have experienced trauma and are trying to heal. These kinds of practical problems often get diagnosed as depression, anxiety, adjustment disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), ADD or ADHD, or a personality disorder. My approach to mental health is to get to know you well and develop an understanding of your specific experiences and history. Your treatment will be unique to *you*!

Whatever your reason for reaching out, we'll talk about it without the pressure or limitations of a label and without judgement. We will take our time and discover the best ways for us to work together.

Beginning therapy is not a decision we enter into lightly. The period during which we find ourselves reaching out is often filled with worry and pain, as we wonder, “How will I ever figure this out?” In this headspace, we may feel fearful, lonely, or even hopeless. However, in asking for help, we are taking the first step out of this dark space.

As I approach the therapeutic process, it is important to me that I develop a meaningful and authentic relationship with my clients. I view my role, not as an expert observing from the outside, but as a companion and confidant on your journey of exploration, self-discovery, and growth. On this journey together we’ll develop a deep understanding of your experience, so that I can join you in moments where you may feel lost or stuck. Here, we will begin to gain insight, revealing new ways we might approach the situation, opening doorways to a more satisfying life.