At The San Francisco Center for Compassion-Focused Therapies, we provide individual, couple, family, and group therapies for adults in California online, and in-person. Our clinicians apply effective and evidence-based psychotherapy methods that are reputable for addressing emotion regulation related challenges, and facilitating self-compassion. Besides providing therapy, we also conduct practice-informed research focusing on compassion and betterment of psychotherapy. Our Center is a place wher...
I often work with folks who are highly sensitive, feel different or misunderstood, have overwhelming emotions, struggle with relationships, have low self-esteem, are queer or questioning, or are seeking to develop identity, purpose, and meaning in life. My approach relies on a warm and trusting therapeutic relationship where we can safely engage in healing work. We will navigate the pains and challenges of today, while fostering an understanding of how the past has played a role - all while i...
I approach therapy from an integrative standpoint, using evidence-based therapy modalities that best suit the individuals, couples, or groups with whom I am working. I find the exploratory techniques espoused in Psychodynamic models to be core to and underpinning a great deal of my practice. Psychodynamic work, for me, provides a solid foundation of knowledge on which to base my understanding of my client, and it is the basis from which I tailor subsequent interventions, including the use of alt...
My experience includes treating individuals struggling with general psychiatric symptoms, life transitions and trauma. I am specialized in both pain management and addiction treatment. As a psychologist, it is my goal to empower people to live fulfilled and happy lives. I work with individuals to help them to become active participants in meeting their therapeutic goals. No matter what the reason for therapy, I believe that establishing a secure and comfortable therapeutic relationship is essent...
Hello/Hola, I am Candy! It takes courage to address your emotional, spiritual and mental well-being. One of the hardest challenges in life is to discover a new path when you're feeling stuck. You have just taken the hardest step by seeking support from an experienced licensed mental health professional. If you're dealing with anxiety, depression, stress, life transitions or have experienced a traumatic event, I want you to know that you're not alone. I use tele-therapy to offer a safe, non-ju...
It is not uncommon for clients to tell me, "This is the first time I'm telling this to anyone..." I consider it a great honor to hold space for individuals to makes sense of difficult experiences and emotions, while also connecting with their greatest strengths and desires. I use well-researched therapy methods to help my clients boost coping during life's most stressful periods and transitions. I specialize in burnout prevention to help individuals connect with their innate ability to survive a...
I have served clients in both private and community mental health settings to address barriers created by anxiety, trauma, and unexpected life transitions. My therapeutic approach is inspired by a relational psychodynamic perspective that offers and encourages space to explore how past experiences shape present patterns of relating to others and the self. The purpose of which is to create new sustainable ways of interacting in the present to improve emotional and psychological wellbeing. I have ...
*Serving clients in California, Pennsylvania & North Carolina via teletherapy* I imagine you're looking for help, maybe a kind and guiding mental health professional wherever you are on your healing journey. Perhaps you've felt confused, misunderstood, unseen, overwhelmed with the constant pressures and stresses of this current moment. You may be struggling with shame, self-hatred, a lack of belonging, imposter syndrome. You might feel nervous about asking for help. I welcome the chance to...
Therapy isn’t always easy, which is why feeling comfortable and safe with your therapist is most important to your success. I take a collaborative approach in therapy, starting where you are and working together to make positive changes. You are in the driver's seat and help to establish meaningful goals for your treatment. As a trauma-informed therapist, I also consider the biological perspective of mental health and the important role of our mind-body connection. This means developing adapt...
My approach in sessions is to assist clients to connect with the strengths and resilience they may or may not be aware they have and support them to utilize those to make changes in their lives that are consistent with their goals in therapy. I work collaboratively with clients to be sure that therapy feels meaningful and beneficial. I believe strongly that each human has the capacity to heal, no matter how large or small their challenge appears. I am a therapist at Octave, a behavioral healt...
Some of the areas I have provided treatment for include substance use/abuse, depression, anxiety, grief/loss, and adjustment disorders due to life transitions. For nearly 20 years, I have worked with adults, families, and couples both individually and in group settings. I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in the state of California and obtained a Doctorate Degree in Clinical Psychology (PsyD) in 2005. I relocated to the Bay Area in 2020 from Los Angeles. I have worked in num...
Whether borderline, narcissistic or simply toxic, wounded and self-centered parents create wounded children. And these children grow up without the basics of warmth and kindness, acceptance and encouragement. In order to survive, we adapt to the needs of our demanding parents. That might mean we learn to parent our parent. Or we develop antennae and quickly respond to their changing moods and needs, simultaneously ignoring our own. We hope if we do and say the right thing long enough, then o...
You have the innate ability to uncover, identify, explore, and ultimately change unwanted or problematic thoughts or behaviors. My style is personal, collaborative, and responsive to your needs. I start from the premise that you are the expert on yourself. Therapy is a safe and empowering space to pursue the best version of yourself. I walk alongside you throughout the process, lending support, offering validation, teaching skills, and providing accountability. I am a therapist at Octave, a b...
I am a licensed psychologist with 20yrs. experience in general practice. I help people who seek relief from dealing with life's challenges (e.g., anxiety, depression, stress, stress management, relationship difficulties, etc.) and life transitions. I also specialize in Medical Psychology and work with people who are struggling with health issues(e.g., adjusting to a medical diagnosis, managing an illness or chronic pain, coping with a loved one who suffers with an illness). Please contact me for...
I help clients learn coping skills to help individuals reach their full potential, and be able to cope with painful moments. Additionally, I love to help individuals stay in the moment and get away from rumination, over-planning, and worrying. You, as a client, will help guide our sessions and goals. We will track if we are successful in our goals and treatment. We will always be able to talk about your feelings about the treatment and our therapeutic alliance. I'm a therapist with Octave ...
My approach to therapy is focusing on the present and working alongside clients to obtain the goals they have in order to implement a balance between emotional, social, and physical dimensions to improve their quality of life and well-being. I am a therapist at Octave, a behavioral health practice creating a new standard for mental health care that’s both high-quality and accessible. To learn more about my availability, please reach out to our Client Experience team by emailing or calling....
I feel that psychotherapy is most effective when it is collaborative, flexible, and grounded in what is important to you. While I have training in a number of modalities, I am always learning from you. In light of that, I will meet you where you are and make space to explore new ways of being and understanding. People who have worked with me appreciate my patience, warmth, and attentiveness. I'm a therapist with Octave and Evernorth Behavioral Care Group. Octave is a mental health practice pr...
As a former attorney-turned-psychotherapist, I enjoy helping clients figure out where they're headed. This includes identifying what fulfills you, what resonates with you, what you want your life's purpose to be. I also specialize in helping clients improve relationships and feel happier / more relaxed. For so many of us, anxiety gets in the way. We become distracted by thoughts about classes, about our friendships, about the climate crisis, about the future, etc. For others, social anxiety ...
In helping people, I lean toward a strengths-based, attachment, and systems approach. I strongly believe that a significant change in one person can impact the entire system. I also believe that a holistic, mindfulness and cognitive approach coupled with behavioral changes is effective for many clients. Additionally, I interweave my trauma-informed background to support clients through their presenting concerns. It's my strong belief, however that each individual is a unique being. I thoroughly ...
I have extensive experience working to reduce challenging behaviors related to ADHD, ASD, and other special needs. I believe true healing is an integrative approach that begins at the quantum level and then transcends perceptions, updates belief systems, and aligns more fully with the authentic self. My service in mental health is to challenge an individual to reach their optimal potential but also meet them where they are today. I integrate foundational principles of Behavioral Therapy, Dialect...