Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

Angelynn Hermes

August 8, 2022 by Angelynn Hermes, LCSW

I provide online video-based therapy for adults who are seeking a respectful, collaborative space to explore their inner experiences. My strengths lie in my attentive witnessing to emotion and body as pathways to unlocking each person’s innate ability to heal themselves, access authenticity, and achieve goals to build towards their vision of a meaningful life. The language of depression, anxiety, trauma, OCD, neurodiversity and more may be helpful in addressing day to day challenges or symptoms, though I also see each person as a complex whole of self, relationships, and culture. Whatever brings you to therapy, you are welcome.

Therapy must be built on a foundation of consent, and collaboration- time after time it is the quality of one’s relationship with their therapist that predicts the time spent in therapy being beneficial. I welcome all parts of you and your history and all aspects of identity into therapy. I am explicitly LGBTQ, sex worker, kink, and non-monogamy affirming.

I am constantly humbled by how having a space to feel deeply and surface experiences that may be hard to process alone has given those I work with access to meaningful change, growth, and inner fulfillment. I can offer a range of tools (EMDR, DBT, ERP, CBT) and a groundedness in mindfulness and feminist psychotherapy to support your time in therapy.

Desiree Botelho

August 3, 2021 by Desiree Botelho

Do you want things to be different, but struggle with finding the motivation to make changes? Do you have a support system that wants to support you, but they are struggling to understand what you need?

Wherever you are in your journey, together, we can explore what is contributing to feeling stuck and empower you to make the life changes you desire. My hope is to create a therapeutic relationship, in which clients feel seen, heard, and valued. I will provide a safe space where you can reflect on who you are, who you want to be, and how you show up in your relationships with others.

My therapeutic lens is client-centered, trauma-informed, and strength-based. I have experience working in school based mental health and community mental health. Meeting clients where they are is a value I hold with high regard. My focuses include trauma, depression, anxiety, life transitions, exploring family systems and grief.

Let’s work towards increasing your confidence in making decisions to move toward the life you want-free of guilt and shame. Schedule an appointment today to begin moving forward in making the changes you would like to see in your life.

Virtual Ongoing Harm Reduction Therapy Support Groups

July 14, 2021 by Cynthia Hoffman

These groups are designed to provide additional support for clients who have completed the 8-Week Harm Reduction Psycho-educational Group or have had previous experience with harm reduction therapy.

In this support group, we will go into a more in- depth exploration of substance use strategies, check-ins and goals. Everyone is encouraged to share their experiences with moderation of or abstinence from substance use.

On Wednesdays, group one from 5:30 to 7pm and group two from 7:10 to 8:30pm.

Psycho-educational Harm Reduction Therapy Group

July 14, 2021 by Cynthia Hoffman

The 8 week Introductory psycho-educational Harm Reduction Therapy group is for those who are new to Harm Reduction.

Group members will learn about the philosophy of harm reduction and help identify effective harm reduction techniques that work for them. They will also work to identify and help navigate the feelings are associated with alcohol and other drug use. CBT, DBT, self-compassion and mindfulness are used to teach coping skills. This group will implement modest goal setting and exploration around the ability to adhere to set goals.

Assessments are being scheduled now for the upcoming group.

Karen Yeh

June 18, 2021 by Karen Yeh

I am a licensed marriage and family therapist specializing in working with lawyers and other high-pressure professionals dealing with career and personal issues, as they can be quite intertwined when working in intense environments.

I am interested in working with those of us who struggle with the many various issues that come from working in a high pressured, rigidly structured environment, including career and culture fit, internal and external motivation, the fine line between effective and ineffective anxiety, and managing interpersonal dynamics in the workplace and in your personal life. Any underlying relational and interpersonal issues we may have can be highlighted and exacerbated in a high-pressured working environment. And, despite our best efforts, it is all too easy to bring those issues home and allow them to permeate our personal lives.

As a patent litigator and software engineer, I have personally experienced the stress of trying to reach for success while navigating several layers of cultural expectations. Many people come away from these kinds of careers with the sense that career success and personal happiness and fulfillment are necessarily incompatible. When I was immersed in these worlds myself, I saw so many ways in which even just a bit of awareness and skills-building could have positively impacted so many experiences and I realized I am most interested in finding ways in which I can teach those skills and help people at all levels of an organization live happier and more successful lives.

Please contact me at karenyeh@karenyehsf.com for information about fees and scheduling.

Donation-Based AAPI Adult Group-Therapy

May 28, 2021 by Christhmus Presence

Join William Ma and Christhmus Presence for pay-as-you-may virtual group therapy. Sessions start 8/24. Late enrollment closes 9/7.

Sessions are 90 minutes and will be held once a week over the course of 10 weeks. Group capacity is 8-10 people and open to those 21 and up.

About Will (he/him/his):

Will (William Ma) is Bay Area born and raised, with a combination of Chinese (by way of Taiwan) and white ancestors. Significant therapeutic influences include Relational therapy, somatics, feminist psychology, as well as existential and transpersonal therapy. He is certified in Internal Family Systems and Brainspotting therapeutic modalities, and can answer questions such as “what even is that”, sometimes at great length. He is nourished by reading, doing ancestral work, spending time under the water and walking in the forest.

He has been licensed as a Marriage and Family Therapist since 2016. (LMFT #96148)

About Christhmus (pronoun at your pleasure):

Christhmus Presence (Chris Chu) will be facilitating all groups above, and is a 3.5-generation Muwekma Ohlone (San Francisco) land-settler, and Chinese-American Queer by Ancestors’ way of Guangdong, China. Pillars that guide them are liberation psychology, narrative psychology, somatic psychology, trauma-informed therapy, spirituality, and expressive arts. Tools held in support of self-resourcing, clarity, and ancestral connectivity include meditation, Tapping, and Brainspotting. They enjoy plants, creative expression, the power of community, and being in water.

Registered Associate MFT #125037 through The Center for Mindful Psychotherapy, supervised by Shawana Booker LCSW #29165

Elizabeth Ehrenberg

May 9, 2021 by Elizabeth Ehrenberg

I received my Masters in Clinical Social Work from Smith College School for Social Work. To further my training, I completed an additional year-long clinical fellowship at The University of California San Francisco’s Alliance Health Project where I provided brief dynamic psychotherapy to LGBTQQIA folks and individuals living with HIV. From 2013 to 2015, I served as a staff clinician in the Adult Psychiatry Department at Kaiser Permanente in South San Francisco. In this role, I provided psychosocial assessment and therapy to adults struggling with depression, anxiety, and interpersonal issues. At Kaiser I also served as the Eating Disorder Specialist, providing individual and group therapy to clients struggling with eating disorders and body image issues. I have extensive experience facilitating group therapy, including process groups, support groups, dialectical behavioral therapy groups and binge eating disorder groups.

Additionally, I have worked in various community mental health and non-profit settings, providing case management and counseling to racially and socio-economically diverse populations. I completed my Bachelor’s degree at Vassar College where I majored in Political Science and Women’s Studies with a focus on feminist political theory, queer theory, and critical race theory.

Teen Empowerment Group

February 23, 2021 by Melissa Antoun

For teens who are survivors of violence, sexual abuse, neglect, bullying, school or community violence, parental substance abuse, who have witnessed violence in their home, or have experienced any other child maltreatment.

This group focuses on self-esteem building, healthy relationships, gaining a sense of community and skills for growth, and helping teens access their own strength and courage to claim a healthy and positive future.

Parents, the reality of teen trauma is painful and overwhelming. Figuring out how to begin the healing process can be confusing. You want to protect your teen and ensure their safety and happiness. When you see your child suffering, it hurts.

We understand, and we are here to help.

Any of this sound familiar in regards to your teen:

– Anxiety or worry

– Falling grades

– Persistent sadness, lack of energy, changes in sleep or appetite, withdrawing from normal activities, or feeling “down”

– Changes in self-care, such as paying less attention to hygiene, appearance, or fashion than they usually do

Our Teen Empowerment Group is hands down the best way to help your teen:

– Understanding of the symptoms of trauma to support self-regulation

– Develop greater understanding of themselves and their needs in a safe and supportive community so that they can set self-directed boundaries

– Experience mindfulness-based practices to induce and deepen relaxation

– Increase self-compassion in order to reduce self-criticism and self-blame

We are here to help your teen engage in the body and mind through arts based expression in order to heal and re-connect with joy and purpose.

NEXT Step? Email our office to schedule a brief phone chat with leaders Melissa or Megan. We would be delighted to answer any questions you have about the group. We look forward to hearing from you!

Expressive arts is an evidence based practice that provides practical tools for healing and emotional growth. Some art modalities we will use include; drawing, painting, collage, mixed media and digital art or photography. No experience or skill with art making is necessary to benefit from art therapy.

Noel Karcie

December 15, 2020 by Noel Karcie

As a therapist, I have the utmost respect for anyone who is willing to take a look at their life and set a goal to work towards what they want. In order for this to happen, there has to be a mutual trust and respect between the client and therapist. I believe that therapy can be life changing and when an individual is ready to do the work, even a minor adjustment can make a huge difference. I strive to provide each client with a unique approach. We are all on this journey together. My goal is to help others see clearly and live a life of happiness, gratitude, and success.

Having the support of family and friends is wonderful, however sometimes that is simply not enough. I listen with an open mind and whole heart to offer an unbiased perspective that we so rarely receive from those closest to us. Through science-based research and mindful guidance, I journey alongside you in an adventure of truth and freedom.

The truth is, when it works, you begin to feel alive again. There is a magic that happens when you open yourself up and begin to accept all that you deserve. I am open, honest, and direct. I love to see the transition of people’s lives which takes place as they use the tools and insight provided to them through therapy. Whether you’re looking for deep interpersonal counseling or more of a solution focused consultant the benefits are endless.

Let’s begin!

DBT Skills Group

December 15, 2020 by Noel Karcie

DBT Skills are designed to help individuals manage the emotional and relational crises of their lives. The skills group uses acceptance and change strategies within a warm and validating environment, emphasizing mindfulness, interpersonal effectiveness, emotional regulation and distress tolerance. Groups meet weekly and are payable at the beginning of the month.

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