The Bay Area Center for Anxiety is a specialty center of the Institute for the Advancement of Psychotherapy, consisting of a multidisciplinary group of clinicians who provide treatment for anxiety across the San Francisco Bay Area. We provide assessment, medication management, therapy, and educational counseling in order to provide our clients with the best treatment possible. Our work is guided by the latest research on anxiety and we use effective treatment interventions. Below is a list of the psychologists, psychiatrists, and educational therapists who are part of the practice.
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W. Keith Sutton, Psy.D. - Director and Psychologist
Dr. Keith Sutton works with adolescents and adults providing individual, family, and couples therapy and psychological assessments. He combines his training in cognitive behavioral therapy, family and couples therapy, and neuropsychological assessment in order to work with clients on the micro level of neurology to the macro level of working with the individuals and systems within the client's lives. His warm, straightforward manner and focus on using strengths to overcome weakness helps clients to feel safe and understood in the therapy. He provides both brief therapy and long-term therapy. Email: [email protected] |
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Davida Cohen, LMFT
Davida, a Marriage and Family Therapist works with families, couples, children and adults and has been teaching, training and supervising for 20 years. She has worked at the Family Institute of Pinole in the positions of Director of Training, and Clinical Director. She also holds an MA in Art and works with adults and children to bring out their potential in mindfulness, creativity and relationships. Her specialties include ADHD, spirited, acting out children as well as overly constricted, anxious or depressed children. Additionally, she works with trauma and stress, adoption issues, and children and teen's behavioral difficulties. Email: [email protected] |
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Joann Riggio, LMFT
Joann is a Marriage and Family Therapist, who has helped many people recognize their true potential while helping them overcome their emotional difficulties. She uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, which has a strong basis in science, to overcome depression, anxiety and a wide range of problems. She helps her clients to start changing thought processes in order to change feelings and behaviors. She also uses Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) to relieve past traumas and work on healing deeper emotional wounds. email: [email protected] |
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Lianne Warren, MA, LMFT
Lianne is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in San Francisco with extensive experience working with adolescents and adults with ADHD and a particular focus on co-occurring anxiety. In her work, she collaborates with her clients to develop individualized strategies for action: to optimize their ability for time management, organization, to sustain effort to meet goals, and emotional regulation. In the process she helps her clients to recognize each of their unique strengths, innate resiliency, and to generally feel more competent, confident and have a more fulfilling life at home, work and in relationships. Lianne utilizes an integrative approach that includes skill building, and evidence based practices such as CBT, Mindfulness based psychotherapies, & EMDR. email: [email protected] |
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Max Farber, Psy.D.
Dr. Max Farber is a licensed clinical psychologist who helps foster positive change in people’s lives. Dr. Farber’s work often involves helping people to identify and live by the values that give their lives meaning and vitality. He feels that it is a tremendous privilege to help his clients become more aware and accepting of their emotions, build resilience to stress, and transition once emotion driven behavior into choices that align with core values. He is politically liberal and queer positive. His education, training, and experience include a doctoral degree from the APA-accredited Wright Institute, predoctoral and postdoctoral residencies at Kaiser Permanente in Walnut Creek, and supervising student-clinicians at the Berkeley CBT Clinic. Email: [email protected] |
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Raven Westhoelter, LMFT
Raven, a Marriage and Family Therapist, completed her M.A. in Marriage and Family Counseling at Argosy University and her B.A. in Psychology at the University of Missouri – St. Louis (UMSL). She has worked with survivors of domestic violence, substance abuse, homelessness, anxiety, depression, trauma, and a variety of other therapeutic concerns such as parenting skill, relationships, and major life adjustments. Raven works from a collective of evidence based therapeutic orientations including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution Focused Therapy (SFT), Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Family Systems (IFS), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and Mindfulness meditation. Email: [email protected] |
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Laura Petracek, Ph.D.
Dr. Laura Petracek is the best-selling author of The Anger Management Workbook for Women (New Harbinger Publications, 2004). With over thirty years of experience in psychology and social work, she has extensive experience working with individuals struggling with ADHD, anxiety, depression, and oppositional defiant disorder. Dr. Petracek's areas of expertise include anger dyscontrol, recovery from alcohol and substance use disorders, and complex trauma. She is deeply committed to issues of social justice, including addressing racism and inequities within the criminal justice system. Her interests also include feminist and gender issues, LGBTQ+ mental health (especially substance abuse and suicidality among LGBTQ+ youth), meditation, and yoga. Email: [email protected] |
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Fabrizio Dellabernarda, LMFT
Fabrizio is a marriage and family therapist who obtained his M.A. in Counseling Psychology at the University of San Francisco. He provides psychotherapy in English and Italian, supporting individuals struggling with depression, anxiety disorders, OCD, complex trauma & PTSD, ADHD, behavioral issues, relationships problems, and problems with life transitions. He strongly believes in the importance of looking at each person in his or her own context, and collaborates with his clients to identify what is most important to them. Drawing from his clients' strengths, he offers guidance and skills to face stressful emotions and situations by expanding their repertoire of responses. He has trained in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Family Systems, Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). He is active in the LGBTQ+ community and co-facilitates a group of aging gay men with HIV. Email: [email protected] |
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Liliana Casas Hernandez, LMFT
Liliana is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over 17 years of experience providing comprehensive counseling services to children, teens, parents, and groups from diverse cultural backgrounds. She considers it a great honor to support children, adolescents, and families in their healing and growth. Liliana uses an integrative approach that includes EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). With young children, she incorporates Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT). Liliana believes that learning is continuous throughout life; there is always the possibility of growing and overcoming challenges. Being in a family means collaborating as a team, learning from each other and discovering what each member brings to the family. Email: [email protected] |
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Yi Zhao Martins, LMFT - Marriage and Family Therapist
Yi Zhao Martins, LMFT is committed to helping clients get in touch with their own reality, to accept their unique personality and that of others, and to successfully integrate the client(s) into their family, social circle and society at large. Yi has extensive experience working with children in school settings, during transitions, and between households. She is highly intuitive in seeing the inner child in her clients with compassion, warmth, and clarity, and supporting them to integrate all parts of the self. Yi is a lifetime learner, who holds a Bachelor of Arts in Law, a Master of Arts in Law, and a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology. She graduated from Dr. Alicia Lieberman’s one-year training program of Parent-Child Therapy by UCSF Child Trauma Research Program. She is actively learning and practicing Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), and System-Centered Therapy (SCT). Yi loves getting to know her clients and developing individualized therapeutic plans towards clients’ goals. Her areas of specialty include ADHD, PTSD, and anxiety. She uses an integrative approach that includes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Therapy, Somatic Psychotherapy, System-Centered Therapy (SCT), Parent-Child Therapy (PCT), Play Therapy, Developmental Transformation, Expressive Arts Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT). As a long-term meditation and yoga practitioner, Yi uses mindfulness practices to nurture her own physical and emotional wellbeing. Her invaluable intuition and calm demeanor will surely be of benefit to her clients. Email: [email protected] |
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Karrie Stafford, Ph.D, LMFT - Marriage and Family Therapist
Karrie Stafford is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and holds a doctorate in Art Therapy Psychology. She has practiced psychotherapy for nearly 20 years, providing evidence based treatment for couples, families and youth. In addition to Structural and Strategic Family Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Karrie has extensive training and experience with Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). DBT focuses on the development of mindfulness skills, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. Her work supports individuals, couples and families through difficult transitions, managing challenging behaviors and coping with mental health symptoms. Karrie has taught Marriage and Family Therapy and Art Therapy students at the Masters and Doctoral levels at Notre Dame de Namur University, and has provided continuing education and licensing preparation trainings for MFT Interns and Associate Social Workers. She has worked as an administrator and clinical supervisor for a Short Term Residential Treatment Facility serving adolescents with serious mental health issues and complex trauma. Karrie's approach is curious, non judgmental and skills based. Email: [email protected] |
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Cristina (Tina) Carter, LMFT - Marriage and Family Therapist
Tina is a bi-racial native to San Francisco who completed her graduate degree in Portland, OR. She works with adolescents and adults to provide individual and family therapy in a variety of situations. Tina has experience working in high schools, providing therapy to children and families in Wellington, New Zealand, and in mental health services at the YMCA of SF for youth and families. Tina values authenticity in her approach to supporting a range of issues including transition and change, trauma (specific, complex, intergenerational), anxiety, identity, family conflict, depressed mood, and motivation. She draws from a combination of therapeutic models to increase a sense of control and find peace through adversity, and works from the foundation that people exist in their relationships to others. Email: [email protected] |
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Kellie Brown, LMFT - Marriage and Family Therapist
Kellie Brown, LMFT, gained her degree from the CAMFT accredited program at Touro University. She sees clients all over the state via telehealth, providing services to individuals, couples, and families, having served under-represented clients for the last three years. With a strong commitment to support clients who struggle with anxiety, depression, major-life transition, trauma, parenting questions, and relationship instability, she has been focusing on developing her skills in treating those with the unique challenges of ADHD. Enjoying a blended family of her own, Kellie understands that our relationships end up shaping our view of ourselves and others in both beautiful and broken ways. She endorses any therapist who can help you align your values and your choices, to live more resiliently and more compassionately, so that you are able to pursue the relationships you want with the integrity you desire. Kellie’s ambition is to collaborate with clients toward the outcomes that best resonate with their journey of healing and wholeness, leading individuals and families to a life of vitality and fulfillment, and producing enduring relationships. Choosing to engage in therapy can be the first step toward claiming the life you deserve. Email: [email protected] |
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Ruby Wara-Goss, LCSW - Licensed Social Worker
Ruby (she/her/hers) is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who brings a decade of experience supporting youth, young adults, caregivers, families, and individuals navigate loss and attachment ruptures, anxiety, depression, ADHD, trauma, family conflict, life stressors, and the life cycle. Ruby approaches her sessions with warmth, humility, and a strengths-based lens, valuing collaboration, authenticity, and creativity. Ruby draws upon multiple therapeutic approaches including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), psychodynamic therapy, attachment-based science, family systems, eye movement desensitization reprocessing (EMDR), Internal Family Systems (IFS), mindfulness practices, harm reduction principles, non-violent communication, Gottman methodology, emotionally focussed therapy (EFT), the nurtured heart approach, and play therapy. Recently, she has also been SPACE trained. SPACE is a caregiver-based treatment for childhood and adolescent anxiety and OCD. Ruby received her Master of Social Work from the Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College-CUNY in NYC. Ruby has primarily worked in community mental health and forensic social work, with a strong focus in family therapy, individual therapy, caregiver support, and crisis intervention. Ruby has blended family, mental health, and social/economic justice roots in the Bay Area, which have contributed to her guiding belief that through the process of healing ourselves and each other, the healthier and more equitable our communities and world can become. When not relishing in her steadfast love of the Bay, Ruby can be found gardening, crafting, attending live music performances, playing non-competitive soccer, watching documentaries, petting dogs, and trying to leave the world a little better than she found it. Email: [email protected] |
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Brittany Woodward, LMFT - Marriage and Family Therapist
Brittany Woodward, LMFT, specializes in working with adolescents, young adults, and adults, providing individual and family therapy. With a client-centered approach, Brittany values and respects each individual's autonomy, empowering them to create positive changes in their lives. She integrates evidence-based techniques and theories, including cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, and is currently undergoing training in eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). These approaches allow her to effectively support individuals in healing and growing from past traumatic experiences, managing and overcoming anxiety and depression, breaking long-standing family patterns, and gaining a deeper sense of self and meaning in their lives. Through these modalities, she has been successful at working in high acuity settings for the treatment of depression, anxiety, substance use, trauma, relationships, and self-esteem. Brittany firmly believes in the power of science and human connection to bring about transformation and change. In her practice, she brings warmth, a genuine desire to fully understand her clients, and the occasional crack at humor. Recognizing that therapy is not a one-size-fits-all approach, Brittany is dedicated to fostering a therapeutic environment that allows individuals to see and recognize their potential and bring about a sense of empowerment within their lives. Email: [email protected] |
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Asher Kaufman, LCSW - Licensed Social Worker
Bringing together a mix of therapeutic methods, Asher Kaufman, LCSW, helps individuals and families on their journey to healing and self-growth. He takes a personalized approach, blending Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Brainspotting techniques to create a supportive environment for overcoming trauma and fostering personal development. With a master's degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Asher is dedicated to offering the highest quality tele-therapy, ensuring accessibility for clients all across California. Known for his warm and straightforward style, he focuses on tapping into clients' strengths to tackle challenges head-on. Asher specializes in providing tailored strategies and support to help individuals navigate through anxiety, fostering resilience and empowering clients to regain control over their lives. Email: [email protected] |
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Matthew Rensi, Ph. D., LPCC - Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor
Matthew T Rensi, Ph. D., LPCC. is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor who also holds a Ph. D. in counselor education and supervision. He has extensive experience providing therapy to people struggling with ADHD, anxiety, trauma and ODD. In addition to this, he provides trainings throughout US on various aspects of mental health treatment including assessment, individual therapy, and safety/crisis situations. He is an adjunct professor at Western Seminary. Matt also actively researches the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders using linguistic analysis, as well as how AI can be used in the counseling field. Email: [email protected] |
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Elizabeth Goodman Gurfein, Psy.D - Psychologist
Elizabeth Goodman Gurfein, Psy.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist who graduated from the PGSP-Stanford Psy.D. Consortium. Dr. Gurfein brings a compassionate, integrative approach to her practice, utilizing evidence informed principles derived from Cognitive Behavioral Therapies (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Internal Family Systems (IFS) to help clients understand and overcome their challenges. She helps clients with problems related to ADHD, anxiety, trauma, sleep, and mood disorders. She has a special interest in supporting healthcare providers and conducted her dissertation at the Stanford University School of Medicine, focusing on teaching Compassion Cultivation Training as a preventative tool for empathic burnout in medical students. With her warm, collaborative style, Dr. Gurfein works closely with clients to tailor treatment to their unique needs, fostering resilience, self-awareness, and emotional well-being. Her approach allows clients to build effective coping skills, process their experiences, and create fulfilling lives based on their values. Dedicated to professional development and providing effective psychotherapy, Dr. Gurfein continually expands her expertise to provide the latest in evidence-based care and contributes to the field through research, writing, and presentations. Email: [email protected] |
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Jessica Decker, LMFT - Bilingual Licensed Marriage Family Therapist
Jessica is deeply committed to helping clients of all ages feel heard, understood, and empowered. She specializes in intercultural and health psychology and has a real gift for creating a warm, non-judgmental space where her clients can work through their challenges. Whether she’s supporting individuals or families, she makes it a priority to truly connect, listen deeply, and tailor her approach to meet each person's unique needs. Jessica earned her degree from the University René Descartes in Paris, France, and is fluent in French, Spanish, and Portuguese. She works from a strength-based and attachment perspective, always considering the role of family and community in a person’s life. She has a special passion for working with families, especially mothers and children, and is dedicated to helping them advocate for their rights and navigate life’s obstacles with confidence and resilience. Jessica also integrates her belief in the mind-body connection into her practice, often incorporating somatic techniques to help clients feel more grounded and connected to themselves. Her approach draws from a variety of therapeutic models, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and somatic practices, allowing her to personalize her work to each client's journey. She supports individuals with anxiety by offering practical tools to manage overwhelming emotions and stress. She uses a blend of cognitive-behavioral techniques and mindfulness practices to help clients build resilience and regain a sense of control and enjoyment in their lives. Above all, Jessica is committed to making therapy a space where clients feel safe, supported, and empowered to make meaningful changes in their lives. Email: [email protected] |
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Einat Klopfer-Cohen, LMFT - Marriage and Family Therapist
Einat based in the San Francisco Bay area. She holds a Masters degree in Marriage and Family Counseling from Palo Alto University. Einat started her clinical journey working in non-profit organizations that support under-served populations. She has experience working with people from diverse backgrounds and overall embraces an inclusive approach in her clinical work. Einat is working from a trauma-informed lens; She is trained in Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT). She is also trained to work with individuals and couples that have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Einat is committed to life-long learning and is consistently involved in various trainings and consultation groups. In her free time Einat enjoys hiking, playing tennis and spending time with family and friends. Einat speaks English and Hebrew and currently sees clients via Telehealth. Email: [email protected] |
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Alecia Greenlee, MD, MPH - Psychiatrist
Dr. Alecia Greenlee is a board-certified adult psychiatrist specializing in assessment and medication management for anxiety disorders and OCD. Dr. Greenlee provides comprehensive psychiatric evaluations and evidence-based pharmacological treatment for anxiety disorders, OCD, and co-occurring conditions. She excels at finding optimal medication strategies that help patients reduce worry, manage intrusive thoughts, and develop healthier coping patterns while minimizing side effects. Dr. Greenlee brings a culturally attuned approach to her practice, creating a safe environment for patients from all backgrounds. Her collaborative style ensures medication treatment is tailored to everyone’s specific needs and life circumstances. For women clients, Dr. Greenlee has expertise in addressing how hormonal fluctuations can influence mood and attention symptoms throughout the reproductive life cycle including premenstrual mood changes, postpartum, and perimenopause. She also brings valuable experience working with individuals who have co-occurring medical conditions that might impact treatment approaches. Email: [email protected] |
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Anne Robert, LMFT
Anne, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, works with individuals and adolescents navigate a variety of issues, including ADHD, anxiety, depression, loss and grief, as well as life transitions. Anne comes from a background in Science and Research, and began the clinical path as a Mediator. She now has a BA in Psychology and two Masters degrees, one in Counseling Psychology and one in Research Psychology. Anne believes that entering therapy is a brave act of self love, and by working with a trained therapist, you can make the changes needed to live a happier and more fulfilling life. Email: [email protected] |
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Brook Cardenas, Psy.D
Dr. Brook Cardenas is a licensed clinical psychologist devoted to helping children, adolescents, and adults navigate life's challenging transitions. Brook is passionate about facilitating children's secure attachments to their caregivers and grow into well-adjusted adults. With adults, she finds deep meaning in helping them to repair relationship wounds. Brook specializes in family therapy (including what is sometimes called "reunification therapy"), co-parent counseling, and child-centered play therapy. Drawing on training in EMDR, DBT, Child-Parent Relationship Therapy, and other evidence based treatments, Brook offers compassion, structure, and clarity to all families, including those experiencing separation and divorce, even high-conflict, court-mandated cases. Guided by the belief that all people strive toward healing and growth, she is committed to helping families in any configuration strengthen relationships and find stable ground. Email: [email protected] |
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Danett Williams, LEP
Are you worried about your child’s struggles at home or in school? Have you been told your child doesn’t qualify for an evaluation, but you still feel something isn’t right? Maybe you’re wondering if you or your child might have ADHD, autism, or a learning difference. You are not alone—and you don’t have to figure this out on your own. I am a Licensed Educational Psychologist in California (LEP No. 4112). I work with both children and adults, offering counseling and psychoeducational testing to help bring clarity, relief, and a plan forward. Parents often come to me with questions such as: Did my child’s early medical challenges affect their development? Could adoption or early trauma be behind my child’s big feelings or behaviors? Adults often come looking to better understand themselves, especially around attention, learning, or neurodiversity. My approach is warm, supportive, and relationship-based. With children, I use play and connection to build trust so they feel safe to share and grow. With adults, I provide a compassionate space to explore challenges, strengths, and next steps. I also draw on Bruce Perry’s Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics (NMT), a brain-based, developmental approach that helps identify what kind of support is needed at the right time. I am one of only two providers in San Francisco trained in NMT, which can be especially helpful for children and adults who have experienced trauma. Whether through counseling or testing, in-person or online, my goal is to give you clarity, practical strategies, and the reassurance that you and your child are supported. I believe, as Dr. Bruce Perry says, that “relationships are the agent of change and the most powerful therapy is human love.” Email: [email protected] |
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Lauren Riley, LMFT
Lauren Riley, LMFT (she/her) is a psychotherapist who specializes in helping children, teens, young adults, and families navigate anxiety, overwhelm, and nervous system dysregulation. She supports clients who feel stuck in worry, burnout, people-pleasing, or chronic stress, and helps them understand how anxiety shows up in their bodies, thoughts, and relationships. She works collaboratively with clients to identify their personal anxiety patterns—such as overthinking, perfectionism, avoidance, emotional reactivity, or difficulty relaxing—and develop practical tools for grounding, boundaries, and self-regulation. Her approach is relational, trauma-informed, and integrates CBT, DBT, EFT, and family therapy models, always emphasizing self-compassion and sustainable change rather than pressure or shame. In addition to telehealth, Lauren offers ecotherapy—nature-based sessions in local parks—using movement, sensory awareness, and the calming presence of nature to support nervous system regulation and stress relief. Her goal is to help clients feel more grounded, connected, and confident as they learn to move through the world with less fear and more ease. Email: [email protected] |
BAY AREA CENTER FOR ANXIETY
Providing Trusted, Compassionate, Effective Therapy
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San Francisco • Marin • East Bay • Peninsula • South Bay • Anywhere in California via Zoom
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email
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phone
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(415) 488-5781
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