You know you could be happier. Anxiety or depression is dogging you, dragging you down. You could move up in your career, but you shy away from being assertive and setting limits. You could have better friendships, but don’t know how to be more open about your struggles. Your work-life balance sucks. And you don’t even want to think about dating or your relationship. Our clinicians are ready to support you with anxiety, depression, ADHD, and grief across San Francisco.
You wind up wasting time endlessly scrolling, writing out new morning routines, and you don’t follow through on them, or you just can’t seem to get close to the people you want to get close to. Exercise and eating well are inconsistent.
You get paralyzed by worry about the future, and you wake up each morning fighting dread. To top it all off, you’re ridiculously hard on yourself. You just can’t seem to let go of little mistakes, let alone big ones.
Step 1: Free 15-minute consult
Step 2: Match with a therapist
Step 3: Schedule your session
You can absolutely meet your goals – you can level up at work and go home feeling fulfilled, proud, and competent. You can trust your friendships to be supportive, fulfilling, and be fun as hell. Your work-life balance doesn’t have to suck. You can leave depression behind, and you can master your anxiety – neither have to keep holding you back.
Imagine you’re in a relationship with someone you love. You’re at a BBQ on the weekend, feeling great, telling your friends about your life. You’ve learned not to sweat the small stuff and focus on what really matters. Depression is a distant memory, and you wake up feeling energized. Best of all, you feel like your life has momentum.
Connect with us and learn to work with your worries.
Connect with us and learn to work with your worries.
Research consistently shows that the best therapy is tailored to a particular person. One person needs a more directive, action-oriented therapy, and another needs insight and introspection from a sympathetic listener.
Our approach is derived from decades of peer-reviewed studies on how to shape therapy to you, your needs, and your goals. Furthermore, regular case review and consultation is baked into our model, so we always double-check our work and your progress.
You probably have a hangover from early life experiences that winds up sabotaging your potential. We’re experts in assessing your unique psychology and how to navigate it so you can achieve more. We design each treatment for each person because no two people need the same therapy. We are experts in mapping and adapting therapy to you and your goals.
How to do that, again, is unique to each person. Maybe it means you need to protect yourself from your harsh inner-critic. Maybe you need to laugh about how absurd it is. Maybe you undersell yourself, and we can help gas you up. Maybe you actually do need to be more disciplined and could use an accountability partner. Whatever it is, we’ll figure out the roadmap together.
Let’s get started.
Knowing what caused your challenges helps you map what isn’t working for you or what’s weighing you down so we can be clear about what changes need to happen.
Practices, experiments, and insights are all part of the solution, though the mix of those is unique to each person. Some need breathing exercises, some just need to talk it out, others still need to take risks.
We often change through action and experience. Sometimes the action is doing something you’ve been putting off, sometimes it’s simply being aware of your thoughts and being a bit nicer to yourself. Either way, action breeds change.
We’ll track progress both by checking in directly in session and through various psychometric measures.
Our office is located at 3368 Sacramento Street in Presidio Heights, San Francisco. We serve individuals throughout the Bay Area, including nearby neighborhoods like Laurel Heights, Pacific Heights, Inner Richmond, Jordan Park, and the Lake District. Our central Sacramento Street location makes therapy accessible and convenient.
For those who prefer online therapy or live outside San Francisco, we offer secure virtual sessions throughout California. This means you can access therapy from the comfort of your home, wherever you are in the state.
Our team provides the same quality care through our online platform as in our Presidio Heights office, using approaches like Control Mastery Theory tailored to your unique needs.
You don’t have to shoulder this alone, let us help.
Deciding how often to attend in-person therapy sessions depends largely on your unique situation and goals. Initially, it might be helpful to meet more frequently to establish a strong foundation. Over time, as you make progress, the frequency of sessions can vary. Your insurance plan may also play a role in determining how often you can afford to attend therapy. It’s important to discuss this with your therapist to find a schedule that works best for you and supports your journey toward healing and growth.
Some people find weekly sessions to be beneficial, especially during particularly challenging times. However, as you develop coping strategies and start to see improvements, you might decide together with your therapist to meet less frequently. Remember, therapy is a personalized process, and adjustments can always be made to ensure it meets your evolving needs.
We work with a wide range of mental health challenges. Whether you’re dealing with anxiety that won’t shut off, depression that’s draining your energy, or stress from juggling too much, we can help. Our therapists who focus on holistic mental health care tailor treatment to what you’re actually experiencing, not just a diagnosis.
Common concerns we address:
Anxiety-related challenges:
Depression and mood concerns:
Life transitions and stress:
Additional areas of support:
We also support individuals dealing with ADHD, grief and loss, self-esteem issues, and patterns that keep getting in your way. Our approach using Control Mastery Theory helps uncover the unconscious beliefs driving these struggles. We want you to be able to address the root cause rather than just manage symptoms.
Finding support in San Francisco
If you’re looking for therapists in San Francisco who can address these concerns, we offer both in-person sessions at our Presidio Heights office and secure online therapy throughout California. The first step is a free 15-minute consultation to discuss what you’re experiencing and determine if we’re the right fit.
Insurance coverage depends on which therapist you work with. Some of our therapists are in-network with specific insurance plans, while others offer out-of-network reimbursement options.
Out-of-network benefits:
If you work with Dr. McCollum or Dr. Ahrendt, we can provide a superbill that you submit to your PPO insurance for potential reimbursement. This means you pay for sessions upfront, then your insurance company reimburses you for a portion of the cost based on your out-of-network benefits.
What a superbill includes:
A superbill contains all the information your insurance company needs:
Check your coverage:
We recommend calling your insurance company before starting therapy to understand your out-of-network mental health benefits. Ask about your deductible, reimbursement rate, and any session limits.
Other payment options:
We accept FSA and HSA cards, which let you use pre-tax dollars for therapy. During your free consultation, we can discuss payment options and help you understand what might be covered.
Finding the right therapist is crucial to your progress, and we want you to feel comfortable and supported. If the initial match doesn’t feel right, we’ll work with you to find a better fit within our team.
Why fit matters:
Research consistently shows that the therapeutic relationship is one of the strongest predictors of positive outcomes in therapy. You should feel heard, understood, and safe with your therapist. If something feels off, that’s important information.
How rematching works:
If you’re not connecting with your therapist, simply let us know. We’ll have a conversation about what isn’t working and what you’re looking for. Then we’ll match you with a different therapist whose style and approach better align with your needs and goals.
No judgment, no hassle:
Switching therapists is completely normal and happens more often than you might think. There’s no penalty, no awkwardness, and no need to explain yourself extensively. Your comfort and progress are what matter most, and we’re here to support that.
Finding a therapist in San Francisco starts with understanding what you need and what approach resonates with you. We make the process straightforward so you can focus on getting support rather than navigating logistics.
Start with a free consultation:
We offer a free 15-minute consultation where you can share what you’re experiencing and ask questions. This helps us understand your needs and determine if we’re the right fit. There’s no pressure and no commitment required.
Our matching process:
Once you decide to move forward, we match you with a therapist based on:
Location and accessibility:
Our office is located at 3368 Sacramento Street in Presidio Heights, easily accessible from surrounding neighborhoods like Laurel Heights, Pacific Heights, Inner Richmond, and Jordan Park. We also offer secure online therapy throughout California if that’s more convenient for you.
Getting started is simple:
Call us at (415) 849-2388 or book your free consultation online. We’ll take it from there and help you find the right therapist to support your journey.
If you’re asking this question, that’s often a sign that reaching out could be helpful. You don’t need to be in crisis or have a formal diagnosis to benefit from therapy. Many people seek support because something feels off, stuck, or harder than it should be.
Signs therapy might help:
You might benefit from therapy if you’re:
You don’t have to figure it out alone:
Therapy isn’t just for managing symptoms or fixing problems. It’s also for personal growth, understanding yourself better, and building skills to navigate life’s challenges. Our therapists specializing in anxiety and depression work with people at all stages, whether you’re in crisis or simply want to improve your quality of life.
What makes our approach different:
We use Control Mastery Theory, which focuses on uncovering the unconscious beliefs that might be holding you back. This means we’re not just addressing surface-level symptoms but helping you understand why certain patterns persist and how to change them. Still confused, find out if therapy is for you on our who we help page.
Most people find that weekly sessions work best, especially when starting therapy. Consistency helps build momentum and allows you to make meaningful progress between sessions. That said, the right frequency depends on your needs, goals, and schedule.
Weekly therapy:
Meeting once a week gives you regular touchpoints to process what’s happening in your life, practice new skills, and stay accountable to your goals. This frequency is particularly helpful if you’re dealing with anxiety, depression, or working through significant challenges.
Every other week:
Some people transition to biweekly sessions once they’ve built a solid foundation and feel more stable. This can work well for maintenance or if you’re focusing on specific, ongoing goals rather than acute concerns.
Factors that influence frequency:
Your ideal therapy schedule depends on:
What we recommend:
During your free consultation and initial sessions, we’ll discuss what frequency makes sense for you. We’ll also revisit this regularly to make sure your therapy schedule continues to support your goals as things change.
The terms “therapist” and “psychologist” are often used interchangeably, but there are some differences in training and credentials. The good news is that both can provide effective therapy and support for mental health concerns.
What a therapist is:
“Therapist” is a broad term that includes licensed professionals like Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs), and Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs). These clinicians complete graduate-level training in therapy and supervised clinical hours before becoming licensed.
What a psychologist is:
Psychologists typically hold a doctoral degree (PhD or PsyD) in psychology. They complete extensive training in assessment, diagnosis, research, and therapy. Psychologists can also conduct psychological testing, which therapists generally cannot.
Does it matter for therapy?
Not necessarily. Research shows that the therapeutic relationship and the approach used matter more than the specific credentials. Both therapists and psychologists can provide excellent care using evidence-based methods like Control Mastery Theory, which we use at SF Therapy Group.
What matters most:
Focus on finding someone whose approach resonates with you, who has experience with your specific concerns, and with whom you feel comfortable… the credential matters less than the connection and the therapist’s ability to tailor treatment to your needs.
Investing in therapy is investing in yourself. While the cost may seem significant, many people find that the benefits extend far beyond the therapy room and into every aspect of their lives.
What you gain from therapy:
Therapy helps you:
The long-term value:
Think of therapy as preventive care for your mental health. Addressing challenges now can prevent them from becoming bigger issues down the line. Many people find that the tools and insights they gain in therapy continue to serve them for years after treatment ends.
Making it work financially:
We understand cost is a consideration. That’s why we provide superbills for insurance reimbursement and accept FSA/HSA cards. During your free consultation, we can discuss payment options and help you find an approach that fits your budget.
The investment pays off:
People often tell us that therapy was one of the best investments they’ve made in themselves. When you’re functioning better, feeling more at peace, and navigating life with more ease, the impact extends to your work, your relationships, and your overall quality of life.
Book A Consult
Contact us today to schedule a consultation and explore how therapy can help.
