A calmer, more personal way to find help
People come to therapy to improve the quality of their lives. For some it is a relationship that has grown distant; for others it is stress and anxiety that never quite lets go, or a sadness that has settled in and stayed. Whatever brings you here, you do not have to sort it out alone. This guide is written to help residents of the San Francisco East Bay find a qualified therapist who is a good fit for their particular concerns and circumstances.
This site is not a practice, a directory or a referral service, and it does not recommend individual therapists. Its pages explain how to compare therapists, which questions to ask, and what the common specialty areas involve, so that you can make an informed choice. According to the American Psychological Association, psychotherapy helps people of all ages live happier, healthier and more productive lives.
Support for individuals, couples and families
People who seek counseling are as varied as the East Bay itself — and so are the therapists who practice here.
Individuals of all ages
Seniors, working adults, young adults, children and teens.
Couples
Married, living together, premarital, same-sex, step-parenting, or navigating a separation.
Families
Traditional, blended and step-families working through change together.
Children & teens
Developmental, behavioral, school and family concerns, with parents supported too.
The range of concerns therapy can help with
Therapy can support nearly any area of emotional life. Explore a few of the areas East Bay therapists commonly work with.
Anxiety & Stress
Panic, phobias, chronic worry and the weight of stress — among the most treatable of all concerns.
Learn more →Grief & Depression
Working through loss, persistent sadness and depression to reconnect with meaning.
Learn more →Relationships
Strengthening connection, navigating separation, and finding perspective through divorce.
Learn more →Children & Teens
Support for children, adolescents and parents through behavior, school and family change.
Learn more →Trauma & PTSD
A private, safe place to heal and stop reliving painful memories at your own pace.
Learn more →Aging & Caregiving
Meeting the transitions of aging and the demands of caregiving with real support.
Learn more →Matched by a person, not an algorithm
Because the match is personal rather than alphabetical, people often find a better fit faster than they would on their own.
You describe your needs
A referral service usually starts by asking what you are looking for: your concerns, your location, your schedule and how you plan to pay.
Someone listens
An intake worker, often a therapist, considers your goals, your concerns, your location and any scheduling or payment needs.
You choose
You receive the names of one or more therapists whose training, approach and specialties fit, and you decide whom to contact.
Therapy topic guides
Kinds of licensed therapist explained
Crisis line: call or text, any time
Alameda & Contra Costa counties
Ready to take the first step?
It takes a certain quiet courage to decide to extend yourself, to heal, and to grow. When you’re ready, the pages on finding care and on choosing a therapist are a good place to start.
Finding Care