Therapies We Use

We take a data-driven approach to helping you get better.

Every person is unique.

But we’re all still people. That means there are common patterns to how we think and feel and respond to the challenges of life. There are also dependable ways to help us get back on track when we’re struggling.

This is especially true in the areas of stress and anxiety. An abundance of research has been conducted over the past several decades to try to identify the most helpful techniques for improving the quality of life for those who are suffering.

There are two kinds of therapy we use in our practice that have been shown to be especially effective: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Mindfulness-Based Therapy.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most researched form of therapy and has been shown to be effective in treating anxiety, depression, addiction, marital problems, and many other issues.

It is based on the observation that many psychological problems stem from particular habits of thinking and patterns of behavior. We form deep grooves in these areas, causing us to feel stuck in unhelpful ways of coping with life.

In therapy, you’ll receive help in identifying unhelpful patterns of thought and action and learning how to form new, healthier ones.

Learn more about cognitive bahavioral therapy

Mindfulness-Based Therapy

When we’re struggling with anxiety and stress, we tend to get stuck in our minds and fixated on swirling thoughts. They can dominate our attention, keeping us from being fully present to what we’re doing and whom we are with.

Mindfulness techniques help us learn to direct our attention away from the flood of thoughts and toward what is before us. It is a way of gaining control of our thought life and cultivating a greater sense of internal peace.

It is often effective to combine mindfulness and meditation with cognitive behavioral therapy for a comprehensive approach to bringing relief from stress and anxiety.

Learn more about mindfulness-based therapy

Other Therapies

There are some areas, like anxiety and ADHD, where there is a consensus about which kinds of therapies are most effective. In other areas, it isn’t as clear.

Given the wide variety of patients we treat and issues we encounter, our therapists also find it helpful to employ additional therapies as needed, including:

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)

Sometimes a client needs coaching; at other times, trauma needs to be explored. Ultimately, our focus is on providing individualized care that is most effective in helping you.

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“You guys were great. You have such a wide range of professionals with different specialties; it was easy to get the help I needed.”

Samuel L.

“Happy with my experience. My therapist is easy to reach, she responds quickly and finds time to talk to me while having a busy schedule.”

Ganna K.

“Senya is a very patient and nurturing therapist. I felt comfortable working with him, and hope to return as soon as possible.”

Scott K.

“It was a fantastic experience from start to finish. I appreciated the consult before getting matched with Dr. Kelava, who facilitated important and useful conversations that I valued highly. Thank you!”

Tiffany N.

“I had a good experience with SF Stress and Anxiety Center. It helped me identify what sort of mental health problems were contributing to my anxiety and motivated me to find a professional who specialized in my specific condition.”

Matthew P.

“Senya asked insightful questions, was extremely empathetic and did a great job of reflecting what he was hearing, and was very impartial (couples counseling). We are truly looking forward to continuing our work with Senya.”

Nikita P.

“Great – Senya was amazing, so insightful and helpful. I’m so grateful to him for giving me the tools to manage my stress.”

Michael M.

“Cassie did a great job of trying to get to know me, and made it easy for me to open up in our first conversation.”

Anthony V.

“Dr. Lauren is wonderful. She’s helped me through a very difficult time in my life with great care.”

Sarah R.

Ready to take the first step towards thriving?

It all begins with a call to match you with the perfect therapist for you.

Schedule your free consultation