Welcome, I’m Claire.
ABOUT
A LITTLE ABOUT YOU: WHO I HELP
If you…
- Struggle to feel vulnerable and find you often put a wall between you and others.
- Desire a relationship that is loving, secure, and playful, but don’t have all the communiation tools you fel you need.
- Find that how you feel abour yourself is heavily influenced by the external feedback you get from others.
- Feel a bit lost in yourself and your relationships.
- Want to feel more comfotable talking about sex and intimacy and expressing your needs.
- Want to live more authentically.
Then I am here for you.
A LITTLE ABOUT ME:
I’m a wife, daughter, sister, friend, small business owner. So like my clients, I also continually have to challenge myself to bring up hard conversations with the important people in my life, practice vulnerability, find the solution in every problem, and strengthen the cornerstones of what gives me self-esteem and make life meaningful.
The feedback I get most from clients is that they experience me as a calm presence who is non-judgmental and curious about their unique life and experiences. I believe we can grow through discomfort. I’ve also found that using humor and acknowledging the positives are just as important for great therapy as is making space for challenging feelings and identifying growth areas.
My ideal method is self care is throwing on a podcast and running through the streets of San Francisco. Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day and I will happily wake up extra early to spend a mindless hour making some sort of egg dish. My husband and I are both Southern California natives but have come to love and embrace the foggy, cozy weather of San Francisco, and are grateful to be a part of the Bay Area culture and community.
HOW I HELP
The feedback I get most from clients:
- I am warm and engaging
- When I ask questions, it doesn’t feel like I’m “analyzing” you, but am genuinely curious and want to understand what it’s like to be you so I can best support you.
- Therapy feels like a collaborative experience. I don’t assume I know you and your life better than you.
- I look for your strengths amid the challenges.
- Effective therapy doesn’t mean we have to be so “serious”. I make just as much room for your laughter as for your tears. It’s not uncommon to have session where tears and chuckling are comfortably mixed together.
- I will be transparent with you. I believe clarity is kindness.
- I support you by gently encouraging you towards accountability of your own life and happiness.
- I will work you to develop tools and strategies that feel accessible and sustainable.
Things I don’t do in therapy:
- Sit silently and stare at you blankly.
- I won’t try and “fix” you or talk to you as if you’re broken.
- Judge your friends, family, partner, or work when you share challenges. I understand it’s often the people or things we really care about that can activate us the most.
- I don’t do quick fixes. Sustainable change takes time.
- Label you with a diagnosis after talking with you for 10 minutes.
- Ignore systemic issues that influence and maintain your challenges. Sometimes it’s the environment that is sick, not you.
PROFESSIONAL BIO
- I have over 7 years of experience providing therapy to individuals and couples.
- I am specialty trained to provide 1:1 therapy in a private practice setting.
- I used to work at UCSF with their Department of Neurology. My time there taught me how to work as part of an integrative treatment team as well as develop a strong grasp on the science of how the minds and body works together.
- I have experience and enjoying working with clients who are a part of the LGBTQ+ community.
- I underwent a (1.5 years) intensive training in which I extensivly worked with and helped couples.
- I have ample experience working with high-achievers. The reality is that some high-achievers will hold leadership or semi-public positions and require discretion. Earning my clients trust and reasuring them that their confidentiality is secure is paramount.
- In my work with individuals and couples, I’ve found that insight is important, but truly effective therapy combines insight with positive and sustainable behavioral change.
Advanced Clinical Training:
Sex Therapy
Advanced Level Training in Emotion Focused Couples Therapy
Trauma Informed Systems Therapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Education:
San Francisco State University, Master of Science, Clinical Psychology
University of California Santa Barbara, Bachelor of Arts, Intl. Studies
Licensure:
Marriage and Family Therapist, LMFT#121529
Location
1195 Valencia St
San Francisco, CA 94110
Phone
(415) 917-3780