Individual Therapy in San Francisco and Online in California.
At The Marina Counseling Center, we provide a supportive and inclusive environment where you can find healing, growth, and connection.
Individual therapy, also known as psychotherapy or "talk therapy," is a one-on-one process where you meet with a trained mental health professional in a safe, confidential space to focus entirely on your unique personal concerns and goals. It is a personalized form of treatment that can help you explore and work through a wide range of issues, such as managing symptoms of anxiety or depression, coping with major life transitions or grief, improving self-esteem, overcoming past trauma, or developing healthier relationship patterns. The primary purpose is to gain self-awareness, learn effective coping strategies, and foster personal growth to live a more fulfilling and psychologically healthy life.
Individual therapy can help with:
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Managing Anxiety Disorders: Therapy provides personalized coping skills and cognitive restructuring techniques to lessen excessive worry, panic attacks, and avoidance behaviors that interfere with daily life.
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Overcoming Depressive Symptoms: It offers a structured approach to challenge negative thought patterns, re-engage in meaningful activities, and restore motivation and a sense of hope.
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Healing from Trauma (PTSD): Therapy creates a safe and supportive environment to process distressing memories, reduce emotional reactivity, and integrate past experiences in a healthy way.
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Improving Self-Esteem and Self-Worth: Individuals work to identify the roots of negative self-talk, replace self-critical beliefs, and cultivate greater self-acceptance and confidence.
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Addressing Life Transitions: It offers support in navigating major changes—such as career shifts, divorce, or grief—helping to process the emotional impact and establish a path forward.
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Coping with Grief and Loss: The process provides a container for painful emotions related to the death of a loved one or other significant loss, facilitating healthy mourning and eventual adjustment.
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Managing Anger and Emotional Dysregulation: Therapy teaches individuals to recognize emotional triggers, develop healthier communication skills, and employ techniques for calming intense feelings before they lead to destructive actions
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Developing Healthier Relationships: Individuals learn to set appropriate boundaries, communicate needs clearly, and understand their own role in recurring relational dynamics, leading to more satisfying connections.
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Reducing Chronic Stress and Burnout: It helps clients identify sources of overwhelming pressure, implement essential self-care practices, and establish a more sustainable work-life balance to prevent exhaustion.
Why Choose The Marina Counseling Center?
Affordable
Sliding scale fees to fit your budget.
Culturally Sensitive Care
Our diverse team provides therapy that honors your values and experience.
Personalized Matching
You will be matched with a therapist who is able to respond to your goals for therapy.
Diversity of Support
We work with individuals, couples and adolescents.
Start Quickly
We aim to match you within a week.
Flexible Meeting Options
Meet with your therapist in person at our Union St or downtown San Francisco offices or virtually anywhere in California.
Getting Started
The Marina Counseling Center offers a thorough and tailored approach to helping clients access the care they need.
1 / Phone Consult
Prospective clients can schedule a complimentary 30-minute phone consultation. Clients should plan to be in a quiet, private space where they feel comfortable answering questions about themselves. Fees and scheduling are also discussed in this call.
2 / Therapist Matching
Our intake coordinator then reviews multiple factors to find a therapist who will match the clients needs.
3 / Set Up Your First Appointment
The assigned therapist will reach out to you to introduce themselves and set up your first appointment.
4 / Begin Sessions
You will meet with your therapist in person or virtually (depending on your preference) and will begin your work together.
Where We'll Meet
We have two offices in San Francisco, and we can meet with clients virtually across California.
The Marina
1781 Union Street
San Francisco, CA 94123
Downtown
870 Market Street,
San Francisco, CA 94102
Frequently Asked Questions
Is individual therapy right for me?
Deciding whether or not to begin therapy is an important question. Some questions you can ask yourself are…
How do I choose a therapist?
The process of choosing a therapist is deeply personal, and the most important factor is finding a professional you feel safe and comfortable with. At the Marina Counseling Center, we match you with a therapist whose specialty and approach align with your needs. However, it's normal and encouraged to explore your options. You should feel empowered to have initial calls, not just with our team, but with other therapists or centers as well.
I’ve tried therapy in the past and it didn’t work for me / wasn’t a good experience.
Nothing is more painful or disappointing than taking the step to be vulnerable and seek help through therapy and not finding the support you’re looking for. Often this happens because it wasn’t the right time, therapist, or therapeutic approach. We recognize the courage it takes to renew the search for care and are committed to helping you find what you’re seeking. At the MCC, we have a range of therapists specializing in a variety of orientations and approaches and would be honored to work with you to explore if we can find the right fit for you here.
How long does therapy take?
Therapy at the MCC is a highly individualized process that is tailored to your individual needs and concerns, and so the time it takes can vary by person. That said, we believe therapy should be effective and helpful, and so if you have concerns about progress or fit, we invite you to bring these to your work with your therapist.
What can I expect in a typical session?
Sessions are 50 minutes and happen on a weekly basis. Our therapists work from a range of approaches and interventions, including psychodynamic, somatic, client-centered, relational, CBT, and more. A typical session will depend on your individual therapist, the work you’re focusing on, and your individual relationship with them.
I’m nervous to begin, is this normal?
Absolutely! You’re not alone. It is a big decision to begin the path to healing and it’s normal to feel anxiety about taking the first step. We recognize and honor the courage it takes to begin this journey and welcome all emotions that arise throughout the process and experience.
How much is each session?
Fees are offered on a sliding scale based on financial need. Please see our Fee page (link) for more information.
Some therapists on the website are listed as "trainees" or "associates," what's the difference?
An MFT trainee is currently in graduate school completing required clinical hours under supervision of a licensed clinician.
An MFT associate has graduated and holds a provisional registration to practice under supervision while completing post-degree requirements (3,000 hours in California) under a licensed clinician.