Online in California
(Online Only)
You've tried to cut back or stop, but find yourself exhausted, frustrated, and wondering if anything will actually work. At California Center for Change, we help you understand what's beneath the surface so that real change becomes possible. Our team works with individuals and families across California offering compassionate, research-based therapy that addresses not just your use, but the pain driving it. You deserve to feel better and we're here to help you get there.
Client Focus
Session Format: Family, Group, Individual sessions.
Age Specialty: Adult, Young Adult
Languages: English, español
Treatment Approach
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) One of the most widely used approaches, CBT helps people identify unhelpful thoughts and replace them with healthier patterns. It is effective for anxiety, depression, and many other concerns.
- Motivational Interviewing (MI) A collaborative, client-centered approach that strengthens motivation for change. It is especially effective for addictions and health behaviors.
- Psychodynamic Therapy Explores unconscious thoughts and patterns that influence current behavior. It builds insight into how the past impacts the present.
Approach Description: Change is rarely simple and most people struggling with addiction feel pulled in two directions at once — part of them wanting things to be different, another part not quite ready to let go. Our approach is designed to meet you exactly where you are. We start by exploring your ambivalence honestly and without pressure. Rather than pushing you toward a predetermined outcome, we help you get clearer on what you actually want and what's been getting in the way. As your own motivation grows we begin looking at the patterns of thinking that keep the cycle going like the rationalizations, the blind spots, and the ways your mind has learned to justify use even when part of you knows it's causing harm. We also work on building practical skills for managing difficult emotions because the ability to sit with discomfort without reaching for something to take the edge off is one of the most important tools in lasting recovery. Alongside this, we explore the deeper story. Addiction rarely develops in a vacuum. It often begins as a way of coping with pain, loss, or experiences that never fully healed. We look at the relationship you've built with substances over time, what needs it has been trying to meet, and how those same patterns tend to show up in your closest relationships. Understanding the connection between your past, your present, and your use is often where the most meaningful and lasting change begins.
Fees & Insurance
Insurance
- Out of Network
Education & Credentials
California Center for Change PhD
- Female
- License # PSY26573
- Licensed in CA
- Practicing Since 2009
Education: Our clinical director, Jennifer Fernandez, PhD, earned her doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology and has been working in the field of addiction since 2009.
California Center for Change Practice Details
Therapy Sessions
- Available Online for residents of California
- Online Therapy Details: Zoom
Living with addiction, or loving someone who is , can feel isolating, exhausting, and overwhelming. You may have tried to change before, only to find yourself stuck in the same patterns, wondering what's missing. At California Center for Change, we understand how hard this is and we're here to help you find a way through.
We are a group practice of compassionate, experienced therapists based in San Francisco offering online therapy to individuals and families throughout California. Our work is rooted in the belief that addiction is never the whole story. Beneath it there is almost always unresolved pain — trauma, grief, anxiety, depression, or stress — that deserves to be understood and addressed. We take a biopsychosocial approach to addiction, meaning we look at the biological, psychological, and social factors shaping your relationship with substances and we tailor our work to your unique needs, history, and goals.
Individual Therapy
Our individual therapy sessions offer a private, non-judgmental space to explore what's driving your use and what gets in the way of change. We don't believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. Together, we'll identify your goals and build a plan that's realistic and right for you. We draw on a range of evidence-based approaches including Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and psychodynamic therapy. Most clients begin to notice meaningful shifts within the first month of treatment, with deeper work continuing as behavioral goals are met.
Group Therapy
Often the most powerful part of recovery is realizing you're not alone. Our therapy groups bring together people facing similar challenges in a supportive, structured setting. Using evidence-based tools alongside peer connection, our groups help clients build practical skills like managing urges, regulating emotions, identifying triggers, and developing healthier ways of coping. Groups meet weekly online, making them accessible no matter where you are in California.
Support for Families and Loved Ones
Addiction affects the whole family. Partners, parents, and loved ones often carry enormous pain of their own — feelings of helplessness, fear, anger, and grief — while struggling to figure out how to help without making things worse. We offer individual consultations and group support specifically designed for family members and loved ones. Drawing on the evidence-based CRAFT (Community Reinforcement and Family Training) model, we help families learn how to support their loved one's recovery in ways that are healthy and sustainable, while also taking care of themselves. You don't have to navigate this alone and your healing matters too.
Clinical Diagnostic Evaluations
We provide comprehensive clinical diagnostic evaluations for professionals, courts, and schools. These evaluations assess the nature and severity of substance use, provide a clinical diagnosis when appropriate, and offer tailored recommendations for treatment and ongoing care. Our evaluations meet the requirements of California licensing boards and are conducted with the same compassion and respect we bring to all of our clinical work. If you are a professional facing licensing concerns, or if an evaluation has been requested by a court or school, we can guide you through the process with clarity and without judgment.
Who We Work With
We work with adults at all stages of their relationship with substances: those who are just beginning to question their use, those who have tried to change many times before, and everyone in between. We have particular experience working with high-functioning professionals, neurodiverse individuals, and people navigating co-occurring mental health challenges such as depression, anxiety, and trauma. También hablamos español y damos la bienvenida a los clientes que prefieren trabajar en este idioma.
All of our services are available online via secure video to anyone residing in California. We offer superbills for out-of-network insurance coverage and have limited sliding scale openings for those who qualify. We invite you to reach out for a free 15-minute consultation. It's a low-pressure opportunity to ask questions, share what's going on, and get a sense of whether we might be a good fit.
We are a group practice of compassionate, experienced therapists based in San Francisco offering online therapy to individuals and families throughout California. Our work is rooted in the belief that addiction is never the whole story. Beneath it there is almost always unresolved pain — trauma, grief, anxiety, depression, or stress — that deserves to be understood and addressed. We take a biopsychosocial approach to addiction, meaning we look at the biological, psychological, and social factors shaping your relationship with substances and we tailor our work to your unique needs, history, and goals.
Individual Therapy
Our individual therapy sessions offer a private, non-judgmental space to explore what's driving your use and what gets in the way of change. We don't believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. Together, we'll identify your goals and build a plan that's realistic and right for you. We draw on a range of evidence-based approaches including Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and psychodynamic therapy. Most clients begin to notice meaningful shifts within the first month of treatment, with deeper work continuing as behavioral goals are met.
Group Therapy
Often the most powerful part of recovery is realizing you're not alone. Our therapy groups bring together people facing similar challenges in a supportive, structured setting. Using evidence-based tools alongside peer connection, our groups help clients build practical skills like managing urges, regulating emotions, identifying triggers, and developing healthier ways of coping. Groups meet weekly online, making them accessible no matter where you are in California.
Support for Families and Loved Ones
Addiction affects the whole family. Partners, parents, and loved ones often carry enormous pain of their own — feelings of helplessness, fear, anger, and grief — while struggling to figure out how to help without making things worse. We offer individual consultations and group support specifically designed for family members and loved ones. Drawing on the evidence-based CRAFT (Community Reinforcement and Family Training) model, we help families learn how to support their loved one's recovery in ways that are healthy and sustainable, while also taking care of themselves. You don't have to navigate this alone and your healing matters too.
Clinical Diagnostic Evaluations
We provide comprehensive clinical diagnostic evaluations for professionals, courts, and schools. These evaluations assess the nature and severity of substance use, provide a clinical diagnosis when appropriate, and offer tailored recommendations for treatment and ongoing care. Our evaluations meet the requirements of California licensing boards and are conducted with the same compassion and respect we bring to all of our clinical work. If you are a professional facing licensing concerns, or if an evaluation has been requested by a court or school, we can guide you through the process with clarity and without judgment.
Who We Work With
We work with adults at all stages of their relationship with substances: those who are just beginning to question their use, those who have tried to change many times before, and everyone in between. We have particular experience working with high-functioning professionals, neurodiverse individuals, and people navigating co-occurring mental health challenges such as depression, anxiety, and trauma. También hablamos español y damos la bienvenida a los clientes que prefieren trabajar en este idioma.
All of our services are available online via secure video to anyone residing in California. We offer superbills for out-of-network insurance coverage and have limited sliding scale openings for those who qualify. We invite you to reach out for a free 15-minute consultation. It's a low-pressure opportunity to ask questions, share what's going on, and get a sense of whether we might be a good fit.