Trauma and PTSD therapists in San Francisco, California CA
Find experienced trauma and PTSD therapists in San Francisco who provide testing, evidence-based treatment for trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder, and related challenges such as anxiety, depression, and stress. Compare detailed therapist profiles and connect with a provider that’s right for you.
PTSD/Trauma
California Center for Change
Psychologist, PhD
Many people who struggle with addiction are also carrying the weight of experiences that were never fully processed, childhood wounds, losses, or events that left a lasting mark on how they see themselves and the world. Substances can become a way of managing the pain, the numbness, or the hypervigilance that trauma leaves behind. We are trained in trauma-informed approaches and work gently and carefully to help you make sense of what happened, reduce the hold it has on your present life, and build a stronger foundation for lasting change.
17 Years Experience
Online in San Francisco, CA California (Online Only)
PTSD/Trauma
Lisa Abdilova Andresen
Licensed Clinical Social Worker, LCSW
The links between trauma and achievement spotlight the success stories of people who've endured difficult pasts. Through resilience and resourcefulness, some persevered and found success as an outlet for improving self-esteem. How else could you have filled the void of highly critical, emotionally unavailable parents? The trouble is that success may be tough to integrate and truly celebrate as your own, no matter how impressive your resume gets. Fortunately, recovery from trauma is very possible and with time, can foster post-traumatic growth which leads to a more fulfilling life and meaningful relationships. My clinical approach includes Internal Family Systems which explores how different parts of you protect and serve you. Trauma-Focused CBT also helps unravel core-beliefs that may complicate your relationship with yourself, your ability to trust others, or see the world as a safe place.
9 Years Experience
In-Person in San Francisco, CA 94107
Online in San Francisco, CA California
PTSD/Trauma
Dr. Lori Lynn Mann
Marriage and Family Therapist, LMFT, Psy.D.
I work with trauma and PTSD in a mult-pronged approach through guided breathwork, meditation, mindfulness, tapping technique, working through the narrative, managing the body's fight or flight response.
14 Years Experience
Online in San Francisco, CA California (Online Only)
PTSD/Trauma
Amenah Arman
Therapist, MS-CLINICAL MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING, Nationally Certified Counselor
Trauma can shape how the nervous system responds to stress, relationships, and responsibility long after the original experience has passed. For many high-performing professionals, creatives, and leaders, trauma may show up as hypervigilance, emotional shutdown, perfectionism, or a constant sense of pressure to stay in control. Through trauma-informed therapy, narrative work, and nervous system regulation, we focus on helping the body and mind process unresolved experiences so you can feel safer, more grounded, and more present in your life and work.
7 Years Experience
In-Person in San Francisco, CA
Online in San Francisco, CA California
PTSD/Trauma
Anxiety Eliminated
Hypnotherapist, Certified Hypnotherapist and Health Coach, MBA
I have an excellent protocol for releasing trauma an PTSD. See video testimonial of psychologist I helped at www.AnxietyElimianted.com
14 Years Experience
In-Person in San Francisco, CA 94104
Online in San Francisco, CA California
PTSD/Trauma
Nicole Bermensolo
Marriage and Family Therapist, M.A., AMFT
Whether it was at the hands of a narcissistic parent or abusive partner, I specialize in helping clients overcome trauma resulting from interpersonal relationships. Using a combination of EMDR and talk therapy, we work together to calm that ever-present sense of uneasiness, regain a feeling of safety, and learn to trust in your own judgement. I am living proof that you can overcome abuse and trauma to live a rich and fulfilling life on your own terms.
7 Years Experience
In-Person in San Francisco, CA 94122
Online in San Francisco, CA California
PTSD/Trauma
Dr. Cristal Lopez
Psychologist, Ph.D.
Welcome! You might be feeling disconnected from your family, friends, children, job, or even the world. I'm Dr. Cristal Lopez, and I believe that we all have powerful strengths. Together, we will explore yours to help you unlock your full potential, connect authentically with others, and show up as your true self. My training at top U.S. children's hospitals, including Children's Hospital Los Angeles, California Pacific Medical Center, Texas Children’s Hospital, and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, has provided me with over 6 years of experience working with children, adolescents, young and mid-life adults, and families.
For my younger clients, I use behavioral and play therapy techniques, while also supporting parents and families to foster healthy connections. With adolescents and adults, I draw on strength-based, humanistic, and relational principles to guide our work together.
Beyond traditional mental health concerns, I specialize and publish work in: coping with chronic illnesses, career-related issues (burnout, work-life balance), trauma, adverse childhood experiences, and stress related to first-responder families. I’m committed to guiding you, your child, or family to a more connected and fulfilling life. Invest in yourself!
9 Years Experience
Online in San Francisco, CA California (Online Only)
PTSD/Trauma
Aaron Kapin
Somatic Experiencing Practitioner, SEP, LMT
From the perspective of Somatic Experiencing, trauma isn't the thing that happened 15 years ago (or last week), it's the ongoing effects that that incident continues to have on your body.
We can work together to figure out how your body is still reacting to that incident, and work to help your body 'catch up' to the present moment. If you're safer now than you were then, there are ways we can help your body 'complete' the threat response from so long ago, and land in the comparative safety of the present moment.
I can't treat PTSD, so if you've been diagnosed with PTSD you should still work with a licensed mental health professional, even as you work with me. What I can do is support your body in turning down the volume on that threatened feeling that has been coming up since the trauma-inducing events.
11 Years Experience
Online in San Francisco, CA California (Online Only)
PTSD/Trauma
Lisa Chester-Schyman
Marriage and Family Therapist, LMFT
One of my specialities is working with trauma dn PTSD through a gentle, body-oriented approach informed by my training in Peter Levine's Somatic Experiencing program. Trauma is not just stored in the mind; it lives in the body and healing often begins by reconnecting with the body in safe and supported ways. I offer a compassionate space to help restore a sense of safety and wholeness at your own pace and in your own time.
8 Years Experience
Online in San Francisco, CA California (Online Only)
PTSD/Trauma
Marcelle Little
Marriage and Family Therapist, MPH, MA
My belief is that we all have experienced some sort of trauma whether it is chronic or acute. The vicious cycle of repeating the same experience over and over again, whether in the mind or physically, is exhausting, not to mention harmful. Through a trauma-informed approach, we take it slow to activate the parasympathetic nervous system, our calm state, to change the chemistry in our mind and body, learning self-regulating techniques to eventually integrate the experience.
9 Years Experience
In-Person in San Francisco, CA
Online in San Francisco, CA California
PTSD/Trauma
Brooke Taylor
Pre-Licensed Professional, MA, AMFT
Trauma can leave deep emotional scars, affecting how we see ourselves, others, and the world around us. Whether it’s the impact of past abuse, a difficult childhood, or a life-changing event, unresolved trauma can shape your thoughts, behaviors, and relationships in ways that feel hard to overcome. In our work together, I’ll provide a safe, supportive space to explore and heal from your past experiences. Through trauma-informed techniques, we’ll address the emotional and physical effects of trauma, helping you process, release, and rebuild. My goal is to empower you to reclaim your strength, build healthier coping strategies, and move toward a life of healing, peace, and resilience. You don’t have to carry the weight of trauma alone—healing is possible, and you deserve to feel whole again.
5 Years Experience
Online in San Francisco, CA California (Online Only)
PTSD/Trauma
San Francisco Counseling Collective
Licensed Professional Counselor, LPCC, LMFT, LCSW
At San Francisco Counseling Collective ("SFCC"), trauma-informed therapy focuses on safety, stabilization, and gradual processing of traumatic experiences. We use evidence-based methods to reduce reactivity, strengthen regulation, and foster post-traumatic growth at a pace guided by the client.
9 Years Experience
In-Person in San Francisco, CA 94114
Online in San Francisco, CA California
PTSD/Trauma
Abigail (Abi) Zarate Ramsay
Pre-Licensed Professional, Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee, Professional Clinical Counselor Trainee
I support survivors of trauma and PTSD with a trauma informed, paced approach that centers safety, nervous system regulation, and meaning-making, without pushing you to share more than you are ready for.
0 Years Experience
Online in San Francisco, CA California (Online Only)
PTSD/Trauma
Tandra Froehlich Childress
Marriage and Family Therapist, ATR, LMFT
Trauma and PTSD can occur from an array of distressing situations. I treat trauma and PTSD using EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing). This psychotherapeutic process aids in healing by unblocking negative beliefs and restoring positive adaptive beliefs.
10 Years Experience
In-Person in San Francisco, CA 94131
Online in San Francisco, CA California
PTSD/Trauma
Shohreh Schmuecker
Marriage and Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Experiencing trauma can have a lasting impact on your emotional and physical well-being. Symptoms of PTSD, as outlined in the DSM-5-TR, may include intrusive memories or flashbacks, avoidance of reminders, negative changes in thoughts and mood, and heightened arousal such as irritability, difficulty sleeping, or being easily startled. These symptoms can disrupt your daily life and relationships. You don’t have to face these challenges alone.
As a skilled psychotherapist, I provide a safe and supportive environment to help you process traumatic experiences at your own pace. Together, we can work on strategies to reduce symptoms, build resilience, and restore a sense of safety and calm in your life.
If you are ready to begin addressing the effects of trauma, I invite you to reach out. Compassionate support is available to guide you toward greater peace and stability.
12 Years Experience
Online in San Francisco, CA California (Online Only)
PTSD/Trauma
Dr. Shawn V Giammattei
Psychologist, PhD
Many of our clients also struggle with trauma and PTSD, especially as a result of the minority stress experienced and their many intersections of minorities identities. We use several modalities including DBT, EMDR, IFS to help heal the reactions to harmful events and experiences.
17 Years Experience
In-Person in San Francisco, CA 94116
Online in San Francisco, CA California
PTSD/Trauma
Susanna La
Psychologist, Ph.D.
Our traumas not only impact our internal experiences of distress but also our relationships, our work, and overall quality of life. It can be difficult to differentiate between your own survival mechanisms and the coping strategies you inherited. To prevent passing on your trauma responses to the next generation, you can unlearn what is no longer serving you while also learning new skills.
13 Years Experience
Online in San Francisco, CA California (Online Only)
PTSD/Trauma
Susana Scotti, Journey Psychotherapy
Psychologist, PhD
I offer specialized trauma therapy for individuals experiencing the effects of past trauma, including PTSD, complex trauma, and chronic stress. Trauma and PTSD can leave you feeling stuck in the past, overwhelmed by intrusive memories, or constantly on edge. You may experience flashbacks, nightmares, avoidance, or a persistent sense of fear, disconnection, or emotional numbness. These reactions are your mind and body’s way of trying to cope with overwhelming experiences. As a clinical psychologist, I provide a safe, supportive space to process trauma at a pace that feels manageable. My approach is trauma-informed and grounded in evidence-based treatments, helping you gently work through painful experiences while building skills to regulate emotions and feel more in control. Together, we focus on reducing distressing symptoms, restoring a sense of safety, and helping you reconnect with yourself and others. Healing from trauma is possible, and you don’t have to go through it alone.
13 Years Experience
Online in San Francisco, CA California (Online Only)
PTSD/Trauma
David Gumpert
Psychologist, PsyD
Trauma is not limited to specific big life events that are obvious to everyone. Trauma can be chronic experiences in childhood of feeling dismissed, overlooked, or of being exposed to highly chaotic environments. Trauma isn't only about events that happened in the past, but how it can shape our nervous system and cause us to not trust others. Acceptance and commitment therapy can be highly effective in developing strategies to make sense of and move forward from trauma.
5 Years Experience
Online in San Francisco, CA California (Online Only)
PTSD/Trauma
Vanessa Ffrench
Marriage and Family Therapist, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (140713), Certified Yoga & Meditation Instructor
I have a great deal of experience and training in trauma-informed therapy. Most of my work has been with trauma populations; I work with clients to identify childhood traumas, as well as current issues. I use a psychodynamic, trauma-focused lens, and weave in somatic practices to address trauma and bring in nervous system regulation.
15 Years Experience
Online in San Francisco, CA California (Online Only)
San Francisco's extreme housing costs and the psychological toll of the tech industry — characterized by intense performance pressure, rapid layoff cycles, and boom-bust uncertainty — have made burnout, anxiety, and economic grief among the most common presenting concerns. The city has a historically significant LGBTQ+ community, and affirming therapists specializing in gender identity, queer relationships, and HIV-related concerns remain an important part of the local therapy landscape. UCSF Health provides world-class institutional mental health resources, while the city's dense network of independent practitioners reflects a culture that has long embraced therapy as a normal and valued part of life. Telehealth has expanded access significantly for Bay Area residents commuting from Oakland, the East Bay, and the Peninsula.
Trauma and PTSD therapists in San Francisco, California Statistics
Trauma and PTSD therapists in San Francisco, California average 15 years of experience and charge around $205 per session. 99% offer online sessions. The top treatment approaches are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) (63%), Psychodynamic Therapy (42%), and Existential / Humanistic Therapy (36%).
Average years in practice
15 Years Experience
Average cost per session
$205
Accept insurance
38%
Offer sliding scale
52%
Gender ID
| 71% |
Female |
|
| 24% |
Male |
|
| 3% |
Non-Binary |
|
| 2% |
Gender Fluid |
|
Session Type
| 62% |
In Person and Online |
|
| 37% |
Online Only |
|
| 1% |
In Person Only |
|
Top Treatment Approaches
| 63% | Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) |
| 42% | Psychodynamic Therapy |
| 36% | Existential / Humanistic Therapy |
| 36% | Person-Centered Therapy (Rogerian) |
| 35% | Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) |
| 35% | Somatic Therapy |
| 34% | Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) |
Ages Served
| 99% | Adult |
| 61% | Young Adult |
| 52% | Teen |
| 49% | Senior |
| 27% | Children |
Client Focus
| 59% | Women |
| 43% | LGBTQ+ |
| 34% | Men |
| 24% | Hispanic / Latino |
| 23% | Black / African American |