About
my therapeutic approach
As a San Francisco therapist, my therapeutic orientation is informed by an appreciation of the integral relationship between the mind, body, spirit and emotions. I am passionate about my work, which has been influenced by foreign travel, the study of Fine Art, Buddhist philosophy, mindfulness meditation and the practice of self-compassion.
Using visualization, metaphor, personal narrative, and dream imagery in psychotherapy sessions, I work with clients in San Francisco and online to illuminate unconsciously held beliefs and gently challenge those that no longer serve. I am gratified to support you to question your assumptions, frame your experiences in new ways and arrive at all together new meanings.
In my individual therapy practice, I find the process of transformation itself truly compelling. It’s an amazing feeling to help you move away from outmoded beliefs, identifications and patterns of behavior that create suffering. I’m gratified to help you integrate new ways of seeing yourself and your potential in life. It is a privilege to support you to transform how you think, feel and respond to yourself and others, while navigating life’s twists and turns.
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My therapeutic approach is empathic, collaborative and relational. I believe that each of us has a fundamental instinct towards wholeness and is already in possession of the answers to life’s most pressing questions. As your therapist, my goal is to help you attune to your innate wisdom and the inner voice that guides you, informing your journey towards healing.
While I specialize in providing depth therapy, I am also available to work on a shorter-term, solution-focused basis when appropriate. I find that curiosity, self-compassion and a sense of humor are helpful allies as the work unfolds. I enjoy working with people of all backgrounds, ethnicities, sexual and gender identifications. As your therapist, I am committed to sensitively and non-judgmentally guiding you on your path of growth, transformation and healing.
MY CLINICAL PHILOSOPHY
As your San Francisco therapist, my intention is to help you face life’s challenges, derive meaning from your struggles, and live a more fulfilling life.
I believe you can change how you think and feel by shining a light on the unconscious mind and challenging those beliefs which create suffering or no longer serve you.
Mindfulness practice in psychotherapy sessions can be a powerful tool for intentional choices, growth, transformation, and healing for my San Francisco clients and online therapy participants.
My intention is to support you to make positive changes in your life, while integrating new learning in ways that alleviate suffering and increase fulfillment.
I value imagination, creativity, and self-expression as deeply meaningful components of the therapeutic experience, as well as life itself.
As your San Francisco therapist, I believe the therapeutic relationship itself is a core contributor to meaningful change in psychotherapy.
“MEANINGS ARE NOT DETERMINED BY SITUATIONS, BUT WE DETERMINE OURSELVES BY THE MEANINGS WE GIVE TO SITUATIONS.”
—ALFRED ADLER
BIOGRAPHY
My story begins with earning a BA in Fine Art, with an emphasis in photography, before discovering my path as a San Francisco psychotherapist. While my Fine Art education prepared me for a life of self-expression, it yielded somewhat limited employment opportunities. The longer that time wore on, the further away I seemed to get from doing meaningful work. It was this crisis of meaning that first led me to seek out my own inner work. In my practice today, I feel honored to help guide others on their paths, with the life-transforming work of psychotherapy.
My clinical training reflects over 20 years of experience providing individual therapy and psychotherapy in community counseling centers, mental health agencies, hospitals and public schools in the San Francisco Bay Area. After receiving my MA from the Transpersonal Counseling Psychology Program at John F. Kennedy University, School of Holistic Studies, I became licensed as a Marriage and Family Therapist. I opened my psychotherapy practice in 2007, in the Cow Hollow neighborhood of San Francisco, where I practice today.
I provide psychotherapy in San Francisco and online for high-achieving professionals - doctors, nurses, lawyers, scientists, tech and financial consultants, therapists and educators, among others - who yearn for more meaning from their work and fulfillment from life. Many of the people I work with complain of having lost themselves somewhere along the way, perplexed by their heavy investment of time and energy, with such a poor yield on satisfaction. I have great empathy for this plight, as I struggled with a parallel experience on my own path.
In my practice, I continue to be passionate about exploring issues related to the creative process, whether you’re confronting your inner critic, creative block, or other challenges. As such, I have a special interest in working with artists, writers, musicians and other creatives. I find my work as a therapist deeply creative and rewarding. In my free time, I enjoy reading, listening to music, collecting art, doing photography and watching films with my partner and our two cats, Sylvester and Steve.
Professional Affiliations
What Colleagues Say
Professional endorsements
Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside thoughtful, dedicated therapists and healing professionals. Here are a few reflections from those who know my work.
“Sarita is a warm and insightful therapist. She works to understand her clients on a deep level, creating space for real healing.”
— Colleague, LMFT
“I’ve known Sarita as a colleague for almost 20 years. She brings insight, heart, and intelligence to her work. Highly recommend.”
— Professional Peer
“Sarita is someone I felt safe with from the start. She listens deeply, brings warmth, humor, wisdom, and truly meets clients where they are. A seasoned and skillful therapist.”
— Fellow Therapist
“Sarita creates a safe, non-judgmental space to explore even the most vulnerable parts of yourself. Her use of mindfulness and self-compassion is especially helpful for anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem.”
— Clinical Colleague
Let’s CoNNECT
When You’re Ready, Just Reach Out.
Whether you’re looking for a San Francisco therapist in person or online psychotherapy anywhere in California, leave me a confidential voicemail at: (415) 292-5888 or use the form below to set up a free initial telephone consultation.