Palo Alto, California Therapists

Find a therapist in Palo Alto, California that meets your needs. Browse our comprehensive list of affordable and licensed therapists in Palo Alto to find a professional specializing in counseling people with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship issues, grief and more.

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Teletherapy for Clients In:

California

My name is Angela Grau and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. My practice is centered around the idea that the most important relationship we have is with ourselves. It is crucial that we explore this relationship with authenticity, curiosity...
In-Person Sessions:

Berkeley, California

Teletherapy for Clients In:

California

I realized early on that the world isn’t “made” for any one of us. We each have to create our own way of thinking and getting things done. And it is with pride and joy that I have helped countless clients do just that for well over two...
Deborah Simmons
LMFT, PhD
In-Person Sessions:

Burlingame, California

Primrose Healing and Wellness is a center that takes a very holistic approach to healing. It is a center staffed with trained and experienced professionals who share a common belief that every individual is unique and treatment for every person...
In-Person Sessions:

San Francisco, California

You probably just want to feel better but the path of getting there can be complicated, otherwise you'd feel better already. If only the course was clearer.  Beginning a therapy can be a bit like choosing the "red pill." If you're afraid of the...
In-Person Sessions:

Oakland, California

Hello! I am a queer artist, activist and therapist. I believe deeply in healing, and my practice as a therapist is one way I use my own healing journey to inform and create space for others to explore theirs. Therapy with me will focus on continuing...
Dr. Angela Krumm
PhD, Psychologist
Teletherapy for Clients In:

California

Are you interested in setting specific goals and learning tools to improve your life? I am trained in a model of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) developed by David Burns, M.D. My counseling style is compassionate, but also directive and active. I...
Susan Cohn
LMFC, LCSW
In-Person Sessions:

Cupertino, California

The foundation of my approach is strategic therapy, which honors the uniqueness of each individual and their particular concerns. This approach emphasizes the resolution of problems in  a manner that is both individualized and practical I have been...
Kathleen Stutz
MA, LMFT
In-Person Sessions:

Fairfield, California

I work with a wide range of emotional and behavioral issues providing services that span from therapy for depression, anxiety, and grief counseling to parenting support, couples counseling and beyond. I provide services to individuals, families,...
In-Person Sessions:

Pleasanton, California

Teletherapy for Clients In:

California

Megan received her a Master of Science degree in Marriage and Family Counseling from Sacramento State University, Ca. and is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She brings ten years of experience working with individuals and families of...
In-Person Sessions:

Palo Alto, California

I have worked as a therapist for over 20 years. My work is primarily with couples, however, I also do a great deal of work with individuals and families. I know that for most people, making the decision to see a therapist isn’t an easy one. I hope...
In-Person Sessions:

San Francisco, California

Teletherapy for Clients In:

California

Stacie Daniels is a licensed doctor (MD) providing Emotional Support Animal Letters for qualified patients. Her practice is open 7 days a week from 11 am to 7 pm. Same day ESA letters can be obtained from EzCare Medical Clinic. Visit us in-person or...
In-Person Sessions:

San Francisco, California

Teletherapy for Clients In:

California

My greatest passion is bringing healing to people who have been through traumatic/stressful experiences. I have helped clients that includes children, adults and families to help them find that health perception of themselves and strength in their...
In-Person Sessions:

Brentwood, California

Kristin M. Palmer is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist specializing in Emotionally Focused Therapy for individuals, couples and familys.  As a graduate of Phillips Graduate Institute, and with over 15 years experience, she...
Ben Schultz
LMFT, MA
Teletherapy for Clients In:

California

I believe everyone is the expert on their own life. Considering no one has actually lived one second as you, the simple truth that you know more about you than anyone possibly could is something I value. This means I don't pretend I am your expert -...
Marcella Cox
LMFT, MS
Teletherapy for Clients In:

California

Marcella Cox is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist specializing in treating eating disorders in the San Francisco Bay Area and is the Founder and Clinical Director of Kindful Body. Kindful Body provides in-person and online counseling in...
David Kest
LMFT, MA
In-Person Sessions:

San Francisco, California

Teletherapy for Clients In:

California

Hello there. I welcome you to my practice learning relationship skills and emotional intelligence. Through dialogue skills , mindfulness and somatic awareness we can all improve our Emotional Connections with others and feel more comfortable within...
Teletherapy for Clients In:

California

From acceptance of the present moment, psychotherapy is a step into the unknown. For a moment, you forget what you thought you knew about yourself, life and the world, and see what emerges. The role of the therapist is that of a companion,...
Teletherapy for Clients In:

California

Asya is a mindfulness-based therapist specializing in guiding individuals and families through the ups and downs of parenting, the challenges of relationships, and life transitions. Asya's approach to psychotherapy is based on kindness, compassion,...
Patty Shirley
LMFT, LPCC 15, MA
In-Person Sessions:

Danville, California

Teletherapy for Clients In:

California

Patty Shirley - East Bay Christian Counseling Feeling worried, anxious, sad, angry or frustrated? Having relationship and communication issues? I am a LMFT and a Registered Addiction Specialist. Areas of treatment include substance / alcohol /pill...
In-Person Sessions:

San Francisco, California

With adults and adolescents, I find my approach to focus on empathetic, nonjudgmental listening. Therapy, at its best, is a conversation where we can work together to better understand what you need, who you are, and what has happened in your life...
In-Person Sessions:

Santa Cruz, California

Teletherapy for Clients In:

California

Shine a Light Counseling Center offers quality psychotherapy to adults, children, teens, couples and families. We accept payment on a sliding scale and through Medi-Cal insurance. Director, Tim Hartnett, LMFT, supervises our diverse staff. We can...
In-Person Sessions:

Oakland, California

Teletherapy for Clients In:

California

Are you trying to make a change or dealing with an inevitable turning point in life? My specialty is helping people work through stress, depression, relationship problems, work issues, and life transitions. Most clients who come to me find...
Teletherapy for Clients In:

California

My name is Sebastian Earl and I am a licensed psychotherapist (license # MFT 40124). I work with individuals, couples and families. I aim to provide an opportunity for people to grow and heal, in a safe, supportive, non-judgmental and nurturing...
Annia Raysberg
BA Psych, MA Psych, LMFT
In-Person Sessions:

Oakland, California

Teletherapy for Clients In:

California

I am a licensed Psychotherapist (MFC 52922) in the state of California.  I work with individuals who are 18 and over in a private practice setting.  I provide therapy over video for those who are unable to meet me at my office, on a case-by-case...

An Overview of Mental Health in Palo Alto, California

Across the United States, mental illness is creating a health crisis in all types of communities. While many demographics, such as minorities and the poor, are often disproportionately affected, mental illness can affect anyone regardless of age, race, class or gender. One example of its non-discriminatory nature is the city of Palo Alto, California.

Palo Alto at a Glance

Located in Santa Clara County, Palo Alto is an affluent community with a population of approximately 67,000 residents. Palo Alto is in the middle of Silicon Valley, a capital in the tech industry. It is home to some of the largest tech and social media companies in the world. Palo Alto itself is headquarters to a variety of large companies such as Tesla and HP. The median income for residents was over $147,000 in 2017. In contrast, the median income for the state of California was just under $72,000.

Palo Alto residents have a huge rate of higher education. This isn’t surprising considering the number of high-tech employers. Almost 30 percent of adults over the age of 25 possess a bachelor’s degree, while over 50 percent have earned a graduate degree.

Mental Health in Palo Alto

As previously mentioned, there is often concern regarding disadvantaged demographics not receiving the treatment they need for mental health. This is definitely the case in many areas of the country and is an issue that needs attention. For example, the issue of homelessness is often intertwined with the problems of mental health and substance abuse. However, mental illness is not solely a problem among the poverty-stricken. In fact, the opposite is often also true.

Youth Suicide Rate

Santa Clara County was the recent subject of an emergency epidemic investigation by the CDC regarding multiple strings of youth suicides. A “suicide cluster” refers to a group of suicides occurring within a short amount of time in a small geographical area. These generally occur a few times annually throughout the US. However, Palo Alto experienced two “clusters” within a decade – a serious cause for concern.

The CDC “Epi-Aid” report stated that between 2003 and 2015, the suicide rate for individuals aged 10 to 24 years old in Palo Alto was 14.1 per 100,000. While the larger city of San Jose (also located in Santa Clara County) had a higher count of suicides in the same age group, its rate per 100,000 was only 4.6.

Why would an affluent and successful community like Palo Alto be facing a suicide epidemic? Aside from its high income and education rates, the city also has very low unemployment and poverty rates, at 2.5 percent and 6 percent, respectively. It may be easy to think that such a community and its residents must “have it all.” In reality, there are many factors that could contribute to a mental health crisis there. Students may be facing a high level of pressure to perform well in school in order to live up to the area’s educational standard. Becoming an academic over-achiever is likely expected to be able to compete in a job market that is dominated by some of the most successful employers on earth. Stressors like these can contribute to mental illness just as easily as can financial insecurity or poor job markets.

Minorities

Another factor that often comes into play with mental health is race, and it appears that Palo Alto is no exception. Almost 55 percent of the city’s population is white, 32 percent is Asian, 7 percent is Hispanic and 1 percent is black. While each group certainly faces its own issues, the large Asian population is of particular interest in this case, because 40 percent of the “suicide cluster” victims were of Asian descent. With many parents in the area being immigrants, language and cultural barriers may complicate the acknowledgment of mental health problems.

Resources in Palo Alto

No matter your background, it is not uncommon to be affected by mental illness. Fear and stigma can make it difficult to reach out for help, but know that you are not alone. There are many others facing similar issues, and there are resources available to help you cope. The City of Palo Alto website has a list of resources for residents. Another resource you can utilize is E-Counseling. E-Counseling is an online directory designed to help you locate a mental health professional in your area who meets your personal needs. You can take the first step toward a happier, healthier you today.