Why did you become a therapist, and what motivates you to continue?

When I realized that there is more to therapy than just talking to a blank slate, I knew where my path was leading. Using artmaking, creative expression, mindfulness, and values exploration brings depth to the therapeutic process that sings to my heart and motivates me to show up for the folks who want to engage in a dynamic process of discovering and doing what works for them.

As a queer, non-binary, and neurodiverse person, I understand how it feels to navigate the normative systems in place and how powerful a dedicated, non-judgmental therapy space can be for managing emotions, exploring your inner landscape, and building up new ways of living. It's important to me to show up as an ally for my clients as they do the heavy and potentially joyful work of examining deeply-rooted patterns and rebuilding a life they feel good about. I strive to bring a warm and strengths-focused approach to all my work, and have experience supporting folks with concerns ranging from trauma to mood disorders, neurodivergence to identity exploration, and good old anxiety in hospital, university, and outpatient settings

Before I was a therapist, I was a seeker—someone moving through my own questions about pain, resilience, connection, and what it truly means to feel whole. I didn’t wake up one day with all the answers. I lived through the questions. I’ve known what it feels like to carry stories that haven’t been witnessed, to long for spaces where I could show up fully, and to crave a life where healing felt possible—not just for others, but for myself, too. These experiences didn’t break me—they shaped me. They deepened my empathy, sharpened my intuition, and gave me the fierce belief that no one is beyond healing. It’s this lived perspective that brought me to the field of clinical social work, and it’s what continues to fuel my passion for this work every single day. After earning my Master’s in Social Work and becoming a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, I dedicated my practice to working with individuals and couples navigating trauma, life transitions, identity exploration, and relationship dynamics. But I don’t see therapy as “fixing” people. That word doesn’t sit right with me—because you’re not broken. You’re surviving, adapting, coping, and often doing the very best you can with what you’ve been given. To me, therapy is a collaborative space where we explore not just what happened to you, but how it lives in your body, your relationships, your thoughts, and your sense of self. It’s not about pushing you into a mold or telling you who you should be. It’s about helping you reconnect with your truth, at your own pace, in a space where you feel safe, affirmed, and seen. Healing is never linear. It’s not quick. It’s not clean. But it is sacred. And I’m here to walk beside you—not as an expert who has it all figured out, but as a grounded, compassionate guide who will meet you exactly where you are. You deserve a space where you can bring your whole self—your pain, your joy, your questions, your contradictions—and be met with curiosity, care, and respect. That’s the space I strive to hold. You can connect with me at www.SaraSanfordTherapy.com anytime.

I specialize in trauma, including childhood abuse, complex and traumatic relationships, and the ways our minds and bodies sometimes disconnect to help us survive. If you’ve felt numb, isolated, or like you're just going through the motions, you’re not alone—and I promise there’s nothing wrong with you. My approach is warm, collaborative, and grounded in both neuroscience and deep compassion. I offer a space where you don’t have to explain everything in perfect words—where your emotions, your body, and your survival strategies are all welcome. As someone who’s walked this path myself, I know how heavy it can feel to carry pain that was never yours to begin with. Healing is possible, even if it hasn’t worked before. We’ll work gently and intentionally to untangle what’s been holding you back, so you can start to feel safe, connected, and fully yourself. You will never be judged for your choices or your experiences, but rather valued for every aspect of your individual journey. You just need to show up—I’ll meet you there, and we’ll move forward together. You can learn more about me on my website at www.SaraSanfordTherapy.com or call/text 415-870-6494.

I became a therapist because I am fascinated by human behavior and enjoy assisting others in overcoming life's challenges. Seeing the positive impact therapy can have on people's lives inspires me to continue. The ability to learn and grow in my practice keeps me engaged and passionate about my work.

Hello! I'm Dr. Kara Kornher, a passionate psychologist with over 25 years of experience in clinical psychology. My journey has led me to specialize in helping individuals and couples enhance their communication and relationships. I believe that by changing unhelpful thoughts and beliefs, and learning effective communication skills, we can foster healthier connections. Since December 2022, I've been working remotely, collaborating with clients who have private insurance or Medicare. My approach is centered on Compassionate Communication—a model designed to improve understanding and problem-solving within relationships. Previously, I served as a Psychologist and Learning Disabilities Specialist at California State University San Marcos until December 2023. There, I supported students with disabilities by providing necessary accommodations, assessments, and guidance to help them succeed academically. I hold a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) degree from an APA accredited program and completed my internship at an APA accredited site. My expertise extends to working with college students dealing with mental health challenges, ADHD, and ASD. If you're looking for support to navigate relationship challenges or improve your communication skills, I'm here to help you take those steps towards a more fulfilling life.

I became a therapist because I always saw my path as one of a healer and it was my own experience of being in therapy that made it clear that is my calling. I think what motivates me to continue is the satisfaction I get from seeing people actually grow and change. 

Welcome. I’m Dr. Gatta but if we work together please call me David. Good therapy is all about a trusting relationship. Over the course of my 13 year career I have had the privilege of working with a diverse group of people from college age students to senior citizens. My passion is helping people understand who they are, where they would like to go in life and what might be preventing those processes. From this standpoint my treatment philosophy is to address underlying causes rather than just symptoms. Doing so is the only way of achieving lasting substantive change. In order to do that I use a holistic approach, meaning I see each individual as a sum of their total life experiences together with their sociocultural contexts.  I have extensive experience working with family of origin issues, trauma, substance abuse, depression and life transitions (including grief and loss). My background is in clinical psychology where my doctoral dissertation explored dreaming as a theoretical form of thinking (cognition). I also have a background in neuroscience and the humanities . I have taught courses on trauma and recovery, addiction, grief and psychopathology. 

I've always wanted to help people. But it took me a long time to go to graduate school. I worked with Asian Americans in recovery, then case management with families impacted by HIV/AIDS. This experience led me to social work. I thought maybe I would do international social work but have since discovered that my strengths are working with individuals. I’ve worked with people to overcome their addiction, begin healing from childhood trauma, and manage their depression/anxiety. They’re the ones that motivate and inspire me to do this work.

I help people explore the self-doubt and dissatisfaction in an otherwise put together life. Your life not so put together? Or falling apart? I can help there too. I believe you already have the qualities to transform your life and your relationships. With the right perspective and support system, difficult times can transition to a stronger, more resilient you. I can provide you with a safe and nurturing environment when life feels overwhelming or challenging. I work from a strength-based and practical perspective that supports self-exploration and healing.

I have dealt with anxiety, depression, and insomnia from childhood trauma most of my life. When I returned from my deployment in 2010, I was suffering from PTSD and was met with challenge after challenge in trying to find a competent therapist who could really help me. I decided then that I wanted to be a part of the solution, and pursued a career as a mental health provider.

My pronouns are she/her/hers. No matter if it's change for the better or a challenge we never imagined having to face, it can throw everything in life out of balance. If you're here, it's because you know there's more to life than the way you feel today. You're beyond the point of just surviving day-to-day, and you're ready to tap into your purpose, turning these life changes into something you can feel in control of and ultimately grow from. I specialize in coming alongside people as they walk through the uncomfortable, messy parts of life. I bring a no-nonsense, solution-oriented approach to therapy, helping you come to a place of contentment with life as it is, not as you wish it was (or even as you deserve it to be). Because true peace comes when we come to a place of acceptance: no longer relying on external factors as the source of our happiness. ​Therapy with me is a little different than what you may have encountered in the past. A lot of mental health work these days is very "feel good", leading many to believe that being mentally well is simply being happy or un-phased by the circumstances around them. I believe you're allowed to be angry or anxious or upset when life gets messy. Therapy is simply about equipping you to process and cope with those very real emotions in a productive, healthy way.

I understand that life can be so messy. Oftentimes, we need a nonjudgmental place to share that mess. Therapy is a place where you can share, learn, and grow from the things in your life. Throughout my life, therapy has always been important. Being a counselor provides me with so much fulfillment, especially watching you grow and accomplish your goals.

I believe the therapy process is a marathon, not a sprint. Pacing and patience are key to the type of collaborative therapy I offer. In this “marathon”, I am open to discussing what tactics you want to use to create the change you want to see. As a counselor, I use myself as a vehicle for change in the therapeutic process. I bring a warm, personable, and laid-back nature to each session because I believe everyone needs a comfortable space to share their story. I push my clients in the direction of their goals, but I respect the importance of pacing and patience during the therapy “marathon”. I utilize an eclectic approach to meet you where you are. Some of these approaches include Adlerian, Person-Centered, Cognitive Behavioral and Mindfulness therapies. I have experience working with student-athletes and I know how difficult it is juggling academics, work, school, sports, and a personal life. I also enjoy working on self-esteem building. I invite not only student-athletes, but any adolescents and adults who are struggling with life's pressures. If you are looking for someone who will take the role of pushing you to meet your goals while still staying in your corner cheering you on, please feel free to reach out.

My path to counseling started when I began my own journey in healing. I started to cultivate my own passion for helping others when I began to develop compassion for myself. Through maneuvering the challenges that I've faced, and looking outside of myself at the influences around me, I was able to deeply process the neglect and trauma that I endured in my life. This is exactly why I keep going in my career -- because it allows me to be a secure, safe place, for clients from all different backgrounds and experiences.

***ACCEPTING CLIENTS*** In my practice, I have cultivated a passion for clients who are dealing with issues like emotional neglect, abuse, trauma, anxiety, and depression. I create a safe space for clients who have struggled getting “caught in the same cycle over and over again.” You might be someone who has found yourself in a relationship that questions your safety and security. When we grow accustomed to repeating patterns of neglectful or traumatic relationships, it changes the way we view ourselves, our relationships, and the world around us. I value the research behind the most successful model of couple therapy – Emotionally Focused Therapy. By creating a safe space to process difficult emotions, I work with individuals or couples who are looking to navigate emotional struggles that create further disconnect and isolation in their lives. “We can remain a mere speck of dust, resting on the edge of a windowsill, left untouched.” I learned a great deal from stepping outside of the patterns that left me dealing with emotions on my own. Taking that step to pursue counseling can be met with resistance from fear or worry. I assure you, my goal is to walk the journey with you.

The barriers to obtaining quality mental health care that I have observed throughout my career gave me the drive to provide a non-judgmental environment for people to conveniently access superior, yet affordable, psychiatric care.

I hold a dual board certification as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and Family Nurse Practitioner. I have a broad background and have served as a psychiatric care clinician in various health care settings such as outpatient, acute inpatient, group homes, and telemedicine. I am a good listener and am dedicated to finding the best treatment for every patient I care for. Your thoughts and opinions are encouraged during visits. I want you to play a part in your care and help find what works best for you!