This article addresses the different types of counseling in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Finding the Right Counseling in San Francisco

In San Francisco, there are various types of counseling services available to individuals, couples, and families. What typically distinguishes one form of therapy from another is the way in which the counselor thinks about the nature of a person's problems and the treatment approach necessary to facilitate healing and growth.

Types of Counseling in San Francisco

In the field of psychotherapy, there are three predominant kinds of counseling.

Psychodynamic

The first is the psychodynamic school. Psychodynamic counselors believe that a person may experience suffering if he or she encounters a situation in their life that activates or triggers an unresolved issue from childhood.

Humanistic

The second type of counseling that one may encounter in San Francisco is the humanistic school. Humanistic counselors believe that a person may experience suffering because of an existential crisis and/or an inability to actualize their full potential.

Cognitive-Behavioral

The third type commonly found in San Francisco is the cognitive behavioral approach. Cognitive behavioral counselors focus on the relationship between a person's thoughts and their subsequent feelings and behaviors. Cognitive behavioral therapists are less concerned about an individual's childhood experiences and more interested in repairing the counterproductive thoughts that a person experiences on a day to day basis.

While there are many types of counseling to choose from, it is helpful to understand what distinguishes one type from another. Address questions about finding the appropriate counseling services in San Francisco by This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Joshua Simmons, Psy.D, or contact me by phone at (415) 820-1554.