Business Details
44 Years
experience
Your Trusted Partner for Mental Health Therapy in SF
Founded in 1982, The Marina Counseling Center has been a cornerstone of mental health support in the Bay Area. Our mission centers on providing inclusive, affordable psychotherapy while training emerging professionals in client-centered care. With a diverse team of therapists, we offer sliding scale fees to ensure accessibility for all individuals, couples, and families. Our holistic approach integrates cultural responsiveness, somatic awareness, and evidence-based practices to address anxiety, trauma, identity exploration, and relationship challenges.As a training ground for hundreds of therapists, we combine rigorous clinical supervision with compassionate care, fostering both personal and professional growth. Our values emphasize equity, authentic embodiment, and community collaboration, creating a safe space where clients can embrace their true selves. With two San Francisco locations and virtual options, we remain committed to meeting clients where they are in their healing journey.
Services
Individual Therapy
Couples Counseling
Family Therapy
Adolescent Counseling
Trauma Recovery
Anxiety Management
Gender Identity Support
Grief Counseling
Relationship Challenges
Life Transitions Support
Details
- Year established: 1982
Highlights and features
- 40+ years of experience in mental health therapy and clinician training
- Sliding scale fees ensure accessible care for all income levels
- Diverse team of licensed therapists with specialized expertise
- Holistic approach integrating somatic, psychodynamic, and relational therapies
- Board-certified supervision ensures high-quality clinical training standards
Services
Individual Therapy
Our individual therapy sessions provide a safe, confidential space for clients to explore emotional challenges and personal growth. Therapists use evidence-based approaches tailored to each client's unique needs, whether addressing anxiety, depression, or life transitions. With both in-person and virtual options available, we make mental health care accessible to diverse individuals across California.
Couples Counseling
Specialized relationship therapy helps couples navigate communication challenges and strengthen emotional connections. Our clinicians address intimacy issues, conflict resolution, and partnership dynamics using proven therapeutic frameworks. Sessions focus on building mutual understanding and creating sustainable relationship improvements through collaborative, client-centered approaches.
Trauma Recovery
Our trauma specialists employ somatic and psychodynamic techniques to help clients process traumatic experiences safely. Therapists guide clients through evidence-based recovery methods that address both psychological and physical manifestations of trauma. The approach emphasizes creating safety, building resilience, and restoring clients' sense of agency through personalized treatment plans.
Gender Identity Support
Affirming care for gender exploration and LGBTQ+ mental health needs is provided by experienced clinicians. Services include identity exploration, navigating societal challenges, and building self-acceptance. Therapists maintain cultural competence in working with queer, trans, and non-binary clients across various life stages and relationship structures.
Adolescent Counseling
Specialized teen therapy addresses developmental challenges, anxiety, and identity formation in adolescents. Clinicians use age-appropriate techniques to build emotional regulation skills and improve family communication. The program supports teens navigating school stress, social relationships, and mental health concerns in a nonjudgmental environment.
People
Stephanie Del Chiaro
Executive Director
A bilingual LMFT born in San Francisco's Mission District, Stephanie provides culturally responsive therapy and clinical supervision. She specializes in BIPOC and LGBTQ+ experiences, offering workshops on systemic oppression in mental health care.
Laurie Dievendorf
Director of Programming
With a master's in Counseling/Psychology, Laurie offers holistic therapy focusing on emotional health intersections. She has taught empowerment workshops at Bay Area universities and specializes in creating safe spaces for authentic self-expression.
Joshua Greene
Director of Training
A licensed MFT and MCC alumni, Joshua specializes in relationship patterns and somatic therapy. He supervises clinicians, leads training programs, and maintains a private practice focused on relational safety and present-moment awareness.
Karen Chan
Associate Therapist
Specializing in Asian, BIPOC, and LGBTQ+ communities, Karen addresses anxiety, trauma, and systemic oppression. As a first-generation immigrant, she incorporates cultural humility into working with interracial couples and those exploring identity.
Gregory Wolfenden
Associate Therapist
A queer-affirming therapist, Gregory uses humanistic approaches to help clients with identity exploration and life transitions. He emphasizes collaborative relationships and trauma-informed care for diverse populations seeking self-acceptance.
Questions
Do you offer sliding scale fees for therapy sessions?
Yes, we provide sliding scale fees based on financial need to ensure mental health care accessibility for all clients.
What therapy modalities do your clinicians use?
Our therapists employ diverse approaches including psychodynamic, somatic, relational, and mindfulness-based therapies tailored to individual client needs.
Can I choose a therapist matching my identity or background?
We prioritize matching clients with therapists whose cultural competence and lived experiences align with their specific needs and identities.
Are virtual therapy sessions available?
Yes, we offer virtual sessions throughout California in addition to in-person appointments at our San Francisco locations.
What experience do your supervisors have?
Our board-certified supervisors have decades of combined experience training emerging therapists in evidence-based, culturally responsive clinical practices.
Do you provide therapy for non-traditional relationship structures?
Yes, our clinicians offer affirming care for polyamorous, queer, and non-traditional relationship dynamics with specialized expertise.
