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“Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of overcoming it.”
— Helen Keller
Renee Dean
Psychotherapy, LMFT
I am a licensed MFT psychotherapist practicing in San Francisco
I’ve created this site to give you a sense of who I am and how I work
tell me more

INTRODUCTION

There are times in life when change is necessary but can feel very difficult to attain on one's own. Sometimes this can lead to the painful sense of feeling stuck and alone. Experiencing the presence, attention, support, empathy and skilled insight that a therapeutic relationship is uniquely set up to provide can make all the difference. Should we choose to begin therapy together, we can begin to explore your particular situation, gaining a deeper understanding and forging a way through what troubles you towards new potentials and change in your life and in your experience of self and others. I will keep your goals and your uniqueness in mind and create with you a collaborative relationship that helps you address the issues that brought you to therapy and begin to create the change you seek. There is no need to go it alone. Finding a therapeutic relationship that is the right fit for you can make all the difference.

About My Practice

I offer individual therapy for adults. I also provide clinical supervision for prelicensed clinicians. My practice is general and I enjoy working with a wide range of issues and people. However, I have particular experience working with:
  • Working through trauma, either from the past or the present
  • Managing life transitions and identity shifts
  • Working through depression and anxiety
  • Dealing with grief and loss
  • Relationships, gender and sexual identity
  • Divorce and separations
  • Parenting issues, including step-parenting, pregnancy and postpartum issues, blended families and the transition to new parenthood
  • Self esteem issues
  • Creating a stronger sense of self and a deeper engagement in your own life
  • Letting go of stale patterns in favor of beginning to live more creatively and authentically
If you don't see your own particular needs on this list I invite you to contact me. I may still be able to help or connect you with another therapist who would be a better fit.

MY APPROACH

I have been described as warm, interactive and down-to-earth in my therapeutic style. While I am eclectic in my work, I practice from a psychodynamic perspective, meaning in part that I pay attention to the healing power of the therapeutic relationship itself. It also means I pay close attention to your thoughts, feelings and thought processes to read 'between the lines' and discover along with you possible unconscious patterns which may be impacting your life more than you realize. I don't believe in a 'one size fits all approach' and tailor my approach to each individual, striving to provide gentleness when it is needed, supportive challenges when that is what is most helpful. I love my work and see therapy in many ways as a creative, collaborative process. I know that it can take courage to begin. I hold deep respect for the people who come to see me and the therapeutic process itself.

About Me

I am a licensed MFT in California. My license number is 53875.
Prior to beginning my private practice, I have eight years of experience working in various outpatient therapy and mental health programs in San Francisco, including RAMS and Westside Community Services. I have a master's degree in psychology from the California Institute of Integral Studies and a bachelor's degree in literature and music from Portland State University.

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Fees

Sessions are 50 minutes. Please contact me for fee information.I can take Aetna, Cigna, Optum and United Healthcare insurance plans. I do offer sliding-scale fees during certain hours.

Renee Dean

Phone
415-724-1142

Email
reneedeantherapy@gmail.com

Office Location
Currently, I am offering video or phone sessions only.