Family Counseling Services in Portola Valley, CA.

Find a family therapist in Portola Valley, California. Effective help for relationships, blended families, family of origin and other issues.


Philip Kolba, MA LCPC NCC
Family Therapist

Philip Kolba, MA LCPC NCC

Psychotherapist

In 94040 - Nearby to Portola Valley.

Family therapy looks at the entire family system—parents, children, extended family members—to identify strengths and problematic behaviours. I collaborate with families on strategies for utilizing their own capabilities for resolving problems, and on developing effective communication and problem-solving skills for preventing conflicts. I specialize in working with families of teenagers, which is an age that can be challenging for both the teenagers and their parents.

Sara Fischer Sanford, LCSW, CCTP
Family Therapist

Sara Fischer Sanford, LCSW, CCTP

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Available for Online Therapy

I work within a family framework, but I do not treat families as part of traditional "family therapy." This means that if you are a parent and you are struggling with your child's behavior, I can help you learn techniques to manage the behavior better. I have extensive experience in working with parents of autistic children and other mental health disorders that can make parenting extremely challenging and there is no shame in asking for support. In my practice I can help with creating a parenting plan, I can help with co-parenting after divorce, and I can help with parents who are caring for their own aging relatives. We truly live in the "sandwich generation" where family can grow far.

Ross L. Kellogg, LMFT
Family Therapist

Ross L. Kellogg, LMFT

Licensed Individual, Marriage, and Family Therapist

In 95113 - Nearby to Portola Valley.

Families engaging in therapy with me will find a compassionate and strong leader who understands the profound stress that family conflicts and perpetual problems can create. My approach is centered on guiding families through their tensions and difficulties, providing a structured and supportive environment where each member feels heard and valued. By focusing on your family's unique dynamics and challenges, I facilitate open communication and collaboration, leading to practical and lasting solutions. Clients will leave with a renewed sense of connection and the tools to foster a more harmonious family life, turning seemingly insurmountable problems into opportunities for growth.

Julie Herman, MFT
Family Therapist

Julie Herman, MFT

Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist

In 95070 - Nearby to Portola Valley.

An intervention is a very supportive and loving way to get help for a family member who is struggling with addiction, an eating disorder, or other untreated mental illness. By taking part in the intervention process, your family group will better understand addiction or mental illness, gain knowledge of chemical dependency or mental health resources, and clarify your feelings and boundaries. I will work toward helping you break through the addict’s or mentally ill person’s denial and increasing his or her treatment willingness so that he or she can then immediately enter the appropriate level of treatment. Call me with any questions or to schedule an initial appointment.

Kevin Fleming, Ph.D.
Family Therapist

Kevin Fleming, Ph.D.

Coach/Change Agent/Consultant

In 94603 - Nearby to Portola Valley.

Most family therapists inadvertently create more chaos through their well-intentioned efforts to assist a family move through a change process. Why? Brains are inherently dysregulated (all of us, may I add) and most talking and dialoguing misses brain-centric problems that need more intensive help. Many times the emotional trauma created by years of solving problems ineffectively can wreak havoc on the brain's parasympathetic nervous system, not ever giving the family a break from flight or fight thinking. Contact us for an innovative neuroscience solution to family dystunction. Kevin@kevinflemingphd.com or 877-606-6161

Kimberly Koljat, LMFT, LIMFT-S, RPT-S, RDT
Family Therapist

Kimberly Koljat, LMFT, LIMFT-S, RPT-S, RDT

Licensed Independent Marriage and Family Therapist Supervisor

Available for Online Therapy

When working with children and youth, the therapist cannot ignore the family system in which the child lives. I work with parents in multiple ways to help support youth in treatment, which may include separate parent sessions, co-parenting sessions, systemic family therapy, or Filial Therapy, a play therapy practice that coaches and guides parents in special play sessions with their child to decrease unwanted behaviors, improve relationships and communication, increase the child's emotional vocabulary, and increase the child's self-esteem.

Kevin Fleming, Ph.D.
Family Therapist

Kevin Fleming, Ph.D.

Coach/Change Agent/Consultant

In 94023 - Nearby to Portola Valley.

Most family therapists inadvertently create more chaos through their well-intentioned efforts to assist a family move through a change process. Why? Brains are inherently deregulated (all of us, may I add) and most talking and dialoguing misses brain-centric problems that need more intensive help. Many times the emotional trauma created by years of solving problems ineffectively can wreak havoc on the brain's parasympathetic nervous system, not ever giving the family a break from flight or fight thinking. Contact us for an innovative neuroscience solution to family dysfunction. Kevin@kevinflemingphd.com or 877-606-6161.

Madeleine Foster, MA, AMFT, APCC
Family Therapist

Madeleine Foster, MA, AMFT, APCC

Registered Associate Professional Clinical Counselor, Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist

Available for Online Therapy

I specialize in helping families find harmony within the home. I have extensive experience working with individuals, couples, families, and children of all ages. Whether you are dealing with a family conflict, a difficult transition, or a new challenge, I am here to help. My practice focuses on providing a safe and supportive environment for all family members. I will work with you to identify the underlying causes of the conflict and develop strategies for improving family relationships. I believe that all family dynamics are unique and strive to provide each family with the attention and care they need.

Doreen Maxwell MFT and Associates Experiential Psychotherapy, MFT, CHT
Family Therapist

Doreen Maxwell MFT and Associates Experiential Psychotherapy, MFT, CHT

Marriage & Family Therapists, Certified Hakomi Psychotherapy

In 95032 - Nearby to Portola Valley.

Whether you are a new family dealing with marital issues and toddlerhood, or a blended family with teens, or a middle-aged child of an aging parent, you have the need for tools and understanding of the dynamics you are dealing with. We offer couples and families empathic support that helps sort out the conflicts and needs of each member of the family. Sometimes it may seem that one family member is the problem. What we find oftentimes, is that each one has a part to play. Simply having a skilled facilitator helps bring the difficulties into a new light of understanding. We use Non-violent Communication, art therapies, and somatic methods to support healing and resolution

Christine Dufond, MFT
Family Therapist

Christine Dufond, MFT

Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist

In 94027 - Nearby to Portola Valley.

I offer a more loving, soulful approach to Family Therapy. I will teach you how to replace stonewalling and fighting patterns with time outs, mindfulness practices, nurturing talks, and scheduled boding activites. You will learn mindfulness techniques such as how to not step into your family member's negative energy when they stoke your anger.And by the way, I have been having great results with family therapy on Zoom!

Annette Barnett, MA, AMFT 119490
Family Therapist

Annette Barnett, MA, AMFT 119490

Marriage and Family Therapist Associate

In 95112 - Nearby to Portola Valley.

Family relationships can be stressful and challenging. There may be anger, arguments, grief & loss, mental or physical illness, unresolved trauma, abuse, neglect, betrayal, financial or occupational challenges that create distress in the family system. Healthy family members have open, honest and compassionate communication. They hear, know and understand each other. They take responsibility and are accountable for their impact on each other. They show love and care through affection, attention, appreciation, being of service, spending quality time with and being there for each other. I guide you in developing the skills, qualities and habits needed to get your family to a better place!

Well Coached Life, PhD, MA, SEP
Family Therapist

Well Coached Life, PhD, MA, SEP

WELL COACHED LIFE| Individuals | Couples | Youth

In 94022 - Nearby to Portola Valley.

Let me guess. One partner feels alone and like they don't matter and the other feels they are always being criticized and can't get anything right. The more one asks for the other to show up, the more the partner disappears physically and emotionally. You both bicker and fight and the idea of sitting and just hanging out seems elusive, if not impossible. Something like this? Often we crave connection but are blocked by the pain and the history that gets in the way. Small fights about little things become battles that highlight our struggle to have our basic relational needs met. I can help you get under the bickering to the parts crying out for connection- to an enriching relationship.

Philip Starkman, MSW, RSW
Family Therapist

Philip Starkman, MSW, RSW

Registered Psychotherapist

Available for Online Therapy

Imagine a family as a tree with branches, roots, trunk representing parts of the immediate and extended family. When working with families, all elements are considered. Usually there is a request for family therapy due to one of it's members in crisis, often a child. However, when an analysis of need is done it becomes apparent that more than one member of the family needs help in adjusting, growing and learning new behaviours. Clients contact me for a variety of reasons: to improve communications, solve family problems, support in special situations such as death, divorce, marriage, illness, child or adolescent issues.

Inga Knudson, AMFT
Family Therapist

Inga Knudson, AMFT

Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist

In 95070 - Nearby to Portola Valley.

Family therapy is the navigation of multiple people and multiple nervous systems over multiple generations and in relation to each other. What comes up in you when you are with a certain someone in your family system? What is your role in your family? Adult, child? Are you authoritarian, permissive, rebellious, clingy? How do you manage and express your emotions and hopes? If you are a parent, what did you learn from your own family of origin experience? What are the family legacies, conscious and unconscious? Do you want to parent from the past or the present? What gets in the way? These are questions we ask and engage with in family therapy. Are you ready?

Blythe Thomas, AMFT
Family Therapist

Blythe Thomas, AMFT

Associate Marriage and Family Therapist

In 95070 - Nearby to Portola Valley.

Do you have issues with family members that you just can’t seem to solve? Arguments that keep happening and nothing changes? Loss of harmony and connection? My primary goal when working with families is providing a safe and supportive environment for each family member. Let’s work together to find the underlying causes for the conflict and stress. Once we find the causes, we can forge a path together to build harmony, connection, and compassion between all family members.

Monica Dyer, Psy.D(c)
Family Therapist

Monica Dyer, Psy.D(c)

Psychological Associate

Available for Online Therapy

ith a deep understanding of familial relationships and dynamics, I create a safe and inclusive space where every member feels heard and validated. By facilitating open communication and fostering empathy, I assist families in resolving conflicts, strengthening bonds, and building healthier relationships. Through evidence-based interventions tailored to the family's specific needs, such as systemic therapy and solution-focused techniques, clients can expect to experience improved understanding, enhanced connection, and greater harmony within the family system. My aim is to empower families to navigate challenges together, fostering resilience and promoting long-term well-being for all members

Janice Shapiro, LMFT
Family Therapist

Janice Shapiro, LMFT

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

In 95008 - Nearby to Portola Valley.

Family is the foundation for a happy and healthy society. Family is important! That is why each time I work with a family (and that doesn't have to be every family member), I think of myself as contributing to society in a most profound way one family at a time. Family work is challenging, too. When I work with a family, I like to have as many family members possible in session, so I can see the interactions and family dynamics. Making little changes can bring about big results.

Alice Locke-Chezar, MFT, ATR
Family Therapist

Alice Locke-Chezar, MFT, ATR

Marriage & Family Therapist, Registered Art Therapist

In 94306 - Nearby to Portola Valley.

When one person in the family is hurting the entire family is hurting. I work with stressed families to help them gain greater understanding of their difficulties, including ways to recognize maladaptive behaviors that may be getting in the way of their working together. Using a family systems approach I help the family to heal and move forward with compassion and understanding.

Jason Esswein, M.S., LMFT
Family Therapist

Jason Esswein, M.S., LMFT

Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist

In 95070 - Nearby to Portola Valley.

Family therapy can be highly effective for conflict resolution, healing relationships, and making clear agreements that work for everyone. Many families feel more connected during, as well as after, effective counseling. Family therapy is a safe place for each family member to express their views and experience without judgement. It is important to discuss the issues that "nobody talks about" and this enables each family member to be more authentic within their family as well as in other relationships (i.e., work, school, etc.).

John Kane, LMFT
Family Therapist

John Kane, LMFT

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

In 94086 - Nearby to Portola Valley.

I specialize in online parent coaching with the goal of helping you and your family have a closer more intimate relationship. After 11 years of working with children and families, I have concluded that this is the most effective way I can support families because you parents are the leaders of your home. If I can empower you through my knowledge and experience to implement some strategies at home, you can achieve your goals for your family. The support I provide will be sufficient for many families, but there are some situations that could benefit from the in-vivo coaching and direction that in person family therapy provides. Call me for a free 15 minute consultation about your needs


You Have Found the Best Family Therapy in Portola Valley, CA. Let's Get Started.

Thank you for visiting our California search of licensed family therapists in Portola Valley.  Discord due from strife, marital problems, sibling rivalry, family of origin issues and blended families (just to name a few) can strain and hurt loving relationships. Counseling with honesty and depth will get to the heart of the issues and work towards healing. Find resolution for your family in Portola Valley right now, please contact a specialist above, you can email 24/7.

Portola Valley is located in San Mateo County, California. It has a land area of 9.09 square miles and a water area of 0.00 square miles.  The population of Portola Valley is 4,594 people with 1,859 households and a median annual income of $185,234. .


Therapy Affordability Meter for Portola Valley, CA

No Financial Burden

Professional, private counseling in Portola Valley is extremely affordable for nearly everyone. This area ranks among the top of income earners for the entire nation and therfore hiring a therapist is not a financial issue for most people living here. Low cost counseling and affordable therapy are also sometimes offered by listed city and university level clinics, check with your local Portola Valley public health department.