

Find mental health support in Palo Alto across neighborhoods like Downtown, Midtown, and Professorville. Headway connects you with 8,272 licensed providers offering talk therapy and medication management, with many accepting insurance to help you save on sessions.
I am a licensed clinical social worker, with over 10 years of experience in working with adolescents and adults with major focus on anxiety and depression. I am determined to help you find a balance in your life where you can learn to prioritize your mental health. Prioritizing yourself can be hard, so congrats for taking that first step.
avigating emotional distress or long-standing conflict can feel like being fractured, but healing often begins with finding a reliable and experienced partner. I am Dr. Julie Cohen, a Clinical Psychologist with over 45 years of experience. I have spent my career helping individuals, couples, and families resolve conflict—whether it’s occurring in the living room or the workplace. I specialize in treating depression, anxiety, and stress, particularly for those who are ready to dive into their inner experience to improve how they feel about themselves and their relationships. I feel privileged to help my clients achieve their goals and improve their lives by providing the expert, seasoned care necessary to handle even the most complex challenges with precision and kindness.
I believe that the foundation of our work is a relationship of absolute trust and safety. My extensive training allows me to look at your life through a wide lens, understanding how your past experiences and upbringing shape your current personality and challenges. I encourage an honest and direct dialogue, as that is where true mutual understanding begins. When I am not working with clients, I value the perspective that comes from a long career dedicated to human behavior, often finding restoration in the very principles of balance and growth that I share in my sessions. I want my clients to feel safe and empowered during their time with me, knowing they have a safety net of four decades of clinical expertise behind them.
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with 28 years of experience in the mental health field. I earned my Master of Social Work (MSW) from the Hunter School of Social Work and have lived and practiced in California for over three decades. My professional background includes extensive work with older adults, individuals experiencing homelessness, and adults living with severe and persistent mental illness. I am known for my patient, compassionate, and attentive approach, and I strive to be fully engaged and present with every client I serve. My goal is to provide thoughtful, individualized support that helps clients feel understood and empowered in their therapeutic journey.
My style is collaborative, client-centered, positive-energy, and solution-focused. I support my clients in developing solutions based on their goals and aspirations. My ideal client is one who is willing to "go deep," to learn about aspects of personality, behavior, and character that can contribute to developing a more profound sense of joy and fulfillment. Many of my clients are searching for meaning and purpose of in their lives. Its exciting and rewarding work. On a personal level, I am warm, caring, compassionate, and non-judgmental. I read widely and draw from the fields of neurobiology, addiction medicine and positive psychology.
I love working with couples experiencing relationship distress, communication challenges, and seeking improved emotional intimacy. I specialize in working with individuals who struggle with addictions of all kinds, both substance and behavioral. I work well with individuals seeking to lower their anxiety, tackle their depression, and recover from grief and trauma.
If you are experiencing relationship issues, the aftermaths of trauma, depression, or anxiety, please reach out; you can feel better and achieve a greater degree of self-acceptance, self-esteem, and discover your purpose and meaning in life.
I have personal experience in the business world and artistic expression.
My journey into mental health began with a deep interest in the intersection of human behavior and emotional resilience.
I enjoy working with adolescents and adults going through life transitions and experiencing trauma. My current practice includes individual treatment helping adults with anxiety and depression, self-esteem/confidence, grief, trauma and life transitions! Finding a therapist with whom you connect with is important.
Over the past 14 years, I have worked in a variety of settings, including private practice, community clinics and public school settings. These experiences have shaped my belief that therapy is not a "one-size-fits-all" process, but rather a collaborative partnership built on trust and evidence-based strategies!
I hold a Master of Social Work from California State Long Beach as well as a Bachelor of Social Work from Azusa Pacific University..
I bring 14 + years of experience providing thrrapy in both private and clinical settings. My work is grounded in a client centered strengths-based approach, rooted in unconditional, positive regard and a commitment to providing a safe, non-judgmental space where client can openly share their stories.
I identify as neurodivergent and have personally and professionally navigated ADHD. This experience allows me to bring both clinical knowledge lived understanding to my work, helping clients recognize their strengths, develop effective strategies, and move toward meaningful growth and stability.
Sometimes the hardest part isn't the struggle itself. It's finding someone who will actually understand the world you're living in. I'm Pia, a psychotherapist with many years of experience working with adults and seniors through anxiety, trauma, grief, identity questions, relationship strain, and major life transitions. I work with individuals and couples from a wide range of backgrounds, including LGBTQIA+ communities, new and expecting mothers, and people from diverse cultural and ethnic origins who have sometimes found mainstream therapy less than welcoming. I listen closely, and I work hard to make sure you feel genuinely seen from the very first session.
I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist licensed in California with over 13 years of clinical experience, and I specialize in providing therapeutic support for both men and women. My mission is to provide a safe, stigma-free space where individuals feel empowered to seek mental health support and gain the tools they need to thrive. I bring a "meet you where you are" philosophy and a no-judgment zone to every session. My honesty and authenticity give me a unique way of connecting with clients — and I don't take myself too seriously. That said, we will still go deep when it matters. Taking the first step to start therapy takes courage, and I'm proud of you for getting here.
Welcome!
As a licensed Marriage Family Therapist (LMFT), I believe in prioritizing out mental health as a way to live a happy and balance life. Reaching out for help can be one of the hardest things a person can do, great job on taking that step! I’ve been practicing for 10 years, but in the field for 20 plus years. In the last 6 years I have shifted my main focus to adults 18 plus who are struggling with trauma and substance use.
I am a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and Family Nurse Practitioner with over 15 years of experience in healthcare. I work with adolescents, teenagers, and adults navigating anxiety, depression, stress, trauma, mood disorders, life transitions, and emotional burnout.
My goal is to create a safe, supportive, and judgment-free environment where clients feel heard, respected, and empowered. I understand that mental health is deeply connected to daily life, relationships, culture, and personal experiences, and I take a compassionate, whole-person approach to care.
Hello friend! My name is Caitlin and I am so proud of you for taking the first step in your healing journey.
If you’re navigating a difficult season that feels heavy, confusing, or overwhelming, you have found yourself in the right place. I work with individuals navigating grief—whether from the loss of a loved one, the end of a relationship, or a major life transition—women experiencing perinatal mental health challenges, including anxiety, overwhelm, and identity shifts and individuals seeking healing from childhood trauma and attachment wounds.
Hello and welcome! My name is Shannon Merritt and I am a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT). I am based in Southern California and offer telehealth services to clients across the state. My expertise includes supporting individuals through life transitions, managing depression and anxiety, coping with loss, and addressing various mental health challenges. I am also passionate about helping people recover from addiction and/or trauma.
What is your approach to therapy?I draw from various modalities and tailor my approach to each individual and their specific needs. I aim to create a safe and supportive environment where clients feel at ease, can build resilience, and ultimately thrive. My communication style is straightforward, calm, and approachable. I offer clear and honest feedback in order to foster clients' wellbeing while developing hope for their future.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?In our first session together, we'll start with brief introductions, then dive into the specific challenges you're facing. This will help me create a tailored plan for us to work through in follow-up sessions. Clients can expect to develop valuable insight and gain the tools needed to make meaningful changes in their lives.











Headway makes it easy to find support for your mental health — from finding the right provider, to understanding costs, to scheduling with ease.
Finding the right therapist in Palo Alto starts with getting clear on what you're looking for. Whether you're seeking support for anxiety, depression, relationship concerns, or a life transition, look for a licensed provider who specializes in your area of concern. Common credentials include LMFT, LCSW, LPCC, and psychologists — and if you're interested in medication management, a psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner may be a good fit.
Palo Alto has a large number of practicing mental health providers, which can make narrowing your options feel like a project in itself. Consider what matters most to you beyond credentials — things like therapy style, availability, whether you prefer in-person or virtual sessions, and whether a provider's approach resonates with you. Reading a provider's bio before booking can help you feel more confident about your choice.
Therapy in the Bay Area can be expensive, but using your in-network insurance benefits is one of the most reliable ways to reduce your out-of-pocket costs. On Headway, you can enter your insurance details to see estimated session costs before you book, and your out-of-pocket cost may be as low as $0 per session. Nationally, Headway partners with over 100 insurance plans. Enter your insurance details on Headway to confirm what coverage is available in Palo Alto and to see estimated session costs.
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