

Find affirming mental health support in San Francisco with 2,460 licensed providers who understand LGBTQIA+ experiences. Access therapy virtually or in-person, with many sessions covered by insurance at reduced costs.
Hi there, my name is Jose Carranza, LFMT, maneuvering through life and work with thoughtful intention and an open heart. I have approximately a decade of experience working in the mental health field and about 5 years practicing as a therapist. I'm certified in Trauma-Focused CBT and have lengthy experience working with mood, behavioral, and developmental disorders.
I'm Saby Kirpal, a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner dedicated to providing comprehensive mental health care. I hold Master's degrees from Chamberlain University and Walden University, graduating with Presidential Honors, reflecting my commitment to clinical excellence. My diverse professional background spans inpatient psychiatric hospitals, residential treatment centers, and outpatient clinics, giving me insight into mental health treatment at every level of care. I specialize in treating depression, anxiety, autism spectrum disorders, eating disorders, and substance use disorders across age groups. My experience includes working with children as young as eight through adults in crisis stabilization, residential treatment, and ongoing medication management.
What makes my practice unique is the integration of my nursing background with psychiatric expertise. I understand how physical health, medications, lifestyle factors, and mental health interconnect. Being trilingual in English, Hindi, and Punjabi, with conversational Spanish, allows me to serve diverse communities and appreciate how culture shapes mental health experiences.
I've worked from UCSF Health to community clinics, teaching me that excellent care isn't about the setting—it's about the relationship. Whether you're seeking help for the first time, between providers, or managing ongoing conditions, I'm here to partner with you. My approach centers on listening first, explaining clearly, and making decisions together. Mental health treatment should never feel like something done to you, but rather something we navigate together. I'm committed to creating a space where you feel respected, understood, and genuinely supported.
Welcome! I am currently accepting client and I specialize in working with LGBTQ+ adolescents and young adults, providing affirming care through a solution‐focused and client‐centered approach. I utilize Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help clients identify and challenge unhelpful thought patterns, supporting effective and meaningful change. I also incorporate Narrative Therapy and Trauma‐Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to address trauma and promote healing when appropriate.
Reaching out for support can feel overwhelming, especially when you are navigating the challenges you are facing. Many of my clients come to therapy wanting a space where they feel safe, accepted, and truly understood. I strive to provide this so we can work collaboratively to move toward greater clarity, resilience, and well‐being.
I specialize in supporting people who feel overwhelmed by anxiety, depression, stress, ADHD, trauma, life transitions and much more. I have extensive experience working with high acuity teens, and I also work with adults of all ages who are navigating imbalance, self-acceptance uncertainty, or emotional overload. I support parents who need guidance in understanding their child’s needs or simply a calm place to process their own feelings. No matter your age or background, if you are struggling to find balance and peace in life, I am here to help.
My approach begins with the belief that life poses great challenges for all of us. Through these challenges, we develop adaptive patterns that may help us survive but can also bring disharmony. I aim to help you bring awareness to these patterns, loosen their grip, and reshape them so you can find greater balance and harmony in your relationship with yourself, others, and the world.
My experience includes working extensively with individuals facing chronic and severe mental illness in both inpatient and outpatient settings. I also serve as a professor, educating future healthcare professionals on the importance of compassionate, evidence-based mental health care.
I’m grateful to have a career that allows me to be authentically myself and spend my days talking deeply about things that matter. I love working with motivated, bright people who know they have a lot to offer, but feel a bit blocked. I find great joy in helping people unblock to find ease and authenticity in their own lives.


Headway makes it easier to connect with affirming therapists who understand your identity — from finding the right therapist, to understanding costs, to scheduling with ease.
Looking for LGBTQIA therapists in San Francisco starts with finding care that is identity-affirming and aligned with your needs. Many people search for support related to identity, relationships, family conflict, anxiety, depression, or life changes. As you compare therapists, look for profiles that mention LGBTQIA+ affirming therapy, affirmative therapy, gender-diverse experience, or World Professional Association for Transgender Health training. This can help you find someone with relevant experience, not just general familiarity.
San Francisco has many therapists across neighborhoods like the Castro, Mission, SoMa, and the Richmond, which can make it harder to narrow your options. In-person care may work well if you want an office near work, home, or public transit. Virtual sessions can expand your search across California, especially if you want a therapist with specific experience in bisexual therapy, lesbian therapy, LGBTQIA+ couples therapy, or gender-affirming support. Read therapist bios before booking to see how they describe their approach, who they work with, and whether they offer a free phone consultation.
Therapy in San Francisco can be a significant investment without insurance. Using in-network insurance is one of the most reliable ways to reduce session costs and make ongoing care easier to plan for. Headway helps you search for LGBTQIA+ therapists who are accepting new patients, compare availability, review detailed profiles, and see your estimated out-of-pocket cost before booking. You can browse therapists, check fit, and book directly when you’re ready.
If you're experiencing or worried about violence, threats, or coercion in your relationship, couples therapy isn't usually the right starting point — individual support is safer. The National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-7233, or text START to 88788\) can help you think through next steps.
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