Book a therapist or psychiatrist in San Mateo, CA covered by Cigna

Hello!My name is Lisa Thiel and I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of California. I have had the opportunity to work with a wide range of individuals from all backgrounds. I started my career working with children and families focusing on attachment and family relations. I currently work with individuals who struggle with depression, anxiety, addiction, and personality disorders.

I am a person-centered therapist who creates a warm, nonjudgmental space where you are seen and heard. Together we will build practical coping skills and explore your values and strengths so you can navigate life's challenges with greater clarity, confidence, and resilience

With 47 years of experience and a deep commitment to my clients' well-being, I'm dedicated to providing a supportive and effective therapeutic experience. I graduated from Chapman University with departmental honors in both Sociology and Social Work, and I hold a graduate degree in Marriage, Family, and Child Therapy. My core strengths as a therapist are sincere empathy and deep listening, which I believe are the most powerful tools for fostering growth and healing. I am dedicated to continuous learning and am trained in a variety of therapeutic approaches, allowing me to tailor my methods to each client's unique needs.

I believe therapy is a journey, one in which the client is the navigating driver. As a Licensed marriage and family therapist, I take the passenger seat and support my clients in the direction they chose to go with in their therapeutic journey. I tailor each session to meet the unique needs of my clients, drawing on empathy, respect, and transparency to create a safe and nonjudgmental environment.

I have been practicing since 2000. I have worked in many healthcare and non-profit settings both while obtaining my education and in professional roles. I have a Doctor of Psychology degree in Clinical Psychology and have successfully treated many individuals, families and adolescents.

I am an African American woman with over 32 years of experience providing social service and therapeutic support to marginalized families who have experienced trauma — from Criminal Justice involvement, Adult and Child Protection systems, to housing insecurity, intimate partner violence and substance use challenges. I also have a deep passion for working with pregnant and postpartum individuals navigating pregnancy loss, perinatal mood disorders, leading to postpartum depression and anxiety. It is also important for me to hold space for Fathers who are navigating raising children as single fathers.

My therapeutic approach creates a safe, compassionate space where we partner together to challenge unhealthy beliefs, reduce shame and guilt, and address traumatic experiences at whatever pace feels right for you.

While my work is primarily centered with the BIPOC community — African American women specifically — it is my goal that no individual ever feel alone when dealing with depression, anxiety, or trauma. Through active listening and gentle, honest dialogue, I partner with individuals to uncover what is keeping them stuck and walk through those hard places together — building trust, fostering resilience, and creating a real sense of freedom for themselves and their families.

Do you feel like something is wrong with you? Do you wish it would all just stop and go away? Is your child acting out and you don't know why or what to do? If you have had any of these thoughts, then you're in the right place! My practice is based around what happened to us, not what is wrong with us. I am here to support & guide you in processing thoughts and feelings, reflect on experiences, learn new coping skills, and figure out next steps. I will listen, teach, brainstorm, guide and help you build tools to meet your goals.

As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with a professional background in Child Welfare, I have had the opportunity to work with diverse clients across all stages of life. I am also Spanish-speaking and strive to provide a culturally supportive and inclusive environment where clients feel understood and empowered.

Meaningful change often begins when the silence of suffering becomes too heavy to carry alone. I am Andrew Levander, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with nearly 30 years of experience helping adults, adolescents, and families navigate the complexities of addiction, trauma, and the relational patterns that keep people stuck. My work has been recognized for innovation and excellence, earning the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health Service Innovations Festival Award. While my insights have been featured nationally on platforms like The Oprah Winfrey Show, The Dr. Phil Show, and Time Magazine, my focus remains on the individual person sitting across from me. I consider it a profound privilege to help my clients pause, seek understanding, and find a path toward peace.

I believe that true healing requires a clinician who is as human as they are professional. My clients often describe my demeanor as candid and high in integrity, and I strive to ensure you feel both challenged and deeply respected during our time together. I want you to feel empowered by our partnership, knowing you have a seasoned advocate who balances professional expertise with a genuine, dynamic style. When I am not in the office, I find my own sense of peace and focus through the practice of magic and the patience of fishing—hobbies that remind me of the importance of perspective and the quiet rewards of persistence.