Jyoti M. Rao, MA

Marriage & Family Therapist Intern
IMFT License #52419
415.820.1406
Supervised by: Brendan Collins, PhD
License #PSY 5806

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When you are already going through a difficult time in your life, finding a new therapist might seem more trouble than it is worth. Yet, most people who enter therapy quickly find that things are much easier when you have someone to talk with about what is going on--burdens become lighter when they are shared.

You might be experiencing emotional pain from something that you can identify, such as a life transition, difficulty in relationships, family problems, grief, illness, or work. Or it is possible that things have just not felt right in a while, and it is hard to put your finger on what the exact problem is, even though you know you are not as happy as you want to be. Perhaps you feel it is time for some serious self-exploration, and want help in learning more about who you really are.

Therapy can help you find your strengths, identify your vulnerabilities, and through self-exploration make the changes you want to make.

People often tell me that they feel heard, understood, and accepted by me. My clients are frequently relieved to find that I am genuinely nonjudgmental even when they tell me things that they are ashamed of or have taken great pains to hide from others. Many find that over time, I support and challenge them in moving towards directions that they have always wanted to move in. In addition, many people are surprised by the depth and emotional intimacy they experience in the therapeutic relationship, paving the way to closeness with others in their lives.

I believe that painful experiences in life are often so difficult because they are also transformative. I became a therapist because I know how easy it is to lose sight of the bigger picture when things are hard, and because I love helping people find their own path of greatest contentment.

I hold degrees in Social Welfare and Counseling Psychology from UC Berkeley and the California Institute of Integral Studies, and have spent over a decade working and volunteering in various capacities to support people during challenging times in their lives.

I offer culturally sensitive psychotherapy to people of all backgrounds, and have particular cultural competence in working with individuals of Asian descent. I have a particular interest in working with the children of immigrants, as well as with mixed-race couples and couples whose concerns include matters of difference in cultural expectations. I am happy to discuss your needs to find out if we have a good fit before beginning to work together.