Psychologist | San Francisco
Adults • Parents • CouplesFrom just getting through the day to actually living.
You're doing it right, so why does everything feel so hard?
On paper, your life makes sense. But it doesn't feel like living—just exhaustion that won't lift, reactions you regret, nights spent replaying what you wish had gone differently. You've been running on autopilot for months… maybe years.
The exhaustion isn't a personal failure. It's a signal. And there's a way to work with it that doesn't require you to keep white-knuckling your way through.
MY APPROACH
Insight without strategy doesn't change much—I learned that after 15 years of clinical practice. You need both the clarity to understand what's actually happening and practical tools to shift it.
I help you identify the patterns keeping you stuck, then we build specific strategies that work in real moments. Not abstract concepts you struggle to apply. Concrete tools for the hard conversation with your teenager, the spiral at 3am, the moment you're about to snap at your partner.
This work requires both precision and warmth. I bring clinical rigor with my Stanford education and PhD, but I also know that real change happens in relationships, not in a vacuum. Sometimes we need sharp insight. Sometimes we need humor. Often, we need both.
WHAT I HELP WITH
SPECIALTIESAnxiety & Depression
Parenting Support
Couples Therapy
Young Adults
Life Transitions
Career Burnout
Relationship Issues
Divorce & Separation
STEPHANIE ROONEY, PHD
I came to this work because I wanted to understand how people navigate hard chapters, and what actually helps them move forward.
After studying psychology at Stanford and earning my PhD in Counseling Psychology from UT Austin, I spent years as a Clinical Director, helping families through some of their most difficult moments. The training gave me the tools. But what really shapes how I work is that I've lived some version of what my clients face.
As a parent, I’ve also navigated marriage, divorce, and the ongoing challenge of showing up for my kid while also striving to maintain my own sense of self. I know what it's like to hold it together during the day, only to have that worry surface when you finally slow down about whether you're succeeding at all.
That combination—clinical expertise and lived experience—is what I bring to our work together.
SERVICES & RATES
INDIVIDUAL THERAPY
$300 • 50-minMove from survival mode to intentional living. We'll identify what's stuck and build strategies that work.
PARENT SUPPORT
$300 • 50-minPractical strategies to help you parent with more confidence and less guilt. Show up as the parent you want to be.
COUPLES THERAPY
$400 • 75-minFor couples feeling disconnected or stuck in painful patterns. We'll repair what's broken and rebuild security.
ADOLESCENT THERAPY
$300 • 45-minTherapy for teens struggling with depression, anxiety, or stress. Parents integrated throughout.
GET STARTED
01. Book a CallUse my appointment scheduler to pick a time that works for you.
02. We'll ChatWe'll have a free 15-minute consultation to see if we're a good fit for each other.
03. Set Your SessionIf we're a match, I'll book your intake session and send you onboarding info.
FAQ
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No, I'm an out-of-network provider. Most insurance companies offer partial reimbursement for therapy services, and I'm happy to provide the documentation you need to submit for reimbursement through your PPO, HSA, or FSA.
I recommend contacting your insurance company directly to understand your out-of-network benefits before we start.
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Most clients work with me for about 20 weeks, though some stay longer depending on their goals. My job is to help you make real progress and then get back to living—not to keep you in therapy indefinitely.
Many clients "graduate" once they're feeling better and then check in for booster sessions when life throws new challenges their way.
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We typically meet weekly, especially at the beginning when we're making active changes. As things stabilize, many clients move to every other week. The frequency depends on what you're working on and what feels most helpful.
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I practice evidence-based therapy approved by the American Psychological Association, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE), and Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFCT).
That said, therapeutic fit matters more than the specific approach. Research shows that the relationship between therapist and client is the strongest predictor of success. If we're a good match and you feel understood, that matters more than any particular technique.
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Yes. I offer both in-person sessions in San Francisco and Marin, and secure telehealth appointments for clients anywhere in California and Washington.
Many of my clients appreciate the flexibility of online therapy, especially when managing busy schedules with work and family.
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Yes. As of January 1, 2022, you have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate explaining the cost of your mental health care. For more information about your rights, visit cms.gov/medical-bill-rights.
RECENT WRITINGS
