SHANA AVERBACH, LMFT, PMH-C: Therapy for Women, Moms, & Moms-to-Be in S.F + CA
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Individual Therapy

I provide brief and long-term psychotherapy, helping clients access and move towards their best selves in a safe and nonjudgmental environment.  I welcome any who are ready to explore their experience and am especially passionate about supporting women, pregnancy and postpartum emotional health (see below), those overcoming trauma, and people who could benefit from treating themselves with more kindness and compassion. Sessions are typically once per week and last 50 minutes. Babies in arms welcome! Areas of concern that we might work on include:
  • feelings of sadness, worry, "stuckness," stress, and/or general unease that are lasting longer than you would like, and are disruptive of the daily life you would like to be living.
  • current or impending life transitions (such as changing jobs, having a child, ending relationships, starting school, etc.).
  • current or anticipated grief or loss.
  • critical or negative feelings about yourself.
  • relationship issues.
  • past trauma impacting present life.

Pregnancy + Postpartum Support

It is my sincere joy to support women as they become mothers. I am trained and experienced to provide therapy and supportive counseling whether you are working through the adjustment of becoming a mom or experiencing a perinatal mood or anxiety disorder - including processing trauma related to the birth experience or the path toward motherhood, which may include loss or other unexpected occurrences.. Babies in arms, welcome. Feeding your baby in whichever way you do welcome. Diaper blowouts welcome. 

But before this there's pregnancy, which often comes with an increased sensitivity that avails you to thoughts, feelings, and sensations you aren't aware of during other times in your life (or magnifies those ones you try to keep at bay). 
This can initially feel overwhelming, but gives you the unique opportunity to greet your experience with compassion and tap into your internal and external resources - those same ones  you may call upon through your journey as a parent. Therapy or supportive counseling during pregnancy may be helpful to you if 
  • You are only thinking/worrying/ruminating about pregnancy OR doing everything in your power not to.
  • You have risk factors for a perinatal mood or anxiety disorder (PMAD)
  • You have been pregnant/had a baby before and you have some lingering feelings of disappointment or disempowerment by the experience
  • Your difficulty focusing is getting in the way of your "to do" list and you think accountability will help
  • You like the idea of establishing trust with a professional who can be part of the support team postpartum IF needed (spoiler alert: counseling can be a protective factor for PMADS).
  • You are a human woman who has a hunch that it may be helpful to access more support during one of the most life-altering times in your life.

EMDR

EMDR is a powerful tool used in conjunction with talk therapy to process through difficult experiences that may be overwhelming your system. It involves processing experiences in a specific way while engaging both sides of the body (and therefore brain), so the way you hold the difficult experiences changes.  It has been studied most extensively in the treatment of trauma, but can be used also to address:
  • anxieties, fears, and sadness
  • cultivation of positive images and internal resources
  • enhancing performance or not holding yourself back

Clinical Consultation, Clinical Supervision, and Training

Consultation: I am available to provide consultation to therapists seeking assistance with a specific case and/or building a sound and solid private practice. Areas of focus include women's and perinatal mental health, depression, anxiety, and trauma. Please note, I cannot provide EMDR consultation. Frequency of meeting is determined on a case-to-case basis, 

Supervision: Using the same grounded and strength-based approach as I do as a therapist and consultant, I offer clinical supervision to unlicensed clinicians - interns and trainees. Particular areas of supervision interest include women's and perinatal mental health.

Training: Please inquire if your organization is looking for training or professional development. Past presentations include Self-Care for counselors-in-training, Coping with vicarious trauma and burnout, and Crisis 101.
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    Ready to connect? Call 415-963-3546 for a free 20-minute consultation, email contact@shanaaverbach.com, or fill out the form below and I will get back to you within 1 - 2 business days. (Please note, I am not in network with any insurance companies)

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