Mental Health Therapy in Palo Alto

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Therapists in Palo Alto

Christopher Lum

California, California - Clinical Social Worker/therapist
Online

I grew up navigating the space between cultures—balancing the desire to fit in with my peers while honoring the Chinese roots my family cherished. Those early experiences taught me how complex identity, belonging, and cultural expectations can feel, especially for those who move between multiple worlds. That understanding eventually led me to AAPI Studies and psychology, where I discovered my passion for supporting Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities. Throughout my training, I sought out opportunities to work directly with AAPI individuals and other marginalized groups. I volunteered with AADAP on community health initiatives, supported research on AAPI depression and perfectionism, and taught CBT-based social skills to veterans with dual diagnoses. Hearing a Hmong social worker speak about the power of multilevel social interventions was the moment I realized social work was where I belonged. After earning my MSW, I worked with veterans experiencing homelessness and with individuals in psychiatric inpatient settings. Today, I serve as a medical social worker in emergency and outpatient settings at the VA and Kaiser. Much of my work has involved supporting geriatric clients through dialysis, end-of-life issues, caregiving challenges, and placement decisions. In recent years, I’ve felt called to reconnect with my roots by creating healing spaces for BIPOC and AAPI communities. My own healing journey has shaped my approach as well. Through mindfulness and loving-kindness practices, I learned to soften the inner critical voice that so many of us carry—especially in communities where perfectionism, pressure, and family expectations can feel ever-present. I also bring lived experience: navigating mental health challenges, AAPI sexuality/gender expectations/conflicts, speech therapy in childhood, addiction, depression, social anxiety, and the pressure of not fitting the “model minority” image. These experiences deepen my belief that therapy should be a compassionate, culturally attuned space where clients feel seen, understood, and supported. Today, I am committed to holding space for AAPI and BIPOC individuals as they explore identity, generational differences, trauma, and healing. I believe there are many different cultural masks that one is wearing at a time that shapes the roles and expectations of what it means to be one's self in the moment. My approach is grounded in mindfulness, self compassion, CBT, ACT and cultural humility—and in the belief that every person has the capacity to grow with the right support.

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Elizabeth Lee

California, California - Marriage And Family Therapist
Online

Elizabeth Johnson Lee MA, LMFT Hi, I’m Liz. Are you feeling anxious, depressed, and angry or having trouble in your relationships? I’m here to help! I’m a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, and my area of expertise is in helping people develop a better relationship with themselves and with the world. I provide encouragement, support and validation with a nonjudgmental and accepting, empathetic and compassionate style, with an emphasis on what’s needed most to help you. I am good at seeing patterns in people’s lives and in bringing them to their awareness so that they can learn from them. Some patterns you may want to change, but others may be hidden strengths, talents and other assets that you can use to empower yourself and improve your life. I also use paradoxical approaches to help you flip weaknesses and painful experiences into strengths and benefits. I am experienced in teaching communication skills to help you improve your relationships in all areas of your life. By combining an exploration of your past relationships with a focus on the here-and-now, I can guide you in seeing how the past has affected you and how you can make changes in the present to transform your life. I received my Masters degree in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University in 1988 and my Marriage and Family Therapist license in 1998. I have worked with survivors of rape, incest, domestic abuse and other traumas, family problems, relationship issues, parenting issues, grief and loss, addiction, LGBTQ+ issues, anxiety, depression, suicidality, psychosis, personality disorders, inter-faith spiritual issues and more. I use an eclectic style to tailor my approach to the needs of each client. I also use a whole-person approach to address the person from a mind, body, and spirit perspective. I look forward to working with you. Let’s get started! Specialties: Anxiety Depression Suicidal thinking Sexual assault Trauma Domestic abuse Addiction Communication skills Relationship issues Years of experience 22

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Mottsin Thomas

Palo Alto, California - Psychiatrist
Online

Dr. Mottsin Thomas is a board certified psychiatrist in Palo Alto, California providing accessible mental health care through online telepsychiatry for adults and seniors. Affiliated with Bonmente, a technology forward psychiatric practice, Dr. Thomas offers comprehensive psychiatric evaluations, medication management and therapy informed treatment for a wide range of concerns including anxiety and depression, ADHD and OCD, bipolar disorder and trauma. With a commitment to LGBTQ+ affirming care and evidence based approaches, Dr. Thomas creates personalized treatment plans that support lasting mental wellness. Psychiatric Services New clients begin with a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation conducted via secure telepsychiatry allowing Dr. Thomas to understand each person's unique history, symptoms and goals. Sessions are tailored to provide a supportive, collaborative space for ongoing medication management and therapeutic support. Dr. Thomas integrates multiple evidence based modalities including cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing and trauma focused approaches, to address conditions such as ADHD and anxiety disorders, depression and co-occurring substance use concerns. Treatment combines psychiatric expertise with therapeutic techniques to help clients manage symptoms, improve daily functioning and work toward meaningful recovery. Quick Facts Location: Palo Alto, California with telepsychiatry available throughout California Florida, Arizona and Washington Services offered: Psychiatric evaluations and medication management, individual therapy and couples counseling Who Dr. Thomas treats: Adults and seniors, with LGBTQ+ affirming care Approach: Integrative and evidence based utilizing CBT and ACT, motivational interviewing and psychodynamic therapy Payment options: Accepts most major insurance including Aetna, Anthem and Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Cigna and Medicare, TRICARE and UnitedHealthcare; also offers out of network billing with superbills Format: Secure online telepsychiatry sessions only How to Get Started To schedule a consultation with Dr. Thomas in Palo Alto, you can reach out through Bonmente's online platform to discuss your goals, insurance coverage, and availability. The intake team can answer questions about the evaluation process and help determine if telepsychiatry is the right fit for your needs.

Free Mental Health Resources in California

Connection to local resources and free crisis counseling services for people affected by a disaster, free crisis counseling service providers, and self-help disaster-related educational materials.
Phone warmline line offering non-emergency emotional support for adults with disabilities who are age 60 or older and their caregivers. Languages spoken include English, Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, Vietnamese, Tagalog, and Korean. Call 1-888-670-1360.
Provide Services for
Men Women Seniors
Provides free coaching for children ages 0-12 and their parents for help with social skills, emotional regulation, sleep problems, stress, or other behavioral health issues. Access services via video sessions, phone chat, or through educational materials. A phone app is also available. Register on the website.
Provide Services for
Teens & Students
This agency’s website provides a Mental Health Resources for Youth section with links to numerous supportive organizations specializing in services for young adults and teens including organizations focusing on LGBTQ or trans youth, youth involved in foster care, and youth impacted by crime. Also includes family and school resources.
Provide Services for
Teens & Students LGBTQ Disability
The California Department of Health Care Services website provides an opioid response section where information and links to programs related to opioid-related substance abuse treatments can be found. Programs include harm reduction, overdose prevention, MAT treatment programs, and access to the free California Atlas Treatment Locator directory.
Provide Services for
Depression PTSD Substance Abuse
A free phone app for Gen Z kids ages 13 to 18 to offer support for personal and peer-related emotional issues, social issues, stress, and coping with life difficulties. Download phone app or printed materials online.
Provide Services for
Teens & Students BIPOC LGBTQ
Provides free, 45 to 60 minute online educational webinars on topics of mental health and emotional wellness for teens, parents, and caregivers. Also works with schools and school counselors to provide in-school programs. Access program information and training modules on the website.
Provide Services for
Teens & Students BIPOC LGBTQ
Website offers links to evidence-based educational information in written format and in short video clips. A Q&A section, references, and feedback sections are included. Controversial topics, including pornography and sexting, gender-variant information, and encounters with the criminal justice system, are discussed candidly.
Provide Services for
Teens & Students BIPOC LGBTQ Depression Substance Abuse
Online database links to therapists by name or zip code. Users can also search according to criteria of choice by selecting checkboxes. Options to choose from include therapist’s ethnicity, services offered, treatment styles, ages served, languages offered, methods of treatment, issues to be discussed, and insurances accepted.
Offers a search link to find behavioral health and substance abuse services, as well as medical care and food assistance by zip code in California. A state map with search icons also links to facilities, providing contact information and information on services offered.
Website from the Office of the Dean of Students at the University of San Francisco provides links to free or low-cost counseling providers, such as medical centers, community centers, and others. Specialty providers including marital counselors, LGBTQIA-focused counselors, and Christian counseling centers are on the list.
Provide Services for
Teens & Students BIPOC LGBTQ Men Women
A database of mental health resources is included on this NAMI website. You can search by category of services provided or mental health diagnosis. Contact information including name, address, and phone number of each facility is provided, as well as email address and website. Searches by provider name are also available.
Suicide prevention services including a Suicide Response Team, free follow-up services for patients who survive suicide attempts, and a free phone crisis line, available by dialing 988 or by using the online link. Free or low-cost assessment and mental health services are available to low-income individuals.
Provide Services for
Teens & Students Men Women Veterans First Responders Depression Anxiety Substance Abuse
Counseling services focused on women and trauma offering individual, group, family, marital, and substance abuse counseling. In-person and low-cost online video counseling sessions are available. An equine/horse therapy program is also available as an alternative to talk therapy.
Provide Services for
Depression PTSD Anxiety Grief Substance Abuse
Along with counseling services, links to emergency and non-emergency hotlines, and housing support, THMA connects adults and youth with mental illness and their families to counseling and support services that are available by phone or in-person. Call 805-540-6571 for details and intake.
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