Individual Therapy in San Francisco Bay Area with Christina Wade, LCSW

Free 15-Minute Consultation

About the Therapist

Christina Wade, LCSW

Christina Wade is a licensed therapist specializing in addiction, substance use, and trauma-informed care for adults across California. She integrates evidence-based methods like MI, ACT, CBT, mindfulness, and somatic therapy to support meaningful, lasting change.

With extensive experience working with LGBTQ+ individuals and adults navigating major life transitions, Christina provides therapy rooted in compassion and curiosity rather than shame. Her goal is to help clients move from feeling stuck to feeling supported, capable, and empowered to make choices that align with their values.

A Safe and Compassionate Space to Heal and Reconnect with Yourself

Life in the San Francisco Bay Area can feel like a double-edged sword. On one hand, it’s a place of innovation, diversity, and opportunities. On the other, its relentless pace, rising costs, and cultural pressures often leave people overwhelmed, isolated, or questioning their place in the world.

If you’ve found yourself feeling anxious, stuck in old patterns, or weighed down by past experiences, you’re not alone. Many people across San Francisco, San Mateo, and the Bay Area are navigating these same invisible struggles.

This is where individual therapy with Christina Wade, LCSW, can help. With nearly two decades of experience, Christina offers a compassionate, queer-affirming, trauma-informed space where you don’t have to hide parts of yourself. Instead, you’ll be supported in exploring your story, finding clarity, and reconnecting with your inner strength.

Understanding Why People Turn to Individual Therapy

On the surface, many people appear to have it all together, stable careers, social connections, and busy schedules. Yet beneath this exterior, they may feel isolated, overwhelmed, or disconnected from themselves. Therapy offers a safe, nonjudgmental space to explore these hidden struggles and begin the process of healing.

Some of the most common reasons individuals seek therapy include:

Anxiety and constant overthinking – Persistent worry, racing thoughts, or difficulty relaxing can interfere with sleep, focus, and overall peace of mind.
Depression and emotional numbness – Feelings of emptiness, lack of motivation, or disconnection from joy can make everyday life feel heavy and meaningless.
Trauma and unresolved pain – Past experiences—whether from childhood, relationships, or identity-based discrimination—can linger, resurfacing as triggers, fear, or mistrust.
Identity and self-exploration – Many people seek therapy while navigating questions around sexuality, gender, cultural belonging, or personal values. For members of the LGBTQ+ community, this exploration can feel especially significant.
Stress and burnout – High demands at work or in personal life can lead to exhaustion, irritability, and a sense of being constantly “on edge.”
Life transitions – Moving, changing careers, divorce, grief, or adjusting to new stages of adulthood can bring uncertainty that feels overwhelming to manage alone.
Relationship challenges – From difficulty setting boundaries to cycles of codependency, individual therapy helps people recognize unhealthy patterns and build healthier ways of relating to others.

Common Struggles and How Therapy Helps

Struggle	How Therapy Supports Healing
Anxiety & overthinking	Builds coping tools to manage racing thoughts, regulate the nervous system, and reduce worry.
Depression & numbness	Helps uncover root causes, reignite motivation, and reconnect with joy.
Trauma & PTSD	Provides a safe space to process painful memories and develop resilience.
Identity exploration	Supports self-discovery, acceptance, and navigating challenges related to sexuality, gender, or culture.
Stress & burnout	Encourages healthier boundaries, work-life balance, and self-care practices.
Life transitions	Offers guidance and clarity during major personal or professional changes.
Relationship difficulties	Strengthens self-esteem, boundary-setting, and healthier relationship dynamics.

What’s often striking is that many who enter therapy appear outwardly “fine.” They may be thriving professionally and socially, yet inside, they feel stuck, unseen, or disconnected from themselves. Therapy provides a path to reconnect, rediscover meaning, and move forward with greater clarity and resilience.

A Real-Life Story: When “Fine” Isn’t Enough

Take Jordan (name changed), a 35-year-old working in San Francisco’s tech scene. Outwardly, Jordan had everything: a great job, supportive friends, and financial stability. Yet every morning, he woke with a heavy sense of dread. His past experiences with bullying around his sexuality still haunted him, making him question if he truly belonged in professional and personal spaces.

When Jordan began therapy with Christina, he admitted: “I feel like I’m surviving, not living.”

Over time, Christina helped Jordan identify how trauma shaped his self-doubt and taught him grounding tools for moments of overwhelm. More importantly, therapy gave Jordan the freedom to voice his story without judgment. Gradually, he started showing up more authentically at work and in his friendships, experiencing a new sense of relief and belonging.

Jordan’s journey reflects what many Bay Area clients experience: therapy as a bridge from survival mode to truly living.

What Makes Christina’s Approach Unique

Therapy isn’t just about techniques, it’s about connection. Christina’s approach blends evidence-based practices with deep compassion and inclusivity. She is both a licensed therapist and a queer, BIPOC clinician who understands the weight of intersectional identities and the importance of feeling truly seen.

Christina’s Core Values in Therapy:

Compassionate partnership – Therapy is collaborative; you are the expert in your own life.
Trauma-informed care – Sessions are paced gently, ensuring safety and respect.
Affirming space – LGBTQ+ clients, BIPOC communities, and those with marginalized identities are welcomed without judgment.
Practical tools – Sessions balance emotional exploration with real, usable strategies.
Curiosity and humor – Serious work, but with room for lightness and humanity.

Therapy Modalities Christina Draws From:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Motivational Interviewing
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)
Trauma-Focused and Somatic approaches
Relational and Attachment-based therapy

What to Expect in Individual Therapy

Starting therapy can feel uncertain, but Christina’s steady presence helps ease that transition.

Here’s what the process often looks like:

What You Notice at Home	How Therapy Supports You	Table Header
First Consultation	Free 15-minute call to connect, ask questions, and see if it feels like a good fit.	Low-pressure, welcoming.
Initial Sessions	Exploring your story, challenges, and therapy goals.	A space to be heard without judgment.
Building Awareness	Identifying patterns, thoughts, and feelings that shape your daily life.	Eye-opening, sometimes emotional.
Learning New Tools	Coping strategies like mindfulness, grounding, or reframing thoughts.	Empowering and practical.
Deep Healing	Working through trauma, grief, or identity struggles with safety and care.	Gradual, supportive, transformative.
Growth and Integration	Applying insights and tools to real-life situations, building resilience.	Confidence-building, freeing.

The Transformations Clients Often Experience

With time and commitment, individual therapy can bring meaningful changes:

Greater calm and less anxiety in daily life.
Improved sleep, focus, and energy levels.
More resilience in handling work and relationship challenges.
Healing from painful past experiences.
Stronger boundaries and self-worth.
Greater clarity in identity and life goals.
A sense of belonging—not just existing, but living authentically.

Common Questions About Therapy with Christina

How much does therapy cost?

Individual sessions are $180. Christina also accepts insurance (Aetna, Carelon, Quest Behavioral Health) and offers out-of-network options. Sliding scale is available in some cases.

Do you offer online sessions?

Yes. Christina provides evening telehealth sessions, making it easier to fit therapy into busy Bay Area schedules.

Do you only work with LGBTQ+ clients?

No. Christina welcomes all adults, but as a queer therapist herself, she offers unique insight and affirming support for LGBTQ+ clients.

How long does therapy usually last?

The length varies by person. Some clients seek short-term support for transitions, while others engage in longer-term therapy for deeper healing.

Is therapy confidential?

Yes. Everything you share is private and protected, with the exception of rare safety concerns, which Christina explains upfront.

Why Individual Therapy Matters in the Bay Area

In cities like San Francisco and San Mateo, it’s easy to get lost in the race to succeed or to hide pain behind busyness. But therapy gives you something rare:

A pause. A place to step away from constant noise and reflect.
A mirror. A safe, affirming space where you are seen fully.
A path forward. Tools and guidance to help you live with more clarity and ease.

Therapy is not about being “broken.” It’s about reclaiming your wholeness, on your terms.

Book a Consultation Today

If your family is ready to take the first step toward healing, Christina offers a free 15-minute consultation to explore your needs.

📞 (510) 686-3839
📧 cwade.consultation@gmail.com
Location: 112 W 25th Ave, Suite 2, San Mateo, CA 94403

✨ Flexible evening and weekend telehealth sessions make it easier to begin, because healing starts when your family is ready. .

Individual Therapy in San Francisco Bay Area with Christina Wade, LCSW

Free 15-Minute Consultation

About the Therapist

Christina Wade, LCSW

A Safe and Compassionate Space to Heal and Reconnect with Yourself

Understanding Why People Turn to Individual Therapy

Common Struggles and How Therapy Helps

A Real-Life Story: When “Fine” Isn’t Enough

What Makes Christina’s Approach Unique

Christina’s Core Values in Therapy:

Therapy Modalities Christina Draws From:

What to Expect in Individual Therapy

The Transformations Clients Often Experience

Common Questions About Therapy with Christina

Why Individual Therapy Matters in the Bay Area

Book a Consultation Today

About the Therapist

Christina Wade, LCSW

Free 15-Minute Consultation

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