Psychotherapy
in San Luis Obispo, CA
Thoughtful, depth-oriented therapy for individuals and couples who want to understand what's really keeping them stuck.
You don't have to know exactly what's wrong to know that something needs to change.
Maybe you're feeling anxious or depressed. Maybe you're struggling in a relationship, questioning yourself constantly, or finding yourself caught in patterns you understand intellectually but can't seem to change. Or perhaps, from the outside, your life looks perfectly fine… and yet something doesn't feel right.
I offer in-person psychotherapy for adults and couples in downtown San Luis Obispo, CA. Together, we'll look beyond the immediate problem to understand what's happening underneath it: the experiences, relationships, beliefs, and patterns that shape how you move through the world.
My goal isn't to give you another set of strategies to follow. Rather, it's to create a space where you can think honestly, feel understood, and develop a deeper understanding of yourself that can lead to lasting, permanent change.
Hi, I’m Thaís
I'm deeply curious about people—how we become who we are, what drives the choices we make, and why we sometimes find ourselves repeating patterns we consciously want to change.
I bring that curiosity into the therapy room with warmth, seriousness, and an openness to the complexity of being human. My approach is depth-oriented and informed by psychoanalytic psychotherapy, which means I'm interested in more than simply helping you manage what's difficult right now. I want to understand what's underneath it including how your experiences have shaped you, the patterns you find yourself repeating, and the ways these patterns influence your relationships and sense of self.
I believe therapy should be a place where you can be honest, curious, and fully yourself without having to perform or have everything figured out. You don't need to know anything about psychoanalysis to work with me. You simply need to be willing to get curious about yourself. Together, we'll slow things down, make sense of what you're experiencing, and work toward changes that feel meaningful and lasting.
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Anxiety and depression can affect your relationships, work, self-esteem, and ability to enjoy your life. Psychotherapy can help you understand what may be underneath these experiences while developing a deeper sense of stability and self-understanding.
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Relationships can bring out patterns we may not fully understand, from difficulty with intimacy and communication to recurring conflict, insecurity, or choosing partners who aren't good for us. Therapy can help you understand these patterns and create more fulfilling ways of relating.
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Persistent self-doubt, shame, perfectionism, or the feeling that you are somehow not enough can shape nearly every area of life. Therapy can help you understand where these beliefs come from and begin to develop a different relationship with yourself.
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The effects of trauma can extend far beyond the original experience, shaping relationships, self-worth, emotional regulation, and how you move through the world. Depth-oriented psychotherapy can help you understand these patterns and their impact on your life and relationships.
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Struggles with food, body image, and eating can become deeply intertwined with self-worth, control, anxiety, and relationships. Therapy offers a space to explore the emotional and relational experiences beneath these patterns while developing a more compassionate understanding of yourself.
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The transition into adulthood can bring questions about identity, relationships, career, independence, and what you actually want from your life. Therapy can provide a space for young adults to explore these changes, develop a stronger sense of self, and navigate this period with greater clarity.
Areas of focus Include:
Meet me in downtown SLO
Located just off Highway 101 in downtown San Luis Obispo, my office is conveniently accessible from communities throughout the Central Coast, including Los Osos, Morro Bay, Atascadero, Pismo Beach, Arroyo Grande, and Paso Robles.
With both street and dedicated office parking, the office is in a quiet professional building shared with other local therapists, offering a private and welcoming setting for in-person therapy.
01 Feel it Out
Once you complete the form below, I’ll reach out to schedule a free 15–20 minute consultation call. This is a chance for us to connect, discuss what you're looking for, and see if we’re a good fit. I welcome any questions you may have. If it feels right on both ends, we’ll move forward and schedule your first full session.
02 Get started
Our initial 50-minute session is a space for us to get to know each other more deeply. We’ll explore what’s bringing you in, begin mapping out your goals, and determine if working together feels aligned. We’ll also agree on a fee, session frequency (typically once or twice a week), and a consistent meeting time.
03 Dive In
Individual and couples therapy unfold gradually and thoughtfully. If we choose to continue, we’ll enter into a committed process of meeting regularly and exploring your inner world over time. This ongoing work allows us to access deeper insights, make meaningful connections, and build the kind of steady, trusting relationship that supports real psychological growth.
If you are interested in working together, please click the button below to complete the contact form and I will be in touch:
FAQ
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The initial consultation is a brief check-in where I will gather some background information to assess if I can assist you (or your relationship) effectively. It’s also an opportunity for you to ask questions and if you have any concerns about starting therapy, please let me know so we can discuss them. We’ll also cover logistical details. If we decide to proceed, we will schedule a 50-minute session. If not, I’m happy to provide referrals to others who may be a better fit.
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My standard fee is $265 for a 50-minute individual psychotherapy session. I offer a limited number of sliding-scale spaces based on financial need. Couples therapy fees may differ. We can discuss fees and availability during the initial consultation call.
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Yes. I offer online psychotherapy to individuals and couples throughout California. If you're outside San Luis Obispo, virtual therapy can make it possible to work together from wherever you are. For virtual therapy, I use a secure videoconferencing platform and your confidentiality will be held in the utmost regard.
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The initial sessions focus on determining if we are a good fit and how I can best support you (or your relationship). During this time, you’ll have the opportunity to share your story and what has led you to therapy. We’ll explore the issues you want to address and establish a mutual understanding of the therapy’s goals and how to achieve them. Our collaboration will help us find the most effective way to work together.
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Every session and every patient is unique.
However, I want you to know that you will be encouraged to speak freely, and I will help you explore the underlying meanings behind your thoughts and feelings. Nothing is off-limits. As we work together, we’ll begin to notice that the struggles you face outside therapy often emerge within the therapeutic relationship. This is because our earliest relationships shape how we understand ourselves and interact with others. Since this relational template is deeply ingrained, it can be challenging to recognize on our own. By putting words to our present experiences, we can explore new ways of relating and being understood. Through this process of self-awareness and collaborative repair, we work towards feeling more integrated and whole.
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I’ve chosen not to accept insurance to prioritize the quality and integrity of the work I do with my clients. Insurance often imposes restrictions on the type and length of treatment, which can limit the depth and flexibility needed for meaningful, lasting change. It also requires a mental health diagnosis to justify treatment, which may not align with the complexities of a person’s experiences or their goals for therapy. By working outside of the constraints of insurance, I can focus fully on providing care that is tailored to each individual’s unique needs, honoring the time and space necessary for a thoughtful and collaborative process.
However, I am happy to offer you a monthly super bill for you to submit to your insurance company if your policy provides out-of-network coverage (Most PPO's do so check your policy!)
If you have insurance and would like to seek reimbursement, it may be helpful for you to ask the following questions to your insurance company before starting our work together:
* Do I have mental health insurance benefits?* Does my policy offer out-of-network coverage? What percentage of my bill will be reimbursed from an out-of-network provider?
* Do I have a deductible for mental health?
* How many sessions are covered per calendar year?
* Do I have a co-payment?
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The relationship between therapist and patient is crucial, and finding the right match is essential for effective therapy. Sometimes, it takes a bit of trial and error to find a therapist who truly fits your needs. Over the years, I’ve worked with many patients who have faced challenges with previous therapists for various reasons. If you’ve been disappointed with other treatments, I’d be happy to discuss whether working together might be a good fit for you.
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Psychoanalytic psychotherapy is a thoughtful, research-supported approach to understanding yourself more fully. With over a hundred years of clinical tradition and modern evidence to back it, this form of therapy is known for its depth and effectiveness in addressing a wide range of concerns—like anxiety, depression, relationship patterns, trauma, and more.
Rather than offering quick fixes or surface-level strategies, psychoanalytic therapy is about exploring the deeper layers of your experience: your emotions, unconscious motivations, past relationships, and inner conflicts. By paying close attention to what’s often just outside of awareness, you can begin to make sense of patterns that may have felt confusing or limiting. In a consistent, trusting therapeutic relationship, this process opens up new ways of thinking, feeling, and relating—to yourself and to others. The result is often a greater sense of clarity, agency, and connection in your life.
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Choosing to prioritize your mental health can be a huge undertaking. You may have all sorts of thoughts and feelings about the fee, the time commitment, and what may be asked of you. I remember being nervous too when I first started. However, we never quite know where the process will take us until we start. And the thing about psychotherapy is that you won't have to figure it out alone. You are welcome to reach out with any questions by completing the form above and I will get back to you soon.