Meet Teri –

Compassionate, Grounded, and Here for You

Portrait of Teri, marriage and family therapist specializing in ISTDP in California and Palo Alto, showing a friendly and professional presence.

Hi, I’m Teri. I’m here to support you in navigating life’s challenges with warmth, compassion, and understanding.

I specialize in working with individuals facing anxiety, depression, and life transitions – including young professionals and college students. My goal is to help you develop coping strategies, build resilience, and uncover true freedom within yourself. Therapy with me is collaborative, rooted in care, and focused on real transformation.

If you're ready to begin your healing journey, I invite you to schedule a free consultation.

My Approach to Therapy

  • Icon showing a heart-shaped brain, half brain and half heart, representing deep emotional insight and connection.

    ISTDP – My Core Specialty

    I specialize in Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP), a focused, evidence-based method that helps you break through emotional barriers quickly and create lasting change. Trained by the leading experts, ISTDP is at the heart of my work.

  • Icon of two chairs facing each other with speech bubbles above, symbolizing collaborative dialogue and therapeutic conversation.

    Collaborative Talk Therapy

    Using Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), we work together to build practical coping strategies and explore patterns of thought and behavior that may be holding you back.

  • Icon of a lightbulb containing a human silhouette, representing personal insight, growth, and trauma-informed healing.

    Trauma-Informed Healing

    Grounded in compassion and safety, I incorporate trauma-focused techniques like Brainspotting to help you process past wounds and cultivate resilience.

Why ISTDP Resonates with Me – And Why It Could Be the Right Fit for You

When I first discovered ISTDP in 2005, I immediately recognized its power and clarity. Unlike other therapies, ISTDP helps us move quickly and deeply – getting past defenses and surface-level symptoms to heal the root causes of anxiety, depression, and relationship struggles.

This approach is collaborative, compassionate, and highly effective. I’ve trained extensively with some of the leading experts in the field of ISTDP – a form of Experiential Dynamic Therapy (EDT) – and continue to deepen my skills to provide you with the clearest path to emotional freedom.

I completed my certified core training from the International Experiential Dynamic Therapy Association (IEDTA) with Dr. John Rathauser and Dr. David Wolff. I’ve also studied with Jon Frederickson, Dr. Allan Abbass, Dr. Patricia Coughlin, and Dr. Jonathan Entis.

I attended two immersion trainings with Dr. Habib Davanloo, ISTDP’s founder, in Montreal. I continue to receive consultation from leaders in the field and am currently in an Advanced Core Training with Jonathan Entis, PhD.

Portrait of Teri, an ISTDP specialist and licensed marriage and family therapist in Palo Alto, California, smiling warmly with a compassionate and approachable demeanor.

Credentials & Professional Commitment

  • Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)Board of Behavioral Sciences, California

  • Certified in Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP) through the International Experiential Dynamic Therapy Association (IEDTA)

  • Additional specialized training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Brainspotting, and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)

  • Active member of professional organizations including:

  • Experienced clinical supervisor and trainer for mental health professionals

  • Committed to ongoing professional development through advanced training and peer consultation

My Journey & Life Beyond Therapy

Before becoming a full-time therapist, I spent 20 years as an art teacher in the San Francisco Bay Area, nurturing creativity and growth in my students. This background shapes how I view healing – as a deeply personal and creative process. I completed my Master’s in Psychology while teaching full-time and have since dedicated myself to ongoing clinical training and private practice.

Outside the therapy room, I believe in living the values I encourage. You’ll often find me outdoors, playing hockey, spending quality time with my family, or engaged in my own creative pursuits. These passions recharge me and inspire my work, reminding me daily of the importance of balance, resilience, and joy.

Let’s Work Together

If you’re ready to take the next step toward healing and growth, I’m here to support you with compassionate, personalized care. Whether you prefer in-person or telehealth sessions, I’m available to help you navigate anxiety, depression, and life transitions.

Reach out today to schedule your free consultation.