Psychotherapy is a general term for therapeutic approaches that help people get a better understanding of their feelings, experiences, and behaviors. Psychotherapy is used to help individuals better deal with their emotional suffering and problems which might include depression, anxiety, relationship problems, phobias, trauma, and eating disorders. There are different approaches and modalities of psychotherapy treatment.

At The Psychotherapy Institute’s Community Clinic, we offer psychodynamic psychotherapy for individual adults and couples. Psychodynamic psychotherapy involves meeting with a therapist on a regular basis--typically a minimum of once a week for 50 minutes--to explore one’s internal feelings and experiences in life and to help alleviate difficulties. Within the safe and confidential relationship that clients develop with a therapist, discussion about concerns in life can be explored. Through this exploration, patterns of thinking and feeling that contribute to the problems in life can begin to reveal themselves. It is this growing awareness that gradually opens the possibility for change, which can lead to increased satisfaction and a greater sense of authority in one’s own life.

Therapy sessions at TPI are $160/session. There is a sliding fee scale, which is based on family size and income. The lowest fee is $45/session. You and your therapist will work together to set the appropriate fee.

No, the clinic does not bill medical insurance companies directly. However, it is recommended that you check with your health insurance provider, because therapy might be an expense that is covered by your particular plan and your provider might reimburse you.

If you are interested in psychothera y at The Psychotherapy Institute’s Community Clinic, please fill out the Client Intake Form. If you prefer to complete an intake over the phone, call 510-548-2250, press 1, and leave a message expressing your interest. A therapist will return your call to hear about your needs, gather some information and answer any questions you may have about starting therapy.

The Community Clinic is staffed by therapists who either are studying for or have advanced degrees in psychology, clinical social work, counseling, or related mental health fields and are participating in TPI's Psychotherapy Training Program. They are supervised by senior therapists.

You will have an opportunity to tell us what you’re looking for in a therapist at the time of intake. We will do our best to find a good fit based on your request(s).

The questions we ask on the intake form are ones we ask every client who begins services at our clinic. Your answers allow us to determine if we are the best fit for you, as well as give us information about the nature of your needs. They help us match you with a therapist You may be asked these questions again during subsequent therapy sessions.

The matching process can take up to two weeks. If we are unable to match you with a therapist, three referrals will be emailed to you.

This can vary quite a lot. While psychotherapy at TPI is open-ended, its duration depends on the individual needs of the person seeking therapy.

Therapists typically work with clients on a weekly basis or twice-weekly basis. Frequency of weekly sessions is a decision that will be made in collaboration with your therapist.

TPI is committed to providing affordable, high quality psychotherapy through our Community Clinic, so we offer a sliding fee scale. If we cannot offer you an affordable rate for therapy, we can refer you to other low-fee community resources.

No. The Community Clinic does not offer drop-in services.

There are no groups offered at the Clinic. The Community Clinic offers individual therapy and couples therapy. To find groups offered by TPI members, click here.

No. The Community Clinic offers individual therapy and couples therapy.