Therapy for Men in San Francisco and Online Across California
A lot of men arrive in my office having spent years being the steady one. Holding it together at work, in the relationship, for the family. They are performing well but quietly worn down, maybe lonely, and feeling like something needs to change.
I am Stephen Gundlach, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Hayes Valley, San Francisco. Much of my practice is with men, including gay men, men from religious backgrounds, fathers, and husbands. I work in person at 423 Gough Street and by telehealth video with clients anywhere in California.
Who this is for
Men come to me when they are:
- Feeling stuck, flat, or angry and not sure why
- Carrying stress from a demanding job or a career that feels like it may no longer fit or isn't worth it
- Navigating a relationship that has feels tense or uncertain
- Facing midlife, a divorce, a loss, or a change in family life
- Wanting to be a different kind of partner, husband, or father, than what they were shown
- Working out their identity as a gay, bisexual, or queer man
How I work
I am warm, present, and active in the room, and my clients experience me as a real person rather than a blank screen. I ask direct questions and I say what I notice. I use humor when it helps.
What to expect
We begin with a free 30 minute consultation by phone or video. If we decide to work together, sessions are 50 minutes, weekly at first for most people. Some men come for a season to work through a specific situation. Others stay longer to change patterns that have been running for decades. Either is fine.
Fees
Sessions are $215 for 50 minutes. I am out of network with insurance and provide a superbill for reimbursement. A limited number of sliding scale slots are available. Please ask if finances are a concern.
Questions people ask
I have never done therapy. What happens in the first session?
We talk. I will ask what brought you in, what your life looks like now, and what you want to be different. There is nothing you need to have figured out in advance.
Is therapy going to make me talk about my childhood?
Only as much as it is useful. We work with the present, and we go back to the past when it is shaping the present.
Do you work with gay men?
Yes. A large part of my practice is with gay and queer men, and I am an affirming therapist. I also work with straight men.
Can I do sessions from work?
Yes, by video. Many clients alternate between in-person sessions in Hayes Valley and video.
How do I start?
Book a free 30 minute consultation through the button at the top of the page.