Nova Goldberg, MFT

tl;dr
Nova is excellent. You will be respected, your time will be used efficiently without feeling like you’re «just another client», and you will have 100% of her attention during your sessions. She has a caring, thoughtful personality and I can’t imagine anyone who wouldn’t gain from time with her. Nova was highly effective for me: after 11 sessions we both agreed we had successfully achieved the outcome I’d desired upon beginning to work together. I’ve always been suspicious of psychologists trying to milk you along, and this suspicion was never raised for even a second with Nova; we were done in less than 1.5 months, and I always felt meaningful progress was made during each session. I highly recommend her.
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More detail if you want it:
Had a particular psychological issue that I wanted to address – and quickly! I called and «interviewed» 8 (cognitive behavioral) psychologists in San Francisco before coming across Nova. Over the phone I could tell that she was very likely what I was looking for, and once we began working together I was sure of it.
In the first session I expressed my desire to work through the issue aggressively with two sessions per week. Nova matched or exceeded my intensity and commitment to solving my problem in every single session. Initially I wanted to have highly structured sessions, with each having some sort of theme, but Nova suggested a more organic, free-​flowing approach, which I (honestly somewhat reluctantly) agreed to. Definitely glad I trusted her – Nova’s process was perfect. I’d write a «self growth journal» in which I’d document my successes and pain points between sessions and give the highlights at the beginning of each session. We’d synthesize what worked and how to continue or even grow those successes in the future, and then tackle where I’d felt I’d fallen short – and why. There were a few sessions that I honestly thought were beautiful conversations, discussing philosophical beliefs I’d subconsciously developed long ago and to my day-​to-​day detriment. If there was time permitting, we’d discuss anything new I wanted to address that wasn’t covered in my «need to work on» area of my self-​growth journal.
All of the sessions were efficient without feeling like I was just «another client». She definitely cares about you, and is energized by diving into what you have going on and how to help. She sits directly across from you and does not become distracted and is throughly, thoughtfully engaged at all times. I don’t think I’m a particularly emotional person, but I know Nova engaged me emotionally and if other clients were more emotional, I think she’d engage them equally well. She strikes me as someone who is able to adapt easily and effectively to a wide range of personality types.
It took only I believe 11 sessions (2x p week means about 1.5 months!) before I had worked through things with her. It’s been about 2 months since I stopped and I’m happy to report that the changes seem to be permanent. I can honestly highly recommend Nova to just about anyone.

To say that working with Nova is a game changer would be an understatement !!
Nova is the psychological fairy godmother we all want. Working with her is the perfect balance of a swift kick in the butt and the emotional support you really need.
She has helped me work through some deep issues with vulnerability, over achieving, self love, and generally just being honest with myself and accepting myself however I show up. If you are a type A do it all person like me — getting to a place of love and peace is no small feat.
She helped me work through the death of a loved one (that was a toughie!!), a break up, a job transition, and the stress of a move (in SF that can get pretty stressful).
I’ve been working with Nova for over a year and every session is just as magical as the first. I’ve also referred several friends who also have loved working with her. If you’re thinking about booking a session, do yourself a favor and do it NOW!

Nova’s basically my favorite person ever. Heading into every chat with her, no matter how I was feeling, I always came out feeling better and with a clear idea of what I wanted to get done.
I came to her looking for a someone to talk to who wasn’t family or a good friend. She provided so, so much more than an unbiased perspective and sounding board. She cares. She wants to help. She’s funny. Personable. And just a very warm and wonderful person. The type of person you don’t hesitate to call your friend, despite your «working relationship».
We worked together for a short period of time but accomplished a ton. If you’re looking for someone to talk to, for any reason, I cannot recommend her enough!

The only way I can express how wonderful Nova is, is to tell you that I stopped seeing her after four sessions. Oh yeah. She’s *that* good. At our first appointment she had me visualize how I wanted to feel after our final sessions. Lo and behold, at the end of session four, I did.
What I loved most about working with Nova is that she didn’t need to hear every little thing about every experience in my life. I came in with a purpose and left with a new and improved carefree attitude that I’ve taken into my relationships. She’s like a best friend and the mother you wished you had and your favorite childhood teacher all rolled into one.
Nova is a beautiful human being and I’m lucky to know her. The best part is I know she’ll always be there should I ever need her services again.

*I am posting this for a close friend for confidentiality reasons.
I have been working with Nova Goldberg, MFT for almost a year now and am very happy I made the decision to begin therapy and even happier that I found Nova. She has a true gift for listening with compassion and non-​judgment as well as when to provide constructive feedback. Due to her support around my relationships and career, I have made a significant change in my life for the better and have her to thank. I wholeheartedly recommend her and encourage you to contact her for a session, I am so glad I did.

Nova has been a colleague of mine for over 5 years in a community mental health setting. I am very familiar with her clinical style, and I was glad when she shared her decision to begin a private practice. Through her private practice, she employs a strength-​based and solution-​focused brief therapy approach, generally consisting of approx. 12 sessions, to facilitate an increased awareness of an individual’s strengths and resources, the uncovering of true motivation for change, and the implementation of new strategies to bring about change. Warm, positive, and empathic, she provides a safe and nonjudgmental space conducive to exploration and growth in a brief amount of time.
Working with her at a community mental health clinic for young adults has allowed me not only to become familiar with her clinical style, but to witness directly the progress of her clients from this clinic. She has developed solid and trusting therapeutic relationships with her clients, who come from diverse backgrounds and live with various mental health and psychosocial struggles. Her attunement to individual needs, validation of levels of readiness, encouragement to take on healthy challenges, and collaborative approach with clients have empowered the youth she works with to strengthen decision-​making and communication skills, establish healthier relationships with self and others, better cope with life transitions, and develop the confidence to take steps towards increased independence.
I am confident in her clinical talents and ability to impact positively the lives of others.

A friend of mine was looking for a therapist, so I asked my husband for recommendations as he’s an MFT intern with quite a few therapist colleagues.
Without hesitation, he recommended Nova and told me that she is warm, professional and just incredible at what she does. I’m writing this on behalf of my friend, for the purpose of confidentiality.
My friend went to Nova and has raved about her ever since then. Nova has helped my friend learn more about herself in the past eight sessions (or so?) than in the 15 years I’ve known her. My friend was hesitant to drive out to San Francisco because she lives in the East Bay, but greatly looked forward to her time with Nova. The issues that my friend had been dealing with were primarily with her marriage, body image, child-​bearing situation, and balancing a career change (if this is helpful!) My friend found Nova to be approachable, honest, intelligent and friendly. She didn’t feel that she was sitting in a stuffy clinical environment, but rather getting advice from a super wise and awesome close friend. I cannot do justice to the transformation that’s occurred in my friend. It’s pretty magical to see.
My friend told me that she wanted me to do this Unilocal review and to spread the good vibes. I hope many, many others will share in my friends inspiring journey with Nova.

Nova is a very special therapist. And I don’t throw that around lightly. There is no question that she is doing the work that she is meant to do.
She has a beautiful blend of non-​judgmental listening and sympathizing with showing you where you are tripping yourself up. Nova really helped me break down a lot of assumptions that I had about myself and gave me the tools how to move past them.
We inevitably end up laughing and crying and I always leave her feeling lighter than I did when I walked in.
She is a true talent and I feel lucky to have her as a resource for me!