Sara Alexander, MFT

San Francisco, United States

4.7

Closed now

17 reviews

By Appointment Only

Contacts

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Telephone:
+1 415-606-5335
Website:
saraalexandermftcounselor.com
Address:
3600 California St, San Francisco, CA, 94118
b/t Spruce St & Parker Ave
Presidio Heights
Nearby public transportation stops & stations:
910 ftSacramento St & Cherry St (Stop 16293)
0.6 mi6th Avenue
0.7 mi8th Avenue
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Bussiness info

By Appointment Only
Yes
Accepts Insurance
Yes

Today

Today 8:00 am – 8:00 pm
Closed now
Local time (San Francisco) 21:51 Wednesday, 11 June 2025

Business hours

Monday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Tuesday 8:00 am – 8:00 pm
Wednesday 8:00 am – 8:00 pm
Thursday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Friday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Saturday –
Sunday –

Description

Specialties

I have been offering psychotherapy and coaching for individuals, couples, families and groups — with a focus on relationship issues — for 33 years. That includes work, family, love and friendship relationships; marriages, affairs, pregnancy, new families, and putting the love and fun back into long term relationships that have become dull. I have a lot of experience helping clients recover from the pain of infidelity, and facing down the challenge of life/​work balance and of new (including alternative) families in this stressful San Francisco environment in which we live. I think of a relationship as «a long conversation» and I encourage open, honest, present-​moment, «no-​bad-​person» communication, while fully respecting that in our hearts we also consider the past, and our dreams for the future. I actively participate in the sessions, helping you find the words to express the experiences that you are having, but that might be hard to put into consciousness and/​or words.

History

Established in 1986.

I started seeing clients as an intern in 1980 and became fully licensed as a Marriage and Family Therapist in 1987. I have worked primarily in private practice settings although I have also taught and worked at Children’s Hospital, The California Graduate School for Family Therapy, and the National Holistic Institute. I was a relationship coach for the Patricia Moore matchmaking service. For more information about my business please check out my website saraalexan​dermft​.com.

Meet the Business Owner

Sara A.

Business Owner

I was raised in suburban Detroit and attended the University of Michigan Honors College and the Rhode Island School of Design (BFA 1970) and Antioch West University Holistic Studies Program (MA in Psychology 1983). I lived in Europe for six years (Italy and France) and as a result I speak fluent French. In Europe I developed an understanding of how much culture and society affect how we think about ourselves, how we see life and what we expect to get out of life. As a result I enjoy working with cross cultural couples and families, which I often do. I was a visual artist for ten years, and I see therapy as a creative conversation in which change can take place for the client. Similarly I see intimate relationships as an opportunity for a ‘long conversation’ that can — not unlike therapy — be an amazing opportunity for change.

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«These are the best chocolates that I have found outside of Paris and the ones I make at home.»

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«This is my favorite yoga studio. Best yoga in the world (Tri Yoga)»

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17 reviews of Sara Alexander, MFT

No registration required
Place rating: 5
San Francisco, CA
My fiancé and I spent a few months with Sara leading up to our wedding. We wanted to take some time and invest in our upcoming marriage, as opposed to just spending all of our energy on the wedding. And we both had a wonderful, incredibly helpful experience working with Sara. She helped us have conversations that we needed to have, but found difficult to make happen on our own. She was flexible with our schedule, easy to get a hold of to begin therapy, and incredibly easy to talk to. She helped us understand each other better as individuals and how to work together better as partners. We are also comforted to know that when and if we need her again, she is available to help us work through any challenges that may come our way. I highly recommend working with Sara.
Place rating: 5
Tiburon, CA
Sara is an incredibly skilled, insightful, attentive, and passionate therapist. She has a depth, and spaciousness that invites you into discover your life experiences in an open and inquisitive way. She is an expert in understanding how our thought patterns, feelings, emotions, impact our daily lives, in relationship to ourselves, and those around us. Her honest insights have had tremendous value in navigating life’s challenges, circumstances, and who we are in relationship to them.
In my journey for balance, and well being, Sara’s mindful approach has helped me identify changes that are possible, and accept what cannot be changed with compassion, and without attachment, or aversion.
Sara is a truly gifted, and brilliant therapist, in addition to a gracious, and caring human being.
Beyond words, I am truly grateful to you Sara for all your support and wisdom!
Place rating: 5
San Francisco, CA
After having several short-​lived, mediocre experiences with other therapists, I finally landed in Sara’s office to address my anxiety problems. That experience has been nothing short of life-​changing. After a little over two years of work, my anxiety has been greatly alleviated, I have a better sense of self, more confidence, am happier in my relationships with my partner and my closest friends and family, and generally just feel more alive in my day to day experiences.
I know Sara would say that those gains were because of my own dedication to myself, but I can’t imagine how I would have gotten where I am today without her guidance and support. She’s an amazing person, and I hope you have the chance to benefit from her compassionate support.
Place rating: 5
San Francisco, CA
Before my partner and I found Sara we had been seeing another therapist weekly. I felt like we weren’t making progress so I wanted to try someone new. After just one session it was clear how much better Sara was. She kept us «on topic» and «in the moment» in a genuine way that our previous therapist was never able to do. She helped us to slow down and understand that each of us has different, valid, perspectives. We continue to see Sara and are thankful we found her.
Place rating: 5
San Francisco, CA
I have spent time with a few individual therapists and couples therapists over the years and each brings their own style. Some therapists take the position that they are only there to listen — not particularly helpful in my opinion. Sara, on the other hand, helps you identify what the issues are (as it turns out sometimes what you think you’re coming in for, isn’t really the issue! Who knew?!) and helps you not only sort them and understand them, but helps you develop an action plan to tackle them. Sara listens well, has insightful advice and helps you solve problems. She somehow manages to stay impartial yet also helps each partner feel heard and understood. She tells it like it is and totally calls you out on your bs — in a loving way of course. I think that’s important to fostering trust for each party and avoids leaving one person feeling alienated. Spending a session with her has made our relationship stronger and much better than it ever could have been on our own. If I had to pick one word to describe her, it would be compassionate. Although we no longer need to see Sara on a regular basis, we feel very comfortable dropping in for a session if we’re struggling on a particular subject. I would highly recommend her to anyone in need of ongoing counseling or even a one time life advice session.
Place rating: 5
Seattle, WA
I discovered Sara when I needed help navigating through a painful relationship and our work together has led to my gaining a deeper understanding of myself, my family and the people in my life. Direct when needed, always honest and accepting, she has helped me develop the tools that I didn’t earlier in life. With her support, I’ve learned to have boundaries, gain self-​acceptance, and become a stronger version of myself. To Sara, I am grateful.
Place rating: 1
San Francisco, CA
Small amount of five star reviews is suspicious. I should have heeded the warning bells. We saw this therapist a few times with my partner, and were flabbergasted by her lack of professionalism. When a disagreement arose she engaged in bickering with us, during the sessions, in her role of therapist. Worst of all, she failed to be impartial. We canceled future appointments.
I am proud to say that we have transformed our relationship and are happy together. Sadly, we received no help from Sara Alexander. I would not look for a counselor /​therapist through Unilocal in the future.
Place rating: 5
San Francisco, CA
I don’t even remember how I happened on Sara. But I saw her website in a time of great need, called her up, and even in the midst of a terrible depression, was able to laugh on the phone with her. I knew she would be great.
She’s a fantastic couples’ therapist and has helped my husband and I through some very dark times. She’s taught me boundaries, how to live in the moment, and how to accept, forgive and let go.
We’ve all decided that we’re very close to the end of our sessions and I will miss her tremendously. I think we may pay once in a while just to come and hang out with her for an hour!
Place rating: 5
San Francisco, CA
It was very helpful i know that a marriage is work and it takes 2 to make or break it.
Place rating: 5
Corona, CA
My counselor was wonderfullearned so much from herworked on issues. but it takes 2 to work hard for an outcomei could not do it all myself.
Place rating: 5
San Francisco, CA
Superbly effective, compassionate, honest; Sara Alexander did a marvelous job with my wife and me. She was always on top of what we both were feeling; and we always left feeling better than when we had arrived. After a handful of sessions, she told us, «You don’t need me anymore!» Enough said; and if we do need a therapist again, we know where to go.
Place rating: 5
Birmingham, AL
We began seeing Sara about three months ago for couples therapy. Throughout our sessions, Sara helped us to see some of the underlying issues in our relationship and taught us what we could do to improve communication and how to resolve conflicts in a healthier way.
One of the most important things she taught us was to look at the relationship from a no fault perspective. This helped us to not focus on who was right or wrong during conflicts, but to listen and understand the other person’s perspective regardless of whether or not we agreed.
After several weekly sessions, I can say that my husband and I are in a much happier place in our relationship, and we have learned so many important lessons that will serve us well in the years to come.
If you’re unsure whether or not therapy can help you in your life right now, I encourage you to try it and highly recommend Sara. I’m so glad we did!
Place rating: 5
San Francisco, CA
I have known several couples therapists and Sara is by far the best and had been the most helpful. Her skillful non judgemental guidance has opened us to new ways of seeing things. She then helps to ground these insights with practical doable strategies. She has been incredibly helpful and I would highly recommend her.
Place rating: 5
San Francisco, CA
Sara Alexander is a brilliant individual and couples therapist here in San Francisco.
She brings fierce intelligence, humour and empathy to our conversations.
The excellence of her listening and feedback skills are tempered by her many years of experience.
After conversation with Sara I feel refreshed and more grateful to be alive.
If you need an honest and insightful individual or couples therapist, please call Sara.
Place rating: 5
Oakland, CA
Sara is everything a good therapist is supposed to be. She is kind, thoughtful, empathetic and smart. And let’s not forget honest. Sara is no pushover. She speaks up when it is needed. It may hurt, but it is sure helpful. I should know. Charm doesn’t work with Sara.
I have worked out so many family and friendship issues with her with great results. I am much more realistic and can now more easily access the adult in me.
Personally, I think that there are a lot of people out there who could use Sara’s help. Therapy is a wonderful gift you give yourself. And so is Sara Alexander.
Place rating: 5
San Francisco, CA
In my quest for balanced mental health, I was referred to Sara. Thankfully we hit it off & I was on my way to a more serene life. I think everybody should allow themselves an opportunity to work through life’s frustrations & challenges. Admittedly, I have let some of these frustrations & challenges prevent me from having inner peace.
Sara has helped me realize my true potential, with that it has given me a chance to live the balanced life I strive to live. I am truly grateful for the gifts she has given me to take care of myself. Her straightforward questions & style has helped me more than words can express. Sara is an extremely gifted & talented woman… actually I think she is extraordinaire!
Place rating: 4
Alexandria, VA
My first wife and I needed counseling in the late ‘90s and worked with Sara 1997 – 2001. Sara had the great challenge of working with two individuals who excelled at burying their feelings under many layers of diffidence, prevarication, and rationalization, but she continued asking the questions and drawing answers from us.
Our course of counseling lasted a long time, probably because my then-​wife and I resisted the ultimate conclusion that the «patient» was terminal — I think it was denial on my wife’s part and cowardice on mine. My metaphor is perhaps inapposite; a doctor should save the patient’s life, a couples therapist’s mission is to save the individuals, though not necessarily the relationship. Ultimately, Sara succeeded in bringing closure to me if not my wife. I moved on a better man for the lengthy inspection of myself, and but for the difficult extraction (difficulties attributable to me, not to any shortcoming of the counseling) I would not today, a decade later, be enjoying the best relationship of my life, one that gets better year after year after year because of who I became during that painful time.
PS. Her phone # is (415) 606‑5335