Sara Alexander, MFT
Call now
Call now
Website
Call
Sara Alexander, MFT
Are life circumstances and/or events in your internal emotional landscape leading you to seek professional help? Many, maybe most, of us did not grow up with all the information that we need to live peaceful emotional lives and thrive in work, social and intimate relationships. And there are always times when an outside perspective can help us better navigate something life brings.

While many Western psychotherapy models treat patients as broken and needing to be fixed, I think therapy is most effective when it is approached as an opportunity to learn about oneself and about life. I have been providing psychotherapy for almost three decades during which time I have studied many theoretical models.
Services
I was born in 1947 and raised in suburban Detroit. I earned a BFA in Painting at Rhode Island School of Design and spent 10 years as a visual artist in Europe and the US. While living in Paris I discovered psychotherapy (and a whole new understanding of reality) through a French friend's descriptions of his Lacanian psychoanalysis.
I provide both short-term and long-term therapy that is client-centered and collaborative. My office is in the Laurel Village neighborhood of San Francisco. My greatest area of both expertise and interest is couples' therapy and Relationship Issues for individuals. I treat married and unmarried couples of all sexual preferences, and also parents and children, siblings, friends, co-workers, business partners, etc.
A Useful conversation: I have yet to be convinced that one modality of therapy is better than another. It is not unusual for potential clients to request a particular treatment. I have learned a great deal from most of the theories that I studied, and currently I choose what approach seems most likely to provide clients with a "useful conversation".
I became dedicated to providing couple's therapy when a client brought her husband in for a conjoint session. The flesh and blood husband had very little resemblance to the selfish, aloof man that she had described. I discovered how easy it is to fool yourself and/or your therapist in individual therapy, albeit unintentionally.
My full fee is $200 for a 50-minute individual session (55 minutes for couples.) I encourage you to negotiate the fee with me if it is outside of your ability to pay, as I sometimes adjust my rate. The fee is usually determined (on the phone, if you wish, or at the first face to face meeting) by a short conversation about your financial circumstances.
Reviews (17)
Dave N.
Dave N.
Feb 16, 2020
Report
Sara and I have been meeting for over a year, and her advice and perspective has helped me become a better person.
Elea C.
Elea C.
Jun 03, 2017
Report
Sara was my first experience with what great psychotherapy could be--all the way back in 1988! I somehow found her--maybe she ran an ad in a newspaper?--when I was a student. She listened with remarkable attention and real empathy and created a space in which I could lead myself to significant and lasting discoveries. That's why I came back to her nearly 30 years later. She still creates a safe exploratory environment for individual counseling. My work with her continues to help me grow and heal. I will always be grateful to have had and continue to have Sara in my life.
Paul N.
Paul N.
Dec 09, 2016
Report
Sara is a fabulous therapist. As a therapist in training, I consider myself a discerning customer of therapy. She was able to connect to me in an open-hearted, genuine and non-judgmental way that I have not experienced before. As a result, I found that some of my long-standing contracted places opened up. I could not recommend her more highly.
Katie C.
Katie C.
Aug 29, 2016
Report
My husband and I have been working with Sara for 2 years and have found her tremendously helpful - both individually and as a couple. She is careful to interject at only the most appropriate times, pulling the most important items out of each conversation. Her reminders to stay in the present moment follow us around wherever we go and we're tremendously grateful for that. She has always been flexible with her schedule which helps with our busy city lives. She continues to be a helpful guide and provides wisdom in each and every session. Would highly recommend her to any couple or individual
Candice H.
Candice H.
May 18, 2016
Report
My fiance 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
Gwendolyn R.
Gwendolyn R.
Mar 09, 2016
Report
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
Dana J.
Dana J.
Jun 26, 2013
Report
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
Mark S.
Mark S.
Jun 11, 2013
Report
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.
Mien S.
Mien S.
Mar 06, 2013
Report
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 yelp in the future.
Lily Z.
Lily Z.
Dec 14, 2012
Report
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
Kate H.
Kate H.
Oct 26, 2012
Report
Sara is amazing. My husband and I both love her! I echo all the other great things the other reviews have said about her. She is really good at what she does. Sara really helped us work out some issues, in only a couple of months of weekly sessions. If you are looking for a kind and intelligent and most importantly, EXCELLENT couples therapist, I highly recommend Sara Alexander!
David L.
David L.
May 15, 2012
Report
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.
Destine G.
Destine G.
Jul 02, 2011
Report
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
Robert B.
Robert B.
Nov 25, 2010
Report
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.
Roberta A.
Roberta A.
Sep 06, 2010
Report
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
Kristina M.
Kristina M.
Jun 19, 2010
Report
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
John C.
John C.
May 20, 2010
Report
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