Prenatal and postpartum therapists & psychiatrists in San Mateo, CA

I'm Tabitha — a licensed therapist, former competitive athlete, and a mom who has lived through many of the transitions my clients face. I work primarily with adults navigating anxiety, depression, major life changes, maternal mental health challenges, and the kind of stress that builds quietly until it isn't quiet anymore.

What makes my approach different is that I don't just help you understand your patterns — I help you actually change them. Using CBT, strengths-based work, and creative tools, I tailor each session to what's genuinely useful for you. Therapy with me feels more like a focused, honest conversation with someone in your corner than a clinical process.

I've worked with athletes who've lost their identity after injury, new mothers in the fog of postpartum, women rebuilding after divorce or loss, and high-achievers who've hit a wall they can't push through alone. If any of that sounds like where you are — you're in the right place.

Clients working with me can expect a therapeutic experience rooted in restorative care, cultural authenticity, and deep respect for their lived story. At Cultivating A Better Me, healing is not defined solely by symptom reduction—it is a process of rebuilding inner safety, strengthening emotional resilience, and reconnecting with the parts of yourself that deserve to be seen, honored, and supported.

My clinical foundation began at Sacramento Head Start, where I learned the profound impact of compassion, early intervention, and family‐centered support. With advanced training in Early Childhood Development and Counseling Psychology, I bring specialized expertise in disruptive behaviors, trauma‐responsive care, and expressive‐arts‐based healing.

Within my practice, clients are invited into a space where they can slow down, breathe, and explore their experiences without judgment. I integrate evidence‐based practices with creativity, narrative work, and culturally grounded approaches that honor identity, community, and personal agency.

Most importantly, clients should know that I show up with presence, authenticity, and a deep commitment to helping them cultivate meaningful, sustainable change. Healing is a collaborative journey—and I walk alongside you with compassion, clarity, and support.

With over a decade of acute care experience as a Registered Nurse and a Master’s degree as a Psychiatric Mental

Health Nurse Practitioner, I specialize in treating mood disorders, anxiety, PTSD, neurodiversity, and medication

management.

I’m Michele Ellis, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker passionate about helping individuals improve their mental health and overall well-being. With over a decade of experience, I’ve developed a deep understanding of the social, emotional, and psychological challenges people face. My approach is warm, compassionate, and tailored to your unique needs—meeting you exactly where you are in your journey. Together, we’ll explore what’s holding you back, build on your strengths, and create a path toward meaningful, lasting change.

As a Nurse Practitioner, I believe healthcare should be a partnership, not a prescription. My approach combines advanced clinical skills with a deep commitment to patient advocacy, ensuring every individual has the tools and confidence to take charge of their health. I specialize in creating personalized treatment plans that honor the whole person — mind, body, and spirit. Whether I’m diagnosing, prescribing, or simply listening, my mission is to make every patient feel seen, heard, and cared for. I strive to turn sessions into moments of trust, learning, and hope."

I am board certified in Family Practice as well as Psychiatry and have been in practice for 25 year. I work with mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, bipolar disorder, as well as address physical symptoms or issues that may affect mental health. I hold a Doctorate degree in education and Master Degrees in Advance Practice Nursing and education.

Welcome! I'm a Licensed Clinical Social Worker dually licensed in California and Florida. I earned my Master's degree in Social Work from George Mason University in 2018 and have worked in the mental health field since 2016.

Throughout my career, I've had the privilege of working with children, adolescents, adults, families, and individuals from BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities across a variety of settings, including outpatient, school-based, intensive in-home, community-based, therapeutic day treatment, and residential programs.

I believe that everyone deserves a safe, supportive space to heal and grow. My goal is to help clients better understand themselves, build healthy coping skills, navigate life's challenges with greater confidence, and break patterns that no longer serve them. Whether you're facing anxiety, past trauma, relationship difficulties, or a major life transition, I'm here to help you move toward meaningful, lasting change.

IMPORTANT: All clients must complete our intake form and sign our policies before their appointment. Please complete these documents at https://intakeq.com/new/6oakjo/lusjbb or contact us at 602-800-4699 (call or text). Please also email or text us a copy of your photo ID/driver's license at [email protected]

For the most current schedule and openings, please book directly on our website at https://mentalhealthpractitioners.com/book-appointment/ or call us at 415-968-6515.

As a PMHNP-BC who specializes in autism, complex cases, OCD, personality disorders, PTSD/trauma, schizophrenia/psychosis disorders, and substance use, I've built my practice around understanding that every person's mental health journey is unique—especially when multiple conditions interact or when traditional approaches haven't worked.

I also provide comprehensive treatment for depression, anxiety, panic disorders, mood disorders, and bipolar disorder, always with an understanding that these conditions often overlap and influence each other in complex ways. What I want you to know is this: your experiences are valid, your struggles make sense in the context of your life, and there's no such thing as being "too much" for treatment.

Whether you're masking autistic traits, battling compulsive behaviors, managing intense emotions, processing trauma, questioning reality, or struggling with substances, I meet you exactly where you are without trying to force you into a predetermined mold. My approach combines evidence-based treatments with deep respect for your individual needs and experiences.

You deserve a provider who doesn't see complexity as a problem to solve, but as a roadmap to understanding how to best support your unique path to wellness.

Paulina Huh is a compassionate therapist supporting adults navigating life’s challenges. Paulina embraces a warm, transparent, client-centered approach that emphasizes collaboration. She specializes in working with individuals experiencing life transitions and feeling stuck. Her therapeutic approach is integrative, drawing from mindfulness, DBT, ACT, and CBT.