Space to breathe, room to grow.
I am a licensed California therapist, offering specialized support for individual adults, teens and parents struggling with stress, anxiety, depression and relationships. I integrate practical tools drawn from CBT, DBT, ACT, PMT, SPACE, PCIT and psychodynamic models with a focus on relational connection, I help my clients move past distress and build long-term emotional strength.
About
My Philosophy: Healing Happens in Connection
I believe that everyone can make measurable progress to understand, manage, and overcome challenges and achieve their personal mental and emotional wellness goals.
My approach is rooted in systemic thinking. This means I believe healing happens not in isolation, but in connection, and I view current struggles (whether individual, teen, or parent/caregiver) as symptoms of larger relational patterns. I draw on a unique variety of clinical training and professional experience to deliver evidence-based and creative mental health strategies.
My Approach
I utilize an integrative approach that balances evidence-based strategies with relational talk therapy to fit the unique needs of each individual and family.
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Focuses on identifying and modifying unhelpful thinking patterns and behaviors to alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression.
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Teaches skills to accept difficult thoughts and feelings while committing to actions aligned with your personal values.
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Skills: Provides concrete skills in four key areas: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness.
• Humanistic (Talk) Therapy: Offers a supportive, empathetic, and non-judgmental space to explore feelings, gain insight, and foster personal growth and self-acceptance.
• Psychodynamic: While the therapy is active and focused, sessions are grounded in a psychodynamic understanding, exploring how past relational patterns and experiences influence present feelings and behaviors.
SPACE: (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions) is a parent-based treatment program specifically designed for children and adolescents struggling with anxiety, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and related conditions.
Parent Management Training (PMT): This method is a structured, skills-based program focused on teaching parents concrete, effective parenting skills to manage difficult behaviors and increase positive behaviors in their child.
Services
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Individual Therapy: Restoring balance, navigating transitions, and finding clarity
Individual therapy is a confidential space dedicated entirely to your growth. It’s an investment in understanding the why behind your patterns, so you can stop wrestling with the same issues and finally move toward the life you envision.
• Stress and Anxiety
• Low Mood and Depression
• Relationships and Boundaries -
Teen Therapy: Mastering Emotions, Building Confidence and Connection
Adolescence is a time of immense pressure—academic stress, intense peer dynamics, and the constant search for identity. Teen therapy provides a secure, confidential space where your child can navigate big feelings, learn effective coping skills, and find their authentic voice without judgment.
• Stress and Anxiety
• Mood and Regulation
• Relationship Conflict and Communication -
Parent Support and Coaching: Systemic Healing and Connection
I use evidence-based strategies to shift the family system toward consistent boundaries, confidence, and calm. SPACE treats the child by changing the parents' behavior, meaning the child does not attend sessions or even have to agree to treatment. Clinical studies show that evidence-based parent training can be just as effective as individual CBT child therapy for treating anxiety and behavioral issues.
• Parent-Child Relationship Conflict
• Communication Issues
• Reduce symptoms of child OCD, anxiety and behavioral disorders
FAQ
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Prior to our first appointment I'll send you a welcome email with paperwork to fill out. We'll spend time in our first few sessions better understanding your goals and the patterns that are playing out as well as the path forward.
The first “intake” session is 50 minutes. Please plan for an extra 10 minutes to review paperwork and scheduling. This session is a dedicated time for us to get to know each other, explore your history, and discuss what brings you to therapy. This session helps us gather the necessary context to tailor a treatment plan specifically for you. I can also share observations and answer questions that may arise.
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Most clients begin with weekly sessions to establish momentum, adjusting as needed. Sessions are offered online anywhere in California.
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Research consistently demonstrates that telemental health is as effective as in-person therapy for adults, teens, and families.
Clinical Endorsement: Major professional bodies, including the American Psychological Association (APA) and the American Psychiatric Association (APA), endorse teletherapy as a recognized and effective modality for care.
Treatment Efficacy: Studies have confirmed that evidence-based modalities like CBT delivered via telehealth result in comparable reductions in symptoms for depression and anxiety to those achieved in an office setting.
By choosing remote therapy, you receive accessible, high-quality, and evidence-backed care without the stress of commuting.
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Intake Session: $275
50 minute Standard Session: $250
25 minute Check In: $125
Drop in Sessions for past clients: $250
0-50 minute Short notice crisis services: $300
Payment is accepted following the appointment and invoices/"super bills" are available upon request. I do not direct bill insurance companies.
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Cancellations can be made by contacting me at allison@allisongervais.com or 415-996-3014 and must be made at least 48 hours in advance to avoid a late/no show fee of $200.
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“Right to Receive a Good Faith Estimate of Expected Charges” Under the No Surprises Act
You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical care will cost
Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the bill for medical items and services.
You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the totalexpected cost of any non-emergency items or services. This includes related costs like medical tests, prescription drugs, equipment,hospitalfees, and psychotherapy.
You can ask your health care provider, and any other provider you choose for a Good Faith Estimate prior to your scheduling of an item or service.
If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill.
Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate.
For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises or contact me at 415-996-3014.
