Expert CBT, ERP and evidence-based therapy for children, teens and adults in Palo Alto, Menlo Park and San Jose. Private pay, rapid access, real results.
We expect excellence in most areas of life, yet many settle for therapy that only masks anxiety, OCD, stress, or depression instead of treating the root cause. Without evidence-based methods, you end up talking in circles without long term results. You deserve therapy that gets to the core so you can feel joy again.
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Palo Alto Therapy is a private-pay mental health practice founded in 2003, serving the San Francisco Bay Area from three offices in Palo Alto, Menlo Park, and San Jose, California. We specialize in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) for OCD, Play Therapy for Children, and SPACE therapy for anxious children and their parents.
Our clinical team consists of over 20 licensed therapists treating anxiety, depression, OCD, ADHD, stress, and family challenges in children ages 4 and up, teens, adults, and couples, Online therapy is available across California, Oregon and New York.
At Palo Alto Therapy, we want your life to feel lighter, happier and more balanced, which is why we focus on the challenges that disrupt lives the most – for children, teens, and adults.
School refusal, meltdowns, social withdrawal, or constant, crippling anxiety - children show stress in ways parents often feel helpless to solve. With play therapy, SPACE, and parent-first coaching, we work at your child’s pace and give parents tools that create lasting change at home and in school.
Palo Alto Therapy does not just provide talk therapy, but focuses on teaching skills to maintain therapy. You have a genuine interest in the client’s well-being and you offered a new way of thinking about or means of addressing my issues.
I liked the emphasis on doing concrete things to get results-writing down negative thoughts, trying to say things to counter those thoughts…Thank you for helping me make my life better.
I found the homework exercises to be very helpful to me. I’ve been able to use techniques I have learned from those exercises to slow down my thoughts when problems arise and work through whatever the issue may be, OCD or otherwise.
We connect you with a therapist who specializes in your challenges – no guesswork. You get the right support immediately, before things get worse.
We track outcomes starting with your first session. Therapy success means concrete progress in weeks, supported by clear, measurable evidence.
Private-pay means quick access to specialized care, no insurance restrictions, and real people helping you navigate your options.
Whether you’re a parent watching your child struggle, a professional dealing with anxiety or depression, or a young adult navigating life’s pressures, we provide specialized therapy tailored to your unique situation and goals.
When meltdowns, rituals, or withdrawal take over, everyday life feels like a battle. Our therapists use Play Therapy, SPACE, & parent-first approaches, giving your child a safe way to open up and equip you with practical strategies that bring calm back to mornings, bedtimes, & family routines. Parents tell us, “I finally feel confident again — I know how to help my child.”
Children often don’t have the words to describe what’s wrong — they show it, through meltdowns, rituals, school refusal, or withdrawal. Our therapists, trained in Play Therapy & SPACE, help children as young as 4, express themselves & reduce worries in a way that feels natural to them – to build confidence, manage big emotions, & reconnect with joy.
Anxiety, OCD, depression, & social pressures leave teens & young adults feeling stuck or behind. Our specialists use age-appropriate CBT & parent-inclusive strategies to reduce conflict, lift mood, and rebuild confidence so young people feel prepared for school, work, and relationships. A teen who once dreaded going out can rediscover the confidence to enjoy life again.
When a family member struggles, the whole household feels it. Our family therapy specialists guide everyone toward healthier communication & stronger connection. Tensions ease, conflicts resolve, & families rediscover the joy of simply being together around the dinner table.
Whether you’re balancing the demands of a high-pressure career or simply trying to get through each day, our therapists use CBT & ERP, the gold-standard approaches for anxiety, OCD, & depression, to help adults of all ages quiet racing thoughts, rebuild motivation, & find calm. We’ll help you regain confidence, improve focus, & feel more in control, so life starts to feel manageable — and enjoyable — once more.
Even strong relationships can crack under stress, parenting, or constant miscommunication. Our couples’ therapists draw on evidence-based methods like the Gottman Method & Emotionally Focused Therapy to break negative cycles, rebuild trust, & restore closeness. Couples tell us therapy feels like “having the tools to finally speak the same language again.”
At Palo Alto Therapy, we know it’s essential to feel confident that your therapist truly understands how to help. That’s why quality is built into everything we do. All our therapists go through a rigorous selection process AND complete intensive, specialist-led training in areas like anxiety, OCD, ADHD, & child therapy – so you always work with someone who knows your challenges well.
Our commitment doesn’t stop there. Therapists meet weekly for skills training & consultation, and associate therapists receive added oversight, with each session reviewed by a licensed supervisor.
This structured approach ensures you get expert, consistent care & see meaningful progress with a therapist dedicated to your success.
Evidence-based therapy means we use proven methods like CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention), SPACE (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions), & Play Therapy — all backed by research & clinical results. Unlike unstructured talk therapy that may feel supportive but lacks direction, these approaches teach practical tools & track progress so you know therapy is working for the long haul.
Yes. CBT is one of our core methods, it’s highly effective for anxiety, depression, stress, & many related conditions. We teach you how to identify & change negative thought patterns, practice new coping skills, & apply them to real-life situations. Our structured approach helps you feel better faster & gives you tools you can use long after therapy ends.
ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention) is the gold standard for treating OCD. It helps clients face fears gradually and safely, while reducing compulsive behaviors like checking, counting, or avoiding. At Palo Alto Therapy, ERP is delivered by specialists trained extensively in OCD treatment, so clients can break free from cycles that have controlled their lives for years.
Yes. We provide therapy for children (aged 4+) and teens, with approaches tailored to their age and needs. Children often express themselves through play, which is why our therapists are trained in Play Therapy – because play is a child’s language. Teens face unique challenges around independence, school, and social pressure, so we use age-appropriate CBT and parent-involved approaches to help them build confidence and resilience.
Absolutely. Depression doesn’t always look like sadness – it can show up as low motivation, fatigue, loss of joy, or withdrawing from family and friends. Our therapists use structured, evidence-based methods to lift mood, restore energy, and help clients feel connected again. We also support parents worried about children or teens isolating, showing them how progress can ripple positively through the whole family.
Yes. While we have in-person offices in Palo Alto, Menlo Park, and San Jose, we also provide online therapy across the entire state of California. You’ll receive the same high-quality care via secure video sessions, making it easier to access support from home, school, or work.
Palo Alto Therapy is an out-of-network, private-pay practice. That means we’re not contracted with insurance providers, so you pay us directly for sessions. For added convenience, we can electronically submit claims to your insurance company for possible reimbursement. Many of our clients also choose to use their Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA) benefits. This model gives you faster access to specialized care without the wait-lists, restrictions, or red tape that come with in-network providers.
Most new clients are scheduled within the same week. Every call is answered by a real person from our team – not an automated system – so you feel supported right from the start. We’ll match you with the therapist best suited to your needs and, if you’d like, arrange a free 15-minute consultation before you commit.
Yes. We know therapy needs to fit into busy lives, which is why we offer appointments after 5pm on weekdays as well as sessions on Saturdays. Whether you’re a working professional, a parent managing school schedules, or a student, we’ll help you find a time that makes therapy realistic and sustainable. We also have three convenient Bay Area locations – Palo Alto, Menlo Park, and San Jose – along with online therapy available anywhere in California.
Because our methods are structured & focused, many clients notice improvement within weeks. The length of therapy varies depending on your situation, but we measure progress regularly so you’ll always know how things are going. Our therapy isn’t about talking for years with no end in sight – it’s about reaching clear goals & seeing lasting results.
Yes. We know that when one person struggles, the whole family feels it. Our family therapists use structured approaches to reduce conflict, improve communication, & create a calmer home environment. We also provide couples therapy, helping partners break negative cycles, rebuild trust, & reconnect – especially under the strain of parenting, careers, or long-standing stress.
We work with children (ages 4+), teens, young adults, adults, and elders. Each age group faces different challenges, which is why our therapists are specifically trained in child, adolescent, and adult-focused methods. Whether you’re seeking therapy for your child, your teen, or yourself, you’ll be matched with a therapist who has the right expertise.
