Business Details
Mindful Psychotherapy Services in San Francisco
Scott Balderson, MFT, has dedicated over 15 years to private psychotherapy practice in San Francisco's Castro District. With a foundation in traditional western psychotherapy and advanced training at the California Institute of Integral Studies, my approach integrates mindfulness, Buddhist principles, and shamanic practices. I combine 25 years of professional experienceincluding Capitol Hill policy work and business managementwith a personal commitment to mindful meditation and yoga.My collaborative, personable therapy style addresses relationship patterns, trauma, and identity issues while maintaining strict confidentiality. I specialize in working with individuals and couples seeking to overcome anxiety, disconnection, and self-limiting beliefs through experiential, non-judgmental awareness. As a licensed therapist (MFC34280), I prioritize client autonomy and provide documentation for insurance reimbursement and flexible spending account utilization.
Services
Mindful Psychotherapy
Couples Therapy
Gay and Lesbian Psychology
Trauma Recovery
Jungian Psychology
Mindfulness Training
Relationship Counseling
Spiritual Integration
Neurobiology-Informed Therapy
Shamanic Approaches
Highlights and features
- We offer 15+ years of specialized psychotherapy experience in San Francisco's Castro District
- Our approach integrates mindfulness with traditional psychotherapy and spiritual traditions
- We provide personalized therapy for complex relationship patterns and trauma recovery
- Our practice specifically supports LGBTQ+ individuals and couples
- We maintain strict confidentiality while offering flexible session options
Services
Mindful Psychotherapy
This integrative approach combines traditional psychotherapy with mindfulness practices to help clients develop non-judgmental awareness of their thoughts, emotions, and bodily sensations. By cultivating present-moment awareness, clients learn to break free from self-limiting patterns and reconnect with their innate healing capacity. The therapy specifically addresses anxiety, depression, and trauma through evidence-based mindfulness techniques.
Couples Therapy
Specialized therapy for couples experiencing disconnection or communication difficulties. This service helps partners identify destructive interaction patterns while developing greater emotional intimacy. Using mindfulness-based approaches, couples learn to shift from adversarial positions to collaborative problem-solving, fostering deeper understanding and connection while maintaining individual authenticity.
Gay and Lesbian Psychology
Culturally competent mental health support addressing the unique challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals. This service focuses on overcoming internalized shame, navigating identity issues, and building resilience against societal pressures. The therapy incorporates affirming perspectives that validate diverse experiences while promoting self-acceptance and personal growth.
Jungian Psychology
Depth-oriented therapy exploring unconscious patterns and archetypal influences affecting current behavior. This approach helps clients integrate different aspects of their psyche through dream analysis, active imagination, and symbolic exploration. The therapy specifically addresses existential concerns and promotes individuation through understanding personal and collective unconscious material.
Trauma Recovery
Specialized treatment for individuals dealing with traumatic experiences using somatic and mindfulness-based approaches. This service helps clients process traumatic memories while developing grounding techniques to manage distressing symptoms. The therapy focuses on restoring a sense of safety, rebuilding self-connection, and transforming traumatic experiences into opportunities for personal growth and resilience.
People
Scott Balderson
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Scott Balderson has practiced psychotherapy in San Francisco for over 15 years. He combines traditional western therapy with mindfulness and spiritual traditions, drawing from his background in Capitol Hill policy work and business management. His approach emphasizes collaborative, experiential healing for individuals and couples seeking personal growth and relationship improvement.
Questions
What therapeutic approaches do you use?
I integrate mindfulness, traditional psychotherapy, and spiritual traditions including Buddhism and shamanism. My approach combines Jungian psychology, neurobiology, and somatic awareness to address each client's unique needs through collaborative, experiential therapy.
Do you accept insurance?
I'm not on insurance panels but provide documentation for out-of-network reimbursement. Many clients use flexible spending accounts to cover therapy costs, and I can provide necessary paperwork for both options.
What are your session availability?
I offer afternoon and evening sessions Monday through Thursday. I also provide secure video sessions for California residents outside the San Francisco Bay Area through Skype or other digital platforms.
Do you work with couples?
Yes, I specialize in couples therapy focusing on reconnecting partners through non-judgmental exploration of relationship patterns. My approach helps couples transform adversarial dynamics into collaborative partnerships while maintaining individual authenticity.
What mental health issues do you treat?
I treat anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship issues, and identity concerns with particular expertise in LGBTQ+ mental health. My practice addresses both immediate concerns and deeper patterns through mindfulness-based, holistic approaches.
Where is your office located?
My office is in San Francisco's Castro District at 533a Castro Street, between 18th and 19th Streets. For California residents outside the Bay Area, I offer secure video therapy sessions through digital platforms.
Reviews (2)
Storm A.
Jun 25, 2014
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Scott came highly recommended to me from a trusted friend. I was not disappointed. Scott is an active and reflective listener from whom I learned a lot about mindfulness. He is a great therapist and I highly recommend him to anyone who is serious about getting to understand themselves in a new way.
Easea G.
May 09, 2013
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My partner and I had several sessions together with Scott over the past year to work through some difficulties that we faced in our long term relationship. There is no doubt that we benefited a great deal from Scott's counseling and insights. Without taking sides, Scott helped us to reconnect with each other by listening to each other more actively and by focusing on our own behaviors rather than those of the other. There was a point in our relationship when I did not think we were going to make it together, and I felt helpless to do anything about it. With Scott's guidance, we have a
