Alice Filmus M.A. MFT

Services  &  Resources

There are many components to therapy. One of the most important is the therapeutic relationship. You need to be comfortable with your therapist. I believe it takes time to evaluate whether a therapist is right for you. Here are some potentially helpful differentiations for professionals in the field.

Most common providers of psychotherapy are LMFTs, LCSWs, psychologists, and psychiatrists. The discipline of a therapist is ultimately less important than their skills and experience and how you feel about the relationship that you develop with them. Below is a brief description of these disciplines and the approximate range of regular rates or full fees charged in San Francisco.

LMFTs

LMFTs are Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists. They hold a master’s degree in psychology or counseling. The terms “Marriage and Family” suggest that these clinicians see couples, families, and they are trained to provide individual therapy as well. As a Marriage and Family therapist (MFT), I have a Master’s level education and am licensed by the state of California. I received theoretical and clinical training at a graduate institute in counseling psychology and then completed several internships (over 3000 hours) at community agencies and schools prior to sitting for and passing state licensing exams. 

An MFT Intern (MFTI) or Registered Psych Assistant (RPA) is a therapist in training as an MFT or Psychologist who is being supervised by a licensed person.

LCSWs
LCSWs are Licensed Clinical Social Workers. LCSWs have a master’s degree in social work and often work in hospitals, clinics, and agencies as well as in private practice. 

Psychologists
Psychologists hold a doctoral degree in psychology. The degree that a psychologist holds may be a PhD, PsyD or DMH (Doctor of Mental Health). Some psychologists provide psychological testing as well as psychotherapy. Psychologist rates generally fall between those of master’s level clinicians and psychiatrists (MDs).

Psychiatrists
Psychiatrists are MDs and as physicians they can prescribe medication. They are the only mental healthcare provider that can prescribe medications. A psychiatrist's training now focuses more on psychopharmacology or prescribing medications and less on psychotherapy. Psychiatrist hourly rates for psychotherapy are the most expensive.

You may also find individuals who offer services as a Counselor or Coach as distinct from psychotherapist. Coaching and counseling are both goal-oriented short-term work and the counselor or coach is not required to have a license to practice.

Another very important addition to the therapeutic success is having a team of support. I am proving several resources that are vital to survival and others that might become handy on your way to bettering your well-being.

Free Phone Crisis Counseling Services

San Francisco's Suicide Prevention:

Suicide/Crisis Line

415.781.0500

Drug/Relapse Line

415.362.3400

Institute on Aging's Friendship Line for the Elderly

415.752.3778

SF Child Abuse Prevention Center's Parental Stress/TALK Line

415.441.KIDS

C.H.A.L.K.'s National Youth Line

888.977.3399

GLBT National Youth Talk Line

800.246.7743

Shelters for Women

W.O.M.A.N., Inc.

415.864.4722

La Casa de Las Madres

415.503.0500

Asian Women’s Shelter

415.751.7110

S.F. Dept. of Social Services (Adult Services Program)

415.557.5251

Substance Use and Abuse Services



Information and answers for people fighting addiction

https://www.drugrehab.com/

Drug and Alcohol Rehab Facilities 

http://www.rehabs.com/local/san-francisco-ca/

Tweaker.org

Tweaker is a web site sponsored by the Stonewall Project to provide resources, information, and support for individuals who use crystal meth.
www.tweaker.org

Dancesafe.org

Dance Safe is a nonprofit organization promoting health and safety within the rave and nightclub community. www.dancesafe.org

The Stonewall Project

The Stonewall Project is a harm-reduction program for gay and bisexual men who have questions about speed, want information about speed, want help dealing with speed, etc. There’s no requirement that you be clean and sober to join.
415.502.1999
3180 18th Street, Suite 202
San Francisco, CA 94114

AIDS Health Project: AIDS Substance Abuse Program (ASAP)

Provides assessments and intervention related to substance abuse for people with HIV or at risk of infection. Services include drug counseling, relapse prevention, support group, and case management. www.ucsf.ahp.org
415.476.3902
1930 Market Street, San Francisco, CA 94102

Alcoholics Anonymous

Call for meetings times and locations; hundreds of meetings per week in the Bay Area. 415.621.1326

Haight Ashbury Free Clinics

HAFCI provides free, nonjudgmental medical substance abuse treatment and prevention services to the underserved and marginalized populations of San Francisco. www.hafci.org
415.565.1908
612 Clayton Street, San Francisco, CA 94117

Immune Enhancement Project

Sponsors customized treatments for health enhancement using traditional Chinese medicine including acupuncture, herbal therapy, and massage. www.iepclinic.com
415.252.8711
3450 16th Street, San Francisco, CA 94114

Ohlhoff Recovery Programs and Eating Disorders Clinic

For over 40 years, Ohlhoff Recovery Programs have provided quality, affordable programs for adults and adolescents in recovery from Alcoholism, Chemical Dependency, and Eating Disorders. We provide both inpatient and outpatient services. www.ohlhoff.org
415.621.4388
601 Steiner Street, San Francisco, CA 94117

Narcotics Anonymous

Call for meetings times and locations.
415.621.8600

S.T.O.P. (Stimulant Treatment Outpatient Program)

An intensive outpatient harm reduction treatment program for anyone (straight and gay, women and men) having problems with either speed or cocaine.
415.502.5777
3180 18th Street, Suite 202, San Francisco, CA 94114

Other Mental Health Services

SF AIDS Foundation – Action Point

Nursing, social work, care management, medication storage and dispensing for homeless and marginally housed HIV positives individuals. www.sfaf.org
415.487.3030
117 6th Street, San Francisco, CA 94103

Bay Positives

The mission of Bay Area Young Positives (BAY Positives) is to help young people (26 and under) living with HIV/AIDS live longer, happier, healthier, more productive, and quality-filled lives. www.baypositives.org
415.487.1616
701 Oak Street, San Francisco, CA 94117

Bayview Hunter’s Point Foundation – AIDS Emotional Support Foundation

BHPF provides client and family members with individual assessments case management, referrals and practical assistance for HIV positive members of the African American community. www.dph.sf.ca.us/chn/healthcenters.htm
415.822.8200
1625 Carroll Street, San Francisco, CA 94124

Dimensions at Castro Mission Health Center

Provides primary medical care, testing, mental health services, case management, family planning, and peer support for gay and bisexual youth ages 12 to 25. www.dph.sf.ca.us/chn/healthcenters.htm
415.487.7589
3850 17th Street, San Francisco, CA 94114

Larkin Street Youth Services

The mission of LSYS is to create a continuum of services that inspires youth, 24 years or younger, to move beyond the street and to establish stable lives. www.larkinstreetyouth.org
415.673.0911
1138 Sutter Street, San Francisco, CA 94109

Tom Waddell Clinic

TWC provides primary medical care and mental health, social and substance abuse services to homeless, transgenders, low.income and uninsured individuals in San Francisco. www.dph.sf.ca.us/chn/healthcenters.htm
415.554.2950
50 Ivy Street, San Francisco, CA 94102

Magnet SF

Magnet’s vision is to promote the physical, mental and social well.being of gay men, including social support, mental health counseling and HIV/STD counseling and testing. www.magnetsf.org
415.581.1600
4122 18th Street, San Francisco, CA 94114

Mission Neighborhood Health Center

MNHC provides comprehensive outpatient medical services including HIV testing, HIV prevention and services for Latino/a individuals living with HIV. www.dph.sf.ca.us/chn/healthcenters.htm
415.552.3870
240 Shotwell Street, San Francisco, CA 94110

Shanti – The Life Program

The Life Program is an immune.boosting treatment for HIV/AIDS based on mind/body medicine. Also includes HealthChat, a twice.monthly discussion group for gay and bisexual men. www.shanti.org/life/program.html
415.674.4700
730 Polk Street, San Francisco, CA 94109

Positive Health Program

The Positive Health Program in its entirety has become an internationally recognized center of clinical excellence and "standard.setter" for HIV care, and pioneering a number of medical and scientific advances. php.ucsf.edu
415.476.4082
995 Potrero Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94110

HIV Positive Drop-in Group

Meets every Tuesday at 7:00 pm.
415.863.4434
MCC-SF, 150 Eureka Street, San Francisco, CA 94114

Sexual Compulsive Anonymous

Meets Mon and Wednesday at 7:00 pm followed by a coffee social. www.sca.recovery.org
800.977.HEAL
The Center, 1800 Market Street, San Francisco, CA 94114

Postpartum Resources:

Recommended Organizations and Websites

www.ppdsupportpage.com/
A postpartum site with great information, online chat and links.

www.postpartum.net

Postpartum Support International is a Santa Barbara based international organization. You can reach PSI at (805) 967-7636 for telephone support.

Postpartum Warmline

888-773-7090

toll free SF bay area, 9 am to 9 pm

Staffed by trained volunteers who have recovered from postpartum mood disorders.www.beyondtheblues.com

888-HUG-MOMS or 408-255-1730

www.postpartumdads.org

www.ppdsupportpage.com/dads.html

www.radiantmother.com/fathers.htm

Three websites providing online Postpartum depression support for dads.