Todd Black
I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who sees couples and individuals in private practice in San Mateo. I received my B.A. in Sociology from UC Santa Barbara and my M.A. in Counseling Psychology from Palo Alto University.
I have worked with children, adolescents, adults, families, and couples and I am passionate about my work. I have worked with organizations in East Palo Alto to assist those on the front line of immigration work with mitigating vicarious trauma and compassion fatigue. I have also worked at StarVista’s Women’s Enrichment Center helping those with substance misuse and mental health issues in healing from often lifelong challenges associated with dual diagnosis (Mental Health issues and Substance Misuse). I have taken a special interest in working with couples and have assisted the leaders of the SF EFT center with their “Hold Me Tight” Couples workshop. I have also taught the couples counseling course at Palo Alto University as an adjunct professor.
Life can challenge all of us at different times in our lives. Sometimes the challenges are subtle and it can feel like there is no time to address them. Other times we are thrown into crisis and need support that is both effective and timely. Whether you are experiencing a life transition, a lack of meaning and/or purpose, or acute anxiety and depression, I can provide you with support and assist you with your healing process. I also have a special focus in my practice on helping couples achieve better intimacy, healing from past breaches of trust, and calming negative patterns.
My style is empathetic and compassionate, and I use a Humanistic approach informed by Attachment Theory and through the lens of trauma informed care. In addition to this, I have completed trainings in Motivational Interviewing, Drama Therapy, Attachment focused EMDR, Internal Family Systems, TEAM CBT therapy, DBT, and mindfulness based interventions. I am a member of CAMFT, ICEEFT (EFT therapy), and the Chi Sigma Iota professional counseling honor society.
In my free time you may find me on a long-term silent meditation retreats, scuba diving, mountain climbing, making music and/or spending time with loved ones.