Who I am

Welcome. I’m Dr. Barbara Maresca, a licensed clinical psychologist based in San Francisco. In my private practice, I offer individual trauma therapy through virtual sessions to California residents .

I obtained my masters degree at St. Michael’s College in Vermont and my doctorate degree at Argosy University in California. My education was focused on applying psychological theory into clinical practice. I utilize techniques drawn from multiple therapeutic modalities, as each individual is unique and treatment is not one size fits all.

I reopened my practice after taking time away to be the primary caretaker for my kids during their early years, battling the realities of being a cancer survivor, and recalibrating after the pandemic upended all our lives. While I certainly faced many unplanned challenges, they made me more able to share in the humanity of life’s pains and more aware of what conditions are needed to find our truest inner strength.

What I do

I use a trauma-informed lens and attachment science to understand relational conflicts and personal patterns. I tap into my understanding of human development and psychological processes and offer a compassionate mind/body approach to healing. I am devoted to working collaboratively and am LGBTQ affirmative and culturally inclusive.

My Services include:

• Attachment therapy

• Psychodynamic talk therapy/depth psychology

• Trauma work utilizing somatic therapy and mindfulness

• Parenting consultation

• Eye movement desensitization therapy (EMDR)

• Internal family Systems (IFS)

• Narrative therapy

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

How I can help

People typically come to see me for help with a wide range of struggles including:

Interpersonal/relationship challenges

Worrisome depression or anxiety

Trauma and dissociation

Grief and loss

Identity exploration

Parenting struggles and dissatisfaction

The full range of childhood difficulties

Feelings of overwhelm, shame, and/or low self worth

Addictive behaviors, self harm, and habitual numbing

Body image issues and eating disorders

Betrayal, lack of intimacy, infidelity

Affect regulation such as anger and aggression