Natalie Yates, LMFT
I believe healing is possible, and that meaningful change unfolds within safe and supportive relationships.
I am a licensed psychotherapist based in San Francisco, CA. I believe that healing and meaningful change are possible—and that they happen within safe, supportive relationships. The past shapes the present in ways we may not always realize, and therapy offers a space to observe and explore these patterns with curiosity, compassion, and understanding. It’s also a space to use that awareness to create meaningful shifts.
I provide a warm, thoughtful, and collaborative environment where you can reflect, grow, and navigate life’s challenges. If you’re struggling with relationship difficulties, low self-esteem, insecurity, emotional pain, or a sense of feeling stuck, therapy can help you deepen self-awareness and move toward a more connected, fulfilling life—at a pace that feels right for you.
How I work
Therapy with me is an insight-oriented, relational process—one that invites curiosity, patience, and self-compassion. My approach is person-centered, attachment-based, and psychodynamic, meaning we’ll explore how your past experiences have shaped your emotions, beliefs, and ways of relating. Lasting change doesn’t come from quick fixes; deep, meaningful growth takes time. While we engage in this deeper work, I also offer practical tools—including somatic exercises—to help you regulate emotions, stay present, and navigate challenges as we uncover unconscious patterns and make sense of painful experiences.
I provide a warm, attuned presence, meeting you where you are while gently encouraging exploration and change. Healing unfolds gradually through thoughtful reflection and the development of new ways of thinking, feeling, and relating—to yourself and others.
Who I work with
I work with individuals who are deeply sensitive and often navigate challenges like anxiety, depression, dating, past trauma, difficult family dynamics, relationship struggles, and major life transitions. Many of my clients are reflective and thoughtful, yet they may feel that something is missing or out of place in their lives. They often find themselves caught in cycles of overthinking, weighed down by low self-esteem, or feeling disconnected in their relationships.
You may long to understand yourself more deeply but feel stuck in patterns that no longer serve you. These patterns likely developed for a reason—at one point, they helped you navigate challenges or kept you safe. Yet now, you might feel uncertain about how to move forward, frustrated by recurring struggles despite your efforts to change.
Together, we’ll explore how your past has shaped your emotions, beliefs, and relationships, while also creating space for growth and meaningful change. I work with individuals who have been to therapy before, as well as those seeking therapy for the first time. If this resonates with you, we can explore these feelings and experiences together in a safe, supportive space—one where you can gain deeper clarity, insight, and the capacity for lasting transformation.
Areas of Focus
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Self-Esteem & Self-Worth
For those who experience persistent self-doubt and carry the weight of an internal critic that whispers, ‘not ___ enough.’ Therapy can help quiet that voice and foster a stronger sense of self-trust and confidence.
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Childhood Trauma
For those navigating complex family dynamics, carrying unresolved pain and shame from childhood, or struggling with unmet emotional needs. Together, we can explore these wounds with care and compassion, creating space for healing, safety, and self-understanding.
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Anxiety
For those who often feel on high alert, caught in loops of overthinking, analysis, and worry. Therapy can help bring relief by developing tools to soothe the nervous system, challenge anxious thought patterns, and foster a greater sense of calm and presence.
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Relationships & Dating
For those facing challenges in relationships—with others, with substances, or with themselves. Whether you’re entering a new relationship, navigating conflict, healing from heartbreak, or struggling with disconnection, this is a space to explore and strengthen your relational patterns.
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Depression / Suicidality / Self-Harming
For those feeling weighed down by hopelessness, struggling to find motivation, or battling thoughts of not wanting to be here. You don’t have to go through this alone—together, we can create space for understanding, relief, purpose, and hope.
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Life Transitions & Big Life Changes
For those adjusting to life transitions—whether it’s a move, graduation, job change, break-up, or divorce. Change can bring uncertainty and emotional distress, but it can also be an opportunity for growth and deeper self-awareness.
Education & Professional Development
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Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology with an emphasis on LGBTQ Counseling from Santa Clara University
Bachelor’s degree in Sociology with minors in Education and Applied Psychology from The University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB)
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California Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist #139404
Indiana Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist #35002345A
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Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP)
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I have provided psychotherapy services in various settings, including schools, non-profit clinics, group practices, and private practice, giving me a broad perspective on the diverse needs of my clients.
My background and training is in providing psychotherapy services to survivors of sexual trauma and domestic abuse / violence.
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California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT)
San Francisco | California Association of Family Therapists (SF CAMFT)
Psychoanalytic Institute of Northern California (PINC)
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I engage in regular individual and group consultation in both Psychodynamic and Psychoanalytic Theories to deepen and refine my clinical practice.
