About Me

Welcome! I’m glad you’re here.

My work is my passion. I am honored to hold space for clients to help guide you to realize your goals. I believe the world would be a better place if everybody were in therapy (yes, I’m in therapy too and can’t imagine it any other way).

My Approach

The most important part of therapy is the relationship between the client and the therapist. My top priority is to help you feel comfortable in our sessions. This focus on trust and comfort helps create a safe space to allow you to be vulnerable and authentic without fear of being shamed.

My clients say they quickly feel at ease in our sessions because I model radical acceptance to them. I don’t believe in “fixing” people but help them to see the strength in what they formerly identified as weakness. My clients talk freely with me about intimacy, sex, drugs and alcohol, attachment, emotions, and other difficult topics because of my non-judgmental and trauma-informed approach. I am highly trained in harm reduction, substance use, and sexual health, and am extremely comfortable talking about sensitive subjects.

My Style

I am not a passive therapist. I provide feedback and sometimes ask challenging questions, but always with empathy and compassion.

I practice a collaborative approach to treatment. Together, we will come up with a treatment plan that suits your individual needs. I encourage my clients to tell me what they want from therapy. I always welcome feedback; I want to know what is and what isn’t working for you in our sessions. I especially encourage you to challenge me when you disagree with something I say. One of the greatest benefits of therapy is that it provides a safe space to practice communication and even confrontation, without judgment or rejection.

My Background

I completed my master's in nursing at Boston College while doing my specialized graduate training at the VA with a focus on PTSD and substance use disorders.

Since 2009, I have dedicated my career to working with marginalized communities. Prior to returning to the bay area, I spent three years working and training at the country’s preeminent LGBTQ clinic, Callen-Lorde Community Health Center in NYC. Most recently, I’ve worked at a community health agency whose mission is to provide accessible care for low-income families of historically African American communities in the bay area.

Other past organizations I have worked for include Magnet/San Francisco AIDS Foundation, the San Francisco VA Medical Center, the Boston VA system, Cambridge Cares about AIDS, and the Epilepsy Foundation of Northern California.

My Therapeutic Orientation

My therapeutic approach is integrative with focuses on the psychodynamic, interpersonal, and existential models. I also incorporate aspects of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), and Internal Family Systems (IFS) into my therapy sessions. All of the therapy that I conduct is trauma-informed. Additionally, I am an EMDR-trained therapist and offer EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) sessions to interested clients. I strive to provide an LGBTQ+ affirming, anti-racist, sex-positive, non-judgmental, open, honest environment for clients to express themselves.

Board Certifications & Licenses

CA State NP License: 95011629
CA State RN License: 95190984
National Board Certification (ANCC): 2016014746
NPI: 1235580978

John Haupert, NP