Halleh Akhbari (she/her)

AMFT #156442
Accepting Clients

Warm, collaborative AMFT supporting anxiety, self-esteem, relationships & cultural identity. Virtual therapy in California.

Associate Marriage & Family Therapist in San Fransisco, CA
Supervised by Traci Freeman LMFT, 122329

Services
  • Individual
  • Couples
  • Child
  • Adolescent/Teen

About My Clients

My clients are children, teens, adults, and couples who want to feel more grounded, confident, and connected. Many come to therapy struggling with anxiety, depression, OCD, low self-esteem, grief, or relationship challenges. Others are navigating cultural identity, life transitions, or healing after loss or separation. Whether you’re an individual or couple, my goal is to help you feel seen, supported, and empowered to make meaningful change in your life.

My Background and Approach

I am an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT) with experience supporting children, teens, adults, and couples. My background includes helping clients through grief, trauma, family transitions, cultural identity struggles, and relational challenges. I integrate evidence-based modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), trauma-informed CBT, and Person-Centered Therapy. I also incorporate mindfulness, positive psychology, and expressive strategies like art therapy to encourage emotional expression and self-discovery. With couples, I use tools from the Gottman Method (Level 1 trained) to strengthen communication, rebuild trust, and deepen connection. My therapeutic style is warm, collaborative, and culturally responsive, and I tailor sessions to meet each client’s unique needs, strengths, and goals.

My Personal Beliefs and Interests

I believe therapy should be a safe, empowering, and validating space where clients feel truly seen and supported. Each person carries strengths, resilience, and wisdom that can be unlocked in the right environment. My role is to walk alongside you, helping you gain insight, build coping skills, and reconnect with your inner strengths. I also value cultural responsiveness and understand the unique challenges of navigating bicultural identity, intergenerational trauma, and belonging. As a Persian-American therapist, I honor the balance between heritage and individuality, and I welcome clients from all cultural, spiritual, and personal backgrounds. I approach therapy with warmth, authenticity, and genuine care, believing that the therapeutic relationship itself can be healing. Above all, I see therapy as a partnership where together we can work toward clarity, balance, and meaningful growth in your life and relationships.

Techniques I Use

Specialties
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) Person-Centered (Rogerian)
Other Techniques
  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
  • Anger Management Therapy
  • Art Therapy
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
  • Couples Counseling
  • Culturally Sensitive Therapy
  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
  • Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)
  • Gottman Method Couples Therapy
  • Holistic Therapy
  • Humanistic Therapy
  • Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)
  • Motivational Interviewing
  • Narrative Therapy
  • Play Therapy
  • Solution Focused Brief Therapy
  • Relationship Counseling
  • Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)

Issues I Treat

Specialties
Anxiety Relationship Issues Self-Esteem
Other Issues
  • Anger Issues
  • Anxiety
  • Attachment
  • Burnout
  • Codependency
  • Depression
  • Family Conflict
  • Grief or Loss
  • Historical/ Intergenerational Trauma
  • Immigration/Acculturation
  • LGBTQ-Friendly Therapists
  • Marriage Counseling
  • Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
  • Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)
  • Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  • Racial Identity
  • Relationship Issues
  • Self-Esteem
  • Suicidal Thoughts
  • Teen Issues
  • Veterans/Military Service
  • Women's Issues
Insurance Plans Accepted
  • Aetna
  • Health Net
  • Managed Health Network
  • Anthem
  • MHN
  • Optum
  • TRICARE
  • TriWest
  • United Healthcare
  • Molina
  • UMR
  • Cigna/Evernorth

At A Glance

  • Experience: 1 year of practice
  • Languages: English, Farsi
  • Rate: $170 - 200/session

Info

Email Halleh
Whole Health Counseling Services
1734 Fillmore St
San Fransisco, CA 94115
Hope Therapy Group
5252 Balboa Ave Unit 408
San Diego, CA 92117

Reach out to Halleh