Medically reviewed by Gabriela Asturias, MD on May 23, 2025If you’re looking for Personality Disorder support in San Francisco, you’re in the right place. MiResource connects you with trusted local therapists, psychiatrists, and programs. Find care options, learn about treatment, and take the next step toward stability and strength today.
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
Remote only
Aubri Gomez is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in undefined, undefined. They treat Personality Disorders, Relationship(s) with Partner/Husband/Wife, Family Caregiving Stress.
Rooted in attachment, regulation, and cultural humility, we provide affirming psychotherapy for those seeking depth, authenticity, and belonging.
Psychologist
Remote only
Monique Vorous is a Psychologist in undefined, undefined and has been in practice for 13 years. They treat Personality Disorders, Chronic Illness/Pain, Drug Use.
I work with individuals to help them to become active participants in meeting their therapeutic goals. I am a therapist at Octave, a behavioral health pr
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
Remote only
Eamonn McKay is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in undefined, undefined and has been in practice for 10 years. They treat Personality Disorders, Relationship(s) with Partner/Husband/Wife, Phobia.
I approach therapy from an integrative standpoint, using evidence-based therapy modalities that best suit the individuals, couples, or groups with whom I
Sport Psychologist
Remote only
Auran Piatigorsky, PhD, LP, CMPC is a Sport Psychologist in undefined, undefined and has been in practice for 30 years. They treat Personality Disorders, Academic Concerns, Relationship(s) with Parents/Children/Family.
Licensed Clinical Sport Psychologist — services for mental health care & performance enhancement
Counselor, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
2012 Bryant Ave S, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55405
Core Psychotherapy is a Counselor in Minneapolis, Minnesota and has been in practice for 17 years. They treat Personality Disorders, Bipolar Disorder, Anxiety.
Our emphasis is on creating a safe, supportive environment in which to explore and develop insights into underlying feelings and thoughts.
Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC)
2150 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley, California 94704
Sara Au is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) in Berkeley, California. They treat Personality Disorders, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Sara uses a holistic, trauma-informed approach to empower individuals, focusing on self-awareness and emotional growth for fulfilling lives.
You’re in the right place to explore mental health resources in San Francisco. This section guides you to local hospitals, psychiatric services, and community programs that support your well-being. You’ll also find clear information about relevant laws and how they affect access to care. Whether you’re seeking immediate help or ongoing support, we offer practical, up-to-date options to help you navigate services with confidence and compassion.
Mental health affects how we think, feel, and act, shaping our relationships, how we handle stress at work or school, and even our sleep, energy, and immunity. When we feel emotionally balanced, we tend to communicate more clearly, focus better, and care for our bodies; when we’re struggling, it can strain connections, productivity, and physical well-being. Early experiences—including parenting styles and attachment patterns—influence how we manage emotions, trust others, and cope with challenges across life. Mental health challenges are common and treatable, and it’s a sign of strength to seek support alongside everyday habits like movement, sleep, connection, and time in nature. In San Francisco, you can contact Behavioral Health Services’ 24/7 Access Line at 415-255-3737 (or 888-246-3333), call/text 988 for crisis support, or use the peer-run California Warm Line (855-845-7415); SF Public Library and community centers also offer free wellness groups and workshops.
In San Francisco, Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital’s Psychiatric Emergency Services provides 24/7 crisis evaluation and emergency stabilization, with inpatient psychiatry and county-linked outpatient programs for ongoing care. UCSF Langley Porter Psychiatric Hospital and Clinics offers inpatient and outpatient services, including partial hospitalization/intensive outpatient programs and specialty care such as dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) approaches helpful for personality disorders. California Pacific Medical Center (CPMC) – Davies Campus has an adult inpatient psychiatric unit, a senior behavioral health unit, and outpatient/partial programs, plus Addiction Medicine and Recovery Services. St. Mary’s Medical Center runs an inpatient behavioral health unit and intensive outpatient programs for adults, with psychiatry and therapy services coordinated for step-down care. Kaiser Permanente San Francisco provides outpatient psychiatry, DBT-informed groups, addiction medicine, and intensive outpatient care, and coordinates inpatient stabilization at regional Kaiser facilities when needed. Veterans can access the San Francisco VA Medical Center’s inpatient psychiatry, PTSD and substance use programs, and robust outpatient mental health services.
San Francisco’s public Behavioral Health Services (Mental Health SF) can connect you to low-cost or sliding-scale care across the city, with interpreter services, telehealth, and help for people with or without insurance. City clinics include Mission Mental Health (Mission), Chinatown North Beach Mental Health (Chinatown/North Beach), South of Market Mental Health (SoMa), Sunset Mental Health (Sunset), and Bayview–Hunters Point Behavioral Health (Bayview), all near Muni/BART and wheelchair accessible.
Nonprofit options include RAMS, Inc. (Richmond Area Multi-Services) (Richmond/Chinatown/SoMa; Cantonese, Mandarin, Japanese, Korean, Tagalog, Vietnamese), Instituto Familiar de la Raza (Mission; Spanish/English), Felton Institute / Family Service Agency (multiple sites citywide), Hyde Street Community Services (Tenderloin), Bayview Hunters Point Foundation Behavioral Health (Bayview), and Access Institute (Lower Pacific Heights) for sliding-scale therapy.
Hospital-linked programs like Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital Outpatient Psychiatry and UCSF Citywide Case Management offer specialized care, case management, and groups for complex needs, serving clients citywide with Medi-Cal and support for the uninsured. Many sites provide evening hours, walk-in or same-day access, LGBTQ+-affirming and trauma-informed care, and services in English, Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin, Tagalog, Vietnamese, and Russian—support is available, and reaching out is a strong step.
Partial Hospitalization (PHP) offers full-day treatment several days a week while you sleep at home; Intensive Outpatient (IOP) provides a few half-days weekly; residential programs are 24/7 live-in care for more support. In San Francisco, UCSF Langley Porter Psychiatric Hospital & Clinics (Parnassus Heights) runs adult PHP and IOP using evidence-based care, including DBT skills, for mood, anxiety, trauma, and personality disorders. Kaiser Permanente San Francisco Behavioral Health (Inner Richmond/Geary Campus) offers member-based PHP/IOP for mood, anxiety, and substance use, with tracks that can support personality disorder needs. The Lotus Collaborative – San Francisco(Union Street/Cow Hollow) provides eating-disorder PHP and IOP with trauma-informed therapy and nutrition support. HealthRIGHT 360 – Walden House (multiple San Francisco sites, including SoMa/Mission) offers residential treatment for substance use and co-occurring mental health needs, with step-down options to IOP.
In San Francisco, California’s Welfare & Institutions Code 5150 allows a designated professional (such as a peace officer, county‑designated clinician, or the Mobile Crisis Team) to start a 72‑hour involuntary psychiatric evaluation when someone is at risk of harm to self/others or is gravely disabled; after that, a 5250 can extend care up to 14 days, and 5585 applies similar rules for minors. During a crisis, responders transport the person to a designated facility where licensed clinicians and psychiatrists do the assessment, share information about what’s happening, and offer treatment options; you have rights to be told the reasons for the hold in understandable language, to an interpreter, to make phone calls and contact a support person, and to seek advocacy and appeal through the San Francisco Patients’ Rights Advocate and a certification review hearing or habeas corpus. For immediate help, call or text 988; locally, contact the San Francisco Behavioral Health Services Access Line at 415‑255‑3737 (toll‑free 888‑246‑3333; TDD 888‑484‑7200). Mobile help: San Francisco Mobile Crisis Team (adults) 415‑970‑4000 and Child Crisis (youth) 415‑970‑3800; you can also request the Street Crisis Response Team via 911. Emergency rooms nearby include Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital (PES/ER, 1001 Potrero Ave), CPMC Davies Campus ER (601 Duboce Ave), and Kaiser San Francisco ER (2425 Geary Blvd).
In San Francisco, personality disorder symptoms can show up in everyday moments, like feeling intensely anxious or mistrustful during fast‑paced workdays, taking feedback at a startup very personally, or having a hard time setting boundaries with demanding teammates. The high cost of living can add pressure, with crowded roommate situations or constant money worries amplifying stress, mood swings, or conflict. Some people notice patterns in relationships—fearing abandonment, pushing others away, or reading neutral texts as rejection—which can feel especially tough in a city where dating and friendships shift quickly. Social isolation can happen too, even when surrounded by people, making it hard to join community events or try something new after a long commute. If any of this sounds familiar, you’re not alone—these are human struggles, and support is available to help you build stability, improve relationships, and feel more grounded day to day.
When talking with family or friends about a Personality Disorder, use simple, “I” statements to explain what you experience and what support helps, while reminding them that symptoms are not choices. Set clear, kind boundaries—like how often you can text, topics you need to avoid, or what to do during a crisis—so everyone knows how to care for you and themselves. Be culturally sensitive by asking how their values or traditions shape their understanding of mental health, and share that San Francisco’s diverse communities may view healing in different ways, from therapy to faith or community support. Offer a few trusted resources (local clinics, support groups, crisis lines) and suggest learning together, so the conversation stays compassionate, practical, and ongoing.
San Francisco Department of Public Health Behavioral Health Services (24/7 Access Line: 415-255-3737; TTY 888-484-7200) can connect you to DBT-informed therapy, case management, and prevention services at city-funded clinics across the Mission, Bayview, Richmond, and Sunset. RAMS (Richmond Area Multi-Services) offers culturally responsive mental health care and skills groups in the Richmond and surrounding neighborhoods (main line: 415-668-5955). The Mental Health Association of San Francisco runs the Peer-Run Warm Line for non-urgent support and coping skills practice (call/text 855-845-7415; downtown/Union Square area). NAMI San Francisco provides free peer and family support groups, education classes, and advocacy training citywide ( info@namisf.org), with groups offered in neighborhoods like the Mission and Richmond as well as online. UCSF Alliance Health Project offers therapy and skills groups (including DBT-informed options) with affirming care for LGBTQ+ and all communities at 1930 Market St, near the Castro (415-476-3902; alliancehealthproject.ucsf.edu).
San Francisco parents can explore workshops and talks at the UCSF Child, Teen & Family Center, which regularly offers community education on attachment, emotion regulation, and how these relate to personality development. Neighborhood Family Resource Centers funded by First 5 SF and the San Francisco Family Resource Center Alliance often host evidence-based parenting programs like Triple P and PCIT, as well as support groups that build communication and resilience. Local agencies such as Edgewood Center for Children and Families and Felton Institute provide attachment-informed classes and family coaching, and the DBT Center of San Francisco offers family skills groups for loved ones of people with personality disorder traits. The National Education Alliance for Borderline Personality Disorder (NEABPD) runs the Family Connections program locally and online, teaching practical skills and validation strategies. Helpful books include Parenting from the Inside Out, The Whole-Brain Child, The Power of Showing Up, and Loving Someone with Borderline Personality Disorder, and many libraries and schools host author talks or community lectures featuring these approaches.
Spending time in green and blue spaces can calm the nervous system, soften intense emotions, and make grounding easier during stressful moments related to personality disorder challenges. Gentle walking, stretching, or sitting quietly outdoors can lift mood and support sleep through steady movement and natural light. Nature offers a low-pressure setting to practice mindfulness and build simple routines without judgment. Even brief, regular visits can reduce overwhelm alongside therapy and other supports.
- San Francisco Botanical Garden (Golden Gate Park, Inner Sunset) — quiet winding paths, shaded benches, varied scents/textures; SF residents free; near 9th Ave entrance; Muni N Judah, 6/43/44.
- Stow Lake & Strawberry Hill (Golden Gate Park) — calm water views, gentle loop, plentiful benches, birdlife; mostly flat with nearby restrooms; access via 5/7/28 or N Judah + short walk.
- Lands End Coastal Trail (Outer Richmond) — ocean vistas and wave sounds for grounding; start at Visitor Center for wider, gentler segments; Muni 38/38R; parking at Lands End.
- Crissy Field Promenade & Presidio Tunnel Tops (Marina/Presidio) — flat, accessible bayside paths, lawns, shaded seating; good for slow walks and breathing exercises; Muni 30/43 or free Presidio GO Shuttle.
- Mount Sutro Open Space Reserve (UCSF/Parnassus Heights) — cool, shaded forest with soft trails and birdsong; quieter than major parks; some stairs, many gentle grades; Muni 6/43; trailheads on Medical Center Way.
San Francisco’s creative spaces can offer supportive outlets for expression and connection for people living with personality disorders. Art museums like SFMOMA and the de Young host exhibitions and workshops that encourage reflection and creative practice, while community writing groups through the San Francisco Public Library or Litquake help people share their stories in a safe, welcoming setting. Mindfulness-focused yoga studios such as Yoga Tree and Love Story Yoga provide gentle, trauma-sensitive classes that build calm, grounding routines. Music venues like SFJAZZ Center and The Fillmore bring people together around live performance, helping foster community, creativity, and present-moment awareness.
1) How do I know when to seek professional help for Personality Disorder?
If your moods, relationships, or impulses feel hard to manage and are causing distress at work, school, or home, it’s a good time to reach out. Signs include intense emotions that feel unmanageable, frequent crises or conflicts, self-harm thoughts or behaviors, or long-standing patterns you want to change. You don’t need a diagnosis to get help—an evaluation can clarify what’s going on and what can help. If you’re unsure, start with a consultation; early support makes a difference.
2) What’s the difference between therapy, psychiatry, and counseling?
Therapists and counselors provide talk-based support to help you learn skills, process experiences, and make changes; many use specific approaches like CBT or DBT. “Therapist” is a broad term that can include psychologists, licensed clinical social workers, and marriage and family therapists; “counselor” is similar and often used interchangeably. Psychiatrists are medical doctors who can diagnose conditions, prescribe medications, and may also offer therapy. Many people benefit from a combination, tailored to their needs.
3) Can I be hospitalized against my will?
In most places, involuntary hospitalization is only considered if there’s an immediate risk of harm to yourself or others, or if you’re unable to meet basic needs due to mental illness. In California (including San Francisco), a 72-hour “5150” hold can be initiated by authorized professionals under these conditions. The goal is safety and stabilization, with rights and review processes in place. If you’re worried about this, a clinician can discuss options that prioritize voluntary, least-restrictive care.
4) Are there affordable therapy options in San Francisco?
Yes. Look for sliding-scale clinics, community mental health centers, university training clinics, and nonprofit agencies. The San Francisco Behavioral Health Access Center can connect residents to low- or no-cost services; dialing 211 can also provide referrals. Telehealth, group therapy, and platforms like Open Path Collective can further reduce costs. Ask providers about sliding scales and insurance coverage, including Medi-Cal.
5) What daily habits support good mental health?
Aim for consistent sleep, regular meals, movement you enjoy, and time outdoors. Keep a simple routine, include small, doable goals, and build supportive connections with people you trust. Limit alcohol and drugs, and practice brief grounding or mindfulness exercises to manage stress. Notice early warning signs and reach out for help before things feel overwhelming.
Taking the first step can feel hard, but you don’t have to do it alone. You can explore MiResource’s directory, contact a trusted provider, or call a local crisis line in San Francisco to get caring, confidential support. Recovery, healing, and connection are real possibilities, and small steps add up. Reaching out within your own community can open the door to the right help and make a meaningful difference.
Recovery is possible. With early intervention, a supportive community, and the right professional care, you can overcome challenges and build a fulfilling life. We’re here to help you find the support you need.
