Holly Strickland

Holly Strickland (she/her) is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT #129027) with 8 years of experience in the mental health field. She holds a Master of Science in Marriage, Family, and Child Counseling with an emphasis in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from San Francisco State University. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Biological Sciences from Ohio University. She completed two years in the Clinical Training Program at Crisis Support Services of Alameda County, where she focused on serving individuals who are in crisis, who are experiencing suicidal thoughts or feelings, and who have experienced traumatic loss (e.g., loss due to suicide, homicide, community violence, natural disaster). Recently, her clinical training and practice have focused on serving adolescents with mental health and substance use needs, as well as on conducting family therapy. Although her career began in social sciences research, she transitioned to direct clinical practice in 2016 in search of more personal connection and individual impact. Since then, she has worked in outpatient mental health clinics, traditional and alternative school settings, residential treatment programs, and crisis stabilization sites, serving a diverse population of children through elders experiencing a range of mental health symptoms (anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress, self-harm, suicidality, psychosis, substance use, grief) and life stressors (identity development, school/work issues, relationship issues, family conflict, separation/divorce, life transitions, loss). About Me: I have been practicing in the Bay Area for 8 years. My theoretical approach draws on psychodynamic psychology, attachment theory, family systems theory, and trauma-informed care. My professional style is warm, down-to-earth, and client-driven. My goal as a therapist is to offer clinical competence, curiosity, and containment so that you feel safe to explore, reflect, process, and problem-solve at whatever pace feels right for you. I especially enjoy working with those who are new to therapy and/or ambivalent about therapy. Many people have questions, reservations, preconceived ideas, and judgments about what therapy is and what it means to be someone who seeks out therapy. Therapy can look many different ways, and no issue is too big or too small to examine. I look forward to collaborating together to create a relationship and a space that supports you to find how therapy can best serve you, wherever you are right now.