Figs has been an absolute lifesaver. From the very first session, his kindness and genuine empathy created a space where we both felt heard, understood, and supported. He has an incredible ability to listen deeply while also offering thoughtful, practical guidance that actually helps you move forward. What stands out most is the balance he brings: he is warm and funny, yet also sharp and professional in how he approaches complex dynamics. His insights are consistently thoughtful and grounded, and he has a way of helping you see things more clearly without ever making you feel judged. Marriage therapy can feel vulnerable, but with Figs it feels constructive, safe, and helpful. And dare I say enjoyable. We've made real progress because of his guidance, and I'm incredibly grateful for the role he has played in helping strengthen our relationship. I cannot recommend him highly enough. Anyone who has the opportunity to work with him is very fortunate. read more

Booked a consultation session with figs. Waited for half an hour. He didn't even show up. Later he canceled the appointment after the date.

If I could give fewer stars, I would. Our experience with Empathi during the so-called "free consultation" was disappointing from start to finish - and honestly, baffling. We had high hopes because the website is slick, the quiz felt thoughtful, and we assumed their whole pitch was modern, tech-enabled matchmaking for therapy. OH BOY were we wrong! First of all, our "consultant," Xanta, didn't even bother to show up on time. After I had emailed twice, she called 11 minutes into a 20-minute appointment, offering no genuine apology, just a casual "Hi, sorry." We assumed this would be an actual intake - a conversation to help us feel seen and supported, where we'd discuss our relationship dynamic, attachment styles, communication breakdowns, and what we were looking for in a therapist. You know, something HUMAN. Instead, Xanta asked one fluffy question, "What do you hope to accomplish?". NO FOLLOW-UP. NO DEPTH. NO CURIOSITY. We told her our availability was early Monday mornings or weekday evenings, and somehow she latched onto "early" and concluded we were best matched with someone who has only early weekday slots. Not based on therapeutic approach, background, credentials, or who we are - just schedule. She recommended Karen Gordon, and when we asked if Karen was an LMFT (because I specifically wanted someone trained in couples therapy), she assured us Karen was an LMFT. We looked her up afterward: Karen is an LPCC. Again, nothing against LPCCs or Karen (who may be wonderful), but the entire point of this intake was to match us intentionally. We were misinformed and misled. To top it off, Xanta didn't volunteer any info about pricing until we asked. Karen was $335/hr over zoom, and there were no other suggestions offered. We had to drag every piece of information out of Xanta. It's already a huge emotional lift for couples to seek therapy. You'd think a platform built to help with that would treat it with more care. Instead, it felt careless, inattentive, and frankly disrespectful. I'm not saying the therapists on the platform aren't good, but the onboarding process is wildly broken. If we hadn't read other reviews echoing the same issues, we'd think this was a fluke. Unfortunately, it wasn't. We walked away from the "consult" with zero confidence in Empathi as a business. We wanted this to be a great solution. It wasn't. read more

Figs is one of a kind. My wife and I started working with Figs for couples therapy and after our first session, it was apparent that Figs is different than most therapists. He has an uncanny ability to absorb what he hears, process it in real time, and then speak it back to you in a way that does two things -- 1) he makes you feel both completely heard and understood, which is incredible for someone who has only gotten a small glimpse into your relationship and dynamics, and 2) he quickly is able to verbalize the problematic personal + relationship systems you might have had a hunch were present but could not consciously articulate. I've loved working with Figs and highly recommend him to anyone looking to deepen their understanding of themselves and their relationship. read more

Figs is different. Having spend 8 years in therapy and 2 years in couples therapy, I can confidently say, Figs is different. What was therapy like before Figs? We saw a couple's therapist who gave us lots of "tools" which we always weaponized and fought harder knowing we were doing the "right" thing. We would have huge fights in the session as we tried to talk about the feelings. We left each session, thing we were more right and the other person was more wrong. What was therapy like with Figs? Within the first session, Figs made it clear that the other person WILL NOT change. (I ofcourse was baffled, because they are clearly the problem, I thought). It sounds insane but in just 1 month, I understood what he meant. We learned about how we hurt each other, how difficult it is to be a partner to me. Accepting and learning about the dynamic we had helped us change the dynamic. We fight about the same things, the fight is just a bit shorter, and a lot less painful. Who will benefit from Figs? I believe everyone but ESPECIALLY couples who are strong and intelligent. These traits can easily be weaponized to hurt each other and require a really really strong therapist to step in. read more

I'm going to make this review very specific, and speak to the women out there. I have been in a relationship with a fun, intelligent, caring man for ~4 years. We fell in love hard and fast, and got engaged after 18 months. In the beginning, our relationship was too good to be true. However, things started to sour after we got engaged. We were fighting more and more. I felt that my partner was resentful towards me, all of the time. Even when we were having fun, there were random jobs, criticism, and condescension coming my way. I have always been more emotionally volatile than my partner - I get angry faster, but I also forgive faster. In contrast, my partner had a simmering resentment towards me that never seemed to go away. We tried so many things - reading the Gottmans, seeing a different couples therapist for a year, setting boundaries and expectations and rules of engagement for our relationship. Nothing worked. I was losing hope. I frequently journaled about how I needed to break up with my partner, and spent hours sobbing on the phone to my friends about how I was being treated. It wasn't that I thought I was blameless - I knew that I could be cutting, thoughtless, and self-centered. What was killing me was that my partner seemed to blame me for all of the problems in our relationship. He would never take responsibility for the condescension that he had when speaking to me, or the subtle jabs he would make. Being in a relationship where the other person didn't take any responsibility was more than I could take. We had postponed our wedding and were on the verge of breaking up when we saw Figs at the beginning of June 2025. Figs was like no other therapist I had ever seen before. He got through to my partner in a way that I did not believe was possible before. He showed my partner that when he thought he was being "curious", he was actually being condescending. He helped him understand that the fighting was on both of us, not just the one who expressed her emotions more loudly. He didn't focus on giving us new skills that we would inevitably weaponize in the moment, he focused on understanding what happened and the repair afterwards. He also pushed us to go to the deepest, darkest part of ourselves, and look to see if we could love the most scared parts of each other. It's easy to be together at your best - but can you love the deeply wounded one inside? Both in you, and your partner? It's work that makes you a better person, not just a better partner, IMO. Today, it's September 2025. My partner and I still fight, but the fights are much more contained now. The wasted weekends of sitting on the couch, seething, desperately wanting to spend time together but not knowing how to connect are largely in the past. We have made many incredible memories together over the past three months - some in epic places, some back on the couch. We're starting to re-build our life together, and move forward together rather than apart. We're looking at the deepest part of ourselves, and working on the questions that previously caused an instant fight if broached: - How do we want to raise our kids - Getting past former betrayals - How can we exist as two very different people with different preferences and both be happy - Etc. So, if you're at the end of your rope in your relationship, and you deeply love your partner but you're not seeing any light at the end of the tunnel - you need to run, not walk, to Figs. I legitimately credit him with saving our relationship. He got through to the stubborn, "therapized" male psyche in a way that I've never seen before. He ended a cycle of endless suffering. It's what I wish for every couple. Good luck! read more

I am writing this review because Figs not only saved our marriage, but was also a huge influence in positive self growth for both myself and my husband, and I could not recommend him more highly. I recommend him to all of my friends who are seeking therapy, without hesitation. My husband and I have been married over 30 years, and the toll of parenting, dual careers, and life stresses led to a gradual downward spiral of disconnection that left our marriage, once we were empty nesters, in a very tenuous spot. We started working with Figs well over a year ago and right away both felt seen, heard and validated, which was wonderful. Having a male therapist was very helpful for my husband as he felt Figs understood his male point of view, which helped keep him coming back to therapy week after week despite facing hard issues. From my female perspective, Figs is so empathetic and intuitive that I too felt equally validated, which is saying a lot given I have trust issues with men. Figs has helped gently guide us to a deeper connection than we have ever had, and helped us feel safe in our relationship again to the point that now, with his help, we are both doing deep personal growth work. His focus on emotionally focused therapy has been instrumental in all of this, and I feel very strongly it is the best (and most proven!) approach to couples work, and recommend it highly. Figs instills both humor and compassion into our sessions, and has an amazing way about him that keeps us both looking forward to our weekly zoom meetings. I couldn't recommend him more highly, both for couples and individual work. He is worth his weight in gold! read more

Figs taught me so much about my relationship patterns and helped me to see my role in the conflicts I kept getting into with my partner. When I first started working with him, it was like a light going on in a dark attic - I suddenly understood so much about what was happening between my partner and me. Figs is very funny and very skilled. I highly recommend him to anyone who feels stuck in their relationship. Working with him was invaluable. read more

I threw a Hail Mary pass and searched "last resort couples counseling". Enter Figs :-) Imagine standing on the edge of the Grand Canyon ready to jump, parachute or not. This is where we were at and within the first hour, everything felt profoundly different. His approach is unique and it takes time, but it is worth every minute! If you're wanting to heal and move forward together, I can't recommend Figs enough. read more

Figs is highly intuitive, and takes a personalized approach to deeply understanding the couple he is working with. We have greatly looked forward to each session and my husband and I are much more communicative and empathetic with each other as a result of Figs help. read more

This is a review for Karen Gordon. Karen is the absolute best and extremely well-experienced and gifted at what she does. When we first met Karen, our marriage struggled immensely due to a variety of reasons over the years (e.g., resentment, differences in parenting styles, differences in what we wanted and goals in life, etc.), and Karen helped us navigate through all of that and more. She is so good at helping people unlock the root cause of their struggles, seeing and understanding the perspective of the other person, and helping to resolve conflict in the most unbiased / neutral way. Results speak for themselves - our marriage is at a completely different (and better) place than when we first started our sessions. Resentments and conflicts have dissolved. We were so fortunate to have met Karen and for her to help us navigate our journey. read more

Long story short, I recommend Empathi to all my friends and acquaintances looking for a couples therapist. Before we got married (and I'm super open with mental health maintenance) my husband and I went to Empathi for about a year. What drew me here was the EFT (emotionally focused therapy) method. At first, we saw Arielle, who was the perfect transition from CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) to EFT. She educated us about the process and made us feel at ease. We transitioned to Gen as our next Empathi therapist, and she was clearly invested in our growth. I always want to feel like my therapist genuinely cares about me, and I got that from Gen each session. Empathi fees are reasonable (I mean, it's still San Francisco) and the online resources are worth every penny. The clinic is conveniently located next to the N Muni line, if that helps anyone. Thank you to Figs and all his colleagues for creating the best couples therapy experience we could have asked for! read more

This is a review for Justin Schreiner specifically. Completely unprofessional and lack of communication grants the one star which is generous. I spoke to Xanta who was amateurish in her own right. Quoting me different prices for the same therapists from one phone call to another. Xanta forwarded my contact information to Justin pronounced "Justine". We had 6 or so emails back and forth to set up the complimentary 15 min consultation call. I confirmed a date/time and had asked twice if Justin would be sharing a video link for the call. And never heard back? The appt date was coming up so I followed up with Xanta and Justin again to no avail. Between the quote discrepancy, lack of follow up and communication speaks loudly on what kind of business is being ran here. This place is a complete shitshow and was an absolute waste of my time. Recommended to stay far away from them. read more

Fiachra Figs O'Sullivan - Counseling & Mental Health Near Me - San Francisco, California

My husband and I were on the fence about wether or not we needed couples therapy, but it turns out we did, and we're both so glad that we took the plunge and chose Figs as our guide. He's helped us change our communication approach and allowed me to communicate with my partner from a much softer, more vulnerable place which in turned has helped him open up and share more of him. His relatability and ability to be vulnerable right alongside us has been key In allowing ourselves to open up and get the most out of each session. All to say, we can't recommend him enough! read more

This review is for Karen Gordon. We saw Karen for about 5 months. We just had our last session with Karen and I don't think I'm exaggerating to say it was probably the best investment I've ever made. We both brought our own baggage into the relationship (who doesn't?) which lead to trouble (like it always!). The trouble didn't go away and things weren't looking good. Now, we're in an *amazing* place. It feels a bit like the honeymoon phase, except more real and solid, with the tools to make it last. Karen works by helping you really understand yourself and each other. With understanding comes patience, forgiveness, kindness, and the ability to trust. It's a bit pricy, but a happy relationship is priceless, right? My only regret is that we can't give Karen 6 stars. If you're on the fence, I recommend you do it right now. read more

Honestly, Figs negatively impacted my relationship while we were seeing him. A red flag went off when I saw a quote on his emails that basically said "solving relationship issues is not about who's right and who's wrong." That sounded kind of okay at first, because finger pointing doesn't do anyone any good. But the way he handles actual counseling is just solely focusing on feelings, and was entirely unproductive. Counterproductive, actually. We both already knew how the other felt. What we needed was practical solutions and specific ways that each of us could improve- we both did things wrong in different ways, but needed a boost in coming together and compromising. That was definitely not at all what we received. Figs also seemed biased toward a male perspective, and frequently pointed out his opinions while ignoring mine multiple times. I wondered if that was just because my partner was the one paying or not, but I think it's just how he is. Go ahead and check out his YouTube videos- there's one where he says that he sleeps in while his wife is up taking care of the kids and packing lunches and all kinds of things, and she got upset because he wasn't helping. But instead of it being a practical issue- maybe he should help more in that time, or come to an agreement that she'll take mornings and he'll do bath time or whatever, he focused solely on feelings. She felt "alone" and he felt like "he wasn't good enough." And the moral of that story is just that now they understand each other's feelings. Definitely not that he should suck up his childish feelings and help out. If I were to go back in time, I would've saved our $1500 for two sessions and do something fun together. Would've been much more productive. read more

This review is for Teale Taxis. I was a little apprehensive about starting couples therapy, and using EFT because I was not familiar with it. However, within minutes, Teale had put me completely at ease. She is so kind and patient and understanding, I felt safe with her, and trusted revealing all my relationship insecurities that I had been keeping to myself. Throughout mine and my partner's time with her she never made either of us feel insecure or like we had to compete for her attention or get her "on our side". It was a true partnership with the goal of helping us create loving and secure attachments with each other, and better understand ourselves, each other, and our negative cycles. I can honestly say we were in a very hopeless place when we first met Teale, and now our relationship is stronger than ever. Thank you Teale for both giving us the tools and language to express ourselves and communicate with each other, and for also just holding space for us. If you feel even the slightest bit moved to try couples therapy and are considering Teale, 1000000000% go to her!! You will not regret it!!!! read more

This review is for Romona. She was a godsend and helped me through some very difficult times. I love her approach to allow you to be in the space you're in, but offer guidance and help where you need it. I've been to several therapists and she's by far the best I've seen. She's a realist and provides understanding, caring, practical, and objective support. Can't recommend her enough. read more

Figs isn't a therapist, he is a magician; he is the frigging "Couples Whisperer." My wife and I were at the verge of separation and already had an appointment with a mediator to sort our complicated life out when, as a "last ditch effort," I searched for therapists and found Figs here on Yelp and a little video blog of him talking about relationships with his wife. I was intrigued. My wife and I have tried couples therapy in the past with mixed results and my wife was not at all interested in giving it another go. However I managed to convince her to go to one session to just see what happens. Therapy with Figs was totally different. We weren't hashing over a bunch of "he-said she-said" arguments, trying to win over the therapist. Rather, Figs showed us how all our arguing, hurt feeling and misery were a result of two people who love one another who are not meeting the other's emotional needs-- this was sending us into a spiral were best intentions tended to land flat. His method focuses on our process, and we realized that we never actually didn't love another, we were just failing to give each other what we needed. We learned that each of our basic needs and perceptions are wholly different from our partner's. By interpreting things from our own point of view we were missing what our partner actually needed and this was causing hurt feelings. I now actually understand what my wife wants and she understands what I want. All our behaviors and fighting fit, incredibly neatly, into the treatment paradigm. Marriage is rolling along quite happily now. We still have our arguments, but rather than lasting for days or weeks, we usually snap out of it in minutes or at most a couple hours. One more thing about Figs-- he has one of the best senses of humor I've experienced in a person and a deep empathy for others. We always have a hearty laugh at his examples our ourselves as we understand the paradigm better and see ourselves in our process. We always leave with more joy in our hearts than when we arrived. Thank you, Figs!!! read more

This review is for Teale Taxis. Honestly, I can't recommend Teale enough. Even when I first spoke to her on the phone, she seemed to really understand where I was at and the struggles my partner and I were facing. Her empathy and understanding was crucial in getting my partner and I to open up, recognize our negative patterns and both of our parts in it, resolve some stuck disagreements, and come closer together and make our relationship stronger. The way she created a comfortable and understanding environment over Zoom, without ever meeting us in person (thanks to the pandemic), was really impressive. Also, I really appreciated how she had a plan for us from the very beginning. Teale always had an agenda for us, and we felt like we were making forward progress with every session. She planned each session carefully and tailored them to our needs. Now we're out of couples therapy and have been able to handle life and conflict much better and maintain our closer bond, thanks to Teale and what we learned from her. read more

I've known Figs for over a decade and witnessed his skill as a counselor-- he's kind, a brilliant listener, he keeps you on your toes with his wit, he's academically savvy, and most of all, he cares so much for his clients. He creates an atmosphere of trust and he has the needs of his cients uppermost in his mind at all times. He's astute at couples counseling, and he knows how to navigate all the complexities and nuances of relationship. He doesn't use much jargon, like from Attachment Theory, but don't worry, he's completely fluent in it, if he needs it. He's also a great story teller, probably because he's so astute at coaxing the stories out of his clients, helping to bring stuff from the darkness into the shadows, and from the shadows into the light. I believe that 45+ 5 star reviews attests to his abilities and character as a marriage and family therapist, but you can decide for yourself, don't believe it just because I said it. I refer all of my Bay Area couples to him, who are in need of relationship work and process. I hope he writes a book some day. If you have a chance to have therapy with Figs, do it. And tell him that Dr. Ben sent you. read more

This is a review for Karen Gordon. My fiancé and I have been seeing Karen for over a year now and she is absolutely one of a kind. She is incredibly patient, kind, and very knowledgeable. Karen offers different perspectives to situations you may not otherwise realize, and has countless ideas and suggestions for you to promote better self-awareness and has given us the tools to help overcome life's obstacles. Since we live in Michigan, our sessions have always been virtual, even pre-covid. Before our first session I was skeptical that counseling would work without the element of in-person interaction. Even ~2k miles away, we immediately felt comfortable with Karen and we both knew if there was anyone that could help us, it was her. I highly recommend visiting Karen whether you are seeking counseling, or you're on the fence about it - she is a delight and guaranteed to put a smile on your face. read more

This is a review on Karen Gordon--Karen helped me so much recently over a few months period after shelter-in-place was ordered in SF. I had a mix of several issues which Karen helped tweeze out to something we can work on, and she did so very efficiently. The quality I really appreciated about Karen is that while being delicate and caring, she is comfortable sharing her views and opinion on the situation. Not a lot of counselors could work like this in my experience, and I always felt it was not helpful when they just " listen" to you. Karen's suggestions and reads on the issues were always on point, and I was able to sort out my issues by understanding the core issues. I highly recommend seeing Karen ( I did so by ZOOM and it was so easy! ) if you want efficient and satisfying sessions! read more

Figs came highly recommended and boy did he live up to the hype. He's remarkable at getting right to the core of issues and helping you quickly resolve any conflicts and understand your partner better. He's also an absolute Jedi when it comes to helping you understand yourself and what you're bringing into a relationship. We had tried other couples counselors in the past without much success and WOW was Figs different. We only did a few months with Figs and he set us on such an incredible path. He's certainly not the cheapest but you'll end up saving money because you get so much value from him in each session. I don't think I'm exaggerating when I say that one session with figs could easily equal 5-10 sessions with another couples therapist. Can't thank him enough and HIGHLY RECOMMEND. read more

Exactly what we were looking for in a counselor. My gf and I were at point where we decided to seek counseling. After reading the reviews for Fig and his team and having a warm conversation over the phone, we booked our first session. A couple of sessions in and we're glad we did. I can honestly say these sessions have been eye openers for my gf and I. Tears have been shed, deep seeded fears have been shared, and egos have been detached - all of which has made us happier. If you and your significant other are seeking couples counseling, Fig and his team are your go to. Even if your relationship is stable, I highly recommend coming here to open up with your partner. read more

This is a review for Karen Gordon. My husband found Karen, and I am so grateful that he did. Karen is a skilled therapist who always made sure to make space for each of us in our sessions. She taught us to have difficult conversations instead of avoiding topics and each other. I know myself better now that I have spent some time working with Karen. She has a remarkable ability to "settle" people down and break challenging issues into smaller "bites." I would recommend Karen to anyone who is looking to do work on themselves, on their relationship. I can't overstate how much Karen has helped each of us. read more

This review is for Karen Gordon. We started seeing Karen as a couples therapist and have now for almost a year after a couple major issues came up in our relationship. Arguments we could never resolve on our own, we are more comfortable having with her and she helps weed through to find the root of the issue and see both perspectives. We even felt like we had a great relationship before but she has give us so many great tools to make it even stronger. We each tried our own therapists and in comparison, she is tremendously better - she is smart and engaged, she is honest but has empathy and I feel like she truly cares about us. It feels like she knows and understands you better than anyone has. We walk away from every session and say to each other, "she really is the best." read more

Our experience with Karen Gordon was wonderful. With Karen's guidance my husband and I are now able to truly understand each other, and our feelings. Learning about attachment theory was extremely helpful in developing a better understanding of our ourselves and our relationship. We are more connected than we have ever been before, and are very grateful to Karen! read more

I hate to write bad reviews and fortunately rarely have the need to write them. I was looking forward to my 20 min consultation with Empathi. My schedule is very busy and I had to move around important meetings to make this possible. The consultation was scheduled for 2pm. After waiting for 13 min, I called the Empathi main number and left a voicemail reminding them of my scheduled appointment. I gave up waiting around 2:20pm as I had to prepare for my next meeting. Someone eventually called and left a message at 2:27pm. She didn't introduce herself so I don't have the name, but she did very casually apologize in an upbeat voice ("sorry for the delay, we got pushed back a little bit") and let me know I can call back the main number to talk to her. I understand sometimes things happen and sessions can get delayed, but almost 30 min late for what was supposed to be a 20 min consultation and a very casual-no-big-deal kind of apology? I'll leave this as 2 stars (vs 1), since I never actually got to speak to anyone, but the first experience certainly wasn't good, especially considering I had a very important subject to discuss. read more

My husband and I have had two prior experiences with couples counseling that didn't do much to help us resolve our issues or bring us to deeper connection. Our experience with Karen Gordon at Empathi Counseling has brought us farther into connection than we have ever been before, and we couldn't be more thankful that we found her! Karen is warm and empathetic, and creates such a beautifully welcoming and safe space to really help couples search deep within themselves and fully open up and engage in the healing process, together. We leave every session feeling more connection and love, and through our sessions have developed a strong framework for working through our issues at home as they arise in daily life. Since the start of the shelter in place orders in SF for the Covid-19 Pandemic response we have had online sessions via Zoom. The team at Empathi has been vigilant at providing their patients with options for telemedicine sessions and sharing the information needed to make these sessions happen. We felt just as comfortable having our session with Karen via Zoom from the comfort of our own home, and are very grateful we can continue our work as a couple - even if we can't meet face to face! All our thanks to Karen and the whole Empathi team! -Sarah (and Dave) read more

Figs (Fiachra O'Sullivan) is a EXCEPTIONALLY talented couples therapist. My husband and I have had weekly couples counseling with him for over a year. We have learned an incredible amount about ourselves and each other. Couples counseling through Emotionally Focused Therapy has changed our view of each other and helped us connect quicker after a disagreement and get back to connecting sooner. We both feel more heard and seen by each other. When we started seeking a counselor, my husband and I wanted someone to tell us how to fix our issues. We are logical, results-driven analytical thinkers. I thought there had to be a solution! I wanted someone to tell my husband why he was wrong. ( l'm sure he felt the same way). What we learned from working with Figs during our early counseling sessions has stayed with me. "The problem is not the problem, the way we talk about the problem is the problem". Figs helped us see that we where both part of a dance of pain with one another because of how much we love and care for each other. That when we both get hurt we respond in ways that are scary to the other person. Now we see that the magic solution involves developing skilled ways to speak to one another about our feelings and the impact we are having on each one of us. Figs is very talented at helping us navigate challenging and tense moments with an empathic view of both of our perspectives. He manages to help keep even the most challenging conversations light hearted. Even though the seas of our relationship are calm now and our boat has stopped rocking so much we've continued to see Figs weekly because we see the value in continuing to learn and grow our communication skills. Figs helped us reconnect during VERY challenging time and now he continue to help us move closer together during good times. I would HIGHLY recommend Figs as your couples or individual counselor and truly believe that Emotionally Focused Therapy can help all people live fuller more connected lives with those around them. read more

After seeing a counselor once in a moment of potential breakup, our counselor advised doing the Empathi free quiz. Between the session and the quiz it was wonderful to finally be seen and heard and that someone else could formulate the right words for my partner to understand- and I was able to see where he was coming from..: thanks to that, we aren't breaking up anymore. I've been recommending the quiz to all my couple friends and even the ones looking for potential relationships. We also signed up for the online class and have just started... thank you thank you thank you read more

A year ago, I got divorced and I was in a dark place. However, because of Stefanie Bond, I have since grown, I have regained hope and I am now healing. She has been foundational to my recovery. Over the last several months, Stef has been an island of emotional stability, guiding me through my darkness and has helped me rebuild. Our early sessions were often difficult but rewarding. We dug deep into my pain and sadness and, working together, she gave me the clarity that I had desperately sought. I gained a sense of who I am, without fear of judgment or shame. I now accept my divorce as simply a part of my personal narrative, which does not define me. Our sessions have now evolved towards self-discovery and self-appreciation. She gives me the tools that I need to succeed and is a fathomless pool of encouragement. The past year has been the hardest year of my life but, because of Stefanie Bond, I have hope. Thank you Stef. read more

We started seeing Figs four months ago. We're still so grateful Figs fit us into an evening session right away because we were on the verge of breaking up. By the end of that first session my partner and I both left feeling SO much lighter and SO much more hopeful - I'm still amazed by the turnaround. Figs uses touching and funny stories to illustrate patterns we're playing out. His humor combined with a genuine concern for our wellbeing make us both feel relaxed and safe in the sessions. Later, when we're on our own, we remind each other of something silly Figs said to help break the tension if we start to fall back into a familiar cycle. There's never any sense of Figs taking sides; he's so good about feeling the struggles we're both experiencing. He gets to the heart of what's really going on incredibly quickly so we avoid rehashing and re-hurting each other. Figs doesn't let us dwell in the details of an argument but instead guides us back to connecting. We've learned so much in the short amount of time we've been with Figs. My partner and I actually got engaged halfway through these sessions; a huge testament to how much more connected we are now than when we started. I highly (like, super highly) recommend seeing Figs. Even if it seems too late. Even if counseling has a stigma that makes you uncomfortable. As soon as you meet Figs, that all fades away and you can get back to feeling close with the person you love most. read more

If you're at the point where you're on Yelp reading reviews and considering couples therapy with Figs... Go in. You're here considering this decision because your partner must be very important to you and I can tell you that there is a great chance of your relationship, love, and connection improving after spending time with Figs. It's worth it. Nothing could be more important. I have virtually no other experiences with therapy, but I will say that it's clear to me that Figs method and demeanor can help many more couples. If you're skeptical, don't be. Check it out, be open. The worst thing that could happen is that you find more ways to be closer to your partner. In hindsight, my wife and I were so close to being there for each other in a constructive way (and yet... So so so far away). On all of our great days (there were many) I thought, "we are great, we don't need anyone to show us how it's done!" And I was wrong. With the best intentions, it could have taken us 10-20 years to eventually discover what we did with Figs guidance. Now we have much a much better understanding of relationship, ourselves, our cycles, and how to be there for each other in ways we didn't know was possible before. My point is, the best and most loving thing you can do for yourself and your partner is to give it a try with Figs, whether things are really rough or you just don't quite feel in sync. To be honest, I'd recommend Figs for all couples, those at their best or their worst, because I think there are immense and valuable take aways for anyone. Check him out. I'm confident you won't regret it. read more

This review is long overdue as my husband and I have stopped seeing Figs since May 2014. We started seeing Figs on a weekly basis in November 2013. At first, it was a little awkward talking about our feelings as it is not encouraged in our culture. But Figs provides a comfortable and safe environment for you to let go. He even helps you put your feelings into words because honestly these things are hard to explain sometimes. Eventually the arguments and eye rolling turned into calm discussions of our innermost feelings. Figs is very neutral and will not side with one or the other. In addition, we occasionally did some exercises and had some homework which were very helpful. After only a couple sessions, my husband and I went from sitting on opposite ends of the sofa, to sitting next to each other and leaving the session holding hands. Although we did not finish the program, I am so glad that my husband and I took this step to see a counselor. Our relationship has improved so much and I can honestly say that I am happily married. The sessions not only helped me learn more about my relationship with my husband, but also more about him, and myself on a personal level. Thank you Figs! read more

Frankly, I found Figs using a Yelp search looking for couples counseling around lower Pac Heights, and his old location was ideal geographically. My girlfriend and I reviewed his website, and signed up for our first appointment about a year ago. I have had individual psychotherapy with mixed results, but relationship counseling was a first for both me and my girlfriend. The approach is emotionally based with the key assumption that the relationship you have with your partner is your primary emotional bond and foundational to your well being. The results of therapy with Figs have been transformative both individually and for our relationship. Figs worked patiently with us in a building process to understand many truths of our interactions together, and "the cycle" we would find ourselves in. Once "the cycle" was set in motion, reason and logic failed, and the two of us were certain to feel angry, sad, abandoned and isolated. Our different, interlocking roles in this cycle were uncovered a dissected as Figs trained us to recognize the perennial roller coaster of misery. Though our sessions with him, simple homework assignments, and a few months of consistent weekly visits, my partner and I became able to recognize what was happening, break the cycle, and avoid the same old painful pattern. Our relationship has blossomed as a result, and our home is a safer, more peaceful, supporting and loving environment. Our most painful relationship issues seem to have evaporated, and the road ahead looks better than ever thanks to Figs! I superlatively recommend Figs for couples counseling. I suspect he would also be an extraordinary individual psychotherapist. read more

Figs is a wonder. The sessions we had with Figs helped open our eyes to seeing each other in a more compassionate manner and allowed us to work on having an even better relationship. I am so thankful for the time we had in session with Figs and know it will serve us for a long time. Well worth it. read more

Figs is a gifted and effective couples therapist - and the best investment in your happiness. He is trained in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), an evidence-based treatment for couples, and has expanded on EFT to develop his own model, Empathi. With his approach, he is able to help people in relationship feel seen, heard, and understood by themselves and their partners, and also see the cycle of disconnection that they are in. He educates people in a very approachable way that empowers and normalizes difficulties that arise in relationships. Doing so helps people release shame and connect to one another. Is there anything better than loving and being loved? read more

Figs is phenomenal in every sense of the word. If you're willing to put in the work, I couldn't recommend him highly enough. He's a fantastic listener but also leads sessions such that the dialogue feels natural and meaningful. We feel lucky to have found him. read more