Saw Gina weekly for 4 years between 2019-2023. We unpacked a lot together and I am grateful to have found a therapist who supported with goals & accountability. Gina's method is to build your personal support network through group meetings, reading self-help books related to your issues, and discussing the findings together. She is like a life coach + therapist in one. At times I used herbal anti-depressants such as St.Johns Wort for depression, otherwise I was able to find relief from my depression and anxiety without medication through our therapy sessions. When I started therapy I used to have monthly panic attacks, now I don't have any and if I do they're rare, maybe 1x a year if even. I have become a better communicater and more authentic person. Gina will take time to learn your family of origin dynamics and understand the underlying drivers that lead to negative coping strategies. She supported me through covid 19 lockdowns and provided a safe space for her patients. Masking and social distancing were followed at all times for our mutual safety. If you are a person who struggles with accountability and want to make real change happen in your life, whatever your pattern or habit is, Gina can certainly help you do that. She draws from a wealth of knowledge and experience. She also helped me create a dream journal which helped relieve nightmares that had roots in traumatic events in my life. PS. Keep in mind her practice is in-person only, and she communicates via phone primarily. Hope if you are reading this you find the help & solace you need. read more

I have worked with Gina for many years in both individual therapy and group sessions. She is experienced and does not tolerate slackers. If you want to improve and feel better, Gina is the person for you. If you want to just complain about your life and situation and not come prepared to work at your session. She is not the therapist for you. As part of a mens group we are all reading a book suited to our individual situation, we present what we have learned. We do own research to bring to the group for discussion. The group members support each other with feedback facilitated by her expertise. read more

I saw Gina for 3 and a half years every week. She changed my life. I was suffering from IBS symptoms and was on a miserable elimination diet. Within 2 months of seeing Gina I noticed that my symptoms disappeared. I credit her as the main reason I got through the first year of pandemic without a mental breakdown. She is not for everyone. She will tell you the direct truth and call you out when you don't do your work. There are no games. She will tell you what you need to do whether you want to hear it or not. Think of it like your sports coach who takes nothing less than your best effort or your strictest teacher who knows you are only giving a half ass effort. You need to be willing to put in the work. I am a different person now and Gina is the reason. She coaches you on how to have tough conversations; she gives you a holistic treatment plan outside of just therapy and recommends mental health courses, group therapy, etc. She recommends books and expects you to read. I did not "enjoy" my first month or two of sessions but that's because it's not play, it's hard work. You get out what you put in and Gina will give you results. read more

I've been working with Gina for 2.5 years and I feel I've made a lot of progress. Gina and I quickly developed a good, warm report that supported my quick progress. She made me feel comfortable which helped me look deeply at the causes of my issues. read more

If you are looking for a great therapist, Gina is surely the one. Gina has been my therapist since March 2020, for 9 months as of writing this. I believe there is a great demand for therapists in Bay Area, especially now during the pandemic. I initially contacted 5 therapists that my insurance provided back in August 2019. They all were fully booked. They told me to call back after few weeks but when I called they did not still have any openings. So I gave up. Then I started actively calling in February 2020 and finally got to see Gina. Gina truly cares about her patients and their well-being. She has been seeing patients even during the pandemic, under strict safety measures. I think Gina has been doing her job for a long time and gained ton of experience in many areas of human psychology. I sometimes impromptu mention feelings that are bothering me and she seems to know the titles of the book to read, by heart. I applaud that, indeed. Regarding her style of communication and phone conversations, she may seem rude at times due to her interruptions. However, I have come to realize that I speak too fast and about many things at once and those are the times she intervenes. It shows that she really processes everything I say and wants to really help. I don't take it as a rude manner. read more

Much like the other 1 star reviews, I never got past the on-boarding process. Never saw her, but I can say that she was difficult, rude, and oftentimes forgetful. We had three calls, each time forgetting who I was and what we had previously talked about. On our most recent conversation, I asked two questions: what were her hours and when was a time that worked with her only to be replied with, "sir, can I get two words in?" She never answered my question and told me that there is a shortage of therapist in the Bay Area. While that may be true, I think you're doing a disservice to the community you are trying to support if you can't answer their questions in a respectful and sufficient way. She has no email, she does not take notes on who she is on-boarding which leads to repeated conversations and backtracking, and she will quickly end conversations because she has other clients coming in. On the plus side, she keeps consistent communication through voice mail, is easily reachable through phone, and seems to be a positive impact for some people who have commented and reviewed on her yelp page. Overall, Gina is not for me but may very well be suitable for you if you are able to work past her inefficient practices and off putting on-boarding process. read more

I began seeing Gina early in 2021 for help with anxiety and grief. This was my first ever experience with therapy. Gina has helped me to identify my own feelings, and to let go of unnecessary worries. Before seeing Gina, I had never considered the true impact of being raised by addicts; and how that affected my ability to deal with grief. I learned that I have a generalized anxiety disorder, and I have worked through several effective coping mechanisms. I appreciated that we worked out of a workbook with chapter assignments each week--as I do well with concrete work. I'm so glad that I decided to go to therapy. read more

To be clear up front: I never saw Gina. I called her on behalf of my young daughter because she was a provider listed by my health plan. I've moved 6+ times for my job, and as a result had to change therapists at several points. I'm confident and comfortable with therapy and the search process. Gina, on the phone, was immediately one of the least professional care providers I've talked to--a gap made clear when I told her I was looking for mental health care for my young daughter, and she asked me, "Is she beautiful?" I hardly knew what to make of that. From the beginning of the call she was brusque, rushed, and interrupted twice with "Let me tell you something...". I felt like I was trapped in a movie with a stereotype of a domineering self-involved Italian mother. When I asked her to describe the modality she used to treat her patients--a question I asked several providers while shopping for a good fit--she told me, "I don't work like that. I get many calls every day. You come in, we talk, and we see if there's a fit. I have somebody waiting outside my office right now." We were only about 3 minutes into the conversation, Indeed. I'm surprised you have *anybody* waiting if you handle all prospective clients this way. read more

I am a therapist seeking therapy and called her this week only to be told "that's not eap services, that's therapy" when I asked to use my insurance for work-related anxiety and depression. This is not an appropriate response and also completely inaccurShe was also codescending and abrupt. I am reading the rest of the reviews and am learning that there are severe ethical issues as well. It is a bold faced lie to say that there is a shortage of therapists in this area. It is also unethical to not reveal one's treatment modalities or to not have any at all. And after "many years in the field", I am disturbed that she continues to practice in such a way... It's also unethical to ask clients to review us via yelp which seems to be what she is doing... read more

If you are on this page wondering how Gina is as a therapist I highly advise that you skip over the reviews that only mention her etiquette on the phone and go for the actual reviews from those who Gina has worked with closely and in person. I have been working with Gina for about 7 months now. She is a professional and she knows what she is doing, she is very methodical and I trust her process. There have been times that I've just relinquished all trust in her and she has helped me to make breakthroughs and brought a feeling of a dark cloud having been lifted off of my shoulders. Things I have not processed since my childhood that I've been carrying around and didn't even know was affecting my relationships until we worked on it and if this is you, I especially recommend her. She challenges me but in a good way, I feel as if I'm becoming the best version of myself while being more open and I have already seen the immense benefits with my communication and relationships with friends, colleagues and loved ones. I look forward to our weekly meetings. I feel as if Gina genuinely cares about my well being, and watching me grow and change for the better. There's nothing more I can ask from a therapist. I owe her the world. I am so grateful and thankful to have her in my life. Thank you Gina! read more

Save yourself some time and just find someone else. Read all the reviews about abrupt, rude and seriously unethical behaviour and believe them. Gina only does scheduling by phone and only one week ahead-no email, no texts. She works out of her home and has serious OCD issues. (I looked at book she had next to my chair, when I set it down in the same spot, she told me I had to turn the book to the exact position it had been when I picked it up! I rotated the book 90 degrees on the table and she was happy. Appointments are only available nights and weekends, she is full but says she will take you, then rambles on about her great yelp reviews, how there is a shortage of therapists and how she tries to help as many people as she can. It is so shocking to hear a therapist blatantly lie like that. Gina told me I had to go into a 12 step program on eating disorders, because that is her specialty-even if you don't have an eating disorder. She took my height and weight for a kaiser intake form, told me I had to go to Food Addicts anonymous or we could not work on anxiety, the reason I came to therapy. She never once asked me any questions about food or eating-just made a judgment about me because she is very thin. For over 30 min I tried to get her to work on my actual issues, but she made a judgement on my weight, told me I needed to be 140 lbs because that's what "the chart says". She is my same height and super thin, so her judgment is rough, cruel, and especially hurtful. Her office is at her home and she is beyond paranoid-OCD again. For example, she thinks her neighbor is watching her, so you have to call from your car in front of the house. She told me to put on my gloves and mask and then walk the few steps to her side entrance. It was hot, so I got out of my car, putting on the gloves and mask as I walked up. She was really upset and wanted to know "if I had heard her?" And "why didn't I follow directions?" Apparently, the extra seconds I took to walk while putting on my mask on would somehow signal the neighbor that I was there? Really crazy stuff. She sits in a comfortable leather chair, you are in a hard plastic chair. Really weird vibe, she never tries to make you feel comfortable and constantly talks about "the neighbor will see you or hear you!". Basically, she is unethical, has serious OCD issues herself, and should not be a therapist. I pity the people that put up with this nonsense because she has convinced them that there is a shortage of therapists. Go to ANYONE else. read more

I worked with Gina for a couple of months. I definitely appreciated her directness. I did not, however, appreciate her constant interruptions. Also, she has a strict 72hr cancellation policy, which I respected, yet she gave me a lecture about one cancellation and then told me she would have to change the location of our appointments due to me not respecting her policy. Again, I had respected it. It seemed like some sort of lesson she wanted to teach me...all of which she communicated in a condescending tone. I politely declined any further sessions with her. She seemed confused. I am glad other people are getting the treatment they need. read more

I was referred to Gina from Kaiser. She has been my therapist since August 2020. She had evening appointments, and as I am still working in a essential business environment it was easy to fit in my schedule. I need help processing grief that is associated with a profound and almost debilitating loss. In this Covid 19 environment she found a way to meet in person, socially distanced and with PPE. It felt safe and comfortable as is it can be in this pandemic space. She suggested while I am seeing her that I go to a grief support group and complete the 8 week course. I am very glad that I did and Gina and I were able to discuss how the course made me feel, how to take what I learned and use it in my daily life and to be open to new points of view that will present during the healing path I am on. I am grateful that she helped me find coping skills to handle and start healing my grief and gave me tools to navigate the social disconnect anxiety this pandemic has caused for most of us. read more

I didn't get past an initial call to setup an appointment with Gina. She was rude, interrupted, and wouldn't let me explain my situation without asking questions that had nothing to do with what I was trying to explain. She was unprofessional throughout the entire call and that was enough for me to decide not to move forward with an appointment. read more

Yes, Gina does have a gruff, often off-putting way of dealing with people, especially over the phone and in the beginning, and yes, she did tell me there's a pandemic-driven therapist shortage in our "East Bay World Center of Therapy" so not sure what that's all about, but yes it's strange, and yes she pops out sometimes with weird statements ... but underneath all that and if you can get past that, she is a caring and perceptive mental health professional with good technique. Not sure if it was her suggestions and/or the SSRI but after only six or seven visits and after stopping the SSRI, I was miraculously cured of a horrible anxiety I had for years! Go figure ... She's not for everyone but again, if you can accept a little weirdness in the beginning, she might surprise and help you. She's not expensive so she might be worth a try. Good luck in your healing process ... read more

I didn't want to do this but I'd say not for me. When I called she was rude, insensitive and abrupt. She then mentioned "do you know there's a shortage of therapists in Oakland?" I get that's true but it was insensitive. I literally ended our conversation with "let me think about it" CLICK. read more

I have so much gratitude for the help Gina has given me since I started coming to therapy. I've only been going since the start of this year (so thankful I secured a therapist thru this time!) and I can't even begin to explain the amount of healing that working with Gina has brought me. After years of one time counseling sessions and "trying to figure things out on my own", I feel so blessed to receive real therapy from Gina. To address some of the reviews that couldn't get passed the initial phone call interaction, I will say this: Over the phone, Gina means business. I remember her having specific instructions for setting up my first appointment and they were exact. This is important because we probably have found out that finding a therapist is sometimes tedious with many steps and many phone calls. She's been doing this a long time and knows how it goes so she will tell you what you need to do to set up the first appointment. I remember being nervous to meet in person because over the phone she was very straight to the point. Once I met with Gina for our first assessment, I felt very comfortable with our interaction. I forgot all about any nerves or preconceived notions that she was "mean" over the phone. She is efficient over the phone and once you get in to talking with her in your first session, you will sense the wisdom she has from years of experience in the field. I could seriously write on and on about the great ways Gina has changed my life through our therapy. She really listens and responds with so much insight. It is the first time I have been encouraged to be emotional and dive into my feelings. This process has been rough but I feel so supported, safe, and truly heard by Gina. I have released a lot of shame and realized a lot of truths about myself from therapy. Over one review I can't even fully express how much gratitude I have for being able to work with Gina. I've had a wonderful experience that has truly changed my life and it's only been about 4 months! I look forward to our sessions that help so much in my healing and recovery! read more

Since I began seeing Gina De Sousa, I have personally experienced tremendous growth and improvement in my life and all of my relationships. Gina is a very compassionate, caring, and helpful therapist. In addition to listening and giving feedback, she will recommend and encourage her patients to take action to improve their lives. She also recommends that patients read books and other literature on their situations, so that they may better understand what is happening and the ways to deal with it and change it. I believe with all my heart that her goal is to help her patients. She wants to see her patients grow and improve. I highly recommend that anyone seeking emotional, relational, or psychological help should contact Gina read more

Gina has enabled tremendous growth and change in my life. If I could change the past, I'd have started my work with her 20 years ago! She is no-nonsense and caring -- she is honest about the work to be done (which is by no means fast, fun or easy), asks questions that invoke a different perspective, and holds me accountable to 1-2 things each time I see her. I see Gina as a life coach, helping me to improve not just one situation or issue but the way I interact and connect in the world. All of my relationships have evolved since I've worked with Gina, and I attribute it to her effectiveness as a therapist and a great fit for me. In this day and age of technological communication, I really appreciate the real face-to-face dialogue because that is where connection and change start. I have been to a few therapists, and I'm grateful that I was referred to Gina. She is part of my self-care regimen and I'd recommend her wholeheartedly. read more

I have been seeing Gina for several years. I've gotten through some really tough obstacles and have grown so much through my work with her. Highly recommend her. read more

Gina is such a great therapist! She is a great listener and always recommends the best books to all her clients. I have been seeing for 3 years and continue to look forward to her appointments every week! I'm sad that I'll be moving out of SF soon , I wish I could take her with me. She's helped me so much with my mental health -she's helped transform my life drastically. read more

I love Gina. She is honest, upfront, and she knows her strengths. I was seeing her with my family for almost a year, and she really cares about her clients. read more

This is my experience and of course yours could be very different. I found Gina to be abrupt, forgetful and curt in her communication. She couldn't remember if we had spoken before or who I was, she cut me off in the middle of the first session while I was tearful to pay the copay and said she wasn't sure if she'd take me on since my motivation didn't seem sufficient...it was the first session, 30 minutes in. The "referrals" she gave me were generic and one didn't have local sites. I left in tears, feeling worse than when I arrived. She did express care and concern at a couple points but I found her approach incredibly off putting and not for me. read more

My husband and I had three sessions with Gina, each of them difficult, in part because well, it's marriage counseling, but also because of her rude interruptions and generally extremely abrupt manner. There was the standard counseling fare, effective listening, etc., but we found her to end early before the standard 50 minute session time, an average of 5-10 minutes early each session. In the final session before we decided not to continue with her, she started going through file folders unrelated to us (she said in the first session she doesn't take notes) and not listening, then when we stopped talking she asked a question that had nothing to do with what we were working through or discussing in any way and made no sense. Maybe her manner works for some, but not for us. read more

I have seen Gina for almost 16 years now in various settings through family therapy, individual therapy and I now belong to a women's group that goes on once a month. When I first came to Gina at 16-years old, I was suffering from major depression. Throughout my therapy sessions with Gina, I learned that I was not a "problem" that needed to be "fixed" but a product of my family, some members of which had issues of their own ranging from depression, anxiety and eating disorders. She helped me to pin-point the root of my depression, and from there on we were able to work on it. Over the years, she has helped me deal with issues stemming from school, my family, relationships and now the challenges of juggling parenthood, marriage and career. It was not easy at times - there was definitely some difficult homework involved. I consider Gina to have played a tremendous role in managing my depression and appreciate her help in dealing with all of my life's challenges. I am very thankful to have Gina in my life! read more

Gina is nothing short of a Godsend. I came to Gina with some general issues I needed help with and we've worked on those and more. I liked that she saw patients in the evening so I didn't have to take time off work to see her. What I appreciate most about Gina is her style. She is warm and caring, honest and direct which is exactly what I need. Gina cares about me enough to tell me the truth in a very kind and gentle way. Gina was able to see what my issues were in a short time and suggested books for me to read and discuss. She often gives me handouts of articles and things she thinks would help me and they always do. I feel like Gina truly wants me to succeed and be happy and that she'll go above and beyond to help me get there. I consider myself very lucky to have found such a great therapist. Two thumbs up! read more

I have been seeing Gina for many years. I am currently a member of her men's group where men get together once a week to work on feelings and exchange ideas on current life problems. I have been in the men's group for two years and have found the sessions valuable. Enabling me to grow in my relationships with my family and friends. I would recommend her highly if you are willing to work. If you just want to talk to a therapist who doesn't help you grow, then go elsewhere. read more

I never went past trying to set up an appointment. The experience I had on the phone was enough to send me running. I actually wondered if I was being pranked. The only appointment she had was at 9pm. She answered her phone then immediately told me she couldn't talk and that if I didn't call back in 10 minutes she'd probably already have the time slot filed. She wanted to know how old I was, where I worked, and what street I lived on. She then said she was hesitant to give me the appointment because she sensed I wasn't that sure about it. When I asked why she was asking for certain information she got frustrated and was nearly yelling at me. I then said I didn't think it was going to work and she started saying she didn't understand what my problem was and how she was just trying to help. There was just no way I'd be able to form a therapeutic relationship. The whole thing was absolutely bizarre. read more

Gina is genuine, dedicated, and passionate - all attributes that make her an excellent therapist. She has changed my life in more ways than I can write in words. The negative reviews here are not representative of her skill or competency, but more of a reflection of the person who wrote it. One thing is true - Gina does not sugarcoat or coddle. Therapy is difficult WORK, and anyone who is not truly ready for it will find any excuse possible to avoid it, including blaming a therapist they haven't even met yet. For those of you ready to reclaim control of your life, trust that she will be committed to guiding you every step of the way. She has always been consistent and supportive, and the tools I've learned and changes I've made over time have impacted my life in tremendous ways. I've never been happier, and more so, I've never felt more in control of my happiness. We should never be ashamed to seek help - we as humans are simply not equipped with the skills to navigate such complex emotions, and it's perfectly okay to receive assistance, especially from a non-biased professional. She has 20+ years of experience and is skilled in many specialties, but in my case helped me with LGBTQ identity, family relationships, and the grief of losing loved ones (among other things). Love yourself - do the work! You deserve to feel whole. I can't thank Gina enough. read more

I have been receiving individual therapy from Gina for over a year. She has been excellent in helping me manage my grief in healthy ways. I very much appreciate her compassion, skill, and directness. I would not have persevered through the most trying time in my life without her clinical support. read more

I don't even know where to begin. All I know is therapy has been the best act of self care I have given myself. I tried multiple times to get started but Gina has been the only therapist I decided to commit and be consistent with. I remember as I was making my calls to find one her first words were, "I've been doing this for 25 years. I'm real good at what I do." I was drawn to the confidence and felt reassured I was seeking help from an "expert" in the field with decades of experience. Because I was LOST. Completely lost and in despair with what to do with my rocky marriage. Gina has been my guiding light through life events since 2014. Because of her I was able to work through so many things in life I would have not been able to do otherwise. I worked through the thick denial of being in an abusive marriage, found the strength to leave, and was able to rebuild my life, recover, and heal, all with the help of therapy (Gina) On top of that, we continue to work on the issues we discover that need to be worked on from family dynamics, dating, childhood issues, you name it. I am a better person because of her guidance with therapy. I honestly don't know what I'd do without her. Thank you, Gina, for all the learnings and all the life tools you are helping me gain. I am beyond grateful for the time and energy you invest in our sessions. To anyone reading this, you will be lucky to have her! read more

Gina has been an excellent therapist for me and I'd highly recommend her. She identified my depression and guided me through Kaiser for proper care, and we started meeting weekly for the next two years. We dealt with a variety of issues including the death of two family members, family disputes over my father's will, sexual abuse and work related stress. She is extremely good at what she does, very knowledgeable and kind. I'm very grateful to have been her patient and am doing really well now thanks in no small part to Gina. read more

I called to ask for a few questions and to get some help and Gina was extremely rude with me over the phone. She interupted me several times and seemed uninterested with what I had to say. Even though I have not had any sessions with her but she will not be getting my business read more