Skip to content
Starla McCreary, LMFT

Starla McCreary, LMFT

she/her

Licensed in CA #96194
Insurances Accepted: Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross
By creating a safe and supportive space, I guide individuals toward understanding their unique strengths and resilience.

My Therapy Style

I have 10 years of experience in mental health as a counselor with UCSF and the San Francisco Department of Public Health providing care for adults with severe mental illnesses and drug/alcohol addictions. I worked in rehabilitation and social service agencies in the Bay Area and East Coast.

My therapeutic approach is rooted in trauma-informed care, recognizing that past experiences can profoundly impact our present emotions and relationships. By creating a safe and supportive space, I guide individuals toward understanding their unique strengths and resilience, helping them navigate challenging circumstances and find new paths toward growth and recovery. I use client-centered, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and mindfulness-based treatments to support clients in developing more awareness of the present moment, improving their tolerance of stress and transitions, decreasing their symptoms of depression and anxiety, and improving their relationships.

Education & Training

MS - Marriage Family Child Counseling, San Francisco State University

Get to Know Me

Why did you become a mental health professional?

As an African-American woman, I became a mental health professional in order to be the type of counselor I wanted and needed as a young person. I became a mental health professional to serve my community and to challenge stigma and stereotypes about Black people and therapy.

What are your interests outside of work?

I take regular dance classes and create art (drawing, painting, collage).

What is one thing you do daily that supports your well-being?

I take a quiet moment to drink a hot cup of tea and I aspire to a daily meditation practice.

How do you recharge?

I usually recharge by spending time reading of watching a movie.