Golden Gate Counseling Services

Break free from anxiety, uncertainty, and discomfort

Picture flourishing in your relationships, family life, and personal endeavors, free from the weight of emotional or interpersonal challenges a life where conflict, tension, and relational strain no longer dictate your interactions.

About Us

is a thriving group practice founded by psychotherapists Amy Rice, PhD, PMH-C and Caleb Birkhoff, LMFT. The two met in 2016 while working in an outpatient substance abuse clinic where they witnessed the adverse impact of inadequate therapeutic support. Combining their extensive professional backgrounds in diverse mental health settings, including residential substance abuse facilities, community clinics, hospitals, childbirth education centers, academic institutions, and private practice settings, they set out to provide effective, accessible, and individualized mental health care.

Our Services

Comprehensive, individualized in-person and virtual care in San Francisco and across California

Face life head-on

Explore how stress, relationship issues, and life transitions can serve as avenues for growth and learning. Develop the confidence and resilience needed to face life’s obstacles head-on. Therapy has proven its effectiveness, so harness its benefits to navigate life’s challenges with greater strength and insight

Move towards postpartum healing

Envision starting each morning with a sense of wholeness and resilience as you take on the day, shifting away from dread or overwhelm for what’s to come. Move away from feelings of isolation and shame as you build resilience and confidence in your relationship with your child and yourself.

Best Psychology and
Mental Health Counseling

Trust Us To Be There to Help All and Make Things Well Again

How We Can Help

How our therapists can help you

Perinatal Mental Health — Perinatal Therapy

How it works

Schedule a consultation

Life can be hectic, and finding the time for self-care can feel like a challenge. That's where teletherapy comes in. With teletherapy, you can avoid the hassle of commuting to appointments, looking for parking, and fitting them into your busy schedule. Research has shown that teletherapy offers comparable outcomes to traditional in-person therapy, making it a convenient and effective option for individuals with busy lives. By eliminating travel time and allowing you to attend sessions from the comfort of your own space (home, work, or travel), teletherapy makes prioritizing and attending to your mental health easier than ever before.

Get matched with a therapist

We believe that everyone deserves access to quality mental health care, regardless of their location or circumstances. Teletherapy breaks down barriers to access by offering therapy sessions that are just a click away. Whether you live in a rural area, have mobility challenges, or simply prefer the convenience of virtual appointments, teletherapy ensures that support is readily available when you need it most. Research published in the Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare has demonstrated that teletherapy improves access to mental health services for individuals in underserved communities, helping to bridge the gap in care (Hilty et al., 2013). With teletherapy, help is always within reach.

Complete an intake session

A question we get a lot, "Does teletherapy really work?" The answer is a resounding yes. Numerous studies have shown that teletherapy is just as effective as in-person therapy for a wide range of mental health concerns, including depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Research published in the Journal of Anxiety Disorders found that teletherapy interventions led to significant improvements in symptoms of anxiety and depression, with outcomes comparable to traditional face-to-face therapy (Spurgeon et al., 2016). By harnessing evidence-based approaches and fostering strong therapeutic alliances, teletherapy empowers you to achieve meaningful and lasting change from the comfort of your own home.

Decide how often you'd like to meet

Your comfort and privacy are paramount to us. Teletherapy allows you to participate in therapy from a space where you feel safe and secure, you get to decide where that is. Research indicates that clients often feel more comfortable discussing sensitive topics in a familiar environment, leading to increased disclosure and therapeutic progress. With teletherapy, you have the freedom to explore your thoughts and feelings in a setting that feels most comfortable to you, enhancing the therapeutic experience.

Meet the Team

Dr. Amy Rice

Specialty Areas

Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders
Birth Trauma
Pregnancy Loss
Relationship Issues
Infertility Counseling
Support for IVF/IUI
Trans and Non-Binary prenatal and postpartum support
Addiction and Recovery
Gender-affirming surgery support

Caleb Birkhoff, LMFT

Specialty Areas

Anxiety and Depressive Disorders
Emotion Focused Couples Therapy (EFT)
Life Transitions
Therapy for Young Professionals
Men’s Issues
Self Esteem & Relationship Issues
Substance Abuse and Recovery

Reina Peterson, LMFT

Specialty Areas

Queer Folks, LGBTQIA+
Gender Affirming Care
Veterans
Anxiety, Stress and Burnout
Climate-Related Mental Health
Therapy for Young Professionals
Therapy for Therapists, and other professionals in helping fields

Ali Turetzky, AMFT

Specialty Areas

Couples and relational therapy
First-time couples therapy goers
Navigating pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and parenthood
Decisions about whether to have children
Perinatal therapy, including infertility support, pregnancy loss, birth trauma, and perinatal mood and anxiety disorders
Parentified adult children
Supporting tech and startup professionals

Walker Hansen, AMFT

Specialty Areas

When I started seeing Caleb about 4-5 years ago, I was lost, isolated, and angry. Without my sessions with Caleb, I truly believe I would still be stuck in a cycle of negative and unhealthy thoughts. Through our conversations and work, I can confidently say that I now have a healthy, confident belief in my place in this world. My relationships with my loved ones and friends have grown and blossomed. My own understanding of my feelings has helped me better communicate with and express myself to others. All in all, I am a consistently happier person today than I ever have been before.

I started working with Amy amidst some huge life changes: the death of a parent, miscarriages, eventual pregnancy and birth of my son. It was all a huge amount to process and very painful. At the same time, I was also trying to regulate my alcohol consumption and negotiate some needed changes with my partner. Amy provided an extraordinarily supportive space as I began to process and work through these issues. She also effectively modeled positive relationships for me through our session, providing me with unconditional acceptance and care. Since working with Amy I have been far better at drawing boundaries for myself, standing my emotional ground, and acknowledging and accepting painful feelings. I think she is a spectacularly empathic, talented, and insightful therapist, and I highly recommend her in the strongest terms possible.

I found my work with Caleb to be transformative. He's truly skilled in what he does and is an authentically good human being which translates well into his work. He truly listens, holds space that feels safe for raw emotion, and remembers the details you share with him. He's wise, supportive, and deeply cares for his clients. An added bonus is that he's familiar with 12-Step programs and recovery which makes conversations about any 12-step or addiction related discussions feel easier and more organic

Amy's combination of intelligence and compassion makes her an outstanding therapist. She has an innate ability to identify and explore foundational trauma, while really supporting a healing process along the way. I always feel like we're doing the hard work, and also that safety is her top priority. Her expertise in both childhood development and substance use disorder has been incredibly helpful for me personally, and her sense of humor makes working together a joy every time we meet. Amy has been an amazing resource and I'm so glad that I found her.

My husband and I attended couples therapy with Caleb to overcome some long-standing communication issues we were experiencing. Caleb is warm, personable, and professional, and his demeanor immediately put us at ease. His insight allowed us to understand each other's perspectives better, helping us to bridge the gap that had formed in our relationship. Caleb is a compassionate guide who excels at helping clients recognize how their behaviors may be interfering with building the connection they desire with their partner. I would definitely recommend Caleb if you are looking for a skilled clinician to help you heal old relationship wounds, improve communication, and strengthen the bond with your partner.

Amy helped me to save my marriage, and quite possibly my life. She helped me to understand what was most troubling me and what I most valued in my life, and then how to act on that. She did this through an amazing ability to listen, so that I felt heard a very rare thing. I never feel judged with Amy. When I don't want to reveal certain secrets, her gentleness makes me feel safe with her. She points out my successes to make me comfortable to accept weaknesses and failures in order to grow. I met Amy over eight years ago. She continues to help me to feel more positive about myself and the choices I make in how I want to live my life and the family (including non-DNA) I want to surround myself with.

When my partner and I faced a pivotal life decision and recurring conflicts, we sought Caleb's help through couples therapy. Caleb's genuine warmth and approachable nature immediately put us at ease. With his expert guidance, we learned to appreciate each other's perspectives, which was essential for us to make informed decisions and minimize our disagreements. Caleb showed us how vital communication and clear boundaries are in fostering a deeper connection. His approach helped transform our relationship, helping us to grow closer and more understanding of each other. If you're looking to enhance your relationship, make significant life decisions together, and reduce conflict, Caleb is the perfect guide.

I started seeing Amy in 2016 after three months of white knuckling sobriety. I knew I was going to die if I didn't stop drinking. Without Amy I would not be where I am today. Sober 8 years despite significant losses along the way including the death of my father. I would not be thriving today had it not been for the years of therapeutic support, undying encouragement that I could keep living, and the tools to learn and grow through life life. Amy has extensive knowledge, training, and a multifaceted toolbox for her clients. Through her life experiences as well as technical training she was the perfect match for me. Logistically, Amy is incredibly easy to work with. Scheduling is easy and convenient. She is flexible, caring, understanding, and fair. I would recommend Amy to anyone searching for balance, meaning, and self reflection in life. She saved mine.

I've been seeing Caleb for over a year now. Caleb has been consistent, present, and empathetic in all our sessions. He's helped me through my separation with my partner and guided me to understand so much about myself. Since seeing him I've been able to quiet my anxiety and set boundaries in my life to create healthier and more fulfilling relationships. There's been multiple times where I've really needed to work and talk through issues, and Caleb would have my back and fit me in his schedule with very little notice. I have so much respect for Caleb's practice as a therapist. I can confidently say my life has absolutely changed for the better since seeing Caleb.

I have been a patient of Amy's for eleven years. In a way I think she magically appeared in my life to help me at the exact time I needed it. She has been a crucial part of my growth and helped me both individually and my husband and I as a couple. I often credit the work with Amy as to why my husband and I made it through the difficult years of being new parents and needing to learn how to navigate our new roles as why we are still together. Amy has helped me through many difficult times personally and professionally. I trust her wholly and continue to work with her on an as needed basis. She taught me that I have to ask for what I need, how to set boundaries, and how to love myself more. I could not recommend anyone more than I do Amy.

I cannot express enough gratitude for the support and encouragement I received from Caleb. During some tough moments in my life, his empathetic and insightful guidance made all the difference. I highly recommend Caleb to anyone looking for a relatable, compassionate, and skilled therapist.

I came to therapy unsure of what to expect. Caleb immediately put me at ease with his warm and approachable demeanor. He was instrumental in helping me navigate a major life transition by providing valuable perspective and genuine compassion. Thanks to Caleb, I feel empowered to move forward with a better ability to understand how I feel and express myself to others! I came to Caleb at an extremely volatile moment in my life. I was paralyzed with anxiety, abusing drugs and alcohol, extremely unhealthy, all the while dealing with a family issue that was very stressful. Simply put, my life had spun out of control and I needed to start over. Over the years Caleb has been instrumental in helping me rediscover myself, reorganize priorities, and take back control. Within the first 9 months of working with Caleb I maintained my sobriety, lost 60 pounds, and saved my marriage. Caleb's a great listener who relates to you as a person. Even though I feel largely recovered, I still meet with Caleb every week. We talk about life, challenges in business, parenting, basically anything that's on my mind. Caleb helps me stay centered and focused on the things that actually matter in life. I would strongly recommend Caleb to anyone who feels like they've lost control and is looking to achieve peace and focus in their life.

Words can hardly capture the profound impact Amy has had on my life over the past 11 years. Through the highs and lows, the twists and turns, she has been my unwavering anchor, guiding me through the darkest storms and celebrating with me in the brightest moments. From the deepest fears to the loftiest dreams, she has stood by me with empathy, compassion, and wisdom that only comes from truly knowing someone on a profound level. There were times when I felt utterly lost, consumed by the chaos of my own mind, yet she remained a steady presence, gently illuminating the path forward. In moments of despair, she offers solace and hope, reminding me of my resilience even when I can't quite see it myself. And in moments of triumph, she celebrates alongside me, rejoicing in every milestone and victory and reminding me how far I've come. When I first started working with Amy, she had to work to extract my feelings out of me. Now I look forward to sharing with her every week and I often find myself wondering where I would be without her unwavering support and guidance. The truth is, I cannot imagine a life without her presence, without her steady hand to guide me through life's tumultuous terrain. Amy is more than just a healer, but a confidante, a mentor, and a friend. Her impact has been immeasurable, and I am forever grateful.

What our clients are saying

You have already taken the hardest first step towards healing by having the courage to reach out for help. We're honored that you're here.

Together, we can explore your challenges, uncover your strengths, and work towards lasting relief and transformation. You don’t have to navigate this journey alone-we’re here to support you every step of the way.

Contact Us

We are here for you.

Interested in working together, or just have a quinition for us? Send us an email and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

Break free from anxiety, uncertainty, and discomfort

About Us