https://www.bayareaprofessionalpsych.com/about daily 0.75 2025-08-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6220f264d42c312741f60612/c4aca5e1-14e3-4798-b759-509ba4fa7898/unsplash-image-G_acucnTJNw.jpg About - The relationship is most important Research tells us that the most important factor in whether therapy leads to positive change is the relationship between the therapist and client(s). This is why finding the best match of therapist for you or your family is our top priority. We offer an initial introductory call with Founder and Clinical Director Dr. Gia DiNicola to match you with the therapist who has the most training and expertise in what you are looking for support with. You will then have the opportunity to meet this therapist for an introductory meeting to see if the interpersonal fit is also right. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6220f264d42c312741f60612/1651859645432-Q74SHG8BJGP15W3HZVFW/unsplash-image-0nkFvdcM-X4.jpg About - Responding To The Increased Need for Mental Health Care Dr. DiNicola founded Bay Area Professional Psychology in 2021 as a response to the massive increase in demand for mental health care. This demand was steadily increasing before the COVID-19 pandemic, and then reached heights unimaginable as the pandemic led to so many life interrupting changes and collective trauma. Dr. DiNicola, like most mental health professionals, was forced to turn away clients desperate for help: in their families; with their children; and in their partnerships. Young people were particularly impacted by the pandemic and are the group with the largest mental health needs at this time. For this reason, all therapists with BAPP have specialized experience in working with children and teenagers. https://www.bayareaprofessionalpsych.com/services daily 0.75 2022-06-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6220f264d42c312741f60612/ec593a31-941f-47c6-8c8c-06006b89ca68/unsplash-image-uv4-vl3liKM.jpg Services hand-drawn empty pill bottle icon https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6220f264d42c312741f60612/e703239b-14d7-467d-9d0b-9f5b382f66af/unsplash-image-U2H4Br0_NLs.jpg Services hand-drawn armchair icon https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6220f264d42c312741f60612/754fc660-66be-46cf-87ad-a73eed88e200/unsplash-image-HSy0QXIRafg.jpg Services hand-drawn aim target icon https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6220f264d42c312741f60612/955b7efe-cdea-4795-8dcb-32853c6450c2/unsplash-image-REKXJ7JhwiI.jpg Services hand-drawn simplified needles in back acupuncture icon https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6220f264d42c312741f60612/548d6a2e-0cbd-4d86-b65b-b27ce4bb810d/unsplash-image-Hb6uWq0i4MI.jpg Services hand-drawn empty pill bottle icon https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6220f264d42c312741f60612/4b3dc664-0adf-406f-8aa2-7077d00a0acc/unsplash-image-HJckKnwCXxQ.jpg Services hand-drawn armchair icon https://www.bayareaprofessionalpsych.com/team daily 0.75 2025-08-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6220f264d42c312741f60612/0095ca1f-6a81-41ca-a051-2d05e54ff41b/Smitha+website+pic.jpg Team - (In-Person in San Francisco/Telehealth) Smitha Kashi, PsyD Psychologist Available for Therapy Dr. Smitha Kashi is a first-generation South-Asian American lesbian psychologist who is passionate about helping people feel seen, heard, and empowered in their healing journeys. She earned her Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of San Francisco and brings warmth, cultural humility, and an integrative, person-centered approach to her work. Dr. Kashi offers therapy for children, teens, adults, and couples, and specializes in supporting individuals navigating anxiety, depression, work or academic stress, trauma, identity development, and life transitions. She has a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by queer/LGBTQ+ individuals, first-generation children of immigrants, and those straddling multiple cultures and identities. Her approach is always shaped by each person’s lived experiences, values, and cultural background. With experience across schools, hospitals, and private practice settings, Dr. Kashi also provides parent support, especially for those raising teens and children who are struggling with self-esteem, interpersonal issues, or suicidal ideation. She has led groups for adults, adolescents, and caregivers, including DBT skills groups, LGBTQ+ support groups, and parent support spaces. Dr. Kashi believes that therapy should be a safe and collaborative space where you can explore who you are, what matters to you, and what’s getting in the way of the life you want to live. She welcomes you as you are and is honored to walk alongside you in your process. Pronouns: she/her Licensed Psychologist PSY35983 LinkedIn https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6220f264d42c312741f60612/c6b186ae-549a-49a3-b734-9d291590d9d1/IMG_7409.jpg Team - (In-Person Berkeley/Telehealth) Loren Steinberg, PhD Psychologist Available for Therapy and Training Dr. Loren Steinberg earned their PhD in Clinical Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University in San Francisco in 2021 and has advanced certification in Exposure with Response Prevention for OCD. Dr. Steinberg offers individual, family, and couples therapy to adult adults, teens, and children. They have particular expertise in working with clients seeking support with: anxiety, OCD, ADHD, depression, trauma, bereavement, and identity development. Their couples work focuses on ways that trauma, neurodivergence, and attachment show up in relationships. Dr. Steinberg has extensive experience in cross collaborating with educators to support the access needs of students with disabilities who have IEP’s or 504 plans. Loren has both lived and professional experience around disability and LGBT identity. Pronouns: they/them Licensed Psychologist PSY35726 LinkedIn https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6220f264d42c312741f60612/4806216f-a1d4-46fc-8384-ead3e504794d/Gia+Close+up.jpg Team - (In-Person San Francisco & Larkspur/Telehealth) Gia DiNicola, PhD Founder & Clinical Director Available for Training, Consultation, Therapy Dr. DiNicola founded Bay Area Professional Psychology, PC (BAPP) in 2021 as a response to the increased demands for mental health services and for trauma-informed care resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. DiNicola has always had a deep love for teaching and training other professionals and has consistently been involved with community mental health settings as a supervisor and consultant since beginning her own practice in 2016. Her vision for BAPP is to offer opportunities to other mental health professionals to receive advanced training in child and family therapy and to increase service offerings to the community through psychotherapy and training for professionals. In addition to being the Founder and Clinical Director of BAPP, Dr. DiNicola is also a Volunteer Clinical Professor in the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at UCSF where she supervises psychiatry residents in family therapy. Dr. DiNicola’s psychotherapy work is attachment-focused, trauma-informed, collaborative, and sensitive to the experiences and needs of those from a variety of backgrounds. She works with clients across the lifespan and specializes in working with a variety of anxiety disorders, utilizing a mix of attachment-based and cognitive behavioral techniques. As a White, Queer person Dr. DiNicola is committed to providing therapy and training that is cognizant of all the different identities that one can hold. Pronouns: she/her Licensed Psychologist; PSY26942 LinkedIn — Instagram https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6220f264d42c312741f60612/50aabcd0-fc49-426c-8423-48575c3d1c7c/Manisha+pic.jpg Team - (Telehealth) Manisha Kent, PsyD Psychologist Available for Therapy Dr. Manisha Kent is a first generation South-Asian American who earned her doctorate in clinical psychology from the Wright Institute in Berkeley, CA. She has over 15 years of experience including serving children, adolescents and young adults of diverse backgrounds in a variety of settings including hospital, school, and community clinics. Her integrative approach is highly relational as well as is informed by strengths and evidence-based practices. Common areas of need that Dr. Kent works collaboratively with her clients to address include: anxiety, depression, trauma, self-esteem, school challenges, interpersonal relationships, anger management, acculturation, life transitions and adjustments, and parenting support. Pronouns: she/her Licensed Psychologist; PSY25734 LinkedIn https://www.bayareaprofessionalpsych.com/contact daily 0.75 2023-05-22 https://www.bayareaprofessionalpsych.com/home daily 1.0 2025-08-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6220f264d42c312741f60612/dbec0164-e0b4-489f-bb11-517720cddc4f/unsplash-image-Zyx1bK9mqmA.jpg Home Practices Our therapists are trained in the following therapeutic modalities: Emotionally Focused Couples/Family Therapy (EFT/EFFT) Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Psychodynamic Psychotherapy Family-Based Treatment for Disordered Eating (FBT) Exposure with Response Prevention for OCD (ER/P) Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) Child-Parent Psychotherapy (CPP) Child-Centered Play Therapy Exposure therapies for other Anxiety Disorders https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6220f264d42c312741f60612/1648053437266-URIVCPZ47NC9VVL0HW5N/Gia+Close+up.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6220f264d42c312741f60612/1648053497517-9ZBM3KJLO3YPO00CQVHK/IMG_7409.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6220f264d42c312741f60612/7abaecac-8e65-4ac5-9ec5-34bb5fe96661/Manisha+pic.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6220f264d42c312741f60612/0095ca1f-6a81-41ca-a051-2d05e54ff41b/Smitha+website+pic.jpg Home https://www.bayareaprofessionalpsych.com/faqs-3 daily 0.75 2025-08-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1618497259178-6XJGK9GR6YAVBQL5L519/20140301_Trade-151_012-2.jpg FAQs https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1607694583486-2PQT0LQ193RL7MCB6DX4/20140228_Trade+151_0046.jpg FAQs https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1607694644871-IC85FNH781UNZSZEGHDR/Aro+Ha_0428.jpg FAQs https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1607638148090-Y6OFDI575CM3NQV732RJ/Large+JPG-Aro+Ha_0387.jpg FAQs https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1607628784608-5D22G9GPLHDSAB2IXC2G/Large+JPG-Aro+Ha_0638.jpg FAQs https://www.bayareaprofessionalpsych.com/get-started daily 0.75 2022-03-18