Our Team


Michelle Gerami
- Rancho Bernardo
- Telehealth
- Children (5-12)
- Young Adults (18-24)
- Adults (24+)
- Families
- Anger and irritability
- Anxiety
- Attachment issues
- Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Behavioral issues
- Depression
- Family of origin issues
- Grief and loss
- Immigration / 1st gen
- LGBTQ
- Mindfulness
- Multicultural issues
- Obsessions and compulsions
- Parenting
- Personality
- Self Esteem
- Self-harm
- Strengths
- Stress Management
- Trauma
- Art TherapyArt Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
- Family SystemsFamily Systems
- Internal Family SystemsInternal Family Systems
- Narrative TherapyNarrative Therapy
- Play Therapy / SandtrayPlay Therapy / Sandtray
Only when we are brave enough to explore the darkness will we discover the infinite power of our light
- Brené Brown
Hello! I’m Michelle Gerami (she/her/hers), and I’m an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist. As a bilingual Iranian-American, I offer therapy in both English and Farsi. I was born and raised in San Diego and earned my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from San Diego State University and my Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Alliant International University. To fill my own cup, I love to travel to new places, spend quality time with my husband, tend to my many houseplants, bedazzle anything and everything, and take photos of things that make me smile. :)
I love working with...
Children, individuals, and families. I’m drawn to helping clients navigate issues related to anxiety, depression, trauma, OCD, neurodiversity, stress management, and emotion regulation, while offering LGBTQ+ affirmative care. I also bring a strong focus to systemic and cultural complexities, particularly attachment issues, grief and loss, as well as the unique challenges surrounding immigration, acculturation/assimilation, and social identity.
Some of my favorite approaches include...
Integrative, trauma-informed, and person-centered approaches tailored to each client’s unique goals and needs. I view the client-therapist relationship as collaborative, where the client is the expert on their own life. To support the client's journey, I utilize Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) for concrete coping skills; Family Systems to navigate relational dynamics; Narrative Therapy to help externalize challenges and reclaim personal stories; and Play and Art Therapy to provide creative, non-verbal pathways for deep emotional processing.
How I help...
My therapeutic style is grounded in empathy, humility, and curiosity. I strive to provide a comfortable space for you to bring your full, authentic self without fear of judgment. I’m here to be a steady, supportive presence, walking alongside you at your own pace. Whether you need a space to process heavy emotions, learn practical coping strategies, or challenge self-limiting beliefs, I adapt to meet you exactly where you are.
I believe...
Healing happens when you feel truly seen and safe. Everyone deserves to feel heard, and I'm here to connect and listen.
What it's like in session with me
Starting therapy takes a lot of courage, and being vulnerable can feel intimidating at any age. That’s why I adapt my approach to fit exactly who is sitting across from me. Some days we will do deep, reflective work; other days we might focus on practical strategies, or simply use art and play to decompress. We will navigate the ups and downs of the process together, mapping each session to whatever feels most important or supportive to you that week.













