Dr. Marina Bystritsky | San Francisco Therapy & Coaching

Hi, I’m MARINA BYSTRISTSKY, PhD.

I am a seasoned psychotherapist with over two decades of dedicated experience in the mental health field. Through my work, I derive immense joy and fulfillment, driven by the belief that with the right support, everyone possesses the capacity to heal.

I hold a bachelor’s degree from NYU and earned my doctorate from the University of California, Los Angeles in 1999, specializing in anxiety disorders treatment at the renowned UCLA Anxiety Disorders Clinic. Over the years, I have amassed extensive   experience working with diverse patient population in clinical settings and private practice. Alongside my private practice, I served as an adjunct faculty at UCSF and provided ongoing supervision to psychiatry residents at the OCD Clinic at Stanford for a decade.

As a certified mindfulness teacher, I am deeply committed to guiding others on their journey toward mindfulness and self-compassion. Additionally, I completed the postgraduate program in Psychedelic Assisted Psychotherapy and Research at the California Institute of Integral Studies, further fueling my passion for exploring non-ordinary states of consciousness as a potential avenue for healing and spiritual growth.

Beyond my professional credentials, my personal journey informs my approach to therapy. Originally from St. Petersburg, Russia, I embarked on a transformative path that let me from New York to Los Angeles and eventually to the Bay Area. Throughout my life, I have navigated a rich tapestry of experiences – embracing joy and sorrow, achievement, and loss, and learning invaluable lessons from both triumphs and setbacks.

For over 25 years, I have practiced yoga, and for nearly two decades, I have embraced mindfulness meditation. I firmly believe in the interconnectedness of mind and body, leveraging a strong mind-body focus to foster personal growth and empower transformative change.

To learn more about my training and experience, please feel free to browse my Curriculum Vitae.

“If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change”.

- Wayne Dyer