Pia von Strasser, MA, APCC
Hi I’m Pia! I’m a registered associate professional clinical counselor providing therapy services to individuals throughout California.
My Practice
In my practice, I work with individuals who are seeking personal growth and support through life transitions. Whether you’re navigating anxiety, depression, or recovering from traumatic experiences, my goal is to provide a warm, welcoming, and compassionate space where you can explore your experiences, deepen your self-awareness, and foster the positive changes you desire in your life.
My approach is both supportive and collaborative, focusing on creating meaningful and positive transformations that align with your personal goals. Together, we will work towards building a more fulfilling, values-driven life, centered on what matters most to you. Each session is uniquely tailored to fit your specific needs, providing you with personalized support at every step along the way. I draw from a variety of evidence-based therapeutic modalities to meet each client’s needs, including:
• Somatic Awareness – Using the body as a tool for healing and insight
• Mindfulness Practices – Cultivating presence, resilience, and self-acceptance
• Trauma-Informed Care – Offering a safe and supportive environment for healing
• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) – Processing and healing from trauma
• Self-Compassion Work – Developing inner resilience through kindness and acceptance
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) – Gently observing and engaging with thoughts in a mindful, compassionate way allowing for self-acceptance & new perspectives and actions
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) – Embracing values-driven action and acceptance
Each of these approaches is integrated into our work as needed to help you achieve your personal goals and to support your journey toward self-awareness and growth.
Online Therapy Across California
As a registered associate professional clinical counselor based in San Francisco, I also offer telehealth therapy to individuals across California. This means that no matter where you are in the state, you can access compassionate, tailored therapy from the comfort of your own space.
If you’re ready to start a journey of self-discovery, healing, and positive change, I invite you to reach out. Let’s work together to build a life that feels balanced, fulfilling, and aligned with your values.
Individual Therapy
Teenagers, college students and young adults, and adults
Group Therapy
Mindful Self-Compassion and Self-Help Book Club… Inquire for more information
About Me
Supporting Personal Growth and Healing Through Mind-Body Integration in California
Hello! My name is Pia, and I am an Associate Professional Clinical Counselor based in California, with a passion for guiding individuals on their healing journey. I hold a B.S. in Psychological and Brain Sciences from UC Santa Barbara and an M.A. in Counseling from Wake Forest University. Throughout my career, I’ve integrated both academic knowledge and personal experience in mindfulness and somatic awareness to create a compassionate and effective therapeutic approach.
Bringing Together Neuroscience and Mindfulness
My journey began in Santa Barbara, where I studied neuroscience and maintained a daily yoga and mindfulness practice to stay centered and grounded. This personal commitment to mind-body balance became a foundation for my work in mental health. I moved to the East Coast to earn my master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling, with a goal to help others on their path to healing and self-awareness. This experience broadened my perspective on diverse client backgrounds and experiences.
Experience in Clinical and Educational Settings
While earning my degree, I worked in educational and clinical settings, supporting teenagers, young adults, and parents as they navigated life’s challenges. I continued my yoga practice, finding a studio that felt like a second home and reinforced my belief in the power of community and self-care. After completing my degree, I gained experience in pediatric and adult intensive outpatient care, which deepened my skills in supporting clients through anxiety, depression, traumatic experiences, and life transitions.
A Mind-Body-Spirit Approach Inspired by the Camino de Santiago
In addition to my clinical work, I embarked on the Camino de Santiago, a 500-mile pilgrimage across Spain, where I witnessed the profound power of mind-body-spirit integration. This journey reaffirmed my commitment to incorporating somatic practices and mindfulness into my therapeutic approach, allowing clients to achieve deeper self-awareness and healing.
Creating a Warm and Compassionate Therapy Practice
My personal, educational, and professional experiences have led me to create a therapy practice in California focused on supporting individuals through life transitions, healing from anxiety, depression, and trauma, and fostering personal growth. My approach integrates somatic awareness, mindfulness practices, and trauma-informed care to empower clients to achieve a fulfilling, values-driven life.
Training & Clinical Experiences
Training
University of California, Santa Barbara: Bachelor of Science, Psychological and Brain Sciences
Wake Forest University: Master of Arts, Counseling
Institute for Creative Mindfulness: EMDR Trained
CAMS-Care: CAMS Certified
Spirit Rock: Deep Rest - Spiritual, Emotional, and Cellular Rejuvenation
Clinical Experience
Center for Autism and Related Disorders: Behavioral Therapist
Middle and High School Counselor
Tamalpais Pediatrics: Associate Therapist
Lightfully Behavioral Health, IOP: Primary Therapist - Individual, Group, and Family Therapist using Process Based Therapy Model (CBT, DBT, ACT, Self-Compassion)
