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You matter. 

And yet so many of us feel, or have been taught, the opposite.
 

We all struggle with thoughts that keep us hooked or feelings we want to get rid of. Maybe early adversity or recent loss has left you unmoored or questioning, or maybe there is just too much mental noise and that internal critic seems harsher than ever. Or perhaps you push through every workday while inside there’s a heaviness that coffee, podcasts, and "willpower" can't shift. If you’re exhausted, detached, or secretly wondering “Is it always going to feel like this?” you’re not alone. And it can get better.

 

That's where our work comes in.... 

I'm Dr. Melissa Hagan

Whether meeting in my office on the San Francisco Peninsula or virtually, I help adults and teens feel more grounded, less alone, and more in touch with what really matters. â€‹My approach is driven by what fits best with your needs, cultural values, and general worldview. I combine tools that help you understand & manage intense emotions, rework unhelpful thoughts, help you move toward what matters most to you, and strengthen how you connect with others. 

How I see therapy

For me, therapy offers a rare kind of relationship, one where even the hardest, messiest, or most confusing parts of life can be explored with care. I’ve been on both sides of the therapy room. I know how powerful it can be to sit with someone who is curious and able to help you find new ways forward. I didn’t become a therapist because it worked for me (though it has, in different ways, over the years); I became a psychologist because I’ve always been drawn to the complexity of human experience—how we make meaning, how we carry pain, and how we grow.

 

When we work together, I’m guided by what you bring into the room, who you’ve been and who you want to become, and by what’s happening in your life and the world around you. I also bring the lens of early relationships, stress science, and my own experience of helpful and not-so-helpful therapy.

My job is to pay close attention—to what’s said, what’s unsaid, and what’s unfolding between us—to make sure this work feels relevant, respectful, and actually useful.

What therapy with me looks like

Regardless of what is bringing you to therapy – we’ll co-create a space where you experiment with new ways of relating—to feelings, to memories, to people. My approach is driven by what fits best with your needs, cultural values, and general worldview. Our work might involve evidence-based tools when clear structure helps or emotion-focused & insight-oriented therapies when deeper healing is needed.  Regardless of the type of intervention, my approach is relational and flexible.

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Virtual or In-Person

2.

Weekly or Biweekly

3.

Short- or Long-term

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45- or 60-min sessions

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Support tailored to You!

Schedule a free 20-minute video consultation


If you are interested in therapy, I offer a free 20-minute video consultation to discuss your needs, answer questions, and explore whether working together feels like a good fit. After our initial conversation, I'll provide recommendations for services that best match your goals, along with scheduling options.​​​

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Appointments are available Mondays and Thursdays.
Click "Book Now" and select "new client" to find a time.

Or send me a message about what you are looking for
using the contact form below!

Let's talk

Anything else you'd like me to know?
(please exclude personal health information)

If you are seeking thoughtful, evidence-based support — whether for a clinical consultation, ongoing therapy, or professional supervision — I'd love to connect with you. Use this form or send me a message at my email below, if you prefer.  I respond within one business day and will work with you to find a time that fits your schedule. 

 

I look forward to hearing from you and learning how I can be helpful!

MJ Hagan PhD Psychological Services Burlingame, CA 94010

415-617-5741

© 2025 by MJ Hagan PhD Psychological Services

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