Dr. Sarah Chen
LMFT · License #MFC89421 · California
About Dr. Sarah Chen
Dr. Sarah Chen is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist based in the Noe Valley neighborhood of San Francisco, California. With over 12 years of clinical experience, she holds a doctoral degree from the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) and a California LMFT license (#MFC89421). She is a clinical member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) and has completed advanced training in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and the Gottman Method for couples. Dr. Chen works with individuals, couples, and multicultural families navigating everything from relationship distress and anxiety to life transitions and questions of cultural identity.
Dr. Chen's therapeutic approach is warm, collaborative, and grounded in evidence-based practice. She believes that real change begins when clients feel genuinely seen and understood — not just analyzed. Drawing from Emotionally Focused Therapy, the Gottman Method, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, she helps couples break through cycles of criticism and withdrawal to rediscover emotional safety and connection. For individuals, she specializes in helping clients understand the deeper patterns behind anxiety, perfectionism, and people-pleasing — building practical strategies alongside deeper self-awareness. She is fully bilingual in English and Mandarin and has extensive experience working with first- and second-generation immigrants navigating bicultural identity, family expectations, and the specific stressors that come with building a life between two cultures.
Clients working with Dr. Chen can expect an initial session that moves at their pace — she prioritizes building trust before diving deep. Sessions are structured but flexible, and she regularly incorporates homework exercises, reading recommendations, and between-session practices to accelerate progress. Dr. Chen offers 50-minute individual sessions, 60-minute couples sessions, and intensive half-day couples workshops for those who need to move quickly through a crisis or simply prefer a concentrated format. Both in-person appointments in her Noe Valley office and secure telehealth sessions are available for California residents.
Specialties & Issues Treated
Specialties
Issues Treated
Treatment Approaches
Services Offered
| Service | Session Length | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Individual Therapy | 50 minutes | $180 / session |
| Couples Therapy | 60 minutes | $220 / session |
| Intensive Couples Weekend | Half-day or full-day block | Contact for pricing |
| Telehealth Sessions | All session types available | Same-rate as in-person |
Insurance & Fees
Accepted Insurance Plans
Office Location
Dr. Sarah Chen — Noe Valley Office
2154 Sanchez St, Suite 302
San Francisco, CA 94114
Office Hours
| Monday – Friday | 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
| Saturday | 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
Client Reviews
"Sarah helped us rebuild trust after a really difficult year. We finally feel like a team again. The Gottman exercises she gave us completely changed how we handle conflict — we actually look forward to our weekly check-ins now."
"I've been seeing Dr. Chen for anxiety and she has completely transformed how I approach stress. She's smart, direct when she needs to be, and genuinely warm. I used to dread Monday mornings — now I actually feel equipped to handle whatever comes."
"Her cultural sensitivity made all the difference. She truly understands what it's like navigating two cultures — the unspoken expectations from family, the guilt, the pressure to succeed on both sides. I've never felt so genuinely understood by a therapist."
Reviews are voluntarily submitted by former clients. Names are abbreviated to protect privacy in accordance with HIPAA guidelines. MFTFinder does not verify clinical outcomes.