Brad Smallwood

I am a Marriage & Family Therapist (MFT) in the Noe Valley neighborhood of San Francisco, where I work primarily with individuals and some families. My main focus of treatment and experience are in anger management, teenagers, life transitions, and relationships. I enjoy working with teenagers and young adults as they develop their personal identity and grow towards healthy independence and need support they cannot get from their peer or parent group. I have a great deal of experience with young adults and mid-life individuals facing career stress/fatigue and significant life challenges such as divorce, addiction/recovery, and trauma. I have experience in working with the parents of children who are learning to support the needs of a youth with emerging mental health issues.

Prior to opening my practice, I worked in a wide range of therapeutic settings, as both a clinician and clinical supervisor, ranging from college counseling centers, inpatient psychiatric facilities, juvenile correctional centers, and community-based agencies to a very diverse populations of individuals and families. Additionally, I am the in-house therapist for Square, a large financial technology company here in San Francisco. My background training in the field is influenced greatly by Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Family Systems, Solution Focused Therapy, and Humanistic/Person Centered Theory. I have received extensive training in Anger Management and have facilitated numerous groups to address issues associated with anger control. I also regularly facilitate trainings on the impact of trauma on individuals and communities.

My approach with each individual is very collaborative. I truly believe in identifying the goals the client wants to get out of their work with me and determining the best strategy for getting results. Often times, to augment the therapy one is receiving, a person will also work with psychiatrists, nutritionists, school teachers/counselors/tutors, sponsors, sobriety companions, and other healthcare providers. I have vast experience in working and coordinating treatment with other professionals to create the most effective plan of care for you to get the results you define. I have a very broad knowledge of services offered within the San Francisco Bay Area and can be of assistance in making these connections and referrals. I am also a firm believer in constant personal and professional growth through ongoing learning, reading, research, peer and professional consultation, and experience.

Outside of work, I regularly train in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and really enjoy surfing. I have been fascinated by stand-up comedy since I was a child and watch live shows as often as possible. I live here in San Francisco with my wife and our dog, Leonard.