Holistic Jungian therapist specializing in trauma and relationships
I am Henry William Ostendorf. My gender pronouns are He/Him/His. I’m a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) in San Francisco, California with over twenty years of experience counseling others to better cope with psychological and social distress. I’m a helper by nature. I consider myself to be respectful, kind, empathetic and resourceful.
I limit my practice to male-identified clients. Cisgender and Transgender males of any sexual orientation.
Please note my schedule is often more open than just the slots shown. If you wish a specific day or time just ask. I will book you anytime if my schedule (and life) allow.
Unfortunately the platform sometimes makes an error and a female subscriber will be matched with me. If you notice this has happened it is easily rectified by clicking on the “change counselor ” link where you will see other available counselors to choose from.
I practice Client Centered and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy sometimes known as CBT. This type of counseling has been clinically proven to provide positive therapeutic outcomes. With CBT you may feel better, quicker, and with less financial investment than from other types of talk therapy. There is also evidence that CBT may be as effective as medication in treating anxiety and depression problems,
Psychotherapy is used to facilitate optimal adjustment, either to situations of ongoing stress, such as chronic mental or physical illness or in acutely stressful situations as, for example, following the death of a spouse or loved pet. Such supportive therapy may consist of a number of regular weekly contacts. These sessions may be frequent and brief, or more structured up to 30-45 minutes over a period of time chosen by the participant. It is my sincere goal is to assist you to become self-sufficient and independent as possible.
Our work starts with our identification of your goals, examining and understanding the barriers you face (which may be physical, social and/or psychological) and developing a realistic plan to move forward. This often requires changing old patterns of behavior that no longer works for you and reevaluation of our plan as new information comes forward. An action-oriented focus does not, however, preclude us from taking the smallest of steps — especially as we begin our work together.
Psychotherapy involves the use of many and varied psychological techniques including:
• Empathy
• Sympathetic Listening
• Confiding Relationship
• Ventilation and Expression of Emotional Material
• Encouragement
• Opportunities for Corrections
• Explanation and Education
• Appropriate Reassurance
• Guidance
• Practical Help
• Behavior Modification
I also specialize in Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling and Pet Loss Grief.
Vocational rehabilitation is a process which enables persons with functional, psychological, developmental, cognitive and emotional impairments or health conditions to overcome barriers to accessing, maintaining or returning to employment or other useful occupation. As a Senior Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor with the California Department of Rehabilitation I’ve assisted over 800 disabled job seekers on their path to employment. My clients have included those with mood disorders, depression, anxiety, alcohol and other drug issues, traumatic brain injury, autism spectrum disorders, learning disorders, carpal tunnel and other repetitive strain disorders, and developmental issues. Many of my clients have come from the LGBT+ community.
For over two years I’ve facilitated a monthly pet loss support group for the Peninsula Humane Society in Burlingame, CA. Loss of a pet is disenfranchised grief. Family, friends and coworkers often don’t understand the depth of loss experienced when a pet dies. The inability for others to hear and understand one’s grief can prolong or stunt the healing process. I understand and work to provide space to ventilate this sorrow and express the deep love one has for their lost friend.
Licensed · Professional · Cancel Anytime
Henry William Ostendorf (he/him) is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor practicing in San Francisco, California, with more than twenty years of experience helping people cope with psychological and social distress. His California licensure as an LPCC reflects his clinical training and professional standing, and he brings a calm, resourceful, and empathetic presence to his work.
He limits his practice to male-identified clients, working with both cisgender and transgender men of any sexual orientation. He is known for a respectful, kind approach and for being a helper by nature. His schedule is often more flexible than the available slots suggest; prospective clients are invited to request specific days or times and he will make appointments when his schedule and life allow.
Henry uses client-centered therapy together with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT is a structured, evidence-supported approach that can produce measurable improvement in a relatively short time and with a focused investment of resources. There is also evidence that CBT can be as effective as medication for some anxiety and depression concerns.
Psychotherapy with Henry is intended to support optimal adjustment to ongoing challenges – such as chronic mental or physical illness – as well as to acute stressors, for example the death of a spouse or a beloved pet. Supportive work may consist of regular weekly contacts that are either brief and frequent or more structured sessions of approximately 30 to 45 minutes, over a time frame chosen by the participant. His sincere aim is to help clients become as self-sufficient and independent as possible.
Therapeutic work begins with identifying client goals, assessing barriers that may be physical, social, or psychological, and developing a realistic plan to move forward. That process often involves changing patterns that no longer serve the client and periodically reevaluating the plan as new information emerges. An action-oriented focus coexists with attention to very small, manageable steps at the start of treatment.
Henry’s psychotherapy draws on many techniques, including empathy and sympathetic listening, creating a confiding therapeutic relationship, opportunities for ventilation and expression of emotional material, encouragement, chances for corrective experiences, explanation and education, appropriate reassurance, guidance, practical help, and behavior modification.
He also specializes in vocational rehabilitation counseling and in grief related to pet loss. Vocational rehabilitation is a process that helps people with functional, psychological, developmental, cognitive, or health-related barriers access, obtain, or return to employment or other meaningful occupation. As a Senior Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor with the California Department of Rehabilitation, Henry has assisted more than 800 disabled job seekers on their path to employment. His vocational clients have included people with mood disorders, depression, anxiety, alcohol and other drug issues, traumatic brain injury, autism spectrum disorders, learning disorders, carpal tunnel and other repetitive strain conditions, and developmental issues; many have been members of the LGBT+ community.
For over two years he has facilitated a monthly pet loss support group for the Peninsula Humane Society in Burlingame, California. He recognizes pet loss as a form of disenfranchised grief that family, friends, or coworkers may not always understand, and he provides space for people to ventilate that sorrow and express their experience.
For many common concerns – including stress, anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, and navigating life changes – online therapy can be just as effective as traditional in-person counseling. Research and clinical experience show that these issues often respond well to remote care when provided by trained professionals.
One of the primary benefits of online work is flexibility. Clients can connect in the way that suits them best: video sessions, phone calls, live chat, or in-app messaging. This flexibility makes it easier to integrate therapy into a busy life and to find communication styles that feel comfortable.
All therapists involved are licensed professionals, and clients may choose to switch providers if they want a different fit. Online therapy offers a practical, accessible option for addressing everyday mental health needs and relationship concerns, while allowing individuals to engage in care from locations that work for them.
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