Therapist Profile

Name:
Rajani Venkatraman Levis, M.S.
Professional Title:
Location:
1246 Castro Street #2 San Francisco, CA 94114-3236
Phone:
(415) 683-1008
Email:
Website:
www.levistherapy.com
License Number
LMFT51494
Practicing Since:
2004
Additional Licenses:
Marriage & Family Therapist #51494

Personal Statement

Personal Statement:
Identities Beyond Boundaries Born and raised in India on a steady diet of eye-opening paradoxes, faith, Chai and conversations that seamlessly switch languages, I bring a richly multicultural perspective to my work. I am a writer, counselor-educator, community-builder and psychotherapist. I consider myself a child of India whose professional identity has been shaped by a Western education. Almost two decades of cross-cultural experiences in living, studying and working on two continents have nurtured my flexibility, curiosity and creativity as a therapist. I also believe that a dedicated mindfulness practice as well as a thoughtful self-inquiry practice allow me to be a compassionate, authentic and nurturing presence in the lives of others. With an abiding interest in the complex sphere of human relationships, I bring gentle and sustained attention to the nuances of culture and communication in therapy. Learning to co-exist with “the other” is as important in understanding our own self, as it is in cross-cultural relationships. Education & Areas of Interest In 2005, I graduated from San Francisco State University with a Masters in Counseling and a dual specialization in School Counseling as well as Marriage and Family Therapy. Since then, I have had the opportunity to work with hundreds of individuals, couples and families in a variety of capacities, as a youth advocate, a trainee, an intern, and now as a licensed clinician. Some specialized areas of interest include Stress and Anxiety, Trauma, Domestic Violence, Bereavement and Loss (including pet loss), Death and Dying, and Cross-cultural Issues. Languages Having been raised in a multicultural environment, I am fluent in English, Hindi, Bangla and Tamil with a wide exposure to other Indian languages and Japanese. Attitude of Gratitude An important mindfulness practice that I share with clients is to cultivate an attitude of gratitude. This practice fills our inner well, nourishing us into greater health and well-being. Please accept my gratitude for your presence at this page today. I feel fortunate to be able to integrate my education, skills and passion into my work as a therapist. I remain grateful for the honor and privilege of being entrusted with your fears, hopes and dreams. I am in awe of the growth and healing that occurs in our work together, and like you, I too, am immeasurably enriched by it.

About My Practice

Office Hours
Services
Welcome to Culturally Attuned Trauma Therapy! My Theoretical Approach Keeping in mind the uniqueness of each individual, I aim to always be respectful of your personal needs. Beginning with short-term tools to address the immediacy and urgency of the symptoms that have brought you in, I engage you in a co-crafted journey of discovery. My goal is to help you find the tools that will best support you and in this process, I employ a vast repertoire of techniques. I have the benefit of drawing from a wide pool of theoretical positions including Psychodynamic, Psychoanalytic, Cognitive Behavioral, Systems Approach, Solution Focused, and Existential theories. In addition, I enjoy weaving in the rich wisdom traditions of the world that allow us to have hope during the dark times. I find it meaningful to also bring in the wisdom of the body where we store old wounds, but more importantly, where we find our own potent medicine for that which ails us. Mindfulness techniques and guided imagery can be another powerful tool for many clients. And without a doubt, EMDR can be used as a very effective companion on this healing journey. From test anxiety and public performance anxiety, to small and large traumas, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a highly effective evidence-based approach to treatment. The goal of EMDR therapy is to assist you in adaptively integrating past trauma or fears, leading you to a new understanding that will lead to more congruent behaviors and healthier relationships. I have had success in helping a variety of clients using EMDR in combination with other therapeutic approaches. Some of the problems that I have experience with include: Trauma and PTSD Relationship issues Childhood Abuse Rape Domestic Violence Physical Abuse Sexual Abuse Low Self-Esteem Depression Phobias Grief and Loss Stress Reduction Anxiety and Panic Attacks Smoking Cessation Addictions and Eating Disorders Nightmares Performance Anxiety, such as exam anxiety, or public speaking anxiety Disturbing Memories such as Flashbacks, Body Memories, and Intrusive Thoughts My goal in using EMDR is to work through unresolved feelings and experiences, negative thoughts and emotions, and to modify maladaptive behaviors that are causing distress. EMDR may be used as the main approach in our work together, or only to address a specific issue as a part of therapy.
Insurance
No Insurance Accepted, Private Pay, Superbill provided, Sliding Scale, Victims of Crime
Credit Cards Accepted
American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
Free Initial Consult
Yes
Offers Teletherapy
Online, Phone

Education

Degrees
MS in Counseling from San Francisco State University

Area of Specialty

Specialites:
Anxiety
Assertiveness Training
Attachment Therapy
Career Stress and Changes
CAMFT Certified Supervisor
Childhood Trauma
Combat/Military Related Trauma
Communication Skills
Couples
Creativity
Creative Solutions
Crisis Intervention
Depression/Clinical Depression
Domestic Violence
EMDR
Ethnicity/Multi-Cultural Relationships
Families
Grief/Loss Terminally Ill
Issues of Abuse (Abused)
Issues of Abuse (Trauma)
Individual
Interracial Couples
Life Transitions/Mid-Life Issues
Other
Pain Management
Phobias
PsychoEducational
Post Traumatic Stress Disorders
Rape Victims
Relationships
Self Esteem/Personal Growth
Stress
Supervision
Telephone/Online Therapy
Trauma
Victims of Crime
Women's Issues
Working With Therapists

Other

Theoretical Orientation
Attachment
Brief/Solution Focused Therapy
EMDR-Eye Movement Desensitization/ Reprocessing
Family Systems
Humanistic/Existential
Object Relations
Process
Systems
Transpersonal Psychology
Certifications
EMDRIA Approved Consultant in EMDR Certified EMDR Therapist Certified Trauma Specialist Pupil Personnel Services Credential CAMFT Certified Supervisor
Languages Spoken
Bengali, English, Hindi, Other
Ethnicity
Other, Asian/Pacific Islander

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