Aileen Kucsera, PsyD, PA-C
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
San Francisco CA
I aim to create a space where you can slow down, tell the truth about your experience, and explore what may be happening beneath the surface of your life. I bring authenticity and a sense of humor to the work. You will be sitting with a real person in the room, someone who is engaged, curious, compassionate, and willing to be human with you. We may be talking about pain, grief, fear, or change, but warmth, humor, and honest connection can help us get closer to what is true.
In sessions, we may talk things through, notice what is happening in your body, explore old patterns, practice new skills, or make space for grief and uncertainty. I work collaboratively and at a pace that respects your readiness. Healing is not something to force. It unfolds when there is enough safety, honesty, and understanding for something new to emerge.
I also offer trauma-informed psychedelic preparation and integration. Whether an experience felt meaningful, connecting, confusing, distressing, or unresolved, we can explore it without pressure to give it a particular meaning. Our work may include clarifying intentions, attending to expectations, developing grounding and emotional resources, making sense of what emerged, and integrating insights into everyday life. Spiritual and existential questions are welcome, alongside attention to your relationships and well-being. (Preparation and integration do not include supplying substances or facilitating unlawful use).
Welcome, I'm Aileen. I'm a California-licensed clinical psychologist and board-certified physician assistant offering integrative psychotherapy for adults and couples. My work brings together psychological depth, medical understanding, trauma-informed care, mindfulness, and a compassionate respect for your whole experience.
My path to psychology began in primary care, where I worked as a physician assistant for nearly a decade before my transition into psychology. I found myself increasingly drawn to people's stories and to the ways relationships, loss, trauma, and life experience shaped their emotional and physical health. That curiosity led me to doctoral training through the PGSP–Stanford Psy.D. Consortium.
My clinical training included working with people living with chronic illness and chronic pain, trauma and PTSD, substance use disorders, grief, anxiety, and depression, across the Veterans Affairs healthcare system, community mental health, and academic medical settings, including Stanford's Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. I completed my postdoctoral residency at the San Francisco VA, where I specialized in trauma, substance use, couples psychotherapy, and psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy.
I offer individual psychotherapy, couples therapy, brief focused therapy (typically 4–6 sessions), maternal mental health support, and psychedelic preparation and integration. Psychotherapy is provided through secure video for adults and couples physically located in California.
Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy may be available for eligible California clients when clinically and legally appropriate. This work may include preparation, intention-setting, therapeutic support, and integration, with coordination with prescribing medical providers as appropriate. Please inquire about current care arrangements and availability.
I am accepting new clients and offer a free consultation to explore whether working together may be a good fit. I am out of network with insurance plans and can provide a superbill for clients seeking possible reimbursement. Please visit www.aileenkucsera.com to request a consultation.