Annelise Miller, MS, LMFT
Evidenced-Based Therapy for Lasting Change
SF Bay Area
and Online in CA and OR
therapywithannelise@proton.me
(925) 255-5350
My background
I didn't start out as a therapist. I spent two years in the tech industry before realizing I wanted work that felt more personal, where I could actually see the impact on someone's life. That pull led me to graduate school and eventually to the clients I work with today.
Early in my training, I learned that some therapists refer clients out the moment suicidal thoughts come up. I found that unacceptable. Suicidal thoughts are common, and suicidal loss is a unique type of grief that touches so many people. I made a deliberate choice early on to be a therapist who doesn't look away from the hard stuff.
My own experience managing anxiety is part of what drew me to Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. ACT makes a lot of sense to me — it's analytical, adaptable, and works well across very different personal situations. I also trust gut instinct when it's appropriate, and I bring that same balance of logic and intuition into sessions with clients.
I have found that men especially respond well to my style. I'm straightforward, I give tangible steps to reach goals, and I get straight to the point. I also let clients into my thought process. I might share something I'm noticing and ask if it connects or resonates with them, rather than keeping my observations to myself. I also love creating a space for men to explore their feelings in a society that has traditionally discouraged them from showing emotions other than anger. That kind of work matters to me.
I earned a Master's degree in Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy from California State University, East Bay in 2018 and a Bachelor's degree in Communication Studies from Westmont College. I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist CA #131881. In 2026, I became licensed in Oregon (LMFT #T3627), where I see clients exclusively via telehealth.
Prior to starting my practice at Bay Area Psychotherapy Institute in Lafayette, I worked at Crisis Support Services of Alameda County for three years. There, I counseled clients managing traumatic grief and loss, suicidal ideation, depression, and intrusive thoughts. I have worked with children and teens from elementary school to high school as well as adults in all stages of life. I also provided crisis counseling for the Alameda County Crisis Hotline and the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Since licensure in 2022, I have served BAPTI's board of directors. Outside the office, I'm a wife and mother of two, which gives me a front-row seat to the exact pressures most of my clients are navigating at home.
If anything here resonated with you, I'd love to connect. Reach out for a free 15-minute consultation. No pressure, just a conversation.
