Hello, I’m Shaina Adelstein, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and I’m Happy You’re Here!

My journey to becoming a neurodivergent affirming therapist began at the start of college. Desperate for a job that involved helping and interacting with people, and not knowing anything, I applied and accepted a part-time job to be an Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) technician for autistic children. In my gut it felt wrong, rigid, dehumanizing, and disconnected from the actual lived experiences of autistic children. I quit soon after and promised myself that if I became a therapist, I’d never encourage my clients to mask or teach them how to better “fit in” to a world that was not designed with them in mind. 

In May 2019, I graduated with a master’s degree in social work from the Silberman School of Social Work in New York City. Shortly, after graduation I relocated to San Francisco and fell in love it. Born and raised in hectic Brooklyn, I quickly embraced the gentler rhythm of San Francisco. (Although, not a day goes by where I don’t dream of the food in New York City!) 

I began formally practicing psychotherapy in 2020 where I provided school-based therapy in Oakland to BIPOC youth and their caregivers. Concurrently, I spent my evenings providing therapy to individuals and couples at the San Francisco Marriage and Couples Center. It was at the Couples Center that I received extensive training and supervision in Emotionally Focused Therapy, Internal Family Systems and the Gottman Method. In 2023, three years into being a practicing therapist, I recognized that that many of my couple clients struggled with their sex lives and sexuality, and wanting more skills to help them, I furthered my studies by obtaining a Sex Therapy Certificate from the California Institute of Integral Studies. The training I received has expanded my lens on desire, gender, power, and pleasure. 

I am a trauma-informed therapist and affirm all identities, including LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC individuals. I am kink and polyamory affirming. I am deeply committed to social and racial justice and do provide sliding scale rates. I identify as a queer Jewish woman who holds white privilege. I was born and raised in an Ultra-Orthodox Chassidic community in Brooklyn and have since left that world. My lived experience gives me deep insight into the unique cultural and religious dynamics of Orthodox life-especially around sexuality, gender roles, and shame. I love supporting individuals and couples who are navigating their own relationship to the community, whether they’ve left, are questioning, or are still part of it. I offer a non-judgmental space grounded in understanding and compassion. In my free time, I cherish moments spent with my partner, my son, (born in 2024) and my dog, Sivan. I enjoy reading, biking, swimming, and spending time with my extended family.

My approach to therapy is warm, direct, and deeply relational (and let’s not forget to add in humor!) I view the client as the expert and me as the guide. I am actively anti-masking in my work and strive to create a safe enough environment for autistic clients to unmask. Scientific research has shown that the best predictor of success in therapy is the strength of the relationship we form together. I encourage you to reach out and see if the vibe is right, and to trust your intuition!