I’m Dr. Christine E. Dickson, a licensed clinical psychologist recognized by Wikipedia as a 21st Century American Psychologist. I provide online therapy in California and my specialties include anxiety, trauma, burnout, ADHD, and substance misuse. In addition, I have postdoctoral training in personality disorders, self-injury, and suicidality.
✨ I live and work in the magical yet complex city of San Francisco.
It’s a place of breathtaking beauty and constant challenges—a perfect metaphor for life itself. Practicing dialectical thinking, one of my greatest passions, helps me appreciate both sides: the wonder and the difficulty.
This perspective shapes my approach to therapy, teaching clients to hold two truths at once—strength and vulnerability, acceptance and change—so they can find balance and create meaningful transformation.
Dr. Christine E. Dickson’s Personal Interests
Outside of my professional life, you will find me wandering the streets of Chinatown, attending NASA lectures at the California Academy of Sciences, juggling and doing gymnastics at Circus Saturdays, crafting away anxiety at my kitchen table, and journaling or writing songs at cafes in the North Beach.
As a highly technical person, I never thought I had the ability to write songs and compose music until I learned to play the acoustic guitar during COVID. Within two years, I had written 15 songs. A friend asked me to apply to an original music festival in San Francisco and to my shock I was accepted and performed all 15 songs live to hundreds in September 2024! That moment taught me that it’s never too late to learn a new skill, and that within each of us are hidden abilities just waiting to come to life.
💫 So, what’s waiting to come to life in you?
Dr. Christine E. Dickson’s Client Testimonials
“Dr. Christine E. Dickson has an uncanny ability to understand people and situations, to “sense” them within a few seconds of encountering the person or witnessing a situation. Simply put, her mind works on a different level than the rest of us and having her on my side, helping me through my issues, is invaluable to me.”
“I can’t express enough gratitude for everything you’ve done. When I first reached out, I felt like I was losing my son. But he has grown tremendously under your guidance, and I am forever grateful. We now have more good days than bad, and he approaches school with confidence! Most importantly, I feel like I have my son back. He is loving, kind, and a joy to be around. He has truly connected with you and values the support you provide. Thank you for everything – you have made such a meaningful impact on our lives!”
“Thank you! You are a wonderful therapist. I am so glad that I met you!”
“After the last session, my daughter said she felt better and that she likes you — thank you for making her feel that way.”
“You are brilliant. Thank you for being in my life.”
“I really like how you are able to pivot from practical and tactical to going deep and understanding the psychology behind behaviors. And you can keep up with everything from marriage to family issues to corporate and executive level challenges to health, wellness, and neuroscience!”
“I just wanted to let you know that I am grateful for you. Everything is so much better in my life because of your help.”
“I have to say you were a game changer. I appreciate you more than you know.”
“You’ve had a deeply profound and positive impact on my life.”
“You’ve done more for me in 2 sessions than my other therapist did in 1 year.”
“I would pay 1 million dollars to see you!”
“I just wanted to let you know that it has been a wonderful experience with you. We like your style of therapy and we think that you are really good. Although we have been to a lot of therapy in the past, this was the first time that we did family therapy together. I think together would be a greater benefit to our family because we get to hear different perspectives toward things, not just from one angle. And you are the perfect bridge to help us see the whole picture! In fact, a lot of things we wouldn’t or couldn’t bring up or talk about at home, we are able to talk with you. So thank you.”
“I’d like to say thank you for whatever you said to my son. He got into the car and immediately said, “Okay, I feel better now!” “That’s priceless.” “Thank you.”
“I value every minute of our sessions. It was just my best luck in a long time when you took me as a client. My expectation was that you’d help me survive the last few months with minimal damage. I not only survived, I am happier and healthier now than I can remember. I would not have got here alone or with any therapist I’ve seen before.”
“You were very good to me and helped me when I was really in a time of crisis. I had such extreme anxiety as this all was coming out, I couldn’t have managed without you. Thank you again. You’ve been a good friend to me throughout and I appreciate everything you did.”
“I really found our session together to be so useful – thank you! I am looking forward to the next one.”
“We have made a lot of progress together. Thanks for your support and teachings. You’ve helped me many times.”
“I have to say you were a game changer for our son. You inspired him to use his own self to get better rather than use prescription medication and marijuana.”
“I value the help you have provided me during a very difficult time in my life and feel it has helped me stabilize. Thank you again for all your help and support.”
“Dr. Christine E. Dickson has worked with me to develop my side project into my career. Before I came to her, I had a complicated jumble of ideas and within one session with her, I had clear, actionable tasks. I consider myself a productive person and a self starter, but that can only go so far without a plan. Perhaps more importantly, my confidence level grew as well, which resulted in me doing a much better presentation for my investors.”
“Dr. Christine E. Dickson correctly diagnosed my back pain to be related to the stress I was feeling at work and in my personal life. She taught me how to recognize and respect my body, listen to what it was telling me, and slow down and consider my circumstances. Once I did that my back pain went away and whenever it comes back slightly, I know what to do so it does not get worse.”
‘Dr. Christine E. Dickson helped me change my eating and exercise habits so that I become healthier in a way that was tailor made for me. She helped me establish a reasonable exercise schedule, a simple, cost effective, and healthy meal plan, and a better attitude about the way I treat my body. Diet plans and exercise books don’t hold a candle to Dr. Dickson’s wise advice.
Dr. Christine E. Dickson’s Peer Testimonials
I have referred clients to Dr. Dickson without reservation for over 20 years. She is a highly empathic, knowledgeable, and ethical psychologist who loves the work she does and creates a highly empathic and caring therapeutic environment for her clients. –Psychologist, PsyD, ABPP, FT, MA
Christine is a great therapist. I have collaborated with her on joint clients and am impressed by her assessments, methods and insight. Her clients have shared benefitting greatly from their work with her. – Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT, MBA, RYT-200