Therapy that goes deeper than managing symptoms
Depth therapy for people seeking to understand and change recurring patterns, not just cope with them. A space to explore what drives your feelings, choices, and relationships at the root.
Something keeps repeating, and you want to understand why
Maybe you've noticed the same patterns in your relationships, work, or inner life. You may have tried other approaches that helped temporarily, but something underneath hasn't shifted. Or you simply want therapy to be more than a set of techniques — you want a space to explore who you are, not just what's wrong.
"I keep finding myself in the same situations, and I don't understand why."
"I've done therapy before, but never felt like we got to the real thing."
"I want to understand myself and actually change, not just learn to manage my symptoms."
"I'm looking for a therapist who'll stay with the complexity rather than trivialize it."
"Who looks outside, dreams;Carl Jung
who looks inside, awakes."
Time-honored, depth-oriented psychotherapy
This isn't a cookie-cutter program with a set number of sessions or a workbook to complete. Depth therapy works at the pace your life actually moves — exploring how past experiences, unconscious patterns, and emotional history shape the way you think, feel, and relate to others today.
Relational at its core
The therapeutic relationship itself becomes the vehicle for change. What unfolds between us — the trust, the ruptures, the honesty — is where the real work happens.
No fixed endpoint
Sessions continue for as long as the work is valuable. Goals, pace, and frequency are discussed and decided together, free from the constraints and limitations of outside interests. Real therapy designed to accommodate complexity, not rush past it.
Not just the past
While we explore history, sessions stay connected to the present — your current relationships, choices, and sources of distress. The past is explored when it illuminates what's happening now.
Engaged and intentional
Sessions are a space to speak freely, sit with what emerges, and become more curious about your feelings, contradictions, and the things that are hard to say. The work moves at a pace that respects what's being explored.
What brings people to this work
People come for a wide range of reasons, but what they tend to share is a desire to understand themselves more fully so real change can happen — not just temporarily manage what's on the surface.
This practice is designed for a specific kind of work
Some people want a brief and highly structured approach. Others want to invest the time necessary to understand recurring patterns in the pursuit of real psychological change. This practice is designed for the latter.
This may be right for you if
- You want to understand the root cause of your difficulties, not only address symptoms
- You're willing to invest in a meaningful therapeutic relationship
- You value depth, honesty, and self-reflection
- You're looking for private-pay therapy with a dedicated clinician, free from the constraints and limitations imposed by insurance companies
- You want in-person sessions in San Francisco or virtual sessions from CA, NJ, or WA
This may not be the best fit if
- You're looking for cookie-cutter, skills-based therapy
- You need a prescribing clinician — though Nathan collaborates closely with psychiatrists when medication is part of the picture
- You need a therapist who accepts insurance directly
- You're in immediate crisis and need emergency support
What to know before we meet
Sessions
50-minute individual sessions. Frequency is discussed together — most clients meet weekly.
Fee
$250 per session. Superbills are provided for possible out-of-network reimbursement.
Location
In-person in San Francisco, Union Square. Virtual sessions available for clients located anywhere in California, New Jersey, or Washington State.
First step
A free initial consultation to discuss your concerns, what you're looking for, and whether we're a good fit for each other.
The Flood Building, Union Square
Located in one of San Francisco's most recognizable landmarks at 870 Market Street. A historic setting for focused, private work in the heart of the city.
Nathan Rubin, LCSW
Nathan is a licensed clinical social worker practicing depth therapy in San Francisco. He works with adults and adolescents from a traditional relational approach — one grounded in the belief that lasting change comes through the depth and honesty of the therapeutic relationship itself.
Nathan is engaged in ongoing professional development as part of a commitment to continually refining his practice and providing the best possible care for his patients. He is licensed in California, New Jersey, and Washington State.
He is not a good fit for someone seeking skills training or brief symptom-only treatment. If you're looking for a therapist who will stay with complexity and help you understand yourself at a deeper level, this may be the right place.
Start with a conversation
Schedule a free initial consultation to discuss what you're looking for, ask any questions, and see whether this is the right fit. No commitment, no pressure.
Schedule a Free Consultation