About Us

A man with light skin, short brown hair, and a beard, wearing a gray sweater and a light blue collared shirt, standing outdoors near water with a cloudy sky in the background. San Francisco therapist.

Ben Black

LCSW 100464

My approach to therapy begins with evidence-based treatment, addressing the immediate reasons you’re seeking support, followed by deeper work with the subconscious once your day to day becomes more stable. Together we can return agency to your life by collaborating on tangible solutions while uncovering the origin of limiting beliefs. I work with couples and individuals to recalibrate patterns of behavior that leave them struggling with depression, anxiety, co-dependency, or substance use.

As a therapist at UCSF, Kaiser Permanente, and now Pathwork Therapy, I have worked with a variety of conditions, from mild to severe. My specialties include relationships, depression, substance use, and career issues.

I am familiar with a range of therapeutic modalities, including personal experience with 12-step philosophy. Where appropriate I also use elements of the esoteric . I conduct therapy sessions in English, though I speak conversational Tagalog and Cantonese. As such I am highly familiar with issues specific to bicultural relationships.

A smiling man in a blue blazer squatting with a golden retriever dog wearing a red harness in an outdoor setting with trees in the background. San Francisco Therapist

Nick Zwerdling

LMFT 107499

I began seeing clients in private practice in 2011 under the guidance of a psychoanalyst, where I learned the power of going beyond surface issues to explore the deeper stories that shape our lives. Since then, I’ve worked with individuals, couples, and families who are struggling—whether with substance use, relationship challenges, or painful patterns that feel hard to change.

As both a therapist and a person in recovery, I understand how hard it can be to ask for help. I also know the relief that can come from being truly heard and supported. My passion is working not only with people navigating their own relationship with substances, but also with the partners and families who are often left without services or support.

In therapy, I bring warmth, curiosity, and respect. I believe change happens through real, honest relationships, and I work with clients to both ease immediate struggles and create lasting growth. My approach blends practical strategies that help with day-to-day challenges—like anxiety, depression, or overwhelm—with deeper exploration of patterns and emotions that may have roots in past experiences.

Over the past decade, I’ve also worked in community mental health, where I gained extensive experience with serious mental illness and substance use. Currently, I serve as a Program Specialist in San Mateo County, where I help run supportive court-involved mental health programs and supervise clinical teams. This background has given me a grounded perspective on both the challenges and resilience that people bring to therapy.

How I Can Help

I specialize in:

  • Substance Use & Recovery – Support for people in recovery, those questioning their use, and families or partners affected by addiction.

  • Family & Relationship Support – Helping couples and families strengthen communication, rebuild trust, and navigate conflict.

  • Depth-Oriented Therapy – Exploring patterns, emotions, and past experiences that shape how you relate to yourself and others.

  • Evidence-Based Tools – Using proven strategies (like CBT, DBT, and mindfulness) to manage anxiety, depression, and overwhelming emotions.

  • Trauma & Healing – Working through the impact of trauma, including childhood and relationship wounds, with compassion and care.

Outside of therapy, I find balance in snowboarding, hiking, yoga, and mindfulness practice. I see nature and movement as powerful ways to reconnect with ourselves—and I often bring these practices into my work with clients.