About M. Sara Yap, PsyD
You don’t have to carry this all on your own.
I’m a Licensed Clinical Psychologist based in the San Francisco Bay Area, working with tech professionals, busy working parents, and first- or second-generation Asian American adults who feel stuck at the intersection of work, family and identity.
As a 1st-generation immigrant myself, I deeply understand the cultural, family and career pressures experienced by Asian American adults and professionals. I specialize in therapy for individuals in the San Francisco Bay Area and across California.
Being here doesn’t mean you’re weak. It means you’re strong.
I believe that people come to therapy with a myriad of strengths that can be harnessed for one's ultimate improvement. I personally go by the motto "progress, not perfection" and hope to provide you support in whatever concerns you may face.
How I work
At the core, I believe in client-centered, evidence-based care that prioritizes clarity, balance and movement.
Whether you are working in tech, are looking to explore your own multicultural background or are a busy parent or college student, I am here to meet you where you are and support your journey.
When working with clients, I believe that collaboration and understanding is necessary to move forward and enhance the gains envisioned by the client. The work I do is based upon the notion that many of us desire to move towards personal growth, improvement and change.
specializing in:
Life Transitions
Relationships
Career / Life Decisions
My Training & Education
Licensed Clinical Psychologist in California
Doctorate & Masters Degree in Clinical Psychology from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology
Internship: Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health
Postdoctoral Residency: Kaiser Permanente, Santa Clara
My path to becoming a therapist has been shaped by my upbringing and real world experience. Since I could remember, I have always been curious and interested in why people do what they do. I also grew up as a 1st generation immigrant from a family of helpers; my mother was a nurse and my father was a doctor in the Philippines and this motivated me to think about how I could engage in healing in a way that was different than my family’s culturally normed and promoted ways of healing (i.e. I knew I definitely didn’t want to be a physician or nurse, but I definitely wanted to help others out!)
This curiosity fueled my desire to learn more about how I could support others and led me down the path of earning my Master’s in Clinical Psychology (M.A.) Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (Psy.D.) and from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology, an APA-accredited program in Chicago, IL. My dissertation studied how difficult experiences and trauma affect young people’s memories and emotional well-being. Before that, I earned my Bachelor’s in Psychology from the University of Illinois at Chicago.
I completed my internship at LA County Department of Mental Health and my postdoctoral training at Kaiser Permanente in Santa Clara, where I specialized in working with children and teens. This experience taught me something powerful: when we support the whole family, especially the caregivers, everyone benefits. It's like the safety instructions on an airplane - you need to put on your own oxygen mask before helping others.
This insight led me to focus on working with adults. Through years of practice, I've come to understand what helps people feel stable and grounded in their lives:
Building healthy relationships
Finding meaningful connections with others
Learning to navigate life's changes
Meeting basic needs for security and stability, including financial stability
I believe that when people feel safe and supported, they're better able to grow, love, and reach their full potential. Think of it like building a house - you need a solid foundation before you can create a comfortable living space.
Today, I use these insights to help my clients build more fulfilling lives, one step at a time.