Therapy for High-Achieving Women in Palo Alto & Silicon Valley
You're surrounded by some of the most brilliant people in the world — and you still feel like you're not enough. The promotions, the equity, the title that would make anyone else proud — none of it quiets the voice that says you're about to be found out. I help women in Silicon Valley untangle the anxiety, imposter syndrome, and relentless self-optimization that comes with succeeding in a culture that never lets you stop.
I trained here. I understand this culture.
I'm Dr. Jaime Bercuson — a licensed psychologist who earned my doctorate at the PAU-Stanford PsyD Consortium (formerly PGSP-Stanford). I didn't just study psychology at Stanford — I learned to practice it here, immersed in the same high-pressure, high-performance culture my clients navigate every day.
I understand the Valley. The relentless optimization mindset. The pressure to scale everything — including yourself. The social comparison that comes with living among founders, VCs, and engineers who measure their worth in output. I've spent nearly two decades working with women who look like they have everything figured out but privately feel like they're barely holding on beneath the performance reviews and the packed calendars.
The things Silicon Valley women don't say in their 1:1s
High-Functioning Anxiety
Imposter syndrome is practically the unofficial condition of Silicon Valley. You crushed the interview, shipped the product, led the reorg — and you're still waiting for someone to realize you don't belong. The mental chatter never stops, even when the metrics say you're winning.
Perfectionism
In a culture that celebrates 10x engineers and founder mode, "good enough" feels like failure. You optimize everything — your calendar, your kids' schedules, your body, your career trajectory. You set the bar impossibly high and punish yourself when you can't clear it. You know this pattern isn't sustainable, but you can't seem to stop.
Burnout & Overwhelm
The startup grind, the big-tech treadmill, the always-on Slack culture — you're running on cortisol and cold brew. You've lost touch with what you actually want underneath all the OKRs and obligations. The exhaustion feels physical now — not just mental.
Perimenopause & Mood Changes
The anxiety hit out of nowhere — or maybe it got louder. Sleep disruption, irritability, brain fog, a sense that you're losing yourself. Hormonal shifts are real, and they deserve more than "just push through it." You can't biohack your way through this one.
Life Transitions
An IPO, an acquisition, a layoff, a career pivot from IC to exec, kids leaving for college, a move to the Peninsula. Change — even wanted change — can trigger anxiety you didn't expect and grief you don't have language for yet.
The Weight of Success
You have the life people pitch in their Series A decks and you still feel empty, anxious, or quietly resentful. Saying that out loud feels ungrateful — especially here, where everyone is trying to get what you already have. It's not ungrateful. It's honest — and it's the starting point for real change.
Evidence-based therapy, not vague advice
I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) — two of the most researched and effective approaches for anxiety. CBT produces large effect sizes (g > 0.80) for anxiety disorders. These aren't abstract theories; they're practical, structured frameworks that give you tools you can use between sessions.
I also take a whole-person perspective — paying attention to how stress shows up in your body, your sleep, your hormones, and your relationships. Anxiety doesn't exist in a vacuum, and neither does healing.
Sessions are 50 minutes via secure, HIPAA-compliant video. You can be at home in Atherton, in your office in Mountain View, or parked in your car after school pickup in Los Altos — wherever you have privacy and a reliable connection.
Straightforward pricing
Quality therapy is an investment in yourself. I keep pricing simple and transparent.
Intake Session
$225
60–75 minute initial assessment. We'll map out what's going on and build a treatment plan together.
Follow-Up Sessions
$200
50-minute sessions. Weekly or biweekly, depending on your needs and goals.
Insurance
Carelon
In-network with Carelon Behavioral Health in California. Superbills provided monthly for out-of-network reimbursement with other plans.
HSA and FSA cards accepted. Many PPO plans reimburse 50–80% with a superbill. Full details →
Serving Palo Alto and Silicon Valley
Teletherapy means you don't need to fight 101 traffic. I see clients throughout Palo Alto, the Peninsula, and all of California.
Palo Alto
Mountain View
Menlo Park
Los Altos
Woodside
Atherton
Portola Valley
Sunnyvale
Cupertino
Stanford
San Jose
Redwood City
Licensed throughout California, Utah, and Florida. See all areas served →
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. I earned my doctorate at the PAU-Stanford PsyD Consortium (formerly PGSP-Stanford) and have 19+ years of clinical experience. I specialize in anxiety, perfectionism, and burnout for high-achieving women in Palo Alto and throughout Silicon Valley. Sessions are via secure teletherapy on Pacific Time. California License PSY26093.
Intake sessions are $225 and ongoing sessions are $200 (50 minutes). I'm in-network with Carelon Behavioral Health in California. I also accept private pay, HSA/FSA cards, and provide monthly superbills for out-of-network reimbursement — many PPO plans reimburse 50–80% after the deductible.
I offer teletherapy via secure, HIPAA-compliant video. While sessions aren't in-person, I work on Pacific Time and serve clients throughout Palo Alto and Silicon Valley. Research shows teletherapy is as effective as in-person therapy for anxiety, and it offers more flexibility — no commuting through 101 traffic or hunting for parking on University Ave.
I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) — evidence-based approaches with strong research support for treating anxiety. I also take a whole-person perspective, paying attention to how stress shows up in your body, your sleep, your hormones, and your relationships. I trained at the PAU-Stanford PsyD Consortium and have 19+ years of clinical experience.
I'm in-network with Carelon Behavioral Health in California. I also accept private pay and HSA/FSA cards. For clients with other insurance, I provide monthly superbills for out-of-network reimbursement — many PPO plans reimburse 50–80% after the deductible.
Start with a free 15-minute phone consultation. We'll talk about what's going on and whether I'm the right fit. No pressure, no commitment. You can schedule here or call me directly at (435) 565-1654.
Ready to stop optimizing and start living?
Schedule a free 15-minute consultation. No pressure — just an honest conversation about what you're going through and how I can help.