Founder and Clinical Director, Maryellen P. Mullin Fong, LMFT
Maryellen P. Mullin Fong is the founder and Clinical Director of San Francisco Family Therapy. She holds a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology and a Bachelor of Arts in Human Communication, and is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in California. She is also a Certified Gottman Therapist (CGT) through The Gottman Institute, with additional training in EMDR, EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique), and a certified Prepare/Enrich© facilitator.
Maryellen has worked in the field of mental health and education since 2003, including roles in schools, non-profit agencies, and community mental health. She has been in private practice since 2008, specializing in couples relationships, family systems, and child trauma, with a strong emphasis on social-emotional learning (SEL).
An experienced speaker and trainer, Maryellen regularly provides workshops for schools, parent groups, and community organizations on parenting, child development, and SEL. She also leads consultation groups for clinicians in the Gottman Method. Maryellen facilitates Messy Parenting: Progress Not Perfection®, a series of workshops and coaching for parents.
Maryellen is the author of three children’s books, discover and purchase here: messyparenting.com.
M. P. Mullin Family Therapy Corporation does business as San Francisco Family Therapy in San Francisco, CA.
Maryellen has worked in the field of mental health and education since 2003, including roles in schools, non-profit agencies, and community mental health. She has been in private practice since 2008, specializing in couples relationships, family systems, and child trauma, with a strong emphasis on social-emotional learning (SEL).
An experienced speaker and trainer, Maryellen regularly provides workshops for schools, parent groups, and community organizations on parenting, child development, and SEL. She also leads consultation groups for clinicians in the Gottman Method. Maryellen facilitates Messy Parenting: Progress Not Perfection®, a series of workshops and coaching for parents.
Maryellen is the author of three children’s books, discover and purchase here: messyparenting.com.
M. P. Mullin Family Therapy Corporation does business as San Francisco Family Therapy in San Francisco, CA.
Associate Marriage and Family Therapist, Daire Harty
Daire Harty, Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT #126251) is supervised by Maryellen Mullin Fong (LMFT#45966). Daire holds a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from the University of San Francisco and has specialized experience in grief and bereavement care after working at a hospice for five years and a certified Prepare/Enrich© facilitator. Grounded in a compassionate and holistic approach, Daire is passionate about helping clients cultivate balance, emotional connection, and self-awareness. Her work is integrative and informed by Internal Family Systems, CBT and she has completed Gottman Level One training. Daire brings warmth, authenticity, and deep empathy to her therapeutic relationships, supporting individuals, couples and families through healing and growth. Daire offers both in-person therapy sessions at our Richmond district office and telehealth sessions. Daire has experience working with BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities, offering affirming, culturally responsive care that honors each client’s unique story and identity. Daire is committed to creating a therapeutic environment that fosters safety, authenticity, and growth.
Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT), Lisa Santandrea
Lisa Santandrea, Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT #145689), practices under the supervision of Maryellen Mullin Fong, LMFT (#45966), and Julia Tisdale, LMFT (#109508). She holds a Master of Arts in Clinical Counseling from Palo Alto University, a Master of Arts in Visual Culture: Costume Studies from New York University, and a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of California, Berkeley.
Lisa completed her clinical traineeship at Bill Wilson Center in San Jose, where she facilitated bereavement groups for adults coping with the loss of a parent and provided individual psychotherapy to adolescents, teens, and adults. She has also provided treatment at Center for Discovery in Menlo Park, working with adolescents diagnosed with eating disorders and offering family-based support.
Couples Work: She has completed Level 1 training in the Gottman Method, as well as specialized training in couples therapy and addiction through the Gottman Institute. Additionally, she is a certified Prepare/Enrich® facilitator.
Lisa employs an integrative, relational approach to psychotherapy, informed by attachment-based frameworks, compassion-focused therapy, mindfulness-based interventions, somatic practices, and parts-oriented modalities. Her clinical work emphasizes family and couples therapy, supporting partners in improving communication, strengthening emotional connection, and navigating conflict, life transitions, and issues related to substance use.
She also has a particular interest in working with adults navigating the complexities of supporting aging parents, including anticipatory grief, shifting family roles, and caregiving stress. In addition to her clinical practice, Lisa facilitates workshops with SFFT focused on supporting aging adult parents and related life transitions.
She works collaboratively with adolescents, adults, couples, and families to enhance self-awareness, cultivate self-compassion, and develop adaptive skills that support relational health and overall psychological well-being.
Lisa completed her clinical traineeship at Bill Wilson Center in San Jose, where she facilitated bereavement groups for adults coping with the loss of a parent and provided individual psychotherapy to adolescents, teens, and adults. She has also provided treatment at Center for Discovery in Menlo Park, working with adolescents diagnosed with eating disorders and offering family-based support.
Couples Work: She has completed Level 1 training in the Gottman Method, as well as specialized training in couples therapy and addiction through the Gottman Institute. Additionally, she is a certified Prepare/Enrich® facilitator.
Lisa employs an integrative, relational approach to psychotherapy, informed by attachment-based frameworks, compassion-focused therapy, mindfulness-based interventions, somatic practices, and parts-oriented modalities. Her clinical work emphasizes family and couples therapy, supporting partners in improving communication, strengthening emotional connection, and navigating conflict, life transitions, and issues related to substance use.
She also has a particular interest in working with adults navigating the complexities of supporting aging parents, including anticipatory grief, shifting family roles, and caregiving stress. In addition to her clinical practice, Lisa facilitates workshops with SFFT focused on supporting aging adult parents and related life transitions.
She works collaboratively with adolescents, adults, couples, and families to enhance self-awareness, cultivate self-compassion, and develop adaptive skills that support relational health and overall psychological well-being.
Associate Marriage and Family Therapist, Alexandra Smith
Alexandra Smith is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist, #159006 and Associate Professional Clinical Counselor #20522 working with adolescents, young adults, couples, and families under the supervision of Maryellen Mullin Fong, LMFT 45966, and Julia Tisdale, LMFT #109508.
She holds a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from the University of San Francisco and completed her clinical training at Archie Williams High School in Marin, supporting students and families with anxiety, identity development, neurodiversity, trauma, and grief.
Alexandra specializes in helping clients navigate life transitions and relationship challenges. Her approach is warm, collaborative, and grounded in attachment theory, integrating evidence-based practices such as ACT, CBT, DBT, and mindfulness to build insight, resilience, and practical coping skills.
In her work with couples and families, Alexandra draws from the Gottman Method to strengthen communication, deepen emotional connection, and foster lasting change. She is also a certified Prepare/Enrich® facilitator, offering a structured six-session premarital program that helps couples build on their strengths, align on key topics, and thoughtfully prepare for the next level of commitment and life together.
Alexandra is committed to creating an inclusive, supportive space where clients feel heard, empowered, and able to grow.
She holds a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from the University of San Francisco and completed her clinical training at Archie Williams High School in Marin, supporting students and families with anxiety, identity development, neurodiversity, trauma, and grief.
Alexandra specializes in helping clients navigate life transitions and relationship challenges. Her approach is warm, collaborative, and grounded in attachment theory, integrating evidence-based practices such as ACT, CBT, DBT, and mindfulness to build insight, resilience, and practical coping skills.
In her work with couples and families, Alexandra draws from the Gottman Method to strengthen communication, deepen emotional connection, and foster lasting change. She is also a certified Prepare/Enrich® facilitator, offering a structured six-session premarital program that helps couples build on their strengths, align on key topics, and thoughtfully prepare for the next level of commitment and life together.
Alexandra is committed to creating an inclusive, supportive space where clients feel heard, empowered, and able to grow.
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Julia Tisdale
Julia Tisdale, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT# 109508) has her undergraduate degree in Psychology and Child Development from Tufts University. She received her Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology from Santa Clara University in 2015 and has consistently continued her growth and training since. Julia is an AEDP Level One Therapist, a certified Deliberate Practice Supervisor and has extensive training in CBT, trauma-informed care and substance use. Julia has experience working with depression, anxiety, perfectionism and imposter syndrome. She has worked comprehensively with sexual trauma and women’s health concerns (postpartum depression, PMDD, miscarriage). Julia has spent six years working with clients in the tech industry and has a deep understanding of the rigors of the field.
Practice Manager, Kelley Taylor
Kelley Taylor, Practice Manager with San Francisco Family Therapy, earned her undergraduate dual degree in Early Childhood Education and Early Childhood Special Education from the University of Alabama and holds a Masters of Elementary Education from The University of Southern Mississippi. As an educator, Kelley has taught both general and special education for over eight years. She was born and raised in the South, lived in the midwest and most recently, overseas in Japan! Kelley recently moved back to the United States, where her husband is a pilot for the United States Air Force Thunderbirds. Kelley is a very proud mother of two young children and has pivoted her career to doing virtual assistant work, in order to have the flexibility to parent and live globally! We are thrilled to welcome Kelley in June of 2023!
Creative Marketing Specialist, Meghan Lee
Meghan Lee, Creative Marketing Specialist with San Francisco Family Therapy, earned her undergraduate degrees in Communications from Hastings College, and Graphic Design from Southern New Hampshire University. As part of our team, Meghan brings extensive experience in graphic design, branding, and marketing communications. With a background in communications, advertising, and design, she creates cohesive, effective visual materials across print, digital, and web platforms.Born and raised in the Midwest, Meghan has been fortunate to live around the world alongside her husband, a United States Marine. She is also a proud mother to three children and has successfully transitioned her career to remote work, allowing her to balance professional growth with a busy family life. Meghan’s dedication, creativity, and attention to detail make her an invaluable resource for our clients and team alike.
San Francisco Family Therapy is proud to support and employ military spouses through our partnership with Freedom Makers. We value the dedication, resilience, and diverse experience that military spouses bring to our team. Their unique perspective enriches our practice, and we are honored to provide flexible, meaningful employment opportunities that support both their professional goals and the demands of military family life.
Freedom Makers Virtual Services provides high-quality, flexible virtual support by matching small businesses with skilled military spouse virtual assistants. Their tailored approach ensures businesses get the customized support they need to grow while creating meaningful remote work opportunities for military spouses.
Freedom Makers Virtual Services provides high-quality, flexible virtual support by matching small businesses with skilled military spouse virtual assistants. Their tailored approach ensures businesses get the customized support they need to grow while creating meaningful remote work opportunities for military spouses.
