Founder of San Francisco Family Therapy
Maryellen P. Mullin Fong, LMFT
Maryellen P. Mullin Fong is the founder and CEO 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 Prepare/Enrich.
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 Messy Parenting: Progress Not Perfection®, a series of workshops and coaching for parents.
Maryellen is the author of three children’s books, including her first two titles which use stories about empathy for animals as a bridge to help children build empathy for themselves and for others—an important foundation of SEL. Her work reflects her commitment to supporting diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB), and to fostering resilience and compassion in children and families.
Her books can be purchased here: messyparenting.com.
M. P. Mullin Fong 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 Messy Parenting: Progress Not Perfection®, a series of workshops and coaching for parents.
Maryellen is the author of three children’s books, including her first two titles which use stories about empathy for animals as a bridge to help children build empathy for themselves and for others—an important foundation of SEL. Her work reflects her commitment to supporting diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB), and to fostering resilience and compassion in children and families.
Her books can be purchased here: messyparenting.com.
M. P. Mullin Fong Family Therapy Corporation does business as San Francisco Family Therapy in San Francisco, CA.
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.
Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT),
Lisa Santandrea
Lisa Santandrea Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT #145689) is supervised by Maryellen Mullin Fong (LMFT #45966) and Julia Tisdale (LMFT #109508). She has 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 UC Berkeley. Lisa works with children, adolescents, individuals and couples using an integrative approach that encompasses attachment theory, compassion focused therapy, mindfulness, and parts work. In partnering with clients, she works within their unique cultural context and builds upon their personal strengths. She has completed Gottman Level One training with the Gottman Institute. Lisa previously worked with teens with eating disorders at Center for Discovery. She completed her clinical traineeship at the Bill Wilson Center in San Jose, where she ran loss-of-parent grief groups and provided individual counseling for adolescents, teens and adults. Lisa has more than two decades of experience in publishing and higher education.
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. 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,
Alexandra Smith
Alexandra Smith Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT #159006) and Associate Professional Clinical Counselor (APCC #20522), is supervised by Maryellen Mullin Fong (LMFT #45966) and Julia Tisdale (LMFT # 109508). She earned her Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology from the University of San Francisco and her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with honors from Mills College. Alexandra works from an attachment-based, strength-focused perspective, drawing from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), mindfulness-based approaches, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and the Gottman Method (Level One). Her clinical experience includes providing therapy within the Tamalpais Union High School District, where she supported adolescents and families navigating anxiety, depression, neurodiversity, identity development, trauma, and grief. With a focus on whole-family wellness, Alexandra supports families and couples in fostering relationships that promote shared understanding and long-term resilience. Guided by collaboration and cultural awareness, she helps clients build emotional insight and communicate more effectively through life’s many transitions. Alexandra believes growth happens in connection and strives to create a space of warmth, structure, and partnership that strengthens relationships and nurtures lasting change.
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.