Charity Harbo
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
However you found your way to this page, I want to genuinely welcome you. Getting here is no small step — it means you're already on the path toward healing, change, and growth.
Maybe you're longing for more purpose, deeper connection, a sense of balance or ease. Maybe you're ready to feel more like yourself again. Whatever brings you here, you don’t have to navigate it alone. Reaching out for support is a meaningful beginning — and I'm here to walk alongside you.
My Approach
Compassionate, collaborative, real.
Therapy is most effective when it’s rooted in a relationship that feels safe, authentic, and supportive. Clients often describe me as warm, easy to talk to, non-judgmental, and real. I take that to heart — because I believe therapy should be a space where you can show up exactly as you are, without having to filter or perform. When therapy feels safe and connected, real change becomes possible.
At the heart of my approach is the belief that healing happens in relationship. So much of the pain we carry — anxiety, disconnection, self-doubt — is shaped by earlier experiences, especially those within our formative relationships. Because of this, I view the therapeutic relationship not just as a space to reflect, but as a space to repair. In the right conditions — with emotional attunement, consistency, and curiosity — therapy becomes a powerful experience that can shift long-standing patterns and make room for new ways of being.
As a relational psychodynamic therapist, I work with clients to explore how past experiences may be influencing present struggles — often in ways that aren’t yet fully conscious. Together, we bring those patterns into awareness with compassion and care, not judgment. That insight becomes the foundation for deeper self-understanding and meaningful change.
I don’t believe in one-size-fits-all therapy. Every person is different — which means our work together will be unique to you. I’ll meet you where you are, honor your pace, and stay attuned to what feels most helpful along the way. Whether you’re looking for clarity, relief, growth, or healing, we’ll navigate that path together, one step at a time.
About
Rooted in the Bay. Grounded in Realness. Here for the Healing
Born and raised in the East Bay, I carry the rhythm, grit, and heart of this place in everything I do. Becoming a therapist wasn’t part of some carefully mapped-out plan — it unfolded organically. From a young age, people tended to open up to me. I didn’t fully understand why, but I noticed how meaningful it was for them to simply have a space to be heard.
It wasn’t until I began my own therapy — during a particularly difficult season of life — that I truly understood the healing power of being seen. That experience shifted something in me. The simple, profound act of being deeply listened to — of being met with presence, care, and emotional attunement — gave me access to parts of myself I didn’t know were waiting to be known. That’s when I discovered my natural pull toward healing work, both personally and professionally.
Doing this work is a true privilege — and if we work together, I’ll bring that same care, presence, and grounded realness into our sessions. Healing isn’t always easy, but it is possible — and you don’t have to do it alone.
Education & Experience
I earned my bachelor’s degree in Psychology from San Francisco State University in 2003, then returned to complete my master’s in Counseling with an emphasis in Marriage & Family Therapy in 2007.
Over the years, I’ve worked in schools and community settings throughout the Bay Area, providing therapy to adolescents in Richmond, Berkeley, and Marin. I also completed an intensive three-year postgraduate training at the Women’s Therapy Center in Berkeley, where I honed my relational and psychodynamic skills while working with a diverse population of women, teens, and couples.
Now, with 15 years in private practice, I continue to feel deeply connected to and inspired by the work I do with clients. Supporting people through their growth, healing, and self-discovery is something I feel honored to do every day.
Services
Whether you're seeking individual psychotherapy, one-on-one sports performance coaching, or consulting support for your team, club, or organization, I invite you to reach out and schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation to see how we might work together.
Online Therapy
Accessible. Flexible. Just as real.
Therapy doesn’t have to happen in an office to be meaningful. I offer secure, HIPAA-compliant online therapy to clients throughout California, making it easier to get the support you need — wherever you are.
Whether you're navigating a packed schedule, live in a more remote area, or just prefer the comfort of your own space, online therapy can be a powerful and effective way to do deep, connected work. Research supports its effectiveness, and many clients find it offers the same depth, presence, and insight as in-person sessions — with added flexibility.
If you're curious whether online therapy is right for you, we can talk it through. Schedule your free 15-minute consultation and let’s connect.
Getting the Most Out of Online Therapy
Here are a few simple ways to help you feel grounded and present in your online sessions:
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Find a private space away from your desk or workspace if possible — somewhere that feels separate from your daily grind.
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Minimize distractions by silencing your phone, closing extra tabs, and asking roommates or family for a bit of quiet time.
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Give yourself a moment before and after sessions to breathe, settle in, and tune in to how you’re feeling — instead of jumping straight from tasks into therapy.
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Check in about the process. If something about online therapy is working well — or not so well — let’s talk about it. That conversation can deepen our work.
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Test your tech. Make sure your internet is steady and your audio/video are working ahead of time, so we can dive right in.
Let's make space for the healing you deserve — right from where you are.
Contact Me
When you’re ready, I’m here.
Taking the first step can feel big — but you don’t have to do it alone. When you’re ready to talk, I’m here to listen and help you find the support you need.
Reach out to schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation. We’ll talk about what you're looking for and see if we're a good fit.
Let’s begin the healing process, together.
Charity Harbo, MFT
P.O. Box 21
El Cerrito, CA 94530
Tel: 510-545-6144
Email: CharityHarboMFT@gmail.com