I feel "lighter" after my visits — I get a lot off my mind and walk away with new ways of looking at situations.— Client review
Boutique Psychotherapy for California and New York
You keep everyone else happy.
What about you?
Effective therapy for thoughtful, high-achieving adults and teens who are ready to feel less overwhelmed and more like themselves again.
Accepting new clients, usually seen the same week
Where you might be
Don't wait until you're too overwhelmed.
You're typically someone who can handle lots of life's challenges. Even though it's hard, you can manage 6 different aspects of life and keep going. But sometimes life throws you 8 or 9 things, and you could use some extra support to handle all that.
You look like you're doing great: stellar education, a job you're grateful for, good health, loving friends and family. And things are not bad. But you may not feel as successful or fulfilled as you expected. You might be feeling lonely, sad, exhausted, or anxious. The strategies that helped you manage thus far may not be cutting it.
Therapy with me can help.
About
Hi, I'm Nida.
I'm a Stanford-trained licensed clinical psychologist with over 15 years of experience helping folks like yourself.
My past clients have expressed gratitude for my knowledge, attentiveness and "realness."
🐈 For fun, I volunteer as a kitten cuddler at Mini Cat Town. Or I'm rewatching Gilmore Girls for the 79th time. ☕
What I work with
Common issues I treat.
Burnout and chronic stress
For tech workers, healthcare providers, students, parents, and professionals carrying demanding roles, and the burden of always being "on."
Anxiety and perfectionism
Racing thoughts, relentless self-expectations, procrastination, imposter syndrome and the late-night "what-ifs," even when everything looks fine from the outside.
Identity, culture and belonging
Thinking through family, tradition, achievement and where you fit, especially if you're a person of color or live between cultures and identities.
Life transitions and relationships
New job, new city, new parenthood, new relationships or the loss of one. Finding more satisfaction in your relationships, friendships and work.
Depression and disconnection
Getting you out of a persistent funk and back to enjoying the things and people you love. Helping you feel less bad about yourself and shed unwanted guilt.
Sleep and physical health
Problem-solving for tiredness, fatigue and low energy. Tackling the things that literally and figuratively keep you up at night.
Who I'm not the best fit for. I don't treat eating disorders, severe substance use or psychosis, and I don't prescribe medications. If you need that kind of care, I'll gladly refer you to a trusted colleague with that expertise.
My approach
Fewer negative emotions, more positive emotions.
I see mental health as part of your overall wellness.
Grounded in research and science
I use techniques that research has shown to actually work, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), motivational interviewing, solution-focused approaches and mindfulness. How we use them is shaped by your unique individuality. Your strengths and goals lead the work; I bring structure, optimism, knowledge and a clear path forward.
Warm, direct, occasionally sarcastic
Therapy with me is a judgment-free, trauma-informed space. I've heard it all and seen it all. We'll take the work seriously, but not ourselves. Expect honesty and a little humor from me as we dig into the personal stuff.
Centering culture and identity
I bring a multicultural perspective to my work. Family expectations, cultural values, religion, immigration and questions of belonging all shape how therapy goes. I have a particular understanding of South Asian clients and others who live between worlds. I also frequently work with women, LGBTQ+ folks and people new to therapy.
Practical and actionable
I help you move forward on problems that feel impossible to solve by yourself in your head. Sessions with me are flexible, focused, and always aimed at meaningful change.
Insurance and fees
Out-of-network: easier than it sounds.
Therapy is more financially accessible than you think. Most of my clients utilize their existing insurance benefits. I'm an out-of-network provider, so I don't bill insurance directly. Instead, I provide you a detailed invoice (or "superbill") to obtain reimbursement from your insurance, which can cover 30%–90% of fees on PPO plans. It's not as daunting as it might sound. Services like Reimbursify, Thrizer, AppealFlow, and Mentaya can do the work for you or I can guide you through the process. You'll receive your reimbursement as a check directly from your insurance company.
- Free 15-minute call to discuss more
- You can use HSA/FSA funds or wellness stipends
- Reduced fee appointments based on availability
| Session | Length | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Initial phone consultation | 15 minutes | Free |
| Individual therapy session | 45 minutes | $325 |
| Couples therapy or family therapy session | 50 minutes | $350 |
| Couples therapy or family therapy session | 90 minutes | $525 |
Under the No Surprises Act, you have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate with expected health care costs. You may request one at any time before scheduling or receiving services.
In clients' words
What people say about working with me.
Very welcoming environment. Nida listens to me attentively and lets me just talk things out sometimes, which I like. Overall, a great experience.— Client review
Dr. Mirza was super sharp! Was clear she has experience with backgrounds / issues like mine.— Client review
When my therapist said she understood why I was in therapy I felt very happy :)— Client review
I liked hearing about the information she taught me, and also appreciated Dr. Mirza's validation of my experiences.— Client review
Reviews from ZocDoc and Psychology Today, not solicited.
In colleagues' words
What colleagues say about my skills.
Dr. Mirza encompasses what makes a good therapist! She demonstrates striking compassion and dedication, brings a strong knowledge of the science, and thinks about each client's intersectional identities. I'd highly recommend her to any potential client.— Colleague review
Dr. Mirza is a clinician I admire and have the privilege of collaborating with in various advocacy efforts. Dr. Mirza's passion for equity is evident in her work and her approach to professionalism. She is an asset to any clinical space.— Colleague review
Dr. Nida Mirza is a highly skilled therapist who works very well with millennials, tech professionals, and adult children of immigrants. I trained with her, have known her many years, and am very lucky to count her among my colleagues. Strongly recommend!— Colleague review
Empathetic and believes in evidence-based therapy. Easy to talk to. I would recommend her to others.— Colleague review
Nida's sense of humor and healthy sense of "good trouble" help her form rapport with both patients and organizations, listening to and embracing the rich experiences and perspectives of those affected by inequity to foster support, solidarity, and solutions. She is a true pioneer in evidence-based, culturally humble clinical practice … bolstered by a good dose of humility, growth mindset, and self and community care.— Colleague review
Credentials
VA Mobile Mental Health Apps Team
- Writing accessible content for the National Center for PTSD, to reach people far beyond the therapy room.
Stanford Medicine
- Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine.
Leadership and Advocacy
- Board member of the Asian American Psychological Association and past chair of the Division on South Asian Americans.
Startup Consulting
- Consultant to Silicon Valley health and mental health tech startups on evidence-based care, equity, and behavior change.
Clinical Training
- Stanford Outpatient Psychiatry Clinic
- Stanford Division of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
- Women's Health at Stanford
- Palo Alto VA Mental Health Clinic
- Adult Psychiatry, Kaiser Permanente Santa Clara
Prior Experience
- Stanford Graduate School of Business
- Optum Behavioral Health
- Lyra Health
- Woebot Health
- Brightside Health
FAQ
Common questions.
I'm an out-of-network provider, so I don't bill insurance directly. Instead, I give you a detailed invoice (a "superbill") to submit for reimbursement, which can cover 30%–90% of fees on PPO plans. Services like Reimbursify, Thrizer, AppealFlow, and Mentaya can do the paperwork for you, or I can guide you through it. It helps to ask your insurance company whether you have out-of-network mental health benefits. You can also use HSA/FSA funds.
Individual sessions (45 minutes) are $325. Couples and family therapy sessions are $350 for 50 minutes or $525 for 90 minutes. The first 15-minute phone call is free. Many clients are reimbursed for part of the cost through out-of-network benefits, and I have a limited number of reduced fee appointments based on availability.
Both. I work virtually with clients across California and New York, and in-person by appointment at my office in downtown Walnut Creek, California (East Bay, about 1.5 miles from the Walnut Creek BART Station). I see clients in person on Mondays by appointment. Clients also come from nearby East Bay communities, including Lamorinda (Lafayette, Orinda, Moraga), Oakland, Berkeley, Danville, Alamo and San Ramon.
For most people, yes. Research shows that therapy by video works about as well as in-person therapy for many concerns, including anxiety, depression and stress. Many clients find it easier to fit into a busy week, and you can join from home or anywhere private. If you live near Walnut Creek, we can talk about whether video, in-person or a mix suits you best.
I can usually schedule new clients the same week via video. I have openings that are convenient for East Coast and West Coast clients. Scheduled sessions are Monday through Thursday, 10am to 4pm Pacific (1pm to 7pm Eastern). For people interested in office visits, I can typically schedule them the following week.
The first session is a chance for you to see if we're a good fit, and for me to make sure I have the right expertise for your goals. I'll ask what brought you in, what you've tried so far, and what you're hoping for (it's fine if you're not sure yet). Mostly, we start building a comfortable, judgment-free space where it's easy to talk. You're welcome to ask me anything about me and my practice.
I draw on evidence-based approaches, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), motivational interviewing, and solution-focused brief therapy. I also use mindfulness skills and values clarification to help you build a life that feels more meaningful. We'll choose the mix based on your goals and preferences.
It depends on your goals. Some people come for a focused stretch around a specific issue; others stay for ongoing support. We check in regularly and adjust cadence or goals as needed. Some folks attend therapy for 6-8 sessions and some prefer keeping a bimonthly or monthly check-in to stay on track.
Yes. Exceptions are very rare and are typically about safety. I'll walk you through what you need to know in our first session.
That's totally fine! Book a free call and we can talk about it on the phone.
Use the calendar to pick a time that works for you. It's a free 15-minute phone call to talk about what brings you to therapy and whether we're a good fit, with no obligation. If we aren't a match, I'll be glad to refer you to a trusted colleague.
My downtown Walnut Creek office
1600 South Main Street, Suite 240, Walnut Creek, CA 94596 (Mondays by appointment)
Get directions
The office
Location
- Address: 1600 South Main Street, Suite 240, Walnut Creek, CA (North Tower of 1600 South Main Plaza).
- Area: Downtown Walnut Creek near Broadway Plaza and Las Lomas High School, right off 680 & 24.
Arrival & Parking
- Parking: Ample on-site covered parking structure and surface lot visitor spaces, including accessible parking near main entrances.
- Finding Suite 240: Enter the North Tower by the Firefighters First Credit Union. In the main lobby, take the stairs/elevator to the 2nd floor, and proceed to Suite 240. (Labeled Creekside Therapy Center in the building directories and suite door)
- Waiting Room: Have a seat in the quiet waiting area; I will greet you at your scheduled appointment time.
Transit Options
- BART & Local Transit: Walnut Creek BART Station is ~1.5 miles away. Connect via rideshare, County Connection bus, or the free Downtown Walnut Creek Trolley (stops near Broadway Plaza).
If you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, please contact 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7.