Hi there, I’m Ayala Kalisher
Therapy is more than just talking—it’s about reconnecting with yourself in a way that feels safe, embodied, and transformative. My approach blends traditional and cutting-edge modalities to help clients navigate stuck patterns, relationships, and personal growth with more ease and authenticity.
I’m here to help you overcome challenges and provide you the tools to live a meaningful, ever-evolving life.
“In a society that profits from your self-doubt, liking yourself is a rebellious act."
- CAROLINE CALDWELL, Artist
My Story
I began my therapy career as a couples and sex therapist, drawn to the ways intimacy and connection shape our well-being. Over time, I found myself working with clients whose struggles ran deeper—people who felt disconnected from themselves, held back by past experiences, or unsure how to fully step into their lives. This led me to expand my work into Relational Somatic Healing, EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), and Psychedelic Integration, all of which emphasize healing not just the mind, but the body and nervous system as well.
My practice is rooted in the understanding that healing happens in relationships—whether that’s through deepening your connection with yourself, your loved ones, or within the therapeutic space. I integrate Relational Somatic Healing to work with developmental wounding. This can incorporate gentle, attuned touch when appropriate. I also use EMDR to help process painful memories. When helpful I draw from my training in psychedelic-assisted therapy to support clients in exploring expanded states of healing.
Through my work at UCSF’s psychedelic research trials, my training with MAPS (Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies) for MDMA-assisted therapy, and my immersion in Relational Somatic Healing. I’ve developed a therapeutic style that is both evidence-based and intuitive.
I’m deeply curious about the ways we heal, connect, and expand. Whether through travel, learning, or movement, I believe in the power of experience to shape our growth. I bring this same curiosity into my work. I help clients access their most authentic selves.
Above all, I believe therapy should be a place where you feel fully seen, supported, and empowered. Whether you’re seeking relief from painful past experience, struggling in your relationships, or looking for a therapist who isn’t afraid to talk about sex, I welcome you as you are.
My Training
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MA
Master of Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Sonoma State University
BA
Interdisciplinary Studies, San Francisco State University
Major Area: Holistic Health
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Trained through EMDR consulting
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California Institute of Integral Studies
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Hakomi Institute of California
Year 1 & 2 Comprehensive training -
Trained in + assistant trainer in Relational Somatic Healing
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PACT (Psychobiological Approach to Couples Therapy), Level 1
Emotional Focused Therapy Externship
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Certified Rape Crisis Counselor, Bay Area Women Against Rape
Licensed Massage Therapist for 13 years
My Values
I am deeply committed to my own personal healing. Every modality I offer in my therapy practice is also work I actively engage in within my own journey. I believe in walking the path alongside my clients, not ahead of them.
Outside of the therapy room, I find nourishment in the natural world. I love hiking and spending as much time outdoors as possible. I feel most at home in the high mountain desert, soaking in hot springs, or swimming long days away in the Yuba River. I’m a proud plant nerd—my spaces are filled with green, growing things—and I have a deep love for ceramics and playing in the mud.
I grew up in various intentional communities, which gave me a unique and formative early life experience. These communities shaped my belief in the importance of connection and belonging. They also informed my view that we are suffering from an epidemic of over-individualism and isolation.
To me, therapy is just one form of healing. The deeper, ongoing work lies in how we cultivate connection and rebuild community in our everyday lives.
