Therapists near me in San Francisco, CA

Hi, I'm a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and I'm here to support you through life's challenges with care, understanding, and a collaborative approach. I work with adults who may be feeling overwhelmed, stuck or emotionally drained due to anxiety, depression, stress, life transitions, or relationship challenges. Many of the clients I work with are balancing multiple responsibilities and are looking for a space where they feel understood while also gaining tools to move forward and improve their relationships with others and themselves. I understand starting therapy can feel like a big step, and my goal is to create a space where you feel safe, heard and genuinely supported. Together, we'll explore what's been weighing on you, make sense of patterns that may be limiting you, and begin building practical tools to help you feel more balanced and in control of your life journey. I use evidence-based approaches and incorporate mindfulness techniques to help you stay present, build self-awareness, and manage overwhelming thoughts and emotions. My approach is collaborative and goal-oriented, focused on helping you build insight, strengthen coping skills, and feel more in control of your emotions and daily life. Together, we can work toward improving communication, setting healthy boundaries, and creating more balanced fulfilling relationships. Overtime, my goal is to help you feel more confident, grounded, and equipped to handle challenges in a way that aligns with your values. You don't have to go through this alone, meaningful change is possible, and I'd be honored to support you along the way.

Are you feeling stuck, disconnected in your relationships, or noticing patterns that you don’t fully understand? You may be wanting to explore deeper—unpacking core beliefs or unresolved experiences that are impacting how you relate to others and to yourself. This process of gaining insight and gently challenging those patterns can be a meaningful step toward healing and growth. I have experience working with BIPOC individuals, women navigating anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem, and individuals experiencing challenges with emotion regulation. I also support clients who are working toward feeling more like themselves again—reconnecting with a sense of balance, clarity, and emotional grounding. Finding a therapist who feels like the right fit is an important part of the process. If what you’re reading resonates with you, I would be honored to support you in this work. Our sessions—whether weekly or biweekly—are a dedicated space for you to slow down, reflect, and focus on your needs. My current availability is during daytime hours, between 9:00 AM and 2:00 PM, and I am not offering evening appointments at this time. I look forward to walking alongside you in your healing journey.

I am a dedicated clinical psychologist (PsyD) and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) specializing in behavioral health, trauma therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and mindfulness-based approaches. My therapeutic approach blends evidence-based practices with a client-centered focus, allowing me to tailor treatment to the unique needs of each individual. I empower clients to build resilience, recover from trauma, and enhance their self-esteem, guiding them towards more fulfilling lives. With my Indian background and rich life experiences, I bring a deep cultural understanding and sensitivity to the diverse races and ethnicities I serve. This background enhances the therapeutic space, enabling me to connect authentically and compassionately with clients navigating complex challenges. Beyond the therapy room, I am passionate about advocating for mental health and gender equity. My mission is to destigmatize mental health challenges and create inclusive, supportive environments for individuals and families. By addressing the intersection of mental health with gender and societal expectations, I strive to empower women and strengthen communities. I draw on frameworks such as Terror Management Theory to deepen my understanding of human behavior and deliver meaningful therapeutic outcomes.

Hello, my name is Miaisha. Are you seeking a supportive space where you can be authentic and receive meaningful guidance? If so, you have come to the right place. I believe everyone deserves an environment where they feel heard, understood, and genuinely supported. I am a compassionate and culturally responsive Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist dedicated to supporting individuals as they navigate life transitions, manage stressors, and develop greater self-awareness. I strive to create a safe, empathetic, and affirming space where your experiences are acknowledged and respected, while fostering growth in confidence, resilience, and meaningful, lasting change. I invite you to take the first step toward your well-being. You do not have to navigate this process alone. In our work together, you will be encouraged to take an active and empowered role in your therapeutic journey, while I provide guidance, clinical insight, and ongoing support. Together, we will develop a path forward that honors your unique experiences and aligns with your personal goals.

Hi! I'm a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) based in California. I received my Masters from the JFK University in Berkeley and have been practicing for 11 years. I help adults struggling with anxiety and life transitions to become the best versions of themselves. Thank you for wanting to embark on this journey to create meaningful change within your life.

Hey everyone, my name is Thomas! I am an LCSW with over 5 years experience working with clients. I work with adults and couples navigating self-worth issues and relationship patterns rooted in past or present wounds. My approach is depth-oriented, relational, and focused on real change—not just insight. Clients often come seeking relief, clarity, and a more secure sense of self and connection.

my name is Lisa Stout and I am a licensed Marrriage and Family Therapist. I have 19 years experience working with children, adults, family and couples. I have 18 years experience working with trauma related symptoms, depression, SI/SH , anxiety and family issues. I am trained in EMDR and trauma informed therapy intervention.

Are you struggling with anxiety, depression, a new life transition, or struggling to cope with the weight of your problems daily? I can help you find a way forward and offer you the tools to tap into the inner strength that you possess. I believe in approaching therapy from a warm, genuine, and validating perspective and often use humor to help my clients get “unstuck” from unhelpful thinking patterns. My job is to be your mirror to see what is already there: infinite wisdom.

I’m Dr. Shaina L. Joseph, PsyD, a licensed psychologist specializing in working with children and adolescents. I received my degree from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. My approach to therapy can be summarized using a famous quote: We see things as not they are, but as we are. Essentially this means that I believe in the importance of every person's unique perspectives and lived experiences.

I’m a therapist who genuinely enjoys getting to know people and understanding what makes them who they are. I work with adolescents and adults navigating anxiety, depression, relationships, grief, chronic pain, trauma, life transitions, or sometimes just feeling stuck or disconnected from themselves. My approach is collaborative and flexible because I don’t think therapy should look exactly the same for everyone. I draw from approaches like ACT, CBT, DBT, attachment-based and psychodynamic therapy, mindfulness, and Motivational Interviewing depending on what you’re working through and what feels useful to you. Sometimes that means learning practical tools or finding a different way to respond to difficult thoughts and emotions. Other times, it means slowing down and looking at patterns, relationships, past experiences, or the things that may be happening underneath the surface. I want therapy to feel comfortable, honest, and real. You may come in knowing exactly what you want to work on, or you may need some time to figure that out. Either way, we’ll start with what feels important to you and go from there.

One of my biggest passions is helping others overcome problems and giving back in a way I was helped. I’m a licensed therapist specializing in ISTDP, helping adults overcome anxiety, depression, trauma, and addiction by quickly identifying and resolving the emotional patterns that drive symptoms. I offer compassionate, focused sessions that help you access core feelings, reduce distress, and build more effective ways of coping and relating.

I'm Kristen LCSW & I've spent decades helping others navigate through the difficult times in their life. My career started in the mid-2000's as a Special Ed teacher at an all boys' residential behavior mod program, when after about 5yrs I realized that education was the surface of their issues and that I wanted to become a therapist. Which is what I did. Went to Rutgers grad school, worked 5yrs prison re-entry, then 5yrs dual dx IOP, before moving into my current role in private practice.

Hello, I have extensive experiences in providing mental health services as a License Clinical Social worker (LCSW) to adolescents, adults, and older adults. I received my master's from the University Southern California (USC) and have been practicing for 20 years. I enjoy helping adolescents, adults, and older adult struggling with mental health issues and has helped many clients to gain understanding and insight into their mental health issues and learned health coping skills to improve their life and have healthy relationships with people they interact with.

I am Daniel Marshall, MSW, LCSW, an independent therapist based in San Diego providing dedicated 60-minute individual therapy sessions. My practice centers on culturally responsive, evidence-based care tailored to adults navigating anxiety, major life transitions, relationship dynamics, and identity development. I cultivate a grounded, collaborative, and entirely judgment-free space where you can dismantle unhelpful patterns, reconnect with your authentic agency, and build sustainable, practical strategies for long-term emotional resilience and personal clarity.

I’m a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over 16 years of experience supporting adults and couples through anxiety, stress, relationship concerns, life transitions, and everyday challenges. I believe therapy should feel like a space where you can speak openly, feel understood, and work toward meaningful change without judgment. Offering therapy in both English and Spanish, I bring a warm, practical, and collaborative approach focused on helping you better understand yourself, strengthen your relationships, and feel more confident navigating life’s challenges.

Hello! I’m Yasaman Sharifi, Licensed Family and Marriage Family Therapist (LMFT), a dedicated mental health professional with a passion for helping individuals navigate their challenges through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). With a focus on fostering self-awareness and resilience, I work collaboratively with clients to identify and reshape negative thought patterns, develop effective coping strategies, and achieve their personal therapy goals. I address the roots and underlining issues to assist individual with faster recovery with the current problems. Whether you’re facing anxiety, depression, or relationship issues, I am here to provide a supportive and empowering environment for your growth and healing. Let’s embark on this journey together!

Your present circumstances don't determine where you go; they merely determine where you start. -Nido Qubein I take a whole person and collaborative approach to therapy, catering therapy to the individual sitting in front of me. My specialties are in the field of grief and loss. Grief is not just bereavement, it is also the loss of a job, a relationship or a dream.

Life can feel overwhelming when past experiences continue to show up as anxiety, stress, or emotional exhaustion. You may notice patterns that don’t make sense, feel stuck in survival mode, or carry a heaviness you can’t quite name. Therapy offers a space to slow down, understand what’s beneath the surface, and begin responding to life with more clarity and self-compassion. You don’t have to navigate difficult seasons alone—healing is possible, and support can make the path forward feel more steady and manageable. I also work in afternoons and evenings to ensure everyone gets a chance to be seen.

I’m Johanna. I work with creative people, and with those who are working to heal, transition, and evolve from things that have hurt them. My approach blends traditional talk therapy with deeper work. With the use of Brainspotting and Jungian interventions, because real change rarely happens at the surface, we create deep meaningful change. When we're willing to go underneath, to the place where the old story lives, we can heal it and create room to become something new.

It is completely normal to feel overwhelmed or at a standstill sometimes. I hear you. In our work together, we’ll meet anxiety, self-doubt, and life changes with gentle curiosity and deep compassion. Together, we will work toward a sense of inner peace, confidence, and a truer connection to yourself and your future.

I believe therapy should be a place where you feel seen, heard, and truly understood. My approach is rooted in empathy and validation, creating a safe space for you to explore your experiences and discover meaningful solutions. We will always work with where ever you are in your life journey, and just as much as you decide to do. Therapy should be a voluntary commitment to yourself. Together, we'll go beyond surface-level coping, to uncovering deeper healing and lasting change.

I am Ryan Ross, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in California and Texas with over ten years of experience in mental health. Growing up in a military family, I moved frequently and lived in several communities early in life. I started college at Grambling State University in Louisiana and earned a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from California State University, Bakersfield. Working in correctional facilities showed me how trauma, grief, and unaddressed mental health struggles affect individuals and families. That experience inspired me to earn a master’s degree in Social Work so I could support people through their hardest moments. Over the past decade, I have provided care across community mental health settings, correctional facilities, and telemental health platforms. I work with adolescents, young adults, adults, and seniors.

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist located in the state of California. I received my Master's Degree from Antioch University Los Angeles and have been practicing for 18 years. Working together, I help adults work to find solutions to ongoing issues causing anxiety, sadness and loneliness in their lives so they may become the best version of themselves.

My name is William Money, a licensed marriage and family therapist in California. I have 8 years in the field and I love my job. I am not the person to give advice or tell you how to live your life. I will not tell you I know everything because I don’t. I will meet you wherever you are therapeutically no matter where you are in your journey. I am not judgmental and I have experience with lots of things so if you feel we are a good fit please reach out to me to schedule our first appointment.

Welcome! I’m Dr. La Toshia Palmer, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and founder of Beyond Greatness Global. I provide compassionate, culturally responsive therapy for children, adolescents, and adults, creating a supportive space where clients feel heard, valued, and empowered to grow. My therapeutic approach is strengths-based, person-centered, and tailored to each client’s unique needs, experiences, and goals. I integrate evidence-based approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Therapy, psychoeducation, mindfulness, emotional regulation, and practical coping-skills development. I also offer Faith-Based Counseling for clients who desire to integrate their Christian faith, spiritual values, prayer, and biblical principles into the therapeutic process. I support clients navigating anxiety, depression, anger and emotional regulation challenges, stress, life transitions, self-esteem concerns, relationship difficulties, and other experiences that can affect emotional well-being and daily functioning. When working with children and adolescents, I strive to make therapy engaging, developmentally appropriate, and practical while strengthening emotional awareness, communication, coping, and problem-solving skills. I believe therapy is a collaborative process. Together, we explore your experiences, identify patterns that may be keeping you stuck, recognize your strengths, and develop practical strategies that support meaningful change. At the heart of my practice is the belief that every person has the capacity for growth. My goal is to provide a safe, encouraging environment where you can gain insight, build resilience, strengthen confidence, and move toward greater emotional well-being and purpose.

Greetings! My name is Carrie McElwee and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, in California. I believe in meeting the client where they are and creating a safe space for each client to feel empowered as positive change occurs, judgement-free and unapologetically. My mission is to promote mental health services through prevention, education, and interventions. I have in my professional career integrated humor, compassion, empathy, and realness. I am trained in using various evidence-based practices.

I am a licensed therapist who specializes in anxiety and depression. I became an LCSW because, quite simply, I love people and have the deepest respect for all living things. I have a masters in Social work and background in Psychology, Sociology and Education. I believe that every individual has innate strengths and my goal is to help you tap into yours. Whether you are in a difficult life transition, navigating healthy relationships, or looking to understand yourself more deeply, I am here to empower you so that you can move from feeling "stuck" to feeling capable.

Welcome. My name is Tannaz Talasazan, and I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. I invite you into a supportive, collaborative space where feelings are processed, thoughts are heard, perspectives are respected, and meaningful change becomes possible. Life can present challenges that feel overwhelming, especially when we don’t always have the tools to navigate them. Reaching out for therapy is a powerful first step. Together, we will identify emotional patterns, relational dynamics, and internal obstacles that may be holding you back, while working toward insight, clarity, and lasting change. Over the past 13 years of training and clinical experience, I have worked with individuals, couples, women, families, adolescents, adults, and older adults, with a focus on relationship concerns, life transitions, conflict resolution, and crisis management. I especially enjoy supporting couples in strengthening communication and connection, helping women and individuals navigate personal growth and identity, and working with older adults as they process life transitions, relationships, and meaning. My therapeutic approach is integrative and tailored to each client’s unique needs. I draw from Family Systems, Psychodynamic, Solution-Focused, and Narrative therapies, carefully matching each approach to support insight, emotional growth, and practical change.

I am licensed in California with 12 + years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, parenting issues, & career difficulties. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey.

Hi! My name is Junise Dorestin and I am a License Marriage and Family Therapist. Prior to becoming a therapist, I worked as a children social service worker with Child Protective Services. I have been working in the field of mental health for over 10 years. I obtained my Masters of Art in Psychology emphasis Marriage and Family Therapy from Alliant International University in 2008. I have experienced in working with incarcerated individuals, families, children and young adult. I use a broad range of treatment method to assist individuals and families in the process of reaching their goals. As a LMFT, I am passionate about helping others work through their struggles and built insight. I work those who are struggling with a variety of issues including depression, anxiety, bipolar, PTSD and stress. I have work with those with psychotic disorders and dual diagnoses.

Mr. Ilya Shtykan is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Masters's Degree graduate in Marriage and Family Therapy. In addition, Ilya has worked with multiple organizations and various types of client populations. Also, Ilya currently provides counseling services for sufferers of co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorders. Ilya has gained a lot of valuable insight about himself as a therapist through participating in these programs. He has also developed an empathetic understanding of the patients and the everyday struggles they endure. Ilya's long-term goal in this field is to help make a positive change in clients' lives and provide a meaningful service that makes a difference. Ilya is very passionate about assisting people in finding positive ways to deal with their issues and struggles and being seen, heard, and understood.

Hello! I'm Karen Weaver. I'm a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and have been practicing for over 15 years. Life can be challenging at times and we can all benefit from some support. I listen non-judgmentally and provide unbiased feedback to help you determine what needs to change. My focus in working together is to assist you in becoming your best self. That could be anything from managing anxiety and stress better, to overcoming past challenges or getting along better with family or friends. Life can be challenging but we also can find joy and growth in the tough times.

I am extremely passionate about empowering individuals and therapists/associates to heal and live their best, most authentic lives. I strongly believe that each and every individual, regardless of background, ability, or beliefs, should have a safe space where they can feel comfortable being their true self. I know that sitting across from someone with similar experiences can help to build trust and promote connection, and am therefore deeply committed to holding space for womxn and people of color.

Hi, I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker Licensed in California with 18+ years of professional clinical experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, family conflicts, motivation, self esteem, confidence, & depression. I also have experience working with coping with life changes. I help adults who are struggling, become the best version of themselves at their own pace.

Hello, I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based in California. I earned my Master’s degree from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and have been practicing for eight years. I specialize in men’s issues, major life transitions, and treating work-related stress and anxiety. My expertise includes trauma-informed care, crisis intervention, collaborative problem-solving, and mental health treatment. I am committed to expanding access to quality mental health care for children, families, and adults, helping individuals build resilience and navigate life’s challenges with confidence.

I am an LPCC in California and an LPC in Texas. My educational background consists of earning my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, a Master's in clinical counseling, and a Master's in Addictions. I am a National Certified Counselor and am a certified addictions counselor. My past clinical experience includes working for a crisis center where the majority of clients experienced issues related to suicide, homicide, domestic violence, and child and elder abuse. These issues impact people of all ages, races, and ethnic groups. I have also worked for a county-based permanent assisted housing development where all of the clients have experienced episodes of homelessness, and have been significantly impacted by issues of trauma, depression, addictions, domestic violence, and child abuse.

I offer support-based services utilizing both faith-based and secular perspectives to help guide clients to determine their best short and long-term personalized goals and objectives. We will create a client plan to help you achieve your personal goals and objectives in the most advantageous time frame possible. I am non-judgmental and try to meet my clients where they are in their life journey and transition to desired future outcomes and refinements. I work with mild, moderate and severe mental health clients who may be in a current crisis with their marriage, stage of life issues, or self-improvement. I work with adults of all ages, gender and sexual orientations. I have experience in counseling in faith-based, as well as secular perspectives and believe that each person has gifts and passions to offer to themselves, their families and their communities. We often need empathy, support and feedback to fulfill our expectations and goals in life.

I am a Psychologist licensed in California and have provided psychotherapy to individuals for over 30 years. I am also a lifelong artist and I am interested in how the creative process functions in our lives. I help people connect with their true potential that may have been ignored or forgotten in their search for meaning and purpose in their lives.

Hello, I'm a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) based in California. I received my Masters from the University Antioch Los Angeles and have been practicing for 10 years. I help adults at different stages of life and transitions who are struggling with anxiety, self-esteem, and trauma to help nurture and restore a sense of balance. My approach to working with clients is centered around the individual as a whole - recognizing intrinsic uniqueness and reinforcing inner strength – supporting an individuals innate ability to grow and thrive.

I am a Licenced Professional Counselor (LPC) and Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor(LCDC-I). I have been working with clients from different settings; hospitals, school and clinical, and with clients dealing with a wide range of mental health issues. As someone with roots in South Asia, therapy is not just a profession for me; it is a true passion. I wholeheartedly believe in the transformative power of therapy and the potential it holds for individuals to become the best versions of themselves.

I’m a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology and over 15 years of experience in the mental health field. I specialize in working with adults navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions, and dual diagnoses. My approach is compassionate, culturally sensitive, and focused on treating the whole person—I utilize evidence-based and self-empowering modalities to help clients gain insight, heal from within, and move forward with greater clarity and confidence.

Hello, I am a woman, mother, wife, daughter, aunt, and soon-to-be grandmother. The path to achieving my goal of becoming a Clinical Psychologist - Marriage and Family Therapist began when I had my sons. I took all the steps to build my career, beginning with attending a community college, LACC, where I earned an Associate Degree in Child Development, then a Bachelor's in Psychology, and a Master's Degree in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University Los Angeles. My interest and curiosity led me to a passionate career journey of helping people in different settings, with different upbringings and diverse family backgrounds, since 2010. I am bilingual; Spanish is my first language.

Hi and welcome! I’m Krista Hebert, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Southern California. I earned my bachelor’s degree from Cal State Long Beach and my master’s degree from The University of Texas at Austin. I have worked with at-risk youth, children and adolescents, parents, and people with disabilities. I’ve worked across a range of settings but predominantly in school-based mental health. After having a baby, I took about a year off work and I’m excited to return to my passion of providing meaningful therapy in the Telehealth setting. I’m so glad you’re here and taking the next step into finding healing, insight and growth.

I have 20 years of experience working at a hospice serving patients and their families, specializing in grief and loss. I also have experience treating people with mental illness and substance abuse. I have worked in residential programs and also doing case management for people with mental illness and substance abuse in San Francisco, CA I have run virtual community grief groups that are accessible and affordable. I enjoy working with people of all ages and steer my work from a place of compassion and with a genuine interest in your situation, striving for you to feel more in control of your path in life with growth towards greater happiness.

My name is David Serbin. I'm a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT #147386) and Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC #15666). Through therapy, I work with clients to help them see the positive storylines in their lives. I help make counseling fun for clients through narrative building, developing strategies for challenging negative self-talk, self-exploration of strengths, and games, among other ways. I believe that each client has the main ingredient for success in therapy: hope.

Dr. Melanie Cain is from the Santa Clara Pueblo and Jicarilla Apache tribes of Northern New Mexico. She is a licensed psychologist and has 18 years experience serving American Indians, Veterans, and experience in the public health sector. She is focused on the integration of culturally informed interventions, cognitive theories, and interpersonal modalities to create wellness and community connection. Dr. Cain understands how cultural connection and social systems influence health and wellness. She will help you work toward finding balance, feeling peace, and creating happiness and joy.

Are you feeling anxious, depressed, or just not ok. Are you overwhelmed trying to manage life's ebbs and flows? Do you have repetitious thoughts despite efforts to push them aside? Living with uncertainty while experiencing so many different feelings can be exhausting. I offer culturally sensitive services to clients of all socioeconomic backgrounds and abilities in a respectful, safe, supportive space. Together, we will work to identify your presenting concerns and the internalized belief systems impacting how you address your them. Approaches designed to meet your specific needs, will be drawn from psychodynamic, art, mindfulness and somatic modalities. I hope my supportive, non-judgemental, and warm approach will support your work in clarifying goals and gaining insights and skills to reach them.

I truly want to understand and align with my clients, to provide a unique healing experience, and help my clients to gain insights that they may not have had or experienced before. I help my clients develop coping skills that are unique to them, setting them up for the best possible outcome, because the therapy is tailored to their needs.

I’m Herschel O’Brien, a clinical counselor with extensive experience in trauma-informed, client-centered care. I specialize in helping individuals navigate emotional challenges, build resilience, and reconnect with their strengths. My approach is grounded, compassionate, and collaborative, drawing from modalities like mindfulness, narrative therapy, and systems thinking. Whether you're facing trauma, mood instability, or life transitions, I offer a safe space where healing is possible and meaningful growth can take root. I believe in empowering clients to become the authors of their own lives, with clarity, confidence, and emotional insight.

I am excited to meet you! I am Filipino-American mental health professional with a warm, culturally sensitive, and narrative-focused approach. I strive to create a safe therapeutic space where clients feel safe and seen as they explore their identity, relationships, and inner narrative. I am dedicated to the goals of my clients, even if they constantly change. Life is fluid, as is what we're able to handle.