Giancarlo Scalise, AMFT

Virtual therapy anywhere in California

→ I visit Italy every year to visit my family and friends.

→ I’m a total dog person, especially golden retrievers and labs.

→ I was a physical therapist for 23 years before becoming a psychotherapist.

→ I hiked Half Dome (three times!) — the first time completely unprepared.

→ I’ve completed two marathons: Chicago and Napa Valley.

→ I meet with my Italian tutor twice a week just because I love learning.

→ I once took singing lessons and secretly want to join a barbershop quartet.

→ I was the commencement speaker for my graduation at Northwestern University.

→ I’m serious about self-care — gym, hiking, swimming, good food, good people.

→ I still have friends from first grade and consider that one of my greatest accomplishments.

→ Sucker for dark chocolate.

    • Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT) #156743 - California

    • Supervised by Mena Zaminsky, PsyD, LMFT #41265

    • Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) — Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine

    • Master’s in Physical Therapy (MPT) — Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine

    • Master’s in Counseling Psychology (MA) — Santa Clara University

    • Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology — California State University, Hayward

    • Trained in: AEDP (Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy), trauma-informed and attachment-based therapy, somatic awareness, and Motivational Interviewing.

    • 23 years of experience as a licensed physical therapist specializing in chronic pain, neurological rehabilitation, and mind-body healing

Before becoming a therapist, I spent 23 years helping people heal their bodies as a licensed Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT).

Over time, I realized that no matter how strong the body became, people were still carrying the weight of anxiety, depression, trauma, shame, and disconnection. 

My own story — growing up overweight and bullied — taught me what it feels like to long for safety and acceptance. 

Now, as a therapist, I help teens, young adults, and men and women of all ages heal from those same patterns: the pressure to perform, the fear of not being enough, and the loneliness that comes with trying to keep it all together.

My clients say I’m the kind of therapist they can exhale around.

They describe me as warm, steady, and human — someone who really shows up in the room, not just sits back and nods.

They appreciate that I use humor and compassion to make hard conversations feel a little lighter.

Many say that what helps most isn’t just the insight they gain, but how safe and accepted they feel while doing the work.

Professional Endorsements

  • “Giancarlo has the rare combination of being very insightful and very heart-centered. I am confident he will serve as a trustworthy guide in his clients' healing journeys".

    – Trusted Professional Endorsement

  • “Giancarlo demonstrates exceptional relational sensitivity and emotional intelligence, which are immediately evident in his work with clients. He combines professional skill with genuine warmth, fostering meaningful connections and facilitating growth. His extraordinary depth and perspective further enrich his therapeutic approach, making him a highly effective and insightful clinician.”

    – Shauna Shapiro, Ph.D.

  • “I had the pleasure to work with Giancarlo and experience him as a gentle, deeply attuned, and highly skilled therapist. His ability to create a safe and compassionate space, combined with his authentic presence, allows for deep emotional healing and meaningful personal growth.”

    - Neta Korazim, LCSW

  • “I have the utmost respect for Giancarlo, both as an individual and as a therapist. His unique background in both rehabilitation and academia allow him to incorporate his prior experiences as a healer and teacher into his current work as a psychotherapist. I would trust him implicitly, as he offers that rare combination of knowledge, empathy, and compassion. To be in his presence is to always feel safe and supported."

    - Derek Isetti, ASW, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, Associate Professor

  • “I had the pleasure of working with Giancarlo, and it was clear from the start that he brings both heart and insight to his work. His relational approach and rich lived experience—both personally and professionally—enable him to connect deeply and guide others with empathy and authenticity. Giancarlo is genuinely warm, thoughtful, and caring."

    - Gerald Gonzalez, Ph.D.

  • “I had the privilege of working alongside Giancarlo for about a year, and in that time I came to deeply respect his presence, authenticity, and natural intuition as a therapist. Giancarlo approaches his work with genuine kindness and compassion, creating a sense of safety that allows clients to open up and address core issues with honesty and depth. His ability to sense and articulate what truly lies beneath the surface is remarkable, and it’s one of the qualities that sets him apart as a clinician. In my professional opinion, Giancarlo is a highly skilled and insightful therapist. I would trust him to care for anyone I know seeking meaningful, effective, and heart-centered therapy.”

    - Matthew McKeithan, Psy.D.

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