Thoughtful therapy for real life—right where you are.

When something feels off in your life, it can be hard to know where to start. You may be functioning on the outside while carrying anxiety, grief, exhaustion, or relationship strain that won’t let you rest. Reaching out for therapy is often less about having the right words and more about wanting things to feel different.

At Searching Pathways Therapy, we offer a calm, respectful space to slow things down, understand what’s happening, and begin making changes that feel meaningful and sustainable.

A Practice with Two Clinicians, One Shared Philosophy

We are a clinician-led practice based in Belmont, California, in the heart of Silicon Valley. We work separately but share a common approach: thoughtful, trauma-informed care that respects the complexity of being human. We offer in-person therapy and also provide teletherapy locally and throughout the state of California.

Robert Mitchell, PhD

I work primarily with adult individuals and couples, focusing on anxiety, addiction, trauma, bereavement, and relationship concerns. My approach integrates depth-oriented work with practical strategies, helping you understand the roots of your struggles while also supporting real-world change in daily life and relationships.

To find out more about Robert, please click here or from the menu above

Sara Larios Mitchell, PhD

I work with children, adolescents, and adults, with a particular focus on trauma and anxiety. My emphasis is on emotional safety, developmentally appropriate care, and helping you build skills for regulation, resilience, and confidence—whether you are navigating early life challenges or longstanding patterns that have continued into adulthood.

To find out more about Sara, please click here or from the menu above

Our Mission

Our mission is to help people find steadier ground during times of emotional difficulty, transition, or uncertainty.

We believe therapy works best when it is:

• Grounded in solid clinical practice
• Responsive to the real circumstances of your life
• Collaborative rather than prescriptive
• Attuned to both emotional experience and practical change

Searching Pathways Therapy was built to be a place where clients feel taken seriously—without being pathologized, judged, rushed, or reduced to a diagnosis.