About Me

Gail Kirk Poust, LMFT – Marriage and Family Therapist

I am drawn to this work because I have been there myself. In college I experienced anxiety from all of the school stressors, and I was surprised—and thrilled!—to experience the effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Prior to that I had no idea that there were concrete tools one could use to address unhelpful thoughts. Why didn’t everyone know about this!?! At that point I decided that going into the mental health field would be a long term goal of mine. At the same time, my studies in sociology ignited an interest in social issues and the interplay between gender, race, class and ethnicity. I also became fascinated by ethnography in my anthropology courses, and came to understand the power of an individual’s personal story, and the ways that culture and community influence those personal stories.

A few years later, I finally decided to pursue a career in marriage and family therapy. I had experienced my own pregnancy loss and subsequent infertility journey. In that healing process I came up against the same question many of my clients face – what would give life meaning if I weren’t able to have a child? Supporting people as they go through life’s challenges was my answer. I decided to go to graduate school to study marriage and family therapy, and I never looked back.

My special interest in the fertility grief, coping with women’s health issues, and the transition to parenting was ignited by my early undergraduate studies in anthropology and sociology, and solidified by my own lived experience. I have walked through pregnancy loss, infertility, the transition to parenthood, perimenopause and chronic health conditions. I know the strategies I suggest work because I have used them myself, and I have seen them work for my clients. While your experience is likely different from mine in many ways, I will take the time to get to know all the layers of your story and help you find what strategies will work for you.

Treatment Approach

My anthropology and sociology studies drew me to utilize Narrative Therapy as the foundation for my integrative approach. Narrative therapy helps the individual to explore the stories they tell about themselves, and that others tell for them. It empowers people to take control of their life story and craft a present and future that aligns with their identity, values and goals. Into this foundation, I incorporate research-backed tools and strategies from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (CBT), Gottman Method and Thomas Gordon’s Effectiveness Training tools. These tools help individuals see tangible results and make lasting changes in their lives. With this breadth of strategies to draw from, I am able to tailor my recommendations to your lifestyle and needs. Additionally, my graduate studies at San Francisco State University provided a strong foundation in Multicultural counseling so I am able to provide culturally sensitive, trauma-informed and LGBTQIA+ affirming care.

Education & Credentials:

• License #: 128899
• License State: California
• Practicing Since: 2014
• Education:
  • Master in Science in Marriage, Family and Child Counseling from San Francisco State University.
  • Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology and Sociology from the University of Illinois.
• Training in Women’s Issues:
  • Maternal Mental Health Professional Certificate Training, 2022, 16 hours
  • Women with Trauma and Serious Mental Health Disorders, 2026, 6.5 hours
  • Treat Pre-Menstrual Dysphoric Disorder, Premenstrual Syndrome & Emotional-Dysregulation with DBT & CBT, 2026, 4.5 hours
  • An Integrative Approach to Menopause, 2026, 1.5 hours
• Additional Training:
  • 2-­Day Intensive Trauma Treatment Certification Workshop, 2022, 12 hours
  • New Techniques of Grief Therapy: Bereavement and Beyond, 2025, 17 hours