Luis Espanoza I want to say its been over 30 years that i feel great with my counseling he is magnificent at how he works with me. He truly listens and suggested many things i apply now which makes me a stronger man mentally . Im reaching out to my family more and usually im depressed during this time of year but he making me see a different side which i never relized Thank you Luis I look forward to our talks read more

I have been through a couple therapists but Grady surpassed my expectations. He listened and was able to pinpoint certain aspects that I thought could have been missed and am glad that he addressed them. His feedback gave me a different perspective on how to approach my situation. read more

I found Grady through a friend. I reached out because I wanted some advice, and just a second opinion. Grady was great! He took the time to hear and understand me. Made me feel comfortable with expressing how I felt with not judgement. I would highly recommend his services to anyone looking for a couples therapist. He is truly great at what he does! read more

Bear with me, as this is about to get very personal and very long. I've been dating in the Bay Area for the past 3 years with limited success. Although I've met many people and had fun, it never seemed to materialize into anything. I was too busy out there dating and neglected to recognize that the one for me had been by my side all along. It's not that we were always platonic friends and in fact, we had a few false starts but our fear and pride got in the way of us expressing what we wanted. I hurt him with my short attention span and he never understood that I kept dating others because what he gave didn't align with what I needed. As we formed our negative opinions of each other based on our independent observations, we withdrew from each other further. We told ourselves stories of how the other person didn't care based on all the "evidence" we had collected. It was only after I had closed what seemed like the final door on this relationship that I finally learned the power of accountability and vulnerability. It was then that I knew someone had to speak up and for the first time, I opened up and cried openly in his arms. At first, he was stiff and seemed to reaffirm that he couldn't emote or connect with me. Yet slowly his posture softened, his tone warmed, and what I found was a man who cared so deeply and had been suffering alone. I finally saw how I made him lose trust in me and why we had never gotten anywhere before. By opening up, we finally started enjoying each other's company in a simple relaxed way that was, at the time, foreign to us. While it was great in the moment, the dark cloud carrying all of our baggage constantly hovered over our joy. At that point, I realized he was a keeper but it seemed too late to salvage this. Our mood would swing from one side of the pendulum to the other, often instigated by the smallest thing that would get us back to interrogating each other about the past. I'm glad that we didn't try to bandaid the situation but opening the wounds over and over again was painful and it seemed to never end. I knew we had made significant progress just by ourselves and we were on the right track. But we were also aware that we were not starting from zero; we were trying to climb out of of a deep, dark hole. We could use any help we could get. It was then that I found Grady on Yelp and made an appointment for a phone consultation. My first impression of him was that he was understanding and empathetic and at the same time, offered direct suggestions. After the phone consultation, we scheduled an in-person session with him, in which we hashed out many of the issues between us. Although at first it felt similar to the times we tried to discuss these by ourselves, I was relieved to have Grady there as a third party picking up on the key points. We were both calling out to each other but since we were doing it simultaneously, we were too caught up in our own needs to be able to listen effectively to the other person. Grady slowed us down when moments got heated and helped us hear what the other person needed. It seems so simple now but I don't know how many hours of us arguing it would have taken if we had tried to reach the same place without him. Grady isn't a magician by any means and he can only help couples who have a strong desire to help themselves. We only went to a few sessions with him and even at the end, I wasn't sure if it was enough to salvage our relationship. But throughout this journey, we've built tremendous respect for each other and finally see how important we are to one another. I have never had to work so hard in a relationship and it has absolutely paid off. The way we are today is something I couldn't have imagined possible even 6 months ago. It feels as if the universe has aligned and we are finally comfortable and trusting enough of each other to embrace the love. The shift started when we made the choice to change and I want to thank Grady for playing an important part in making what we have today, a reality. read more

I have been extremely blessed that I was matched to Grady through Blue Oak Therapy Center. After he finished his internship at Blue Oak, I followed him to his private practice - which he made it seamless transition. I saw Grady for individual therapy. I have to mentioned that in the beginning I was completely against going to therapy (due to my background and culture). Luckily, I stuck with it and I have learned so much about myself in the past year with his help. Before Grady, all I have ever known was disappointment. But through my sessions with Grady, he has gotten me to be more open with my emotions, more accepting of my vulnerabilities, and more comfortable with uncertainty. I feel very confident that with the tools and techniques that Grady has taught me, I will be able to handle life's curveballs with an uplifted energized outlook. I honestly believe that I would not be where I am today without Grady's guidance. He has been instrumental to my personal and emotional growth. Grady is patience, compassionate, non-judgmental, empathetic, witty, respectful, transparent, humble, articulate, and honest. He communicates with clarity. Asks questions to get to you reflect. And he genuinely cares for you as a person. As I end my life chapter with Grady, I know he will be a constant inspiration in my life. I hope that one day I can exemplify just half of the compassion, patience, intelligence, empathy, and clear communication Grady has shown me. I would highly recommend Grady without any hesitations for those seeking individual and/or relationship work. read more

I had been to couples counseling in a past relationship but since moving to this area I didn't really know where to start. It was nice that Grady gave us a free couples consult so that we could meet each other and see how it felt. I think that it helped that Grady was a male when working with my husband, as he was already reluctant enough as it was about going and airing out our dirty laundry. Grady was very helpful, personable, and we both left feeling better for having done it. I recommend Grady for anyone looking for a very good counselor in general. He is someone that is very relatable and for that I respect him for it. I know he works a lot with couples, which makes sense as I think he has the temperament for it, but I also know him for his work with grief and helping people with their relationships, and identity issues. He is someone that I hold in high regard, and respect his work and dedication to helping others through tough spots in their lives. read more

I've been wanting to write this for a while but haven't quite known how to put into words, the amazing gift that Grady has been in my family's life. When my husband and I first came to Grady, it was as a "last ditch effort". We were fighting more than we were talking and relating had become truly challenging. It wasn't always easy, but working with Grady helped us to build a deeper understanding of each other's needs and strengths, and to begin feeling connected again. Grady is warm, relatable, and incredibly good at what he does. I am so thankful that we found him! read more

Grady is an excellent couples counselor, totally dedicated to his craft. Full disclosure, I too am a couples therapist in San Francisco and I am often on the lookout for therapists I can trust to refer people to. I find it hard to hand off people to other therapists without feeling uber confident in the therapist in question. I never hesitate to give Grady's name. I know he will hold that couple with skill, care, empathy and a good dose of humor thrown in for good measure (actually pretty important part of the work.) Grady understands the patterns couples get in, he knows how to help them start to recognize these patterns so they may de-escalate conflicts, he also knows what to do next - help them share vulnerably with each other..this is the magical part of our work! :) How do I know all this about Grady. Well he comes to me for consultation in Emotionally Focused therapy with couples. I have watched videos of his work with couples. Also I was a teacher of Grady's in an individual psychotherapy training a few years ago...where we first met. From the start I was impressed by his a sensitivity to others and his humility. So I for one do not hesitate in recommending Grady for individual or couples counseling. I would do so more often if he would ever let me convince him to work out of San Francisco!!! But I get it... Berkeley and Oakland sure have their charms these days compared to the expense of the city. read more

My husband and I found Grady from Yelp when looking for couple's therapy that could work with same sex couples. I have to say that Grady was great in being able to help my husband and I navigate our relationship and marriage, and give us renewed hope that we could find ways to meet each others needs while finding contentment again for ourselves. I found Grady's genuineness and humor put both of us at ease as we addressed very difficult aspects of our marriage that had long been swept under the rug. He also gave us tools to be able to use when our communication would break down to make it easier to reconnect with each other. I recommend Grady to any gay, straight, or otherwise couple that is looking for a marriage counseling to support them in their relationship. Thanks Grady! read more

I have been truly privileged to have Grady as a colleague. He is professional, insightful, and warm. He is an experienced and intuitive professional that can help you make positive life changes and reach your goals. He is very experienced in couples counseling and has helped many couples heal and gain insight into their relationships. He is very approachable and easy to confide in, you are definitely in good hands with him. read more

Grady has helped me do some amazing work on myself. His guidance, patience, compassion, insights, skills, and empathy have fostered an environment where I feel safe to explore everything. If you are willing and able to trust the process, trust Grady, and roll up your sleeves to do the hard work required....I promise you won't regret choosing him. Thank you, Grady. -Rebecca read more

My wife and I are new to the area and wanted to start some counseling to deal with a few stressors that had been bothering us both. Grady gave us a free consult, which was quite helpful in deciding if he was the right fit. My wife and I both enjoyed his approach to the counseling process. He was thoughtful, kind, and very interested in supporting us and our relationship. He was also very prompt and professional- something I greatly appreciate. His background in working with couples came through strongly during our session. He was clearly very supportive of us both as a couple, and really helped us find our way through some of the challenges we are facing. Being someone that's open to working through issues, I still find it hard to be so vulnerable. But with Grady's support and efforts, I felt it was easier to open up. I highly recommend him as a therapist. read more

After searching for a quality couples therapist, I was close to giving up. So many therapists in the Bay don't have the depth focus that my wife and I were aching for. Grady has the ability to not only help us work through our day-to-day issues, but he isn't afraid of diving deeper. He often pushes us to examine our relationship from new angles and see things we wouldn't have otherwise noticed. Grady also brings refreshing creativity and light to his commitment to the work and to our relationship. Being in an LGBTQ relationship, I wasn't sure how either of us would react to having a male therapist, but I am so glad that we have found him. Grady isn't afraid to challenge our thinking, or to help us process deep-seated emotions. But some days, we just have to check in about the day-to-day and he allows space for that as well. Grady is compassionate and gentle. He has a wide breadth of knowledge and has taught me as much as he has helped me process my relationship. Our marriage is infinitely stronger because of our work with Grady and for that I am immensely grateful. I would recommend Grady as a couple's therapist or for individual work. It is clear that he is passionate about his work and takes it seriously. He is wildly intelligent and down to earth at the same time. read more

Highly recommend Grady! My wife Melissa and I, were becoming distant due to me working constantly and traveling with my new job. I was also becoming very frustrated with our situation due to the fact that I experienced distance in my relationships throughout my time in Army special operations. Her parents recommended that we talk to Grady. I was hesitant at first but I am glad we went. Melissa and I are better than ever. He showed us what the word communication really means. read more

Grady was super helpful for my boyfriend and I in our first time going to couples counseling. Since neither of us knew what to expect we were pretty nervous starting out. Grady was super down to earth and easy to talk to, which made it feel more normal and easier to get into our issues. He helped us to make sense out of our styles of relating, and that was huge, as I figured it just meant that we were doomed because we could not talk to each other without it feeling like it was going to lead to a fight. Im super grateful for Grady's help and recommend him highly. read more

I had an amazing experience in couples counciling with Grady. My boyfriend and I moved in together a few months ago and have struggled with the balance of intimacy and privacy. Neither of us have ever lived with a significant other before and I was at the breaking point before beginning sessions with Grady. He has been our saving grace and helped bridge the gap. Would highly recommend. read more

Grady is an incredibly compassionate, patient, and understanding guy. Unlike some therapists, he doesn't just ask you to "tell me more" and pass out tissue; he will also provide well considered, constructive suggestions that can help guide you to concrete breakthroughs. I would normally find it odd to review a therapist, but I genuinely think others should know that there are those out there who actively try to make a difference. Highly recommended. read more

When we decided to go I was really scared initially. I thought it was ridiculous to even bother with marriage counseling. My parents never really were into therapy, but because I really wanted to work things out I tried it anyway and I've done a bit of a 180. Not only do I think it's a really healthy thing but I also highly recommend Grady. He helped me notice a lot of the things I didn't before. read more

Over the years I have been to several counselors to work on my relationships. Grady was the first counselor that I actually felt like we were doing work in the room. He helped my partner and I through a very difficult time. There was something about his charm and humor that allowed my partner and I to feel safe even though we were being asked to navigate some potent issues we had been having for years. I would recommend him to anyone who feels their relationship is feeling a bit stuck. read more

I have seen Grady's work with both couples and individuals. I trust him as a practitioner and as a person and I refer clients to him regularly. Our conversations have the effect of un-shrouding what is hard to understand. He brings out the best in me and I see him do the same with his clients. read more

I contacted Grady because my husband and I were having an endless argument over this one thing and we could not get out of the loop. I was really frustrated and saddened by how we were arguing. It was eroding trust and I wanted it to stop. Grady helped us see our patterns and more importantly what was behind them so that we could have empathy. I thought we were going there to learn how to argue but what happened was we became instantly closer, more attracted and more loving. It was like magic. Seriously. Grady is smart and caring and keeps it light while at the same time requiring you to speak your truth. He obviously cares deeply about his patients and is smart and I am so very grateful that we found him (on YELP by the way). Grady had a profound impact on the trajectory of our relationship. If you have something you want to work on that it just bugging you and you wish you could change, go see Grady! read more

My wife, Deborah Rucker asked me to post this for her. Thank you, Grady. Even during our initial sessions together I felt I could trust him and this allowed me to say things I hadn't been able to before. Not only was he non-judgmental, but also somehow empowering without saying anything. He is able to hold that space patiently for someone, allowing them to take a pause and breathe, reflect. I like that he is client-centered, coming straight from the heart; but no bullshit. My husband has noticed a wonderful change in my outlook and I feel more positive than ever. Mr. Fort was instrumental in me being able to achieve insight into my husband's emotional language. This has allowed us to really communicate about what's going on. During one of the most vulnerable & desperate times in my life, when I was almost frozen in fear, he was able to facilitate functional change. Since that time I have changed some self-destructive behavioral habits and feel more in control. I am very grateful for the opportunity to work with Mr. Fort and would recommend him to anyone. Ideas? Love you, Debbers read more

I supervised Grady for over 2 years as a therapist in a community based mental health organization. What stands out about him is his compassion and care for other humans. He is able to adapt well to the wide variety of people he works with and to skillfully support people towards making changes in their lives that feel right for them. Grady is able to provide high quality counseling to a wide range of age groups and I would highly recommend him as a therapist! read more

I first went to see Grady about a year ago. My partner and I needed reinforcement when we decided to open up our marriage. Grady was instrumental in helping us develop the tools of communication we needed to make our journey a healthy and happy one. I was initially unsure what couples' counseling could really accomplish because we started out in a good place and weren't having "problems" exactly, but what a good decision it turned out to be! I cannot thank Grady enough for helping us create a space to take our relationship to this new level. Beyond the specific issues we wanted to discuss with us, he really gave us a new foundation and a new way of relating to each other that has positively spilled over into all aspects of our relationship. I am so glad that we chose Grady as our couples' therapist and would highly recommend him. read more

My husband and I decided to pursue marriage counseling after an issue of infidelity that was almost fatal to our marriage. My search for a suitable marriage counselor was initiated by a friend who had recommended the therapist she and her husband had found on Yelp; which is how we found Grady. If I'm being honest I was slightly apprehensive at first, about to throw in the marital-towel if you will, but we pursued counseling anyways just to say that we tried. He had incredible reviews and it seemed like it was worth a shot so we scheduled an appointment. I am SO glad that we did. Grady really helped us to understand all the smaller complications and issues within our relationship that led to the bigger more complex issues we were facing (the previously mentioned infidelity). He dove deep into our issues of communication and holding back feelings and secrets while providing us the knowledge of how to move forward and avoid these issues in the future. My husband and I left each session feeling ourselves and our marriage slightly more healed. I thought my husband and I were doomed for divorce but Grady helped save our marriage. read more

Grady is an intelligent, compassionate, and highly skilled therapist. He has an ease and a strong grounding presence that puts you at ease right away. He is insightful and genuinely curious. He is one of those rare individuals who is nonjudgmental which allows for both feeling supported and safe in a process that can make you at times feel quite vulnerable. He is also insightful and constructive. I would recommend him to any one - if you are feeling stuck or in trouble and need help or if you simply wanted to understand certain patterns and choices in your life with more depth and clarity. read more

I know Grady on a number of levels: first as a musician, but also as a listener, as a deep thinker, and as an open-minded adventurer in life. I am Grady's vocal coach, but as he will tell you, voice lessons are very much like therapy sessions, because a singer has to face a lot of his own fear and self-judgment in front of a listener. I have learned so much from Grady just by watching how he grows in his own process of becoming a better singer. Grady understands what motivates us to act, what challenges us, how our minds sabotage our own success, and how easily we get in our own way. He understands that self-acceptance is the first essential ingredient for success in any endeavor, and ultimately to a meaningful life. He is refreshingly straightforward, honest, and good-humored, and just being in the room with him makes it easy to be honest and good-humored about myself as a teacher. I read the other reviews of Grady, and I can absolutely understand and concur with all those who have found him to be such a wonderful counselor. read more