Meet our experienced and caring team who are ready to help you
Our Team
(In-Person/Telehealth)
Gia DiNicola, PhD
Founder & Clinical Director
Available for Training, Consultation, Therapy
Dr. DiNicola founded Bay Area Professional Psychology, PC (BAPP) in 2021 as a response to the increased demands for mental health services and for trauma-informed care resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. DiNicola has always had a deep love for teaching and training other professionals and has consistently been involved with community mental health settings as a supervisor and consultant since beginning her own practice in 2016. Her vision for BAPP is to offer opportunities to other mental health professionals to receive advanced training in child and family therapy and to increase service offerings to the community through psychotherapy and training for professionals. In addition to being the Founder and Clinical Director of BAPP, Dr. DiNicola is also a Volunteer Clinical Professor in the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at UCSF where she supervises psychiatry residents in family therapy.
Dr. DiNicola’s psychotherapy work is attachment-focused, trauma-informed, collaborative, and sensitive to the experiences and needs of those from a variety of backgrounds. She works with clients across the lifespan and specializes in working with a variety of anxiety disorders, utilizing a mix of attachment-based and cognitive behavioral techniques. As a White, Queer person Dr. DiNicola is committed to providing therapy and training that is cognizant of all the different identities that one can hold.
Pronouns: she/her
Licensed Psychologist; PSY26942
(Telehealth)
Loren Steinberg, PhD
Psychological Associate
Available for Therapy and Training
Dr. Loren Steinberg earned their PhD in Clinical Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University in San Francisco in 2021 and will be working with Dr. Gia DiNicola as a Psychological Associate to complete their postdoctoral training. Dr. Steinberg works both individually and in family therapy with children, teens, and adults. They have particular expertise in working with clients seeking support with: anxiety, OCD, ADHD, depression, trauma, bereavement, identity development, and adjustment to significant life changes including: preparing for the move to middle, high school, or college, and the lingering learning challenges from shifting to at-home learning during SIP. Dr. Steinberg has extensive experience in cross collaborating with educators to support the access needs of students with disabilities who have IEP’s or 504 plans. Loren has both lived and professional experience around disability and LGBT identity.
Pronouns: they/them
Psychological Associate to Dr. Gia DiNicola; #94026586
(Telehealth)
Manisha Kent, PsyD
Psychologist
Available for Therapy
Dr. Manisha Kent is a first generation South-Asian American who earned her doctorate in clinical psychology from the Wright Institute in Berkeley, CA. She has over 15 years of experience including serving children, adolescents and young adults of diverse backgrounds in a variety of settings including hospital, school, and community clinics. Her integrative approach is highly relational as well as is informed by strengths and evidence-based practices. Common areas of need that Dr. Kent works collaboratively with her clients to address include: anxiety, depression, trauma, self-esteem, school challenges, interpersonal relationships, anger management, acculturation, life transitions and adjustments, and parenting support.
Pronouns: she/her
Licensed Psychologist; PSY25734