Sylvia Branca, AMFT, Ph.D.

Associate Marriage & Family Therapist

Dr. Branca works with children, teens, and adults. She has extensive experience supporting adults through life transitions and working with children and families in school settings. She is known for her warm, compassionate, and nonjudgmental presence, and is committed to building authentic, trusting relationships where clients feel safe, understood, and supported. Her work is grounded in evidence-based practices and tailored to each client’s unique needs and goals.

Dr. Branca takes a strengths-based, collaborative approach, partnering with clients and, when appropriate, with parents and teachers to support children’s well-being. She is trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and integrates culturally sensitive, trauma-informed care, including mindfulness and emotion-focused therapy techniques. Fluent in English and Hungarian, Sylvia provides therapy that is culturally responsive and grounded in each client’s unique lived experience

She earned her M.S. in Clinical Psychology from San José State University and her Ph.D. in Human Development and Family Sciences from the University of Texas at Austin. Since 2015, she has been a member of the faculty at San José State University. Dr. Branca has also completed over 200 hours of volunteer service providing suicide and crisis support and has experience working with neurodivergent youth and adults, including those diagnosed with autism.