Forest Knolls Office Suite, Collaborative, Interactive Help

I am a  CA Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (MFC29249) for 20 years, an OR Licensed Professional Counselor (C2815) and Certified Group Psychotherapist (CGP) (41715) providing general psychotherapy, counseling, and consultations for individuals, couples, and groups. I am nationally recognized by the American Group Psychotherapy Association for my experience and training in facilitating psychotherapy groups. As a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)  and CA Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (CA LMFT) I am trained to assess, diagnosis and treat individuals, couples, children, families, and groups to achieve personal growth and wellness.  As a CA Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist I am trained to assess, diagnose and treat individuals, couples, families and groups to achieve more adequate, satisfying and productive social, marriage, and family adjustment. To attain my OR licensure through the reciprocity process and maintain my CA licensure,  I have completed the necessary coursework at an accredited university, passed the written comprehensive examination, accrued more than 3,000 hours of supervised clinical counseling experience, and received at least 36 hours (40 hours in OR that I will receive) of approved, mandatory continuing education every two-year licensing renewal period and maintained a clear record.  As a Certified Group Psychotherapist (CGP), I am a clinical mental health professional who has met nationally accepted criteria of education, training and experience in group psychotherapy. A certified CGP is considered an expert in group psychotherapy and an ethical practitioner who is committed to group psychotherapy as an autonomous treatment modality.

I have a M.A. Degree in Clinical Psychology from accredited John F. Kennedy University in Orinda, California, and a B.A. Degree in Psychology, graduating with honors from San Francisco State University, San Francisco, California. My primary practice is in Forest Knolls, CA, in Marin County, 25 miles from San Francisco, and I also have an office in San Anselmo, CA, Marin County, 15 miles from San Francisco.   With more than 20 years of experience, I provide professional support to individuals, couples,  families, and groups. I am a clinical member of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists, the San Francisco Psychotherapy Research Group, the Northern California Group Psychotherapy Society,    and the Global Association of Interpersonal Neurobiology.

In June, 2008, I completed a Post-Graduate Psychotherapy Training Program with
the San Francisco Psychotherapy Research Group (SFPRG), a one-year post-graduate program on the theory and practice of psychotherapy. The program is designed for practicing mental health professionals who wish to deepen their understanding of how people respond to life events and how psychotherapy works. The conceptual framework for the program is a psychodynamic,cognitive,relational theory that has been empirically validated and supported. The theory provides a foundation for the exploration and understanding of a wide range of clinical phenomena, therapeutic interventions, and theoretical issues.

I continue to deepen my knowledge of and competence in clinical treatment for individuals, couples, and groups.  I attend trainings for trauma and its treatment, studying and attending conferences presented by leaders in the field, including Bessel van der Kolk, MD; John Briere, PhD; presentations by the American Group Psychotherapy Association; study of Judith Herman, MD; and presentations at SF Psychotherapy Research Group. For the past 14 years, I have attended and presented at the Northern California Group Psychotherapy Society Annual Conference/Training Institute at the Asilomar Conference Center in Pacific Grove, CA. This two and one-half day residential training event features master group therapists, selected for their demonstrated expertise in clinical group psychotherapy, as well as didactic and experiential training.

I have also received certifications in mediation/conflict resolution & The Shared Parenting Support Program(c) for Divorced Parents.  

In January, 2013, I facilitated a WORKSHOP FOR FAMILIES AND PARTNERS (CURRENT AND PAST) AFFECTED BY CULTS OR HIGH-DEMAND GROUPS in my Forest Knolls office suite.

On February 17th, 2012,  I presented at the Central Oregon Clinician's Network.  The title of my presentation was:  Abusive Groups and Relationships:  Healing From Trauma and Pursuing Healthy Goals.

A WORKSHOP FOR FORMER MEMBERS AND ADULT CHILDREN OF CULTS OR HIGH-DEMAND GROUPS was held in June, 2010, from 1:00–5:00 p.m. in Mill Valley, CA. Janja Lalich, Ph.D. and I co-facilitated.  Janja Lalich is Professor of Sociology, CSU Chico, and a specialist in extremism, cults & coercive situations. She is author of Take Back Your Life: Recovery from Cults and Abusive Relationships and Bounded Choice: True Believers and Charismatic Cults.

On June 6th, 2010, I gave a peresentation for the NORTHERN CALIFORNIA GROUP PSYCHOTHERAPY SOCIETY'S ANNUAL CONFERENCE at Asilomar Conference Center on the coast in Pacific Grove, CA.  The title of my presentation was: "From Cults To Group For Former Members:  Opportunities for Healing and Change." 

I joined three other former members on a panel presentation at the Mosaic Law Synagogue in Sacramento, November 12th, 2009.  We focused on cult recruitment and indoctrination, cult characteristics, the physical and psychological process of leaving, adjustment to society-at-large and post-cult life. Janja Lalich (Author of Take Back Your Life) and the attending rabbi also compared and contrasted cults and Judaism at the synagogue.  

In April, 2009, I was primary therapist during a two-week intensive program of individual therapy session and workshops for cult survivors at Wellspring Retreat and Resource Center in Albany, Ohio, a residential rehabilitation center for ex-cult members that has treated over 1,000 clients. The Founder and Director was the late Paul Martin, Ph.D.

At the International Cultic Studies Association Conference in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, June, 2008 I gave a presentation entitled:  "Disconfirming Inaccurate, Self-Limiting Beliefs Internalized Through Thought Reform."

At the same conference above, I was part of a panel entitled "Creativity and Cults",   reading an excerpt from my paper, "Touched, Disconfirming Pathogenic Beliefs of Thought Reform Through the Process of Acting" that is now included in "The Last Draw", Cults and Creativity, a special eduction of the Cultic Studies Journal.  This paper describes my process of leaving what I regard as a "high-demand group" and is available for reading on this website under "Groups Identified as Cults", "Touched" Journal Article.

Besides my private practice, previous clinical positions include: San Francisco Children's Hospital Child Crisis Services for Children, Adolescents, and Families at High-Risk; Marin Community Mental Health Services, Children & Families Division; Clement Street Counseling Center, San Francisco; Marin Assisted Independent Living Program, San Francisco and San Rafael, treating those diagnosed with severe mental illness; Center Point Drug Treatment Program in San Rafael, CA, serving as Director of the Adolescent Division and Member of the Marin County Juvenile Drug Court, San Rafael.

I also draw from my own life experiences.   At 19, four years after my mother's death, I was recruited into an "Eastern" high-demand group in which I was actively involved for seven years. During the process of leaving, I pursued a career in acting and benefitted from studying with the late, esteemed teacher, Peggy Feury, in a two-year intensive program at The Loft Studio in Los Angeles. I then married and returned to studies in clinical psychology and counseling. I enjoy home life with my husband of over 30 years, family, and friends that includes our Labradoodle puppy, views of Redwood and Oak-Covered Mt. Barnabe,  nurturing a garden, exploring new places, walking along trails, visiting Limantour Beach, Samuel P Taylor Park, various towns throughout Marin an San Francisco, and Portland's Japanese Garden (shown below), engaging in lively conversations, reading, and listening to music, especially jazz and classical.

I am deeply grateful to my clients, for their motivation, courage, insights, perseverance, honesty, intelligence, and compassion, from whom I gain more than they may ever know. 

Portland's Japanese Garden, Spring