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Dr. Marlene Winell is a psychological consultant, educator, and writer in the San Francisco Bay Area. She is available for speaking engagements, counseling sessions in Oakland or Berkeley, and telephone counseling. Her background includes 28 years of experience in human services, in both community and academic settings. She holds a doctorate in Human Development and Family Studies from Pennsylvania State University. She is the author of Leaving the Fold: A Guide for Former Fundamentalists and Others Leaving their Religion.

More about Marlene Winell

Welcome

Welcome

Thank-you for visiting my website.  You will find information here about who I am, my services, events, writings, and media.    In my counseling work with individuals, couples and groups, my approach is compassionate, yet direct and action-oriented.  I assume a basic respect for a client's intuitive abilities and strengths,  emphasize building a therapeutic relationship of trust, and focus on helping clients actively engage with the existential challenges of life. More about my approach and services.

Updates

Updates

  • Mastering Your Monster (aka your "inner critic")

     A 10-session biweekly group (every other Thursday) beginning January 22, in Oakland, CA

    Free informational meeting January 15, 7 PM

    Description:

    We all have inner dialogue and it’s normal to have moods and many selves.  However when your "inner critic" badgers you with negative thoughts about you and about life, you can feel very anxious and depressed.  At its worst, this is a monster voice that can be dangerous.  The good news is that this pattern can be turned around - for good.  

  • What Child is This?

    By Marlene Winell

    We can probably agree we don’t like the commercialism of Christmas, the stress, or the holiday angst.  Yet at the center of it all there is a powerful image that speaks to all of us – the Child.  It’s fascinating to me that once a year so many people stop everything, or at least pause, to acknowledge a Child.      

    But who is this Child of Christmas and why does the image have such power?  We have religious and secular interpretations, and  I would like to suggest a third – a soulful interpretation.  

  • Is it Ok to Celebrate Christmas, Even if You're Not a Christian?

    by Valerie Tarico

    I just love Christmas!" my friend Hannah confessed recently, "even though I'm appalled by Christianity." She sounded sheepish, as if loving Christmas somehow made her bad.

    Poor Hannah. I understand her tone of apology. What Hannah is appalled by isn't the broad range of kind, thoughtful Christians in her community . . .   

    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/valerie-tarico/is-it-ok-to-celebrate-chr_b...

  • So Do You Believe in God?
    by Marlene Winell

    I get this question so frequently, I’ve decided to make a better effort to reply.  To be honest, I don’t like the question because it presumes we know what those words mean.  Here are some responses, touching on more or less serious aspects of the topic.  

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