New therapy GROUP starting Thursday, May 20

Yay!   I now have a good time available to start the group I've been promising:  Thursdays from 7-8:30 PM.  This will be at my office in Berkeley at 1918 Bonita Way.  The group will last for 10 weeks with the option of continuing. 

This will be a general therapy and personal growth group with individuals who may have done some personal work already but would like the experience of support and stimulation in a group environment.  I have led many groups in the past and find them to be quite wonderful, with possiblities only limited by the willingness of the participants.  We will spend time attending to individual needs and also cover some important topics and skill areas for health and happiness. 

Please let me know by email if you are interested, and feel free to call me to discuss.  You may also like to read the page here about my approach as a therapist.  Please get back to me soon if you'd like to be included.  Space is limited and I'd like to start next week, May 20.

I'll be sending you a thought-provoking questionnaire and some readings to get started!

Warm regards,
Marlene

Description: This group of 5-7 men and women will meet weekly for 10 weeks for 1 1/2 hour sessions. We'll take the opportunity to support each other in courageously meeting the challenges of being human. The group environment will provide a safe context for exploring meaning and happiness as well as connecting deeply with others.  We'll work on actual skills for self-care, being present, and mastering the inner critic, also known as the "idea monster."  In addition to discussion we will use other modes of learning and relating such as guided visualization, art, role play, and other activities.  Participants are expected to make a commitment for ten weeks.  After that, the group can discuss continuing. 

Cost is on a sliding scale:
Income under $35K/YR: $30/session or $275 prepaid for all 10
Income $35 - $80K/YR: $40/session or $375 prepaid for all 10
Income above $80K/YR: $50/session or $475 prepaid for all 10

Comments from previous group members:

Wonderful! The tools, especially the monster/child/adult metaphor, and how to integrate and deal with it were very helpful. I enjoyed all the others: a talented, loving, real and compassionate group of people…I have been enriched.

Enjoyed your sense of humor. Really felt your connection with us. You created a safe environment for us with your unassuming approach and kind demeanor.

Marlene is WONDERFUL!  She has helped me gain confidence and make tremendous emotional growth in a relatively short time.  

I remember the first time I realized that she was speaking from experience: the same kind of experiences she was helping me work through.  I just thought it was so cool that she had "been there" and offered so much hope by example.  



Marlene has a wonderful sense of humor and a way of putting people at ease.  I love the way she makes me look at things differently.  She is warm, compassionate and funny (and really smart).  After our first meeting I knew I had chosen my therapist wisely.  


I find her visualization therapy very helpful.  Group sessions are fun.  I like that we can be silly and that it isn't all serious.  I feel safe and comfortable in group, like I am free to say whatever I need to say.

I especially liked the relaxation exercises. Your guidance finally helped me to relax. I actually started crying when I was finally able to relax. At first, the idea of an inner child and an “idea monster” seemed preposterous, but in the group setting, it seemed normal and proved to be powerful. Even though I considered the whole “inner child” idea dorky, I found it was powerful. You made it sound “normal,” so I was able to finally do it.

(Marlene) is very thoughtful, responds to people, and listens well.  She’s a great example of someone who believes in her inner resources and inner wisdom and has educated herself well.  

Marlene isn't the therapist you expect. You go into therapy thinking "I'm going to say this, and my therapist will probably say..." No. Marlene made me think hard and actually question my thought process. She asked questions no one had ever asked me. We didn't waste time wondering about if my mother did something wrong, or what my low-self esteem was doing to me now. She reached down and found what exactly was going on that kept me from progressing and healing (I know that she hit the nail right on the head because as soon as she said it, I didn't want to talk about it anymore! haha).