Counseling sessions are available by appointment in Alameda, CA. or by telephone. I work with individuals, couples, families, and groups. New clients are invited to call for a complimentary 15-minute discussion of concerns and counseling options. 510-292-0509.
Fees: In-person sessions - $125, telephone sessions - $110
Overall Approach
My approach is based on 25 years of experience with a wide variety of concerns. Areas of work include depression, anxiety, relationship issues, parenting, life transitions, sexual counseling, and recovery from religious indoctrination.
My style is compassionate, yet direct and action-oriented. While drawing on an eclectic base of knowledge including cognitive-behavioral methods, my clinical orientation can be described as humanistic-existential. This means a basic respect for a client's intuitive abilities and strengths, an emphasis on building a therapeutic relationship of trust, and a dedication to helping clients engage the existential tasks of living. An area of special training is clinical guided imagery, a powerful method for rapid and deep change. In general, a course of work with me is short-term, empowering, and results-oriented.
I work extensively with couples, using an approach that is largely educational. My background includes special training in communications based on a research program called "Relationship Enhancement" at Penn State. This very practical and successful approach involves learning concepts and skills for listening with empathy and expressing thoughts and feelings effectively. I also use material from Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Compassion, by Marshall Rosenberg.
In addition, I emphasize individual responsibility and mature self-care within relationships. I work with you to examine core assumptions, explore the balance of individuality and intimacy, and apply concrete behavior changes. I stress actual practicing of new skills, both in therapy sessions and for "homework." Couples who meet certain criteria and follow through can be guaranteed significant change. You can expect improvement in 4 weeks and major changes in 10 weeks.
I also have extensive experience with family dynamics, adolescent issues, and parenting skills. I help parents learn concepts and skills and apply them at home between sessions.
Telephone consultation is available as a "parenting coach." This service is a supplement for families in therapy or for parents at a distance who cannot meet in person.
Counseling for Recovery from Harmful Religion:
- Introductory telephone assessment. Call me at (510) 292-0509 to discuss your situation and options for helping you. I will very likely have suggestions for initial steps to healing and growth. The session is 30 minutes and costs $50.
- Telephone counseling. These sessions are scheduled and managed much like in-person counseling, with the frequency and duration depending on your situation. If you are in crisis, we may need some intensive time commitment on the front end. Part of the work will be to read my book and do the exercises that we decide are appropriate to your case. Telephone sessions are $110 per hour
- In-person counseling. You come to my office in Alameda, CA. We can spend intensive time together, with the advantage of doing deep work involving hypnosis-like methods of guided imagery. Some of the healing necessary for changing deep-seated religious indoctrination requires these powerful techniques to get effective, rapid results. It can involve several hours on several days. In-person work is $125 per hour. If you are local, we can also spread the sessions out as with traditional counseling.
- I come to you. We work together in the same intensive manner, in a location you provide. You also pay for my travel and $45 per hour for travel time.
- Weekend intensive workshop. These are scheduled regularly, mostly on the West Coast. You spend an entire weekend, from Friday evening to Sunday afternoon with a small group of people (7-10) who have also experienced some religious/spiritual abuse. We share experiences, build support, cover important information, and do structured exercises to help you move forward in your healing process. We also eat good food, relax, have some fun, and enjoy a nurturing retreat setting. The workshop is $320 plus $160 for room and board. Variation: If you have the energy and skill to organize a workshop in your area, we can provide guidance, and I will come to you for the weekend. More information on upcoming workshops.
- Virtual support group. You join a members-only online group with other people who are recovering from religion. Membership requires invitation from me after either attending a workshop, working with me individually, or having an interview. The group has bi-weekly conference calls and follow-up discussions online. You post your profile and story and any creative writing, photos, etc. you want to share and get feedback on. I moderate the group and participate in the conference calls. Just like an in-person therapy group, we attend to individual needs and also find hot topics of general interest. Membership is $30 per month by subscription on Paypal.
- In-person support/therapy group. After an interview with me, you join a group of real people, meeting weekly in my office in Alameda, CA. Sessions are $30 per week.
- I provide consultation to your therapist. This would be for you to arrange, perhaps by sharing a copy of my book. Your therapist makes an appointment with me to consult by phone, which is $110 per hour.
- Written correspondence via email. After an initial telephone consultation, you send me your work on chosen exercises from my book, beginning with your religious autobiography, and I give you feedback. We work through a program tailored to your needs, exchanging emails regularly. Cost is $300 for ten email exchanges. This can be continued beyond the initial ten at a rate of $30 per exchange.
- Self-help: Reading, forums, and self-help groups (Free!). Have a look at the Resources page of my website and find books that suit your needs. Participate in online forums listed there as well. Organize a self-help group in your community, using the guidelines on my website. Your group can have me as a back-up consultant to help you with problems that arise or guidance for an effective group. Telephone consultation is $110 per hour.