Individual and Family Psychotherapy

     I enjoy being a psychotherapist because it provides me the opportunity to help people resolve the issues that are causing them distress. I work with adults, children, and families, and understand that each person is a unique individual with his or her unique life circumstances, history, and social and cultural context.  A goal of our work together will be to help you identify and understand the conflicts that may be causing you difficulty, and to help you overcome them. Or perhaps negative thinking patterns cause you to experience sadness, loneliness, hopelessness, fear, or other unwanted emotions.

     I will help you create satisfying personal relationships, improve your self esteem, and help you remove barriers that create difficulties in achieving your personal and professional goals. After our initial sessions you will feel understood, and I will articulate a strategy to help you achieve your goals.

Location, Fees and Hours

     I’m in my North Oakland office (close to the Berkeley border) on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. I am in my Hayward office on Wednesdays. Please see the OFFICES page for directions and maps. My fee is comparable to other Bay Area psychologists. I would be happy to discuss the fee when I speak with you. In some cases, I might be able to reduce the fee on the basis of your income. I accept  insurance plans such as Anthem Blue Cross, Aetna, Value Options, and Victims of Crime. If you like, we could schedule an initial 30-minute consultation at no charge to help you decide if you would like to work with me.

To Make an Appointment

     Please call me at (510) 295-5490 for an initial phone consultation. I will do my best to understand the issues that are causing you (or someone you care about) difficulty, and I would be happy to answer any questions that you might have. If your issues fall within my area of training and experience, we could set up an appointment. If not, I would be happy to help you locate other clinicians who might better suite your needs. If you prefer, feel free to E-MAIL me.

About Me   

     I have lived in the San Francisco Bay Area for over 20 years, after moving here from Southern California. I did my undergraduate work at the University of California, Berkeley. I earned a masters degree in Social/Clinical Psychology from New College of California in 1994. I then entered the California School of Professional Psychology/Alameda (now in San Francisco), receiving a Clinical Psychology doctoral degree (Psy.D.) in 2000. I earned my psychologist license (PSY 18905) from the State of California in 2003. I have over fourteen years of experience performing individual and family psychotherapy, including seven years as a staff psychologist at a community mental health clinic. I am a member of the Alameda County Psychological Association. I am the author of two books and numerous articles appearing in peer-reviewed academic journals (see the PUBLICATIONS page). In the majority of my writings I critically analyze currently popular theories claiming substantial genetic influences on psychological traits and psychiatric disorders. I have worked with people and organizations developing alternatives to currently ascendant models in psychology and psychiatry stressing diagnostic labels, biological and genetic explanations, and medication. I was selected for inclusion in Marquis Who's Who ®, the leading biographical reference publisher.