I am a psychiatrist who specializes in psychotherapy. At this time only 10.8% of psychiatrists in America do psychotherapy with every patient they medicate. Although I am well-trained and constantly up-to-date in the field of psychopharmacology (especially psychopharmacology for those who suffer from trauma and dissociation), not all of my patients take medication.  Medication should be used only after careful evaluation and only if it is indicated.

 

I have had training and experience in a number of clinical approaches and techniques including psychodynamic psychotherapy, group therapy, family therapy, research, clinical hypnosis,  hypnoanalysis,  Ego State Therapy,  EMDR, energy therapies, and psychopharmacology.

 

However, I believe that all therapy must be individualized because every  one of us is unique and irreplaceable. I am  also convinced that it is essential to have well-informed theory.  People often ask me what kind of therapy I do. I am not certain that therapy can be reduced to labels and categories any more than people can. Research has shown over and over again that it is the person of the therapist that plays the most important role in psychotherapy. I enter into a well-boundaried, deeply feeling intersubjective relationship with each patient. Often my patients experience me as warm and caring. Nevertheless, good psychotherapy usually involves the patient being able to become angry with the therapist. I help my patients understand and process negative material of all kinds.

 

Many of the people I see in therapy have not responded to previous therapies (often years of previous therapy with good therapists). I am known as a "therapist of last resort." I find working with so-called “treatment-resistant” individuals very rewarding. I bring resources to the table that help make that possible. I use Ego State Therapy, a treatment modality that is often helpful when other therapies have failed. I also help patients to learn to take care of themselves psychologically, I teach self-hypnosis to my patients, and I help them learn how to naturally enhance their senses of self-efficacy and self-esteem through the discovery and use of their own hidden internal resources.

 

Many want to know how often I see patients and how long therapy will be.  Those are questions that are based on a medical model of illness. Therapy is an educational and growth process that needs to take place over times that vary from individual to individual. Although most  patients do well with weekly visits, some need to be seen more frequently, and some do well with less frequent sessions.

 

I do 1-2/12 day intensive psychotherapy with people from other geographical areas (often psychotherapists themselves)  both in Berkeley and in Cambridge.  I also do consultations and second opinions. Anyone seeking a second opinion with me must, however, do it with the knowledge and approval of his/her psychotherapist and be willing to allow me to share my information with his/her psychotherapist.

 

Finally, I  have special expertise in the fields of trauma and dissociation. My  dual interests in theory and clinical practice have helped me to trail blaze as a theoretician, clinician, supervisor, and teacher. The theories that I share and teach have emerged and do still emerge from my real work with real human beings. I  bring to this work ─ and to all my work─ my caring, my feelings, my many therapeutic abilities, and my intellect.