Therapist for Parenting Issues

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Homeschool-friendly therapist for parenting issues

Oct 2008

I am looking for a therapist who can help me with a range of issues, primarily about myself, but also related to parenting. I homeschool my children, so my ideal is someone who is familiar with homeschooling. At the very least, I need someone who is homeschool-friendly and who won't immediately assume that any and all difficulties are the result of that one factor. Needing Some Help

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I saw Ahbi Vernon while I was homeschooling. She took an unjudgmental attitude about homeschooling and was very helpful around other parenting and personal issues. I should say that we did actually conclude together that it would work better for our family to have the kids in school, but I felt that came from an unbiased place and was supporting my/our needs. She's right near the Berkeley Bowl; 510-845-4808

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Down-to-earth and practical therapist for stressed mom

Feb 2008

I am a woman and mother looking for a therapist in the Berkeley/Albany area.  I am struggling with three issues in particular -- work-related stress and anxiety, possible depression, and losing my temper with my kids (obviously all related). I want to see someone who will understand my life as a professional with a high stress, high stakes, high anxiety career that I cannot just leave because I am the primary breadwinner for my family. Most immediately, I want some guidance on parenting skills and how not to blow up at my kids (harsh yelling), but I want to see someone who can talk to me about that, at both a practical level and with respect to the deeper issues, without making me feel even worse about myself. Someone down-to-earth and practical, with a sense of humor, and not too hypothetical or spiritual, if that makes sense. Need Help

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I highly recommend Sara Grunstein. She specializes in children and families and is also great for adults. I brought my son to her when he had some difficult fears. She has children herself and works at Children's Hospital as well as private practice in Berkeley near Andronico's on Telegraph. 548-0161
S

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I can recommend a ''down-to-earth'', direct but also deep therapist who I worked with for over a year. He helped me to make some profound changes in my life. He got to the fundamental issues very quickly. It was a very good experience that made me believe in therapy again. His name is Dr. Hans Stahlschmidt in North Berkeley, (510)848 5347. anon

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Hi--I don't have a good bay area therapist recommendation (very sorry) but your situation sounds very similar to mine as far as stress! I tend to turn to books and wanted to recommend ''10 days to a less distracted child''--my depression and stress has made my child spacey and distracted (in part, some is just him). It helped me feel less frantic about my child's ups and downs and treat us both more gently. Be kind to yourself! It sounds like you are doing a ton and as a high intensity professional I'm sure you are expert at seeing what can be changed and trying to do it, but it also sounds like you are perhaps (?) as a result criticizing yourself more than you should. Good luck in your search--even before meeting any professionals, it might help to remember to treat yourself with as much love and respect as you wish for your children! You deserve it too! Take care! still working on it

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Therapist in San Francisco for family-kids issues

August 2006

Can anyone recommend a good therapist in the city? Someone who is willing to cover everything - from family/kids issues to anger management? Marina

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I recommend Jane Walter on Sacramento St. She can be reached at (415) 433-4633. She is caring, warm, smart and capable, and does individual and couples therapy on a variety of issues anonymous

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I just started working with someone in SF who came very highly recommended (and so far seems really good). Very smart, well trained (Stanford), sharp/stays on topic, assuring but stays ''real''. My belief is that he will be as good as everyone says (but don't have much more to offer in terms of a recommendation than that given how little time I have been seeing him). His name is Cannon Thomas and he has a website (if you Google him you will find him). Had to move to the city

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My friend sees a therapist she loves in SF who works with families and with couples and also individuals. Her name is Kathryn Hart, she practices in the Richmond district and has affordable fees. She says she's really down-to-earth and also skilled, insightful and clear and also compassionate and warm. Contact info is 415-668-3904, ext. 5. Hope that is helpful! Tip Giver

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Dr. Terri Campbell is a terrific therapist in San Francisco. She does one-on-one and couples therapy. She has a really good approach - kind but no-nonsense, and is very insightful and intuitive. I know she has a Jungian background, but she also seems to use other approaches as necessary. I have found her to be extremely warm and so helpful. She's very open-minded to all lifestyles, too. Her office is on Sacramento Street, her number is 415-823-4910. Good luck! anonymous

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Therapist needed for Super Stressed Mom

Nov 2005

Can anyone recommend a seasoned therapist in the Berkeley (ideally N. Berkeley) area who might be a good fit for a cerebral and stressed mom? I've done a lot of therapy in the past but am new to this area and facing a daunting littany of issues from an interminable home remodel to a divorce while still adjusting to my unrecognizable life as a mom in a new town. I'd love to work with an articulate, smart, and compassionate therapist who is comfortable being direct. It would be great to have a competent guide while I endure more transitions than I could ever have imagined. Also, might there be groups out there for moms with young children on the verge of divorce? Many thanks for any suggestions and referrals. -Anon

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Super Stressed Mom- Call Robin Gayle, Phd, at 415.456.4607. She is over the San Rafael bridge, on Sir Francis Drake in Kentfield but is totally worth the short drive. I have been in Robin's Womens Group for over 10 years--which doesn't sound like a recommendation in itself, except the group is constantly seeking higher ground from pretty good ground now. Having had much therapy, from numerous practitioners before Robin, I can assure you with great confidence she is absolutely the BEST. She teaches at Domenican College (training other therapists)--the most professional, insightful, supportive, innovative, focused-on-the-solution-to- help-you therapist you could possibly find. I can't say enough great things about her. She can definitely help you. Good luck- Another Mom who relates

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My husband goes to Michael Thomkins . He is really fantastic. It sounds to me like you could use a behavioral therapist (I have found that practice of therapy to be the most direct, most effective at helping create skills and solutions for the types of situations you are facing). Their group is described at www.sfbacct.com (652-4455, in Rockridge, on College by Bittersweet and Diesel books). I know another therapist in the group who specializes in kids and is also really great. You should check them out. Many years on the couch, found behavioral therapy to be the best

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I recently saw Michael Simon , who is a therapist located in the Rockridge area. While I originally started sessions to help me get organized as a mom feeling stressed and overwhelmed with trying to keep up with the demands of kids, school, running a household, etc. In the end, there were unresolved issues that came up which I ended up working on that helped me deal with the issues I was initially trying to cope with.

I thought that Michael Simon was great in helping me sort through things and he is very pro-mom and encouraging of you doing things for yourself while taking the time that you need so that you are not stressed and in turn are a happy mom. He also does drop in appointments for parenting issues that come up. You can view his website at: www.affordabletherapy.com or 433-2959. -anon

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Jill Lebeau is the greatest therapist in the world. She is well known in the area and does this type of therapy that she has coined as rapid transformation. This is very different than talking about your past while someone stares at you for an hour. She is very involved and takes you through a process that will teach you how a new way of living that does not include feeling overwhelmed and stress. She changed my life and many of my friends who have also seen her. She was just featured in the Berkelely Voice last week and has a big following at her elephant pharmacy workshops. Her number is 849.1010. Her office is off of solano ave. Good luck. maureen

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I would recommend the Alexander Technique, and Susan Schreier Williams is an excellent teacher. Since you are a cerebral person, this work, though it definitely includes the mind, is very body based. Susan has been really honest and right on with me about my habits physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. I had no idea how much these habits were running me. It has been extemenly helpful and all encompassing in terms of my ability to relax, regardless of external circumstances. Her number is (510) 482-2276. She is in Oakland, right off Grand Ave. exit, and very worth the drive. Good luck! been there

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Therapist for stressed young mom of two

Feb 2005

I am feeling like I might crack... I am a young mom of 2. I work 3 days and stay at home the others. My husband thinks when I'm home I should be a total housewife, but that just aint me, sorry hubby! At this point, my patience are worn thin and I snap easily at my 7 year old buy who is now talking back and trying to parent me. Which is not even at all ok! So mama's, you know any really good therapists with a sliding scale who are down to earth, loving but who can tell me that I need to get my sh*t together too? Pass me a line I'm ready to take care of me! Signed: -an overworked almost housewife

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This message could apply to many of those requesting a good counselor. I highly recommend Tobey Hiller who works right off Grand in Oakland. She is smart and EXTREMELY insightful, has a sense of humor, a sense of compassion, but is honest and really helps set goals toward making change in your life. I worked one on one with her, but also worked in couples therapy with her and her husband Phillip Ziegler. I thought they were both excellent. Her number is (510) 658- 6282. anon.

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This is a general recommendation for everybody who is seeking a good therapist with a sliding fee scale. I work at Bay Area Psychotherapy Services, a non-profit organization which provides therapy for adults, couples, children, adolescents, and families on a sliding fee scale ($30,- to $90,-). We have offices in Berkeley (across from Berkeley Bowl), Oakland (Piedmont Ave), Hayward, Pleasant Hill, Antioch, Dublin and Brentwood. Therapy is provided by a variety of very skilled MFT interns who are supervised by licenced MFTs and psychologists (many of them faculty at the Graduate School of Professional Psychology at John F. Kennedy University).

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Therapist for typical parenting issues

Jan 2005

I am looking for a recommendation for a therapist in Alameda (or perhaps Oakland) to discuss the typical issues associated with having kids, becoming a SAHM, arguing with the partner, etc. I don't need a touchy-feely personality - just looking for someone who is very smart and insightful. Thanks for any leads. anon

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My husband and I recently saw Karen Hollinger-Jackson MFCC, 2121 Central Av, Alameda, CA 94501, (510) 523-8404 to help deal with similar issues. I liked her because she was a good communicator and helped us resolve our issues. Christina