Esther Lerman, MFT
Couples Counseling and Brief Therapy for Individuals
An Experienced, Supportive Therapist.
Do you have the relationship blues? Relationships are the basic fabric of our lives, but they can be so hard. You may be struggling with feeling distant or overly involved, with not knowing how to get your needs met or deal with others' needs. I can help you discover the underlying blocks to having a more fulfilling relationship. We’ll unpack your “personal baggage” from the past, improve your communication skills and dismantle your repetitive negative cycles of relating. I have worked with individuals and couples to improve relationships with self and other for 25 years. I can help you to overcome the stumbling blocks that keep you from having the satisfying relationship that you want.
Couples usually come to therapy shut down, hurt, and/or angry. Through counseling you can open up and regain connection. I'll help you identify and change dysfunctional relationship patterns, learn new ways of communicating and understand how you are bringing some experiences of the past into the present. You'll build your communication and intimacy skills, deal with issues such as becoming parents, escalating arguments, infidelity, walls of silence, fear and anger. You will learn to see your relationship problems as about the dynamic between you, not one person's or the other's fault.
BRIEF INDIVIDUAL THERAPY
In brief (10 -12 weeks) individual therapy, you’ll gain insight by looking deep inside at what is blocking you or driving you in the wrong direction. We will strive towards self-acceptance, which also leads to better relationships to others. You need understanding of what is going wrong and why, in order to do it differently in the future. When you know where your problems are rooted and how they show up, you have the opportunity to change.
With both couples and individuals, I work collaboratively to help you gain insight, to look deeply and understand what is blocking you or driving you in the wrong direction. You need understanding of what is going wrong and why, in order to do it differently.
I am interactive, empathic, respectful, warm and at times, humorous.
Experience is the best teacher, it's true. In 30 years of practice, I've gained much experience with clients of all ages, ethnicities, sexual preferences and class backgrounds.
It's an honor to share in your journey and to have you courageously allow me into your private world.
Articles
Education/Training
MA in Clinical Psychology, JFK University, 1983
Advanced Clinical Training in Depth Psychotherapy, The Psychotherapy Institute, 1988-1990
Supervision Study Program, The Psychotherapy Institute, 1998-2000
Bio
I began my journey as a therapist in 1977 as a peer counselor at the Berkeley Women's Health Collective. I loved helping people to feel better about themselves, their lives and their relationships. I seemed to have a natural ability to have empathy and insight with my clients. I had known since I was young that I had to have meaningful work in my life. I realized that this was my calling and was inspired to eventually get a Masters degree in Clinical Psychology. I have gone on to get advanced clinical training, and training in supervision. I have also attended a great many classes and workshops over the years to keep learning about the endlessly fascinating world of the psyche.
I was licensed in 1986 as a Marriage and Family Therapist and have been in private practice in Oakland since then.
Memberships
Past Supervisor/Member: The Psychotherapy Institute, Berkeley
Past Supervisor/Member: The Women's Therapy Center, El Cerrito.
Past supervisor: The Pacific Center, Berkele
Past supervisor: The Grief Project, Berkeley
Payments Accepted
Cash, check
Hours:Tues. - Fri. 11am - 9pm
Cost/Session
Full fee $195(some sliding scale available)
License:MFC 22591 CA
Helpful Links
 Relationships are the fabric of our lives, but they can be so hard! get help with yours:
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Practice Areas/Issues Treated
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Therapy
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Life Transitions
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Bicultural Difficulties
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Loneliness
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Body Image Issues
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Marriage Counseling
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Caregiver Issues
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Men's Issues
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Couples
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Pre and Postpartum Mental Health
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Divorce
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Relationship Issues
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Family Conflict
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Self-Esteem Issues
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Gay or Lesbian Issues
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Seniors and Elder Care Issues
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Gender Identity / Transgenderism
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Stress Management
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Gifted / Talented Issues
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Women's Issues
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Grief and Loss
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Work and Career Issues
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Licenses/Certifications
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Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
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