Marriage & Family Therapist in San Rafael, CA
Preferred Member
David Kest, LMT | Marriage & Family Therapist photo
David Kest, LMT
Imago Relationship Therapy
"Getting the Love You Want"
Location
1703 Fifth Ave.,   
#303, (@ "G" Street)   
San RafaelCA 94901
Additional Location
2918 Webster Street   
(@ Union Street)   
San FranciscoCA 94123
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Practice Information
When the early excitement of falling in love fades, differences which once felt trivial become the source of disagreement and frustration. In a safe and confidential setting, I welcome individuals and couples into my private practice to improve their communication skills, increase their positive self esteem, and restore the connection in their primary relationships. Imago Relationship Therapy is based on the best selling book, "Getting the Love You Want," by Harville Hendrix, PhD and Co-Founded Imago Relationships International together with his partner, Helan LaKelly Hunt, PhD. As a Certified Imago Relationship Therapist in the Greater San Francisco Bay Area, I give couples the tools they need to tranform their relationship difficuties into the shared path of healing for optimum growth and connection. The Imago Dialogue is a simple, respectful and effective way to talk to your partner about the things that really matter. Exploring, understanding and appreciating your differences can become the most joyous experiences of your life, and the path to lasting love. In Imago their is no blame, shame or harsh criticism. Instead, a stronger connection comes through attentive listening and being deeply heard in an emotionally safe environment. Then surprising answers to age old conflicts can emerge from the relationship itself. Conflict and frustrations are truly growth waiitng to happen. Imago gives couples the tools they need to restore the loving connections they seek.
Licenses/Certifications
 Certified EMDR Therapist (EMDRIA)
 Certified Marriage, Family, and Child Counselor (MFCC)
 Diplomate, American Psychotherapy Association (DAPA)
 EMDR Part 1 and 2 (EMDRIA)
 Licensed by the Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS)
 Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
 Psychotherapy (MA)
License Info
MFC-30578/ California
Education
BS in Journalism from Ohio University in 1978; Worked at three daily newspapers 1977-1983; TM Citizen Sidha in 1979; Trager Bodytherapist Practitioner in 1984; Mindfullness Meditation Student since 1988; Worked as an MFCCI at the Boyor-Marin Lodge and the Lomi Community Clinic 1987-1993; MA in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University West in 1990; Masters Thesis on the "Psychology of Touch," in1990; Licensed as an MFCC in Califonia in 1994; Certified in EMDR Truama Therapy in 1995; Volunteer Supervisor at the Lomi Clinic since 2000 and volunteer trainer at the Apple Family Counseling Center since 2002; Certified in Analytic-Somatic Therapy in 2006; Diplomate of the American Psychological Association since 2006; Adviorsary Board Member of the Marin Suicide Prevention Center and Grief Counseling Program since 2007; Certified in Imago Relationship Therapy in 2010.
Bio:
I have been in the counseling profession for 24 years and licensed as a Marriage and Family Therapist in California since 1994. Originally from Ohio, my first career was in newspaper journalism and advertising. In the late 1970's I became interested in early research involving human potential. Practical apllications of optimal performance techniques evolved in psychotherapies, sports, business organizatons, and also personal relationships. Exploring greater human potential involved many facinating aspects of the "Mind-Body" connection, including meditation, yoga, wilderness experiences, bodytherapies, and enhanced relationship skills. All of this was very much about "mindfulness" and cultivating awareness from the Esalen Institute to Green Gulch and Spirit Rock. So the adventure continued through graduate school at Antioch University in San Franciso focussing on Clincal Psychology and Somatic Education. Working and training to become a professional therapist at such pioneering treatment centers as the Boyer-Marin Lodge and the Lomi Comunity Counseling Clinic. The common theme being that healing emotional and psychological woundings rstores human development to the path of growth and fullfillment that Nature always intended. One primary way this happens is through a positve attuned relationship. I discovered that Imago Relationship Therapy provides couples with the powerful tools that they need to heal old issues, restore connection, stretch one's character, and revitalize personal growth.
Recommendations
Payments Accepted
Cash, Check, Some Insurance, Credit Cards, PayPal
Hours
Monday-Friday/10am-8pm
Cost/Session
$140.
Website
Helpful Links
Practice Areas/Issues Treated
 Therapy
 Anger Management
 Anxiety and Panic
 Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)
 Body Image Issues
 Caregiver Issues
 Chronic Illness
 Couples
 Depression
 Divorce
 Eating Disorders
 Grief and Loss
 Life Transitions
 Loneliness
 Marriage & Family Therapy
 Marriage Counseling
 Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
 Online / Teletherapy
 Pre and Postpartum Mental Health
 Relationship Issues
 Self-Esteem Issues
 Seniors and Elder Care Issues
 Stress Management
 Trauma and PTSD
 Work and Career Issues
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Nearby Cities
  Belvedere Tiburon   Ross
  Corte Madera   San Anselmo
  Fairfax   San Geronimo
  Greenbrae   San Pablo
  Kentfield   San Quentin
  Larkspur   Sausalito
  Mill Valley   Stinson Beach
  Novato   Woodacre
  Richmond