San Franciso Office
2142 Sutter St
Suite #2
San Francisco, CA 94115
Marin Office
3030 Bridgeway
Suite #132
Sausalito, CA 94965 brac@drselph.com
I am licensed by the California State Board of Psychology as a Clinical Psychologist (California License PSY22115) and am an active member of American Psychological Association and the California Psychological Association.
Private Practice
In my private practice I focus on cutting-edge techniques that allow for accelerated healing. I am integrating two powerful therapeutic approaches: family therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. A significant part of these ideas stem from David Burns, MD, author of Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy and many other influential books. The foundation of his technique is the idea that the therapist is held accountable by the client at every single session. This means that you'll have the chance to rate my efforts at the end of every therapy session. You'll not only indicate whether I've been warm, caring, and understanding, but also how helpful the session has been. We'll both know for certain when my efforts have been effective, and when they're not. Your feedback is absolutely essential to our teamwork and to the vastly accelerated healing process I want you to experience.
University of California San Francisco
In addition to my private practice, I teach and superivse in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). My specialties include Cogntive Behavioral Therapy, Family Therapy and interpersonal therapy. I am also a former member of the Intensive Family Therapy and CBT programs in the Young Adult and Family Center
Research
I am currently investigating how military service members make meaning of their difficult experiences after returning from combat. I have created a group experience called The Hero’s Journey. The goal of this group is to help service members boost self-esteem and take a sense of pride in their military experience. I am also studying how clinicians can use empathy to provide better support for the family members of patients dying in the ICU.
Teaching and Supervising
Teaching and supervising are one of my greatest joys. I teach part of the Foundations of Patient Care course at UCSF Medical School. I supervise psychology doctoral students and participate in clinics for psychiatry residents.I often feel like I am the one receiving the most benefit when working with medical students, residents, and psychology graduate students.
Education
I received my graduate psychology training at the Wright Institute in Berkeley CA and completed my training as a Fellow at the Department of Psychiatry at Children's Hospital and Research Center Oakland. My undergraduate work was completed at the University of Pennsylvania.
