Michael Anne Conley, M.A.

As a health educator as well as an MFT, my perspective bridges the "mental and emotional" focus of traditional psychotherapy and the "physical and energetic" focus of somatic, or body-oriented psychotherapy.

If insight, or knowledge or even intention and desire, were enough to create change, every one of us would be emotionally and mentally stable just by wanting it to be so. Alas, the human being seems a bit more complex. Because insight and willpower are not enough to create change, something else is required. My office is a "living laboratory" for clients to do more than just talk to gain awareness of their issues. It is a place to disorganize old patterns and practice new behaviors on a bodily level. I have been strongly influenced in this regard by Stanley Keleman, a pioneer in body-oriented therapy, and Tamara Greenberg, a gifted dance movement and somatic therapist.

My clients are individuals, couples and families who are dealing with addiction, health and medical issues and/or have

Services Rendered:
Individual Therapy, Couples/Marital Therapy, Family Therapy, Group Therapy, Family Therapy, Holistic Therapy

Areas of Expertise:
Addiction Issues, Bereavement/Grief/Loss, Clinical Depression, Compulsive Behaviors, Compulsive Gambling, Depressive Disorders, Drug Abuse, Fibromyalgia, Mood Disorders, Obsessive-Compulsive D/O, Pain Disorders, Pain Management, Post Traumatic Stress D/O, Psychosomati

Credentials:
My educational background is in holistic health (a masters degree from JFK University in Contra Costa County, California) and alcohol and drug treatment (a certificate from JFK as well and years working in medical and non-medical settings).

I am currently president of the California Chapter of the American Mental Health Alliance and a longtime member of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (as well as the San Francisco and East Bay local chapters).

Theoretical Background: Other

Style in the Therapy Session:
You'll experience an interactive approach in therapy with me.

Because my purpose is to support you in making the changes you seek, I will reinforce those behaviors that fit with the future you want to form and guide you in recognizing and then disorganizing the patterns that seem not to match your stated goals.

Sometimes this will involve working in the here and now with your physical patterns that emerge as we discuss your situation. It's very practical, as well as deepening.