Photo of Pamela Lister, Marriage & Family Therapist in 94596, CA
Pamela Lister
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT, EAS-C, CATC
Verified Verified
Walnut Creek, CA 94596
My enthusiasm for recovery motivates me to create new opportunities for growth & healing for clients through Interventions. I have extensive experience with all aspects of Addiction and Codependency. I'm competent in individual, couples, family or group therapy. My background in mental health creates a good fit for identifying issues and safety concerns. I'm honored to share in my clients' journey toward the fulfilling lives they deserve.
My enthusiasm for recovery motivates me to create new opportunities for growth & healing for clients through Interventions. I have extensive experience with all aspects of Addiction and Codependency. I'm competent in individual, couples, family or group therapy. My background in mental health creates a good fit for identifying issues and safety concerns. I'm honored to share in my clients' journey toward the fulfilling lives they deserve.
(925) 401-3025 View (925) 401-3025
Photo of Scott M Bobrow, Marriage & Family Therapist in 94596, CA
Scott M Bobrow
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified Verified
Walnut Creek, CA 94596
I am expert in and specialize in ADDICTION THERAPY. I offer a very personalized, interactive and non judgmental approach to therapy. Addiction, alcoholism, behavioral addictions, and relapse prevention are my primary areas of expertise. I also treat CO DEPENDENCE and anxiety. I welcome young adults, families, couples,and adult individuals. I also see Clients who have an established recovery history, and are ready to deal with other clinical issues that may arise after a period of recovery. Seeing an Addiction Specialist is a must when dealing with addiction and alcoholism. I am also the Family Therapist at MPI in Oakland, CA
I am expert in and specialize in ADDICTION THERAPY. I offer a very personalized, interactive and non judgmental approach to therapy. Addiction, alcoholism, behavioral addictions, and relapse prevention are my primary areas of expertise. I also treat CO DEPENDENCE and anxiety. I welcome young adults, families, couples,and adult individuals. I also see Clients who have an established recovery history, and are ready to deal with other clinical issues that may arise after a period of recovery. Seeing an Addiction Specialist is a must when dealing with addiction and alcoholism. I am also the Family Therapist at MPI in Oakland, CA
(925) 270-4915 View (925) 270-4915
Photo of Kathleen Benitez, Clinical Social Work/Therapist in 94596, CA
Kathleen Benitez
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Walnut Creek, CA 94596
Counseling can be an opportunity to experience a greater quality of life. I enjoy helping others to reach that place. Providing clinical counseling for over 25 years, I've assisted survivors with all forms of trauma, anxiety and stress disorders. My practice has included working with military members and families as well as providing counseling to many Spanish speaking Latino populations . My specialties range from employee assistance for work related stress, issues of addiction to all substances including gambling and also working with the trauma of immigration. I can also provide evaluations for immigration hearings.
Counseling can be an opportunity to experience a greater quality of life. I enjoy helping others to reach that place. Providing clinical counseling for over 25 years, I've assisted survivors with all forms of trauma, anxiety and stress disorders. My practice has included working with military members and families as well as providing counseling to many Spanish speaking Latino populations . My specialties range from employee assistance for work related stress, issues of addiction to all substances including gambling and also working with the trauma of immigration. I can also provide evaluations for immigration hearings.
(510) 460-1347 View (510) 460-1347
Photo of Francis J Toal, Associate Professional Counselor in 94596, CA
Francis J Toal
Associate Professional Counselor, MBA, MS, APCC
Verified Verified
Walnut Creek, CA 94596
Often, we are weighed down by feelings of fear, distress, sadness, pain, worry, and even guilt. These feelings can intrude on our everyday lives, affect us, and affect those around us. Those closest to us often see our suffering more than we can. Our culture has made it so that we bury these feelings and emotions and throw up a façade of strength so as not to be a burden or worse, be judged. Meanwhile, on the inside, we struggle and often seek out destructive coping mechanisms, often towards a path of addiction. This can lead to a vicious cycle of behavior, suffering, and regret that we feel helpless to get out of.
Often, we are weighed down by feelings of fear, distress, sadness, pain, worry, and even guilt. These feelings can intrude on our everyday lives, affect us, and affect those around us. Those closest to us often see our suffering more than we can. Our culture has made it so that we bury these feelings and emotions and throw up a façade of strength so as not to be a burden or worse, be judged. Meanwhile, on the inside, we struggle and often seek out destructive coping mechanisms, often towards a path of addiction. This can lead to a vicious cycle of behavior, suffering, and regret that we feel helpless to get out of.
(925) 567-2748 View (925) 567-2748
Solution Focused Brief (SFBT) Therapists

How does solution-focused therapy work?

The treatment works by helping a client notice which behaviors and thoughts have positive results on their lives and building a plan around how to maximise these strengths. Practitioners of solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT) believe that individuals already have the experience, wisdom, and resilience to create change in their lives, but may need a guide to help them realise which changes to make and how to make them.

Is solution-focused brief therapy evidence-based?

Yes. Solution-focused brief therapy has been extensively studied, and researchers find strong evidence that it’s an effective treatment for many behavioral and psychological concerns. This may be due to the uplifting nature and practicality of the treatment, which allows patients to employ strategies to reach their goals that are incremental and achievable.

How long does solution-focused brief therapy last?

Solution-focused brief therapy, as the name implies, is brief. The timeline may vary from person to person, given the challenges they face and their situation in life, but treatment is typically complete within four to eight sessions. This therapy type is a pragmatic one: it’s concerned more with “how” problems can be addressed and improved than getting to the root of “why” they exist in the first place.

Is solution-focused brief therapy a type of cognitive behavioral therapy?

Solution-focused brief therapy is related to cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)in that both are pragmatic approaches that deal less with gaining a full understanding of the cause of a mental health problem and more with creating plans for how to cope with these problems and improve an individual’s day-to-day life. They are distinct, however, in that SFBT emphasises building on strengths and resources, while CBT focuses on changing negative thoughts and behaviors.