Individual and Couples Therapy
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510-540-0193
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Catherine Cassel, LCSW
My Approach to Psychotherapy
If you have made your way to this site, chances are you are facing
some challenges in your life and wondering if therapy can help.
Many individuals and couples approach me for therapy feeling they’ve
hit a road block in their efforts to lead a more meaningful and fulfilling life.
Others are facing a major loss and are needing support and hope in recovering from it.
Whatever your reasons for beginning therapy, my expertise is in helping deepen your understanding of yourself and your situation.
I will help you to recognize not only the external obstacles, but the internal obstacles that are interfering with your reaching your goals, and to gain insight
and learn tools for how best to work on resolving them.
My approach to therapy centers first on our developing a relationship
of mutual trust and respect. My style is empathic, interactive and collaborative.
I invite you to read my website and then to speak with me directly.
At its foundation, therapy requires a good working relationship with your therapist.
A conversation together will likely be your best means of determining if
I am a good match for your needs.

My Practice
Individual Therapy - Couples Therapy - Consultation
Individual Therapy
Multiple factors combine to influence our emotional and psychological lives:
our environment, culture, family structure and relationships, as well as our individual
temperaments and experiences.
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In individual therapy I explore with you these many facets of what makes you
who you are, and provide insight about where you are, how you got here,
and tools for change in pursuing your goals.
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Some common issues my clients seek therapy for include:
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Personal growth
Trauma/PTSD
Physical or sexual abuse
Parenting
Self Esteem
Difficulties at work
Depression
Anxiety
Life transitions
Gay/lesbian issues
Relationship issues
Infertility
Loss and grief
Adult Children of Alcoholics
Substance use and abuse
Codependency
Couples Therapy
As with individual therapy, each individual in a couple bring their own
unique strengths and vulnerabilities to the relationship.
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But a couple is also more than a sum of its parts -- it is a living organism of its own
with a life history and a set of developmental tasks to master and grow through.
Couples often seek therapy when their relationship is stuck in a pattern and in
a stage of development that they cannot yet find a way through.
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By appreciating the strengths and challenges of both the individuals in the couple,
as well as the couple itself -- I can help you extricate yourselves from old patterns
and explore the opportunities and tools for growth your relationship offers you.
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Some common issues my couples clients seek therapy for include:
Loss of intimacy
Considering parenthood
Frequent fighting
Feeling distant
Alternative families
Divorce/dissolution
Commitment
Sexual dissatisfaction
Trust issues
Parenting concerns
Infidelity
LGBT couples
Consultation
I provide individual supervision and consultation to
MSW, MFT and PhD interns and licensed psychotherapists
seeking to sharpen their skills and deepen their understanding of the practice of
individual and couples therapy.

About Me
I have been in practice working with individuals and couples for over 30 years, and my work is informed by extensive training in psychodynamic and couples psychotherapy. Additionally, I have studied and trained with leaders in the fields of family therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, hypnotherapy, group therapy and mindfulness-based therapy.
I received my M.S.W. from the University of California - Berkeley in 1985,
and am licensed by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences
(#LCS 12982) as a Clinical Social Worker to practice psychotherapy.
Along with maintaining my private practice, I worked for years in both inpatient and outpatient medical and mental health settings earlier in my career.
I have supervised pre and post-graduate interns and clinicians both in clinics and in private practice, and have led workshops and conducted trainings in a range of clinical subjects, including working with clients with AIDS, clinical and legal issues in child abuse, couples work, and clinical issues with lesbian parents.
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Education
BA Beloit College 1978
MSW University of California 1985
Berkeley
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Affiliations
Associate - The Milton H. Erickson Institute of the Bay Area
Alumni Member - PACT Institute (Psychobiological Approach to Couples Therapy)
Member - National Association of Social Workers
LCSW - California Board of Behavioral Sciences - 1988
Office Policies
Fees and Scheduling
At our initial phone conversation we can discuss scheduling, fees and frequency of sessions.
I generally see individual clients for a 50 minute
session once or twice weekly, and couples for a 80 minute session weekly
or every other week. I have a standard rate for each hour, however,
I reserve a limited number of sliding scale appointments for clients
who are on a fixed income or, because of their particular circumstances,
are unable to pay my full fee.
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Payment
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Unless we make alternate arrangements, payment is required at the time
of each session, and Venmo, credit cards or checks are accepted.
I no longer participate in HMO panels due to the financial constraints,
limitations in treatment protocol, and compromised confidentiality this
entailed. However, I can provide you with monthly statements to submit
to your insurance provider or to your health care reimbursement program.
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Cancellation
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Once we have scheduled a regular time for your sessions, I ask that you contact me by phone 24 hours in advance if you need to reschedule or cancel. I charge for sessions which are cancelled less than 24 hours in advance.
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Forms
Contact Me
During COVID-19 :
all sessions are online
or by telephone.
Telephone: #510-540-0193
Email:
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Offices in Oakland and San Francisco
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Mail address:
Catherine Cassel, LCSW
P.O. Box #218
Berkeley, CA. 94701