Learn more about Steven
Steven’s journey
Taking even the first step toward change can be daunting. Getting started on a new path toward reaching your goals involves choosing the right guide. Steven understands that choosing the best person to help is an important decision. Throughout his career he has striven to blend real-life experience with the best available knowledge. Steven guides his clients toward change in the here-and-now, through the use of a solution-focused approach. Learn more about Steven and his approach by selecting the pictures to the right.
Reasons to choose Steven
1. Experience
Steven is committed to excellence in providing solution-focused services for people experiencing anxiety, stress-management, and other common life problems. He has over 30 years of professional experience working with a wide range of clients. In addition to his extensive clinical experience, Steven has his own lived experiences with friends and family members with mood disorders and substance abuse problems. This intimate knowledge has deeply impacted his approach to helping others.
2. Education
Steven completed both his master’s degree and doctoral degree at the University of California, Berkeley, where he continued to teach for several years at the School of Social Welfare. He has published academic articles and also authored Helping Sensitive and Difficult Children, a self-help book for adults seeking to assist children who struggle with anxiety, depression and behavioral problems.
3. A goal focused, strength-based approach
Steven is committed to excellence in providing solution-focused services for people experiencing anxiety, stress-management, and other common life problems. He has over 30 years of professional experience working with a wide range of clients. In addition to his extensive clinical experience, Steven has his own lived experiences with friends and family members with mood disorders and substance abuse problems. This intimate knowledge has deeply impacted his approach to helping others.
Praise for Steven
Steven’s ability is extraordinary… He is among the most dedicated and truly caring colleagues with whom I have had the opportunity to work. His skill in assisting his clients to envision a challenging yet achievable set of goals is remarkable.
Paul Ehrlich, MA Director of the Addiction Studies Program, John F. Kennedy University, Orinda, California
Steven is engaging, articulate and dedicated to professional practice… He is hard-working and one of the brightest people in our program.
Neil Gilbert, PhD Milton and Gertrude Stein Professor of Social Welfare and Social Services, University of California, Berkeley
Steven has the ability to quickly and accurately assess patients who are in difficult situations, as well as providing effective interventions and recommendations for further treatment. Steven’s calm demeanor, expertise and clinical skills in this challenging environment have been enormously helpful!
Scott Duffy, MD Emergency Room Physician, Marin Health Medical Center, Greenbrae, California
It has been my pleasure to work with Steven… He has developed specific interventions for students with emotional disorders and understands the multiple factors that can impact a child’s emotional life and behavior…His extensive knowledge, experience and training have made him a valuable asset to our staff and myself.
Karen Pfeiffer Department Chair, Special Education, Salinas High School, Salinas, California
I have observed Steven’s skills with special needs children who have a range of disabilities such as emotional disturbance, developmental delays, speech and language impairment and … learning disabled… his expertise has proven to be successful with these children.
Brenda Vidales School Psychologist, Alisal Union School District, Salinas, California