Identity Reflections

/in , /by

Tuesdays at 6:30PM

Identity Reflections is an inclusive process group with the goal of supporting individuals of all identities in exploring what it means to be “male-identifying”. 

This 12-week therapeutic process group begins January 2, 2024 and provides a supportive and inclusive space for individuals exploring and addressing men’s issues, fostering open discussions about masculinity, relationships, and personal growth. While the focus is on men’s experiences, the group warmly welcomes members of all gender and sexual identities, encouraging diverse perspectives and shared understanding in a collaborative and empathetic environment.

The group has a suggested donation of $10 per session which assists Liberation Institute in continuing to provide accessible and affordable therapy across California and Oregon. 

Facilitators: DaVeed Castillo, MFT & PCC Trainee
Maximilian Stephan, MFT Trainee

Bio: Max is a MFT Trainee with Liberation Institute and a 2nd year Counseling Psychology graduate student at Pacifica Graduate Institute. Max studied business at the University of Pittsburgh for his undergraduate degree. He is interested in addiction and men’s work, and has worked as a lifeguard, swim instructor, server and bartender. Max enjoys playing basketball, video games, rock climbing, eating good food, and spending time with friends.”

DaVeed is a MFT & PCC trainee with Liberation Institute and a 3rd year Psychology graduate student at Western Institute of Social Research.  His previous work in mental health includes working as a peer counselor, being an active member in men’s circles/support circles, & being a member of a 4 person therapy group.  He has worked with children at a daycare for the last 10 years.  DaVeed takes care of himself by running, biking, being active in community support groups, dancing, gardening, hiking, & enjoying manga & anime.

Supervisors: Toni Schrader, LPCC #7498 & Sydney McClune, LMFT #118779

RVSP/Contact: groups@liberationinstitute.org

Location: California

How many weeks will the group run for: 12 weeks, from January 2, 2024

Climate Change Anxiety Support Group

/in , /by

Every Wednesday at 10AM PST

If you’re experiencing a variety of emotions and/or anxiety related to climate change, you’re not alone! Join us for a weekly drop-in support group where we take time and space to explore our emotions and cope with the wide-reaching impacts of climate change.

Facilitators: Caroline Anton, MFT Trainee & Shelly Holland, MFT Trainee

Bios: Shelly is a second-year master’s of marriage and family therapy student at Alliant International University. She facilitates several other groups with Liberation Institute and works with LGBTQ+ families, couples, and individuals. She previously worked in biosecurity, at Planned Parenthood, and several start-ups. Shelly enjoys bee-keeping, rock-climbing, and other activities with hyphens.

Caroline is a MFT Trainee with Liberation Institute and a 3rd Year Counseling Psychology graduate student with an emphasis in depth psychology at Pacifica Graduate Institute. Her previous experience in mental health includes volunteering as a Crisis Counselor at Crisis Text Line, as well as minoring in Psychology at Cal Poly SLO. At Cal Poly SLO, she majored in Agricultural Communication, learning about agricultural practices and applying that to communicating between farmers and consumers. She has worked in numerous settings, such as a hostess and server in restaurants, an intern at a nonprofit studying nutrition, and a swim instructor. When Caroline is not with clients, she is hiking, doing yoga, cooking, and spending time with friends and family.

Supervisors: Shelly and Caroline are supervised by Crystal Haviland, LPCC7633

RVSP/Contact: groups@liberationinstitute.org
Location: California

How many weeks will the group run for: Drop in group (On-going)

Weekly Support Group – Wednesdays at 6PM

/in , /by

Every Wednesday at 6:00pm-7:00pm PST

For anyone looking for a safe space for general support.
Weekly group therapy focused on offering a safe, collaborative space for general support.

Facilitators:

Shelly Holland, Supervised by Crystal Haviland, LPCC7633

Bio: Shelly is a MFT Trainee with Liberation Institute and a graduate student at Alliant International University. She previously worked for a Planned Parenthood clinic in Denver, at biosecurity and neuromodulation start-ups here in the Bay Area, and with environmental education youth groups near her hometown, Half Moon Bay. Shelly studied communication and human sexuality at UC Santa Barbara, and has several years of experience working in human sexuality education groups. When Shelly isn’t exercising her mind, she’s running, rock climbing, and gardening.

Grace Currier, Supervised by Crystal Haviland, LPCC #7633. Supervised by Lynndal Daniels, LMFT #78183

Bio: Grace is a counseling trainee passionate about self-care and community. She is currently a graduate student at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary to earn an MA in Clinical Counseling, and she recently graduated with an MA in Religion to study spirituality and healing from religious trauma. Her therapeutic approach is human-centered, trauma-informed, and empowering, and in her free time she enjoys playing video games, embroidery, and taking care of her houseplants.


RVSP/Contact: groups@liberationinstitute.org

Weekly Support Group – Tuesdays at 12PM

/in , /by

Every Tuesday from 12:00 PM – 12:50 PM PST

For anyone looking for a safe space for general support.
Weekly group therapy focused on offering a safe, collaborative space for general support.

Facilitators: Larisa Southerland, supervised by Brad Byrum, LMFT #118448

Bio: Larisa is an MFT trainee with experience in anxiety, depression, OCD, and relational issues. She is passionate about making the world a better place through environmental action, volunteer work, and providing mental health services. In her free time, Larisa enjoys reading, playing with her dogs, exploring new places, and thrifting.
Larisa is supervised by Brad Byrum, LMFT #118448

Ari Neubauer, Supervised by Josie Valderrama, Psy.D. #Psy27913

Bio: Ari is an MFT Trainee with lived experience of recovery from prolonged grief. Ari is a grad student at Cal State East Bay, a Peer Counselor at Mental Health Association of San Francisco, and an MFT Trainee here at Liberation Institute. To relax, Ari enjoys video games and improv comedy.

Location: California
Supervisors: Brad Byrum, MA, MBA, LMFT, BC-TMH California MFT #118448
Supervised by Adina M Ascher, LCSW #28900
How long: Drop in group (On-going)
RVSP/Contact: groups@liberationinstitute.org

Kink, Queer, and Alternative Lifestyle Support Group

/in , /by

Every Thursday at 11:30am – 1:00pm PST

This group aims to offer support, build community, and organize resources that will help navigate alternative relationships (e.g. polyamorous, ENM, kink, etc). Additionally, focus will be given to promoting healthy family dynamics, exploring kinks & boundaries safely, embracing sexual identities & expression, and reducing stigma. This group embraces all queer and heterosexual relationships. LGBTQ+ and allies are all welcome!

Facilitators: Akasha Heinzig, MFT Trainee & Renee Maksoud, MFT/PCC Trainee

Bio: Akasha Heinzig is an MFT Trainee at Liberation Institute and graduate student at Pacifica Graduate Institute, pursuing a Master’s degree in Counseling as well as a Certification in Sex Therapy. Her education provides a Psychodynamic and Humanistic foundation; however, in practice, Akasha takes an integrative approach to psychotherapy that honors each clients’ subjective perspective and the unique therapeutic relationship created together.

Akasha is a Caucasian, Malaysian, and Native American cis-gendered, queer woman. She is a single mother, sexual assault and domestic violence survivor, and has previous experience working in both the tech and corporate industries.

Renee Maksoud is a dual MFT and PCC Trainee at Liberation Institute and has nearly completed a Master’s degree in Psychology at University of Massachusetts Global. Her past experiences include being a coordinator and case manager at a domestic violence shelter, extensive practice of applied behavioral analysis as Board Certified Autism Technician, and experience in developing and running her own small business. Renee has clinical experience working with depression, anxiety, and trauma as well as the ways in which these experiences impact interpersonal relationships and self identity. She believes in an eclectic approach tailored to fit the individual needs and learning styles of each client. She largely pulls from cognitive models (CBT, ACT, and DBT) in addition to psychodynamic therapy, internal family systems, and narrative therapy, among others.

Supervisor Name: Akasha Heinzig’s Supervisor: Lynndal Daniels, LMFT #78183 – Renee Maksoud’s Supervisors: Lynndal Daniels, LMFT #78183, Crystal Haviland, LPCC7633, Adina Morguelan Ascher, MSW, PhD LCSW 28900
RVSP/Contact: groups@liberationinstitute.org
Location: California
Who this group is for: Any adult individual or adult couple (18 or older) who is interested in the group’s topics/intentions
How many weeks will the group run for: 12 weeks

Grief and Peer Support Group

/in , /by

Join us to be with Grief in a community of support

Time: Tuesdays 5:30-7:00PM

The passing of a loved one can be the start of a difficult new chapter in our lives. Grief can make us feel out of step with the social world as we work through unexpected thoughts and feelings. When those in grief meet, we can support each other as peers who understand, creating a safe space for expressing feelings. Together, the group can transform difficult emotions into the next steps of life.

Facilitators: Ari Neubauer, MFT Trainee and Caroline Anton, MFT Trainee
Bio: Ari is an MFT Trainee with lived experience of recovery from prolonged grief. Ari is a grad student at Cal State East Bay, a Peer Counselor at Mental Health Association of San Francisco, and an MFT Trainee here at Liberation Institute. To relax, Ari enjoys video games and improv comedy.

Caroline is a MFT Trainee with Liberation Institute and a Counseling Psychology graduate student with an emphasis in depth psychology at Pacifica Graduate Institute. Her previous experience in mental health includes volunteering as a Crisis Counselor at Crisis Text Line, as well as minoring in Psychology at Cal Poly SLO. At Cal Poly SLO, she majored in Agricultural Communication, learning about agricultural practices and applying that to communicating between farmers and consumers. She has worked in numerous settings, such as as a hostess and server in restaurants, an intern at a nonprofit studying nutrition, and a swim instructor. When Caroline is not with clients, she is hiking, doing yoga, cooking, and spending time with friends and family.

Supervisors: Supervised by Crystal Haviland, LPCC #7633 and Supervised by Josie Valderrama, Psy.D. #Psy27913
For who this groups is for: Specify any grief which is the loss of a person (excluding pets and other forms of loss)
For how many weeks: 8 weeks
RVSP/Contact: groups@liberationinstitute.org
Location: California