I received my Doctorate and Master’s degrees in Clinical Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University in San Francisco. I received a Bachelors degree in Psychology from Dominican University of California. The majority of my training has been in community clinics and hospitals throughout the SF Bay Area including the San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFDPH) and Kaiser Permanente. I am certified by the American Psychological Association and licensed to practice in the State of California.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
Our first session together will include introductions and a chance for you to tell your story and explain any challenges you are experiencing. You will have a chance to make sure you feel safe and supported, and I will assess to make sure I have the skills and expertise necessary to support your unique needs. The goal is to build a trusting, non-judgmental and open relationship. Together we will work towards building awareness and insight so that you may navigate life's challenges with greater ease.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
I am gentle, fun, and non-judgmental by nature. I am passionate about exploring the brain/body connection to help understand our physiological responses to stress. I am an empathic listener and a collaborative partner. I create a supportive space where you can feel accepted and safe sharing your thoughts and feelings.
Describe the client(s) you are best positioned to serve.
I have extensive training helping clients tolerate stress and manage emotions, particularly with those experiencing substance use and abuse. Using evidence-based practices, together we can set and reach goals that support improvements in physical and mental well-being.
About Barbara Kessell, Ph.D.
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VirtualMy treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I use a variety of methods in session, depending on the client's needs. CBT uses a bio-psycho-social approach to foster change by helping identify thought processes and how our thoughts influence our behaviors.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
DBT helps build strategies to increase stress tolerance and regulate emotions.
Mindfulness-Based Therapy
Mindfulness interventions increase our ability to tolerate the moment without judging ourselves, others, or our environment.
Motivational Interviewing
MI helps clients identify their unique strengths and increases personal motivation for and commitment to a specific goal.
Trauma Informed Care
Here is an excerpt from my clinical research regarding trauma-informed care. "Shifting the clinical approach from “What is wrong” with a patient to “What has happened” to this person can help relieve the shame often associated with mental illness and health-risk behaviors, including drug and alcohol abuse. It is important for clinicians to listen to an individual’s personal journey to understand how the trouble began, systemically, experientially, or both, and how the individual has been able to survive through each stage of development. Focusing attention on identifying risk and resiliency factors (i.e., mindfulness, gratitude, exercise, and social connections) in childhood may be the necessary approach if we are to break the cycle of childhood physical and psychological maltreatment, physical and mental well-being, and disease and health disparities in our most vulnerable populations." Kessell, B. J. (2021). Relationship of Adverse Childhood Experiences, Physical and Mental Well-Being and Health-Risk Behaviors (Doctoral dissertation, Alliant International University).