Michael Simon

• Psychotherapy/Counseling
• Mediation
• Psychoeducation
• School Advocate

Additional training in psychopharmacology; working with individuals and couples with AD/HD, learning differences; trauma-informed work, and school counseling

• Individuals
• Couples
• Family
• Group

• African-American
• Asian-American
• Buddhist
• LGBTQ
• Jewish
• Muslim
• Immigrant

B.S. Clinical Psychology (San Francisco State University, 1987; M.A. Philosophy and Religious Studies (Temple University, 1991); M.S. Clinical Psychology (San Francisco State University, 1996)

MFC38305, California; MFT1193, Louisiana

1996

English

• Gay
• Lesbian
• Bisexual
• Transgender

• Children (6 to 10)
• Preteens or Tweens (11 to 13)
• Adolescents or Teenagers (14 to 19)
• Young Adults
• Adults

I work from a cognitive-interpersonal perspective, utilizing the insights and empirical research based in Control-Mastery theory, along with the tremendous and growing insights in the developmental sciences. Control-Mastery theory emphasizes and is centered around the idea that people come in to therapy with an unconscious plan to work on their difficulties, and to remove the obstacles that prevent or interfere with the pursuit of normal development goals. Therefore, my view is extremely positive and progressive—that people come to therapy with a wish and real willingness to master their difficulties and not to remain stuck in old, unhelpful patterns. This has proven to be especially helpful for individuals with AD/HD. My style in therapy is warm, humorous and practical, and I've been honored to do this work for going on 25 years.

When you enter therapy, you will be entering a collaborative process through which you assist me in understanding both what your goals are and what beliefs, attitudes and behaviors might be undermining your conscious and unconscious life goals. You will find in our work a great deal of respect from me for your abilities to communicate just what you need—even if you have trouble talking directly about what you want. I work with adult individuals, couples, families and youth, and specialize in working with teens and their families. I have an additional, longstanding specialization in working with individuals and couples who are struggling with how AD/HD, anxiety and/or learning issues might be impacting their lives. I worked for many years with the Learning Disabilities Association (in California), helping to organize and plan their annual conference. I've worked in schools as a school counselor and consultant, in support of non-neurotypical students and their families, and love doing this kind of work. I'm also really enlivened by working with individuals (and couples) who are coming to terms with AD/HD, knowing that having a supportive and knowledgeable presence who really understands the impact of AD/HD can help raise hope for everyone involved.