Peter M. Schumacher, M.S.

Individuals · Couples · Parents/Families · Consultation · Young Adults · Adults · Adults with Children

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
License No: MFC 21837

About My Practice

Therapy can seem like a daunting prospect, but in truth it is the one thing in your life that is truly all about you. The heart and soul of my work is an intimate dialogue that allows you to reveal to yourself what matters most to you, and helps you see what you can do to gain the confidence and have the presence of mind to progress toward meaningful change in your life.

If you feel overwhelmed or worried, if you find yourself putting others needs before your own, if you are too hard on yourself and critical of others, if you engage in the same self-defeating behaviors again and again ... these are the issues we work on together to help you feel more in charge of your life and hopeful about the future.

My style is warm and engaging, and my approach is direct and compassionate. I get to know you, support your strengths and resources, and help you find the best way to address the concerns you came in with. The therapy goals are defined by you, with your success as the ultimate goal.

Please call for an appointment and see how we can work together.

Professional Interests:

• Helping individuals successfully mange difficult life transitions and work-related stress, and resolve life problems that result in depression, anxiety, frustration, worry, procrastination, and discouragement.
• Creating a safe space to work on healing from trauma and loss.
• Developing a wider range of self-expression, unleashing creativity, and building confidence and self-esteem.
• Helping couples change frustrating interactions, heal from emotional pain, and create more meaningful connection.
• Replacing painful family interaction patterns with improved communication, and developing satisfying parent/child relationships.
• Eliminating obstacles that prevent the successful pursuit of long-sought-after creative endeavors and life goals.

Education:

• M.S. in Clinical Counseling from California State University at Hayward, 1983
• B.A. in Psychology from Antioch University West at San Francisco, 1974

Experience / Training:

Over 25 years clinical experience working with individuals, couples and families, including private practice since 1986 and working in community mental health settings; many years postgraduate research studying effective psychotherapy; trained in family systems, contemporary psychoanalytic theories, and somatic psychotherapy; over 15 years supervising interns and providing consultation to licensed clinicians.

Professional Affiliations / Activities

• Clinical Member, California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists
• Member of the Board of Trustees, San Francisco Psychotherapy Research Group
• Supervising Therapist, San Francisco Psychotherapy Research Group Training Center and Clinic
• Former Adjunct Faculty, California Institute of Integral Studies
• Former Adjunct Faculty, John F. Kennedy University