About me
Gillaan Yates, M.A. MFT · MFC 37844
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Education & training
I obtained my Bachelor of Sciences in Psychology in 1994 and my Masters degree in Counseling Psychology with a specialization in Transpersonal Psychology from JFK University in 1997. I worked extensively with an unprivileged population in Alameda County while practicing at Earth Circles Counseling Center in Oakland, and in private practice. My work with severely traumatized individuals led me to seek training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Deep Brief Therapy, Addiction studies and EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) while cultivating my main interest in Relational Therapy. I gained Supervision training at the Berkeley Psychotherapy Institute and became a supervisor of Interns at Earth Circles as well as interns in private practice. I still serve on the Board at Earth Circles Counseling Center. I also studied mediation at the Northern California Mediation Center.
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Background
My background is in Nursing. I worked for the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, in Oncology. Later, I became a Counseling Nurse for Planned Parenthood working both in Rochester and Honolulu. Working with teens in crisis and submitting to the Title 9 regulations of not being able to offer “suggestions,” I developed what still remains the pillar of my work with my clients, the Buddhist concept of “Being there but out of the way.”
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Approach
My many years of experience provide clients with focused presence, empathic attunement, sensitive and precise engagement without interference to the client’s psychic process. This mutual exploration allows something new and fresh to rise from the unconscious which can then be responded to. The intent is for clients to experience their own transformation.
The Guest House
This being human is a guest house. Every morning a new arrival.
A joy, a depression, a meanness, some momentary awareness comes as an unexpected visitor.
Welcome and entertain them all! Even if they’re a crowd of sorrows, who violently sweep your house empty of its furniture, still, treat each guest honorably. He may be clearing you out for some new delight.
The dark thought, the shame, the malice, meet them at the door laughing, and invite them in.
Be grateful for whoever comes, because each has been sent as a guide from beyond.
Rumi
- Phone(510) 410-9949