About Us
The Petaluma Counseling Center has an integrative approach to addressing difficulties.
Jill Silverman, Director of the Petaluma Counseling Center - License # MFC31242
We understand that you are unique and have your own particular strengths and challenges. We utilize multiple approaches to find what is most helpful for you, incorporating traditional models of psychotherapy. These models include: depth approaches to understanding the unconscious; insight oriented awareness of relational patterns; cognitive/behavioral techniques; and experiential processes like mindfulness, somatic awareness, expressive arts therapies, and hypnosis. Alternative approaches to understanding mind states and moods including Eastern psychologies and wisdom practices are also influences on the work we do.
Our therapists work to create a safe space where you can explore thoughts, feelings and behaviors that are distressing or overwhelming. We know that often the most healing factor in therapy is a good connection between you and your therapist. Our therapists are caring, sensitive, professional and warm. By providing understanding and support, we can help you discover underlying patterns that are keeping symptoms in place and help you make the changes you desire to begin feeling better.
JILL SILVERMAN, Director; Adolescent & Adult Psychotherapist; Clinical Hypnosis
Jill Silverman, is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She received her Masters in Psychology from the California Institute of Integral Studies, in San Francisco. She has worked in various settings including hospital and other in-patient settings, outpatient counseling centers and a crisis/suicide prevention hotline. She has worked with children, adolescents and adults (individuals and couples) struggling with depression, anxiety, physical illness, mood disorders, substance abuse, childhood physical and sexual abuse and trauma. Jill has had a private practice in San Francisco since 1993 and currently has offices in Petaluma and San Francisco. She has supervised interns at several agencies as well as providing clinical consultation for an adolescent treatment program in San Francisco. She is Adjunct Faculty at Dominican University of California.
Jill has worked with people from a variety of cultures and backgrounds. Her training is extensive in psychoanalytic, Feminist, and cognitive-behavioral therapies, as well as drama therapy, mindfulness and clinical hypnosis. Jill has the ability to hold the depths of the human psyche with curiosity, understanding and compassion. She enjoys helping clients explore and discover aspects of themselves and strengthen their sense of self. She has helped many people become more comfortable with themselves and make positive changes in their life.
Jill provides either brief or more in-depth therapy depending on the client's needs and desires.
To reach Jill Silverman please call 707-782-1222 extension 2# or email her at jillsilverman@petalumacounseling.com
LAUREN MACLISE, MA, Marriage and Family Therapist Intern
Lauren Maclise, Marriage & Family Therapist Intern - Registration#52370
Lauren Maclise, MA has recently joined The Petaluma Counseling Center as a Marriage and Family Therapy Intern under the supervision of Jill Silverman, MFT. Lauren received her Masters in Counseling from John F. Kennedy University with a specialty in Somatic Psychotherapy. She brings an awareness to her work that emotions are held within the body, and helps clients to reconnect to their body by focusing them on the physical sensations connected to their emotions. This helps clients to be more comfortable with their emotions and to explore them in new and different ways.
Lauren brings a very compassionate presence to her work with clients. She has the ability to gently guide clients to find their own truth and empowerment. Past clients have said that they have felt deeply heard and respected by Lauren and that her gentle sense of humor makes it easy to be with her.
Lauren has a great deal of experience in the area of domestic violence. She worked for STAND Against Domestic Violence in Contra Costa County , Marin Services for Women, and Family Services Agency in Santa Rosa, as a counselor for women who were survivors of domestic violence and men who had been perpetrators of domestic violence.
Lauren has over 10 years of experience working with couples, families, adolescents, children, individuals, and groups regarding issues such as communication difficulties, life transitions, cultural issues, chronic pain, gay & lesbian issues, depression, anxiety, sex addiction, codependency , and drug & alcohol addiction. She is certified as a PTSD and Trauma counselor.
Lauren is also currently a counselor at Mountain Vista Farm Treatment Center where she runs groups for the families of the addict or alcoholic who is in early recovery. She does individual, group, and couples work, and teaches classes on many diverse recovery issues.