My Approach
Over the 28 years I have been in practice, I continue to be inspired by the strength and resilience of my clients, honored to play a part in their lives, and humbled by the gift that this career has been.
As a therapist, I am engaged and warm. I can be active and direct, comforting and compassionate, or all of the above. Sessions with me are like good conversations that leave you thinking new insights, feeling deeply, and breathing a sigh of relief. We may laugh, cry, talk through problems, or express any other feeling that wants to come up.
My approach to therapy is collaborative and influenced by attachment theory, object relations, and family systems; I have an eclectic style and I tailor my approach to fit each unique client.
Past experiences often interfere with our ability to make healthy decisions and to remain in the present. Understanding the effects of these experiences and working through the negative aspects of our past can clear the way for more satisfying relationships, healthier decision-making processes, and the discovery of one's inner strengths.
My Experience
My life experiences have helped inform my work in areas outside my formal education. Although a Psychology major in college, I spent a few years working in news and public affairs production for network television. Moving from the East Coast to the Bay Area provided me with the opportunity to pursue my interest in psychology. I believed and continue to believe that positive impact can be made on more personal levels and result in healthier lives that can affect many generations.
I have specialized training in working with addiction, including years of work at Merritt Peralta Institute in Oakland and many semesters as a teaching assistant in Basic Addiction Studies at JFK University. Upon graduation in 1988, I had the honor to be given the award as the Outstanding Student of the Year in Clinical Psychology. In addition, my work has been cited in various national publications, including Kate White’s book Why Good Girls Don’t Get Ahead but Gutsy Girls Do, and McCall’s Magazine.
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Margery Z. Lapp, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist # 28543 Lafayette, CA 925-385-8081 margery.z.lapp@gmail.com