Suzanne Gassner
Work 10 Crecienta Lane Sausalito CA 94965 United Stateswork
Work Phone: 415-331-9983work
Work Email: drsmgassner@gmail.comINTERNET
Professional Certifications and Licenses
Qualifications
Years of practice: 30+
Schools: The City College of New York, Syracuse University and The San Francisco Psychoanalytic Institue (SFPI)
Year Graduated from SFPI: 1988
California Psychology License No. PSY4908
Member of the San Francisco Research Group beginning in 1975
Associate adjunct professor, Psychology Department, U. of California/Berkeley
Services Offered
I am a psychodynamic psychotherapist which means that usually I help grieving clients fully experience their loss and relevant intense feelings of grief, and sometimes of anger and relief too. I also help grieving clients understand the thoughts and beliefs they may have that are relevant to their pain, such as a beliefs involving guilt for being the survivor of a child, life partner or parent, or beliefs that involve some other sort of self-blame. The profound grief that a bereaved client may feel occasionally leads to a client wanting to review earlier intense experiences of immense loss and sadness. More commonly grief counselling involves solely a focus on the present experiences of unimaginable loss, emptiness, and the on-going yearning for reunion with a loved one. From working with others, I have learned that your experience of loss will be distinctive, based on the nature and circumstances of your loss, in combination with any other major losses you experienced throughout your life.
I view my task as that of creating a safe, non-judgmental, collaborative space in which our relationship develops. I give importance to listening carefully to all the details of your current life, and the related feelings and thoughts you may have. I will do my best to earn your trust and I appreciate that you may be coming to see me because it feels unimaginable that your wound will ever lessen. I also respect the fact that the death of a loved one will always remain an important part of your life and your identity. Finally, I consider it helpful to provide you encouragement to tell me about any responses I had that diminished your sense that I was understanding you. I believe that you will be the co-counselor, and that you will know better than anyone else how best I might attend to your wounds.
I typically work with grieving clients 1x or 2x a week, but I work out additional meetings based on what clients seek. I am happy to work with people who periodically need to leave town, and I explore with them whether or not phone sessions will be helpful.
Call Suzanne M. Gassner for a free consultation – (415) 331-9983
DISCLAIMER
Grief.com does not pre-screen clients or grief support providers. Each person is encouraged to do their own information gathering on therapists and/or grief educators to make sure they are a good fit. Each grief support provider must also screen each potential client to make sure they will also be a good fit. A Certified Grief Educator means that they have completed the Grief Educator program, but does not verify their competence. Grief.com in no way is responsible for the actions of clients or providers. This Directory is designed for informational purposes only.
Nothing contained herein is to be construed as a vehicle to provide medical or psychological advice, diagnosis, opinion, or treatment, nor as a substitute for medical or professional care. Grief.com is not liable or responsible for any advice, course of treatment or any other information or services anyone provides or obtains through this site or the practitioners listed, and does not recommend or endorse any individual practitioner, provider or business. Reliance on the information contained on this website is solely at your own risk.
