Michael Anne Conley, LMFT

It's all personal and everything is an inside job.

Since my programs and services differ based on what is appropriate for the client I like to start with a no-cost phone consultation. I really enjoy gives prospective clients a sense about me, plus it guides me about whether they could benefit from my services. Then if I’m not the best match, getting acquainted helps me offer solid referrals.

If there’s a resonance, we discuss what working together could look like and create a plan that is based on their individual needs. My approach includes skills-based training to support clients in easing their emotional symptoms, in shifting from stressed to calm. This is best experienced, but I believe in starting with a small taste. For that reason, I only offer a time-limited introductory package of 4-8 weeks so new clients can dip their toes in and experience whether this approach resonates with them.  If they get a sense of relief and want to continue, then we talk about a different level of commitment. In my experience mentoring is essential for building on what they've learned and have only started to practice. Options range from renewing on a time-limited basis to continuing in an ongoing way. Frequency is flexible depending on each individual's interests.

Well, live long enough, and one has at least the opportunity to grow some wisdom. Here are some bullet points:

• Independent study in nutrition and herbalism (1975-1981)

• Independent personal and professional study in somatic education, Center for Energetic Studies, Berkeley CA (1984 to date)

• Master’s Degree, Clinical Holistic Health Education (1985) John F. Kennedy University (San Francisco Bay Area)

• Certificate in Treatment of Alcoholism and Other Chemical Dependencies (1986), JFK University

•  License, Marriage and Family Therapist, California (1991)

•  Founder and Director, Stillpoint Integrative Health Center, Lafayette CA (1993 to date)

• Adjunct professor, clinical supervisor and/or program director at four SF Bay Area educational Institutions (1994-2016)

For 40+ years I've been an advocate and leader in the movement to make Integrative Health the standard of care in the United States.

My focus is particularly on what we call "mental health."  I believe we need to evolve away from our overdependence on medications to treat symptoms (the current system, which is based on well-intentioned educated guessing) and turn toward new methods now available that have greater promise to uncover and treat root causes.

I see Integrative Health as a bigger toolbox, in which we can recognize the value of conventional care when its needed, and add range of other kinds of care that are better suited for prevention and treating the lifestyle conditions that impact most Americans today.

Because my services range based on the program offered, it’s best for us to talk first. In taking your financial and time commitment into account, my recommendations usually include affordable options, which can mean solid referrals if  need be.

For starters, it helps for you to have an idea of what you can invest per month in time (which includes more than simply time in session) and in money (which, depending on your needs could be adapted to fit your budget)

My first interest has always been about seeking truth, which was sharpened as a teen when a death in my family made it very clear that bad things do happen to good people. This was during the 1960s, that’s part of why my family’s personal tragedy and the national turmoil of the time came together in my first career in journalism, which I chose as a path for learning truth and then speaking truth to power. 

Then my own health issues woke me up to the role of nutrition in health and that led me to new direction. It turns out that I was learning from some people who are today leaders in Functional Medicine, an Integrative Health approach that is bringing solutions today that were not available to my family those many years ago. 

Although I started my master’s degree with the intention of specializing in nutrition education, I found that there were deeper truths I needed to discover inside myself, so I changed my program toward clinical training. At the time, I was involved in a very profound journey of personal healing and realized that if I could find my way through, perhaps one day I might be of service to others. It has been a great satisfaction to be able to fulfill that dream.

Primarily women who are seeking recovery from what ails them and those they love (although I certainly welcome growth-oriented men who find their way to my door).  

Although they may not speak of addictions explicitly, I’m not surprised to learn if my clients have been impacted by this, because  almost everyone in the US has been touched in some way by addiction of some kind, whether it’s alcohol, drugs and medications, food, nicotine, gambling or other self-defeating patterns (poor relationship choices, lack of self-care and self-blame being big ones).

A friend sent me a picture from Pt. Reyes after the recent fires had calmed down to share her lovely experience of the beach and the view. It was a treat to be surprised with this gift.

1) Talk to more than one practitioner by phone before you choose to see someone in person.

2) In each conversation, focus more on how you feel when you talk with them than their credentials (it turns out that this is more important than what license they hold).

3) If you are dealing with an addiction in yourself or someone you love, I recommend you ask therapist if they have worked previously in treatment programs or have in recovery themselves (and if the latter, how long). Therapists who do not have background in addiction treatment are more likely to miss important cues. 

4) Since therapy can benefit all other aspects of your life, give it a road test.  Agree to attend for a limited time frame to see if this is going to be a fit.

5) At any time that something doesn’t feel right, be courageous and bring up what isn’t working. Not only will you feel terrific about standing up for yourself (therapeutic in itself), you’ll also find out more about whether your discomfort is something that wants to be healed in you or something about them that isn’t a fit. It’s very likely you’ll know from how they answer which one it is. 

6) Don't give up if it ends up not being a fit. Move on to your #2 choice or do some more interviews.

1) Have a sense of what you want. Being able to talk about the future you'd like to have, even just a little bit, is valuable because you're activating hope and not just focused on what isn’t working.

2) Ask yourself what you have to gain. What areas of your life could be most impacted -- and in each case, is this a good thing or something you're wary about. If the latter, then really attend to how you feel in those interviews I mentioned above. 

2) Decide what your commitment is in terms of time and money. What current expenses are you willing to give up, if necessary, to prioritize this process (your decision will be different if you are giving up weekly clothes shopping vs giving up time with your kids, so things like financial cost, geographic location, timing and frequency can come into play).