Are you experiencing depression, anxiety or having difficulty in relationships?

Has communication become difficult between you and your teen?

Is your child/teen acting out or withdrawn?

Is your child struggling at home or socially?

If any of these sound familiar, then individual or family therapy can provide invaluable help.

Let us work together to gain a better understanding of the difficulties you are facing and create strategies for positively influencing future outcomes.

Holly has previously worked at substance abuse in-patient and out-patient clinics, working with dual diagnosed teens and adults. She recently completed a two year internship at Contra Costa County Headstart, providing play therapy and family therapy to children ages 2-5 and their families.

Holly Forman graduated with her Masters in Counseling Psychology in 2009 and is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (MFC #52308).

She currently sees children, teens, young adults, families and couples in her private practice. Her theoretical orientation is an eclectic mixture of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Play Therapy, Psychodynamic theory and Attachment theory. She is currently EMDR Level I trained and is currently working on her Level II certification.

Holly currently serves as Secretary on the Board of Directors for the East Bay Chapter of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists

I help children, adults and families with all of the following:

• relationships
• communication
• parenting
• anxiety
• depression
• anger
• self-esteem
• substance abuse

Using clinically-proven therapeutic techniques, together we will work towards gaining a better understanding of the problem area, develop a plan to address the underlying issues, and execute it to generate positive and impactful changes.

Additional Information on Specific Therapies:

Play Therapy

Play therapy is often used with children ages 3-12. Adults come to therapy to talk about their thoughts and feelings, are able to process current stressors in this way and create changes for their future. Children often are not able to do this, however, they are able to process current stressors and traumas through play. Through a combination of non-directive (child led play) and directive (therapist led), children are able to process events and learn positive coping skills for the future. Concurrently, I work with parents around applying parenting strategies to support their children through this.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

EMDR uses bilateral stimulation (eye movements or tapping) to assist individuals in processing past traumas. It is highly researched and offers a faster resolution than other traditional therapies. Please visit EMDR International Association's website for added information.

I have recently been trained in level one of EMDR through the EMDR Institute and will complete the second level of training this coming July 2013. I am currently implementing EMDR into my work with children, teens and adults.

Checks, cash and credit cards are accepted.

Each individual therapy session is 50 minutes long and is $100.

Each family/couples therapy session is 75 minutes and is $150.

A sliding scale is available on a case by case basis.

I am also on a number of insurance panels.

Please contact me to further discuss services offered and any questions you might have.

My private practice office is conveniently located in Berkeley, close to Albany, El Cerrito and Oakland at:

Two hour street parking is easily accessible as well as metered spots.

You can reach me at:

I have office hours on Tuesdays, Thursday and Saturdays. Please call or e-mail me to talk further about services or to request an appointment.

Trauma and Attachment

A 90 minute training that discusses the effects of childhood trauma on attachment.

Navigating Divorce/Separation for Pre-teen Girls

This is an 8 week group for girls ages 11-13 whose parents are recently divorced or going through the separation process. The main goals of the group are to normalize the current transitions and to be able to talk in a safe place with other girls who are undergoing similar experiences.

A new 8 week series will begin Saturday June 1, 2013. The specific time will be decided based on the needs of the group members.

Please call or e-mail me for more information or to register.

Click here for a brief tip sheet on ways to communicate with your teen.

Pre-teen Esteem

This is a group for girls, age 11-13, who struggle with shyness, social interactions, anxiety and self-esteem. The goal of this group is to increase self-esteem, provide an opportunity for girls to strengthen social skills, and help girls feel more comfortable and successful in themselves and their environment.

A new 8 week PreTeen Esteem series will be beginning in the summer.

Please contact me for more information or to schedule an intake session.

Often, a young child's behavior can be improved through parenting interventions.

I offer short-term parenting consulation (2-8 meetings).

I will assist you in methodically identifying difficult behaviors, assist in developing strategies tailored to your child and support you as you implement them.

Additionally, I also offer consulting around difficult behaviors with adolescents and teens. This is different in that changing behaviors of older children often takes collaboration and support from parents as opposed to punitive punishment. I can assist in helping you identify the language to use with your adolescent/teen as well as appropriate and effective parenting strategies tailored to your child.