Humans are complex beings and life is full of challenges. Many people benefit from having a trained professional to confide in and collaborate with – to deal with emotional pain, make changes, or search for understanding and meaning in their lives. For over 25 years, I have been helping individuals and couples work through issues related to self esteem, grief and loss, depression, anxiety, trauma, addictions, relationship difficulties, and life transitions. I am committed to helping people find an individualized approach to personal growth and healing, so they can create a life that works for them.
Education
INSTITUTE OF CONTEMPORARY PSYCHOANALYSIS
PsyD in Psychoanalysis. Certificate in the Theory & Practice of Psychoanalysis.
WESTERN GRADUATE SCHOOL OF PSYCHOLOGY
PhD in Clinical Psychology. CA License #PSY30499. Dissertation on Marital Satisfaction.
ANTIOCH UNIVERSITY
MA in Marriage, Family & Child Therapy. CA License #MFT25087.
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES
BA Psychology.
Training & Experience
Human behavior is often influenced by things outside of our awareness. Our choices and our beliefs about ourselves, others, relationships and life are shaped by unconscious attitudes and expectations. People have a tendency to avoid things that are hard to think about or feel. Lack of awareness and insight, along with maladaptive coping strategies contribute to many of our difficulties and symptoms. Therapy can help you develop the capacity to understand the complexity of your mind and emotions, modify your habituated ways of being and relating, develop greater emotional intelligence, and become a more positive agent in your own life. You can discover and access more dimensions of yourself – valuable parts that are needed to create a more authentic and satisfying life.
The working relationship you establish with your therapist offers invaluable opportunities to develop these important mental, emotional, and relational capacities. Seeking professional help with something as vitally important as your sense of self and your mental and emotional health is a courageous and worthwhile endeavor. I welcome the opportunity to meet with you and see if I can be of help to you.
In addition to providing therapy, I enjoy teaching graduate and post-graduate seminars and supervising Stanford psychiatry residents, graduate students, psychotherapy interns and licensed clinicians. I have additional training in Dialectic Behavior Therapy (Interpersonal Effectiveness, Emotion Regulation, Distress Tolerance, & Mindfulness), Premarital Counseling, Life Coaching, and Grief Counseling.
Contact Information
Celeste Birkhofer, PhD, PsyD
1220 University Drive, Suite #102
Menlo Park, California 94025
Phone: 650-323-3428
Email: dr.cbirkhofer@me.com
Celeste Birkhofer, PhD, PsyD 