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Experienced Clinical Supervisor

I have spent the majority of my professional career supporting the education, professional development, and clinical skills training of graduate students matriculating through clinical psychology, masters in family therapy, public health, and medical school programs.  I have additionally supervised and consulted with a plethora of students and licensed professionals for over 15 years.

My work has been influenced by a deep dedication to ensuring that clients receiving mental health,  behavioral health, and sex therapy treatment benefit from effective and competent care.  My years of experience in teaching and serving children, adolescents, adults, and seniors has provided me with a deep knowledge of individual, developmental, cultural, familial, and societal processes that influence the therapeutic process and outcomes.

Experienced Relationship Therapist

I have extensive training and experience working with clients presenting with relationship issues. Whether it is a child/adolescent struggling with peer relationship or romantic partner difficulties, parents struggling to relate to their child(ren), or adults struggling in their intimate relationships, I can help you tease apart the presenting and clinical issues, develop effective treatment plans, and implement research based intervention strategies.

I received a Master's Degree in Clinical Psychology with an Emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from the Pepperdine Graduate School of Education and Psychology in 1996.  I continued to work primarily with children and families during my doctoral program. I have additionally obtained extensive post-doctoral professional development in couples therapy and am a Certified Gottman Method Therapist. I am also one of a handful of Gottman Therapists who provide consultation to those seeking certification through The Gottman Institute.

Experienced Sex Therapist

Although I have worked with clients struggling with issues related to sexuality for most of my career, I underwent formal sex therapy training through the Buehler Institute located in Southern California.  I became an AASECT Certified Therapist in 2015 and a large portion of my client load is dedicated to treating individuals, couples, and families presenting with issues of sexuality and relationship difficulties.

I am an AASECT Certified Sex Therapy Supervisor for those seeking sex therapy certification.  Areas of specialty include: out of control sexual behavior, men's sexuality, women's sexuality, sexuality issues that manifest in couples' relationships, and child/adolescent sexuality.

Great Support

I provide supervision for Registered Associate level Marriage and Family Therapists (AMFT) pursing licensure in California. I thoroughly enjoy helping therapists at this stage of their professional development. Moving from being a graduate student to a post-graduate clinician can be daunting.  As such, I work hard to make the supervision space a place of safety, one characterized by respect, and one in which supervisees learn to develop and trust their clinical skills.

 

My work with supervisees is collaborative with an emphasis on clear case conceptualization, treatment planning, and intervention selection.  Careful consideration is also given to cultural and/or environmental influences on presentation and treatment process.

Contact

MEllis_grayb

678-905-7862

mellis@irwsh.com

Becoming an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist

Sex Therapist Certification by the American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors & Therapists (AASECT) requires completing 90 hours of coursework in human sexuality education, 60 hours of sex therapy training, a 10 hour Sexual Attitudes Reassessment (SAR) experience,  300 hours of AASECT supervised clinical treatment with clients who present with sexual concerns, and 50 hours of consultation/supervision from a Certified Sex Therapy Supervisor.

Supervision can take place in either an individual or group context. Group supervision can account for no more than 50% of the total supervision hours. Lastly, supervision must occur over a period of no less than 18 months to twenty-four 24 months. Total hours per month may not exceed six 6 hours. For more information about the certification process, please see the AASECT Requirements for Sex Therapist Certification.

If you are interested in becoming an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist and are considering me as a Supervisor, please contact me to arrange more discussion.  Before supervision can begin and supervision hours counted, we will have to sign a Contract for Supervision. You will additionally need to forward me:

  1. A copy of your CV that includes your contact information
  2. A copy of your Master's or Doctoral Degree diploma
  3. Proof of AASECT membership
  4. A copy of your valid state regulatory license for the state in which you practice
  5. A current copy of your malpractice insurance face sheet.  Your insurance coverage will have to remain in effect throughout the supervision process.

Questions about getting started? Give me a call to find out more!

I am more than happy to answer any questions you have about the supervision or consultation process.

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