Derek Marshall, AMFT

Language

English

Pronouns

He, Him, His

Education

Masters in Clinical Psychology from San Francisco State University

AMFT 

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Intimate relationships can be one of the most rewarding experiences we have in our lives. These relationships offer the potential for deep connection, safety, joy, personal growth, contentment, and provide unique opportunities to learn about ourselves and our partners. In addition to the enriching positives, intimate relationships can also present painful challenges arising from cultural differences, inflexible and limiting coping mechanisms, betrayals, ineffective communication, and negative unconscious beliefs resulting from childhood wounds.

We can work together to increase the closeness you experience with each other and to honor the ways in which your relationship is working well. We can also bring more awareness to how you react to each other and why you are having these reactions. Through identifying and shifting problematic patterns of relating, there will be more opportunities for feeling heard and for deeper connection. We may find it useful to explore the lessons you learned about relationships in your childhood home and to identify any other formative experiences that have shaped how you relate to yourself and your partner(s).

It will be my goal to create an environment that supports honest and clear communication and that will help us demystify emotions, ongoing tensions, and conflict. This improved communication also creates the opportunity to reach a better understanding of your needs and the needs of your partner(s).

In working with me, it is my hope that you will experience a non-judgmental, warm, calm, and authentic space for growth and exploration. I am influenced by psychodynamic, relational, and existential approaches to treatment, as well as by the teachings of nondualism and practices of meditation and mindfulness. I incorporate elements from Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and Imago Relationship Therapy (IRT) into my practice.