Strong Syd PHD

Syd Sarah or Syd Susan? whoever she is, i caution you about going to see her because she is the most incompetent therapist I’ve ever had the displeasure of meeting. the first two times were ok. the 3^rd time we went, I left feeling horrible and had to go lay down the rest of the night because i felt traumatized.
You won’t believe this but after my partner shared her side of the story, Syd looked at her and said, «I can understand why your partner is stressing you out.» She also looked right at me and said, «I see nothing wrong with her two other relationships and that she’s still married.» This was after I had just shared how much pain these other people and her failure to file for divorce was bothering me. OMG.
I was flabbergasted, shocked, and speechless. To have a «supposedly» therapist look me right in the face and disregard my viewpoint, my pain and then shame me and blame me for the relationship problems? OMG.
I researched her and could NOT find her license to practice as a Mental Health Therapist in the state of California. I learned a hard lesson: Don’t see a therapist until you see their license! also, I researched where she says she got her PhD and I cannot locate this institution anywhere. I have a MA degree and also an Ed.D. and furthermore, I have studied the Master of Social Work and been trained in ethical behavior. Good lord, this woman blew my mind and not in a good way.

We went to see Syd for marriage counseling and I was VERY impressed with her. She uses an approach called NVC (at least with us she did) that is incredibly helpful in dealing with communication problems — and she is very good at it! Whatever issue we came in with, she was able to break it down to a communication problem that had an answer. We didn’t need to delve heavily into the past and bring up everything we ever did or said. The solution was much more about how we were talking to each other at the moment. My husband and I had tried marriage counseling twice before (for the same communication issue) and we didn’t get very far. In both cases, we stopped going after a short while because the person wasn’t helping us. And I resolved that I wasn’t going to see another couples counselor unless he/​she seemed really skilled. Otherwise, it seems like a waste of time. When we were seeing Syd, I almost always felt helped. My husband and I both felt heard by her — and not judged. She is very compassionate and a very good listener. Often she would act as an interpretor, helping us to see the other person’s point of view and to communicate with him/​her in a way that didn’t alienate.
NVC (as I understand it) is about learning to talk and listen without judgment, to communicate feelings and needs, and to make clear requests instead of demands or complaints. Again, Syd is very good at teaching and modeling this. When my husband and I were stuck in an old dynamic, she would model a new way for us and it was usually very helpful. Brilliant, even.
I would highly recommend Syd to any couple who is stuck in a pattern of communication that they would like to change. Personally, I don’t think there are a ton of skilled couples counselors out there. Syd is one of those therapists who has real solid experience and skill in dealing with couples ’ issues. And if you aren’t going to go to Syd, I suggest that you really look around until you find someone great because there is a HUGE difference between a mediocre couples counselor and a great one.

Seriously one of the best therapists around! When I went looking for a therapist last year I felt like I had embarked on a nightmare shrink tour of the East Bay, visiting 10 therapist for trial sessions in 2 weeks. Before I started the tour she was not at the top of my list: maybe because she didn’t have a fancy website or wear her credentials on her sleeve. By the end of the tour she was the hands down winner – so intelligent, empathetic, and clearly wise. One year later, I cannot believe how much I have grown in every way. I referred her to an acquaintance who has been going through terrible times; now that person cannot stop raving either. For the first time in my life, therapy is well worth the money!