About Kathleen Dunbar, MFT

I am dedicated to helping you find, support and be alive in whatever you are passionate about bringing forth in your life. 

I am a psychotherapist and supervisor with a huge palette of tools and a creative and creativity-inspiring soul. I’m also a performer and singer-songwriter with four albums, a writer, poet, artist and photographer (the photos you see here are by me). I know the thrill of expression and also what we must face in ourselves in order to truly express.

When we weave together the practical, the imaginative, the heartful and a good laugh—we are unstoppable!

From the very beginning of my career I fell in love with the power, dignity, efficacy and joy of somatic and mindfulness-based healing practices. I am a Certified Hakomi Therapist with extensive training and twenty five years' experience offering a variety of somatic and experiential modalities, neuroscience and mindfulness approaches. I also offer consultation, supervision, workshops and talks. I am a woman who loves and spreads the village life. I feel deeply connected with people and nature. I sing because I am made to sing. I offer myself as a healer because that is my path. That is how I came to this work of healing. I've learned transformation, respect and love from the inside-out. What I know in my bones and heart I offer to you.

Each time we meet I'll help you take with you:  
a felt sense, practiced-in-session connection with your True Self 
that will not only sustain you, 
but surprise you, enliven you 
and which you will use to build on and deepen into.

Finding the right therapist is an important decision. Your journey is an important one.

I offer you a down-to-earth palette which is kind, practical, creative, experienced,
and works.

You are a delight!

Reach out and call. The consultation is free.
415/668-5130
I look forward to speaking with you.

Credentials

Licenses and Certifications 

  • Marriage and Family Therapist (2003) 
  • Certified Hakomi Therapist (2004) 

Degrees 

  • California Institute of Integral Studies, San Francisco, MA in Integral Counseling Psychology, 1997 
  • Newcomb College of Tulane University, New Orleans, BA in English Literature, 1981 

Affiliations 

  • California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT) 
  • Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) 
  • Certified Hakomi Therapist with the International Hakomi Institute
  • Coming Home Project (2008-2020)

Supervisor 2006 – Present 

  • Counseling centers where I've offered supervision for trainees and interns include: Center for Mindful Psychotherapy, Center for Somatic Psychotherapy, Golden Gate Counseling Center, Grateful Heart, Integral Counseling Center at Church Street, Integral Counseling Center at Pierce Street, Liberation Institute, Marina Counseling Center, New Perspectives Center for Counseling, and Oak Creek Counseling Center. 

Selected Training History 

  • Using Dreams, Metaphors and Images with Psychodrama, Sylvia Israel
  • Principles of Psychodrama, Armand Volkas
  • Attending to Attachment training in working with attachment, Julie Murphy, Hakomi Institute of California
  • Biodynamic Cranial Sacral Work, Charles Ridley 
  • The Tamura Method, Wynn Tamura
  • Psychophysical Therapy Professional Training in Somatic Resourcing, Bill Bowen
  • Biodynamic Approach to Cranial Sacral Work, Allison Post, private teaching group
  • Healing the Light Body, The Four Winds Society, full mesa carrier 
  • Re-Creation of the Self, Jon Eisman
  • Energy Awareness and Healing, The Foundation Series, Bear McKay
  • Making Friends with Anger, Hakomi Institute of California 
  • Continuum and Trauma, Manuela Mischke Reeds and Linda Chrisman 
  • Continuum Movement Workshops, Manuela Mischke Reeds, Linda Chrisman, Lucia Miracchi and Beth Pettengill-Riley
  • Group Leadership, Hakomi Institute of California
  • Wilderness Quest, Holos Institute
  • Working with Anger, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Institute
  • Waking Up from the Family Trance, Julie Murphy and Manuela Mischke Reeds, Hakomi Institute of California
  • Shamanic Drumming Circle
  • Professional Training in Resolving Trauma, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Institute
  • Hakomi Couples Therapy, Rob Fisher, Hakomi Institute of California
  • Trauma and the Body, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Institute
  • Two-Year Comprehensive Training in Hakomi Mindfulness Centered Psychotherapy, Hakomi Institute of California
  • Accessing the Divine, Hakomi Institute of California
  • Responding to Life: Developmental Character Maps, Hakomi Institute of California
  • Wilderness Quest, Dance of the Deer Foundation
  • Focusing, Anne Weiser Cornell

Diversity and Welcome to All  

My therapy practice is very diverse. I serve adults of every race, nationality, ethnicity, gender and sexual orientation.

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    I Want To Tell You 3:38
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   I want to tell you 
   that you are okay 

     I want to be 
     the flower for you 
     the small diamond water 
     of the fountain 
     with the mossy stones 
     the clear song of the bird 
     that breaks your heart 
     enough 
     so that you begin  
     to remember 
     it's okay to be alive 
  
     I know how hard it is 
     I have the scars, too 
     from the jagged monster 
     who chews its children 
     and leaves them 
     tense-boned and 
     half-alive 
     the monster of breaking 
     who fills small bodies 
     with knowledge so unspeakable 
     that the most golden of bells 
     can make no sound 
  
     but my love 
     if you keep hope  
     behind the wall 
     it is no good 
     no good 
     you have to walk out 
     into the open now 
     though every sinew 
     curdles 
     for bone and will 
     have done their work 
     they have brought you 
     here 
     but they are  
     useless creatures 
     when confronted  
     with kindness 
  
     what was given to you 
     long ago-- 
     the sad old spasm 
     of protection-- 
     with that you 
     can never know honey 
     you can never truly 
     deeply 
     laugh 
  
     oh, those old wars 
     they are over and gone 
     instead 
     my warm hand is here 
     and I'll tell you  
     over and over 
     with the eloquent language 
     of my fingers 
     my breath 
     my eyes that have seen 
     death and lived 
     I will tell you gladly 
     that we are home at last 
     alive most deeply 
     in our own dignity 
  
     though the hired warrior 
     has kept you walking 
     let him lay down 
     in the garden's earth now 
     and sumptuously rot 
     kindly let him come apart in 
     worm and root 
     till his hollowness 
     has healed into 
     the soft den of an animal 
  
     you have always been 
     the untarnishable gold bell 
     and the crazy wild heart of its 
     star-made clapper 
     and it is time, my love 
     for you to 
     ring 
                   -Kathleen Dunbar

Contact Me for a Free 30 Minute Phone Consultation

Phone

 415/668-5130