Biography
I provide individual, couples, family, and group counseling. I maintain a private online practice also provide remote visits by special arrangement. I have a standard fee which is comparable to current industry standards; however, my fee schedule is flexible and may be adjusted depending on the circumstances and needs of my clients. Services may be covered in full or in part by client insurance. My staff will assist with determining level of insurance coverage.
I began working in the field of human services in the early 1970’s as a Para-professional counselor for people who were suffering with substance abuse and dependency. My qualifications in this field were derived from my direct life experiences from the prior decade. I soon realized that I had a natural gift in using dialogue as a healing tool. I began my formal educational training in 1980 and I received my California Psychiatric Technician’s license in 1982. I continued my formal education as well as my professional endeavors in the area of human services and received my B.A. in Counseling Psychology in 1984 and my M.A. in Counseling Psychology in 1986 from the Professional School of Psychological Studies in San Diego, California. I received my licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist in 1989. I have been in private practice as well as a variety of consulting positions since I achieved my MFT license.
I began working in the field of human services in the early 1970’s as a Para-professional counselor for people who were suffering with substance abuse and dependency. My qualifications in this field were derived from my direct life experiences from the prior decade. I soon realized that I had a natural gift in using dialogue as a healing tool. I began my formal educational training in 1980 and I received my California Psychiatric Technician’s license in 1982. I continued my formal education as well as my professional endeavors in the area of human services and received my B.A. in Counseling Psychology in 1984 and my M.A. in Counseling Psychology in 1986 from the Professional School of Psychological Studies in San Diego, California. I received my licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist in 1989. I have been in private practice as well as a variety of consulting positions since I achieved my MFT license.
I have been happily married to my second wife since 2002 and have two step children, now adults. I believe very strongly in the family as the cornerstone of any society from which individuals learn to bond with other, themselves and the world in which they live. I believe in the transformational potential of relationships to heal individuals when wisdom and compassion are present irregardless of the stressful circumstances which may also be present.
My hobbies include surfing, playing guitar and listening to music, bicycling and hiking. I have discovered the importance of seeking an approximate balance between the endeavors of loving, working and playing.
My hobbies include surfing, playing guitar and listening to music, bicycling and hiking. I have discovered the importance of seeking an approximate balance between the endeavors of loving, working and playing.
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Education & Credentials
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It's easy to get the care you need
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"I was 37 years old, with a promising career in the medical field ten years into my profession. For most people in my line of work, I should have been confident, sure of myself and at the peak of what should have been a flourishing career. Instead, I was weak, 60 lbs overweight, intimidated and plagued with back pain that was fueling an addiction to opiates and alcohol, raging in self destruction! My addiction was out of control as well as my life, my pain my anxiety, without any self worth or self will! But why? I had come from a good up bringing, well educated in a household nucleated by love and non abusive environment. It wasn't until I found the path of recovery through the important help of an incredible and amazing therapist by the name of Sam Newman. I was so lucky to have been introduced to him through a 30 day in-patient program that allowed me to receive all the answers to the perplexing questions as to how my life had spiraled into the decent of addiction!
I am now three years into my recovery clean and sober, pain free and without any anxiety or history of relapse. I owe all my success to my therapy provided by Sam. Although my past needs required intense in-patient work in the early days of recovery, it was Sam who allowed me to find the inner strength that I thought I never had while detoxing and fighting the evil demons of addiction! It was Sam who helped me identify the most basic fundamentals of my disease process and unearth the denial I was cherishing!
It was Sam who facilitated daily ease of an addict facing gloom. You see, when one is in early recovery battling addiction, life doesn't seem worth going forward. I feel that this is why so many people relapse. Sam allowed me to value my daily progression and feed off of positive and clean living, ultimately making me proud of a hard working soul!
I continue to see Sam on a regimented basis. He continues to provide the needed tools to prevent relapse and cope life's daily stresses in a healthy, manageable and so practical way. Continuing my sobriety now for three years and 60 lbs lighter, I am now confident, sure of myself, free of anxiety or unmanageable pain. I have recently successfully launched my new business, love my work and look forward to each work day. I have married an incredible woman and now have a wonderful family who believes in me, my recovery and supports me daily!
For all of this, I highly and profoundly recommend Sam Newman. He not only has taught me the tools to continue to live clean, but has also been an asset to all levels of positive living. Whether it is for self help/motivation or complex family decisions, Sam will always be in my arsenal for life's journey." ~ K.