Gottman Referral Network

About

Bernadette Talia is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW24868), Somatic Experiencing Practitioner, EMDR Certified, Domestic Violence Counselor, Completed the Level 3 Practicum Training in Gottman Method Couples therapy, and a Co-founder of Chaldean Middle Eastern Social Service (CMSS). Mrs. Talia has had over 11 years experience working as a counselor at East County Mental Health. Bernadette Talia worked as a clinical director for CMSS's Survivor of Torture Program. Facilitated the men's anger management groups, Women's skills training groups and Couple's groups in Arabic. Mrs. Talia has been facilitating Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) Training Groups. Berndette Talia has been providing individual consultation sessions and EMDR Certification Group sessions for professionals working to become EMDR Certified. Mrs. Talia is in the process of becoming EMDRIA Approved Consultant. Bernadette Talia has been assisting in Somatic Experiencing (SE) Trainings since 2005 and is a qualified provider for individual and consultatiion sessions to students in levels beginning through advanced in SE Training. Mrs. Talia speaks Aramaic, Arabic and English.

Bernadette Talia currently works full time in private practice. Mrs. Talia has been conducting assessments, individual therapy, couples therapy, family therapy and group therapy. Cultural sensitivity is very improtant to Bernadette Talia who is a Middle Eastern Chaldean Therapist. Mrs. Talia has been a consultant and a cultural competency trainer regarding Iraqi issues and recent Iraqi refugees all over the county of San Diego for more than 11 years. Bernadette Talia has been providing education for families, couples and youth about mental health issues, domestic violence, substance abuse, parenting skills and marital problems. Mrs. Talia uses different therapy approaches as needed to meet the needs of each individual. These therapy approaches include Cognitive Behaviora Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Somatic Experiencing (SE), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and a Family Systems approach. These therapeutic approaches share similarities in their view of individual and one's healing process. The Gottman Method is similarly; a compassionate approach which provides a high degree of structure and education to, couples seeking marital assistance. Therefore the Gottman Method approach blends naturally with Mrs. Talia's style of doing therapy. For example in Somatic Experiencing, Bernadette Talia helps people regulate their nervous system by working through trauma which has caused them to become stuck and/ or dysfunctional in their approach to life and problem solving. Domestic violence counseling, EMDR, and DBT approaches are all similar to the Gottman Method in that they provide education and training to individuals utilizing a step-by-step sturctrued approach to healing. All these approaches equip clients with skills to use and practice outside of session, and normalizes the problems an individual or couple may be experiencing.

Bernadette Talia views her interaction with clients as a privilage and a gift, an opportunity to plan together a change of whatever they desire to work on. Mrs. Talia believes that a person is an adaptive, equal and wholesome being worthy of respect, care and love. Bernadette Talia has a great compassion and admiration toward people and believes that people are all creatures of God deserving to be treated with great respect, love and dignity.

Special populations

Mrs. Talia is offering counseling in a private practice for indivduals dealing with issues of trauma and PTSD, loss and grief, anxiety and fears, Deprssion, Divorce, Eating Disorders, Panic Disorders, Addiction and Substance abuse, sexual abuse, Domestic Abuse or Violence, Christian couseling, Military families, Adult Children of Alcoholics, Attachment issues, Relationship isssues, Parenting issues, Adults, Elders, Adolescentsm, and Children through individual, couple therapy, family therapy and group therapy.