About Me

Originally from France, I moved to Los Angeles 13 years ago. I later went on to receive my M.A. in counseling psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute in Santa Barbara. As a psychotherapist, I work with adults, children and families looking to develop a better understanding of themselves and the issues affecting their lives. I am trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and believe it provides effective tools and skills when one is faced with crisis and trauma. I am also trained to work in a psychodynamic way. Our thoughts, creativity, and dreams provide valuable insight into who we are, and who we want to become. I have seen both approaches work together to provide effective and meaningful results. 

Alexandre Cerf, MBA, LMFT #95720

Theories That Influence My Work 

LOVING WHAT IS AND THE WORK BY BYRON KATIE.

Attachment to our thoughts is the root cause of our suffering. When we believe frightening, self-deprecating or judgmental thoughts, we have a tendency to feel stress, anger, anxiety or depression. Through a series of questions Byron Katie walks us through what she calls “inquiry”, a way to let go of some of our thoughts by questioning their origin and validity. Her teachings have influenced my life and my work with clients. To learn more about The Work, you can check her website: http://thework.com . I recommend listening to Loving What Is as well as her series on addiction.

ACCEPTANCE AND COMMITMENT THERAPY (ACT) AND DIALECTICAL BEHAVIOER THERAPY (DBT)

ACT and DBT are rooted in mindfulness—a practice that allows us to become an observer and a student of our thoughts rather than believing in them indiscriminately. By learning from our thoughts instead of being directed by them, we become more flexible, more determined and able to take action. ACT and DBT offer efficient and proven tools to regulate our emotions, improve our relationships and overcome our suffering. DBT is widely used to work with substance abuse, depression, PTSD and eating disorders. I incorporate Get Out of Your Mind and Into Your Life into my work as well as the findings of Marsha Linehan, the founder of DBT.

PSYCHODYNAMIC THEORIES AND THE WORK OF CARL JUNG

The writings of Carl Jung, his understanding of dreams, the collective unconscious and his use of alchemy as a metaphor for the therapeutic process also influence my work. Bringing up dreams and images in therapy can add layers and meaning, as well as open up new venues for us to explore. I have found that a lot of my clients have benefited from bringing creativity and imagery into the therapeutic process. 

Experience And Education

Private Practice – Venice & Beverly Hills
Passages Addiction Treatment Center, Intensive Outpatient – Venice
The DBT Center, Intensive Outpatient - Beverly Hills
Cliffside Addiction Treatment Center, Inpatient and IOP - Malibu
The Maple Counseling Center - Beverly Hills

M.A In Counseling Psychology- Pacifica Graduate Institute (Santa Barbara)
M.B.A UCLA (Los Angeles) and HEC (Paris)
M.F.A USC (Los Angeles) 

Links And Books 

You will find here a list of books and podcasts that are shaping the way I think, feel and work. The list grows and evolves as clients, friends and colleagues continue to enrich my work. 
 

On Thoughts and Mindfulness

Invisibilia is a podcast published by NPR that explores new and provocative ways of looking at the “invisible forces that control human behaviors”. I recommend their episodes around obsessive thinking, the history of thoughts, emotions and personality.

The most powerful experience around mindfulness I have experienced has been to attend several meditation retreats. If you are interested you can learn more about Vipassana here.

On Shame and Sexuality

The Velvet Rage dives into the impact of shame in the LGBT community and how it influences our sense of self and identity. A powerful introduction to working around shame, this book has helped gay and straight clients alike.
Esther Perel brings intelligence, humor and openness into the dialogue around sexuality in a way that is mindful and thought provoking. Mating in Captivity is particularly insightful and I highly recommend her Ted Talks.  

On Creativity and the Future

Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert has changed the way I think about ideas, creativity and unnecessary suffering all too often associated with the creative process. Her theory regarding ideas is poetic, inspiring and freeing.

On Writing by Stephen King is another book which has helped me redefine creative freedom. Genuine and intelligent, he reveals his process and his struggles.

The War of Art walks us through and challenges preconceived ideas around the creative process.
Inner Work, by Robert Johnson, explores the use of Active Imagination, first developed by Carl Jung. A dynamic and engaged way to interact with our unconscious, Active Imagination is yet another method to explore and unlock some of our potential.

Two books were instrumental in shaping the way I look toward the future: Abundance and The Singularity is Near. Both have taught me about the power and dangers of technology and how our own cognitive biases might be the greatest danger of all. 

On Grief

My friend and colleague Laura Jack (http://www.laurajack.com) has been influential in helping better understand the impact of grief addiction and I recommend reading the Grief Recovery Handbook.