Dr. Berger provides a unique range of psychological services.

Psychotherapy

I am available by appointment for both face to face sessions and telephone consultations.

I address your presenting concerns by letting your problem determine the solution. My approach to therapy is grounded in a focus on the here and now. It is what you are doing right here, right now that will change your life. The more you are aware of what you are doing the more you can attend to your needs and change your life. If there is unfinished business from your past then I will help you to deal with it right here, right now. Therapy is at its best when it is relevant and responsive to the most important issues in your life today.

I also strive to create an atmosphere in therapy that promotes experimentation, exploration and discovery. I am direct and solution focused and will provide feedback and suggestions when appropriate. The therapeutic experiences I design are to assist you in integrating disowned parts of yourself. I want you to become whole and fully alive. I believe there is an untapped wisdom in each of us. My goal is to help you discover that inner wisdom and learn how to trust and support yourself.

I view personal pain, suffering and relationship discord as providing the energy or heat necessary to forge better relationships and develop potential. If I also work with your family I will attempt to restore the natural therapeutic functioning of those relationships.

Finally I believe the so called “problem” you are struggling with is never the real problem. The real problem is how you wrestle with the” problem.” Most of our problems come from ignorance in better problem solving. In this spirit I will try and help you be more effective in developing better problem solving strategies.

While I specialize in addiction recovery and relationship therapy, I love to work with anyone who has a sincere desire to become a better person or a better partner or who has an interest to overcome a personal problem. Remember, you don’t have to be sick to get better.

Intensives for Individuals, Couples or Families

Intensives are weekend or weeklong programs specifically designed to address your concerns. Depending on your particular needs I may work other therapists or specialists into the program as well.

Intensives are very useful in breaking a gridlock in a relationship or in helping your overcome a personal impasse. Contact me directly so we can discuss if this is an appropriate option for you.

Executive Class Addiction Treatment (C) 2008 Allen Berger, Ph.D.

Research indicates that treatment is most effective when it is individualized and addresses addiction as a primary problem as well as core concerns and issues. Executive Class Treatment offers the most personalized addiction treatment program available in the United States.

Executive Class Treatment is a one on one intensive treatment program customized to help you recover from addiction and to help your family begin healing. An assessment of your needs will generate an initial treatment plan and program design. Our goal is to let your primary concerns determine the clinical experiences we provide to help you realize your goal and full potential. Therefore as more is revealed during treatment the program will be modified to address emerging concerns and new clinical information.

Your length of stay will range from 4 days to 90 days, depending on your goals and presenting problems. Each day you will be educated about the science of addiction as well as the science of recovery. You will have one on one sessions daily with recovery specialists or other health care professionals. In therapy you will be challenged to face life as never before. We have found that the more personal discomfort you are willing to endure the greater the benefits. We are here to support you, guide you, and counsel you but we cannot do this without your total cooperation and permission. We implore you to be honest with yourself and with us from the very start. If you are having trouble being honest then let us know and we will do our best to help you. You will also be accompanied by a staff member when you attend 12 Step meetings or other appropriate self-help groups.

Our program is highly intensive and therefore requires about 14 hours per day. Executive Class Treatment includes individual psychotherapy, family therapy, counseling, self-esteem work, psycho-education, physical fitness, massage therapy, spiritual direction, AA or NA or CA or SLA or SAA attendance, Alanon attendance, readings, and writing assignments.

We have no expectation for how fast or slow you progress. However we do urge you to do your best. As the Big Book so eloquently reminds us, “We strive for progress not spiritual perfection.”

We expect you to set your intention each and every day to be open to new information about yourself and recovery, and also to push yourself beyond comfort. If you follow our suggestions and guidance you will unlock your potential and build a strong foundation for recovery.

Clinical Staff

Dr. Allen Berger is the Clinical Director and Founder of Executive Class Treatment. The program’s staff consists of hand picked, highly experienced and qualified therapists and counselors supervised by Dr. Berger.

• Rick Chavez, M.D., Addictionologist and Board Certified Pain Specialist.
• David Tiner, D.D.S., M.F.T – Recovery Specialist
• Roger Andes, M.A. – Self Esteem and Emotional Release Work
• Herb Kaighan, B.A. – Spiritual Direction
• Dan Reynolds, Recovery Specialist

Patient Lectures and Groups

I am available to lecture to patient populations and to conduct special focused group therapy sessions.

Topics for patient presentations include:

• The Therapeutic Value of the 12 Steps
• Emotional Sobriety: The Next Step in Your Recovery
• Self-hate and Recovery
• 12 Stupid Things that Mess Up Recovery
• Recovery and Relationships: Adjustment Problems in Recovery and Possible Solutions
• Seven Deadly Expectations in Relationships
• Destructive Communication Patterns in Relationships and Their Cures
• Principles of Healthy Communication
• Personal Language: Its Development and Role in Recovery
• Relapse Prevention: Some New Thoughts on an Old Problem
• Willpower and Recovery: Myths and Realities
• The Ninth Step Promises
• The Six Pillars of Recovery
• How to Get the Most Out of Group Therapy
• The Science of Recovery: What works and what doesn’t.
• The Heart of Parenting: Helping Children Soothe Themselves

Issues for focused group therapy sessions include:

• Dream work
• Recovery and relationships
• Helping families adjust to recovery
• Dealing with your addict self
• Self-soothing
• Decision Making
• Internal Conflict Resolution

Clinical Staff Training

I conduct inservice staff training in the principles of effective group, family and individual counseling as well as in taking a look at their own professional development as a counselor.

For the past twenty years I have provided clinical staff training for treatment programs here in the United States and in Europe. I have trained staff at The Betty Ford Center, Cedars at Cobble Hill in British Columbia, Cumberland Heights in Nashville – Tennessee, The Refuge in Florida, The Orchard in Vancouver – Canada, The Alcoholism Recovery Service and The Eating Disorders Unit at San Pedro Peninsula Hospital in California, and The Alcoholism Recovery Service at South Bay Hospital in California. I have also worked with the Blue Cross in Denmark.

Here are a couple of testimonials for your consideration.

“Allen came to our center in 2008 and spent four quality days with our clinical team. The main focus was on group therapy skills and solid intervention tactics that promote insightful therapeutic group sessions.  Our clinical team received that and much more. By the end of the four days our team’s passion for their work and level of practical experience had increased significantly. We were provided with a common language and understanding as to the goal of group therapy. Allen’s ability to be “really present” in a group therapy session left a permanent impression on our counselors. I have attended and organized other training sessions for our team and the effect lasted for approximately four to five days. Allen’s visit with us continues to provide inspiration, direction and passion for our team. Thank-you Allen”

Rob DeClark, M.S.W.

Administrative Coordinator

Cedars at Cobble Hill, B.C.

“I just wanted to let you know how very much I appreciated the time you spent with us. I know the staff got a lot out of it, and upon reflection, I realize even more what a treat it was to have time with such a kindred spirit! Very reaffirming stuff and nice to know that people are still out there working the kind of recovery we hold so dear.”

Neal Berger

Executive Director

Cedars at Cobble Hill, B.C.

Professional Lectures

My series of professional lectures are on topics related to recovery, relationships, family therapy, and group therapy.

Here is a current list of topics.

• Integrating Modern Psychotherapy with the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous
• Emotional Sobriety: The Next Step in Recovery
• Principles of Gestalt Experiential Family Therapy
• Gestalt Therapy as Applied to the Treatment of Addiction
• Increasing Positive Therapeutic Outcomes: Indoctrinating Patients for Group  Therapy
• The Myth of Resistance
• Hazards, Pitfalls and Solutions for Interventionists -  From a Family Therapy Perspective
• 12 Stupid Things that Mess Up Recovery
• Principles of Effective Counseling
• Seven Deadly Expectations in Relationships
• A History of Family Approaches to the Treatment of Addiction
• The Spirituality of Imperfection: Six Pillars of Recovery
• Willpower in Recovery: Myths and Realities
• Helping Families Adjust to Recovery: Therapeutic Interventions
• Understanding the AA Promises

Here are comments from people who have attended my presentations.

“I just want to thank you for a wonderful presentation at the Dual Diagnosis Conference in Las Vegas – I greatly appreciated your personal and clinical insights in integrating the 12 steps with therapeutic work. Your passion is evident in your own recovery and your work with your clients. I had a chance to read your new book “12 Stupid Things…” on my flight home to Los Angeles and found it personally relevant and am excited to utilize it with my clients – both inpatient and outpatient.”

Dr. Barbara Janetzke

“Dr. Berger,
I really enjoyed your presentation at Loyola Marymount University last Friday. You are an engaging speaker with a great sense of audience and humor; the day flew by. The content was solid and practical. Thank you.”

Mike Kenny RN, BSN

“Hi Allen - Thanks so much for a wonderful presentation today at Serene Center in Long Beach. I just loved the things you said and can’t wait to settle into a nice, deep chair to read your book and listen to your CDs.”

Lori Phelps

“Thank you so very much for this thought provoking lecture.  As an Assistant Catholic Chaplain in the Twin Tower Correctional Facility and an Addictions Counselor, I needed this 12 Step refresher course.”

Lenore Solis

“I had the pleasure of approaching you during a short break in today’s Seminar at Hoag Hospital. Allow me to tell you how inspiring, informative and passionate you were in your presentation. I can’t recall when I’ve experienced all of the above last.”

In grateful appreciation,

Stevan Dweck, Ph.D.