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Dr. Marlene Winell is a psychologist, educator, and writer in the San Francisco Bay Area. She is available for speaking engagements, counseling sessions in Berkeley, and telephone counseling. Her background includes 28 years of experience in human services, in both community and academic settings. She holds a doctorate in Human Development and Family Studies from Pennsylvania State University. She is the author of Leaving the Fold: A Guide for Former Fundamentalists and Others Leaving their Religion.

More about Marlene Winell

Welcome & Overall Approach

Welcome

Thank-you for visiting my website.  You will find information here about who I am, my services, events, writings, and media.    In my counseling work with individuals, couples and groups, my approach is compassionate, yet direct and action-oriented.  I assume a basic respect for a client's intuitive abilities and strengths,  emphasize building a therapeutic relationship of trust, and focus on helping clients actively engage with the existential challenges of life. More about my approach and services.
Office Location: 1918 Bonita Ave. Berkeley, CA 94704 Map

Updates

Updates

  • Therapy Group Forming

    Hello!  This is to let you know that I am leading another 10-week group which will starting very soon, and you are invited to consider joining.  Description:  This group of 5-7 men and women will meet weekly for 10 weeks for 2 hour sessions. We'll take the opportunity to support each other in courageously meeting the challenges of being human.

  • Learnings that Last

    I’d like to think that the work I do has lasting effect, so I was thrilled to hear from a client after many years who told me she was still using life skills from a workshop I taught a long time ago.  It confirmed for me that crucial concepts and skills – the ones they never cover in school  – can indeed be learned with ease and efficiency. 

  • So Do You Believe in God?
    I get this question so frequently, I’ve decided to make a better effort to reply.  To be honest, I don’t like the question because it presumes we know what those words mean.  Here are some responses, touching on more or less serious aspects of the topic.  

    1.  Which god?  Do you mean Zeus, Baal, Athena, Shiva, Allah, Jehovah, or some other?  If you mean one of those, then no.   I am not a theist.  I don’t believe in an individual being that created and now controls the world.    

  • How Finding Jesus Helped Me Deconvert

            If you come to San Francisco
            Be sure to wear flowers in your hair
            If you’re going to San Francisco
            You’re gonna meet some gentle people there

                                                                        Scott McKenzie

    I met Jesus in Golden Gate Park many years ago and he helped change my life. He sent me in a new direction – away from Christianity.

    I was reminded of it on Sunday, October 25, because it was the 40th anniversary of Woodstock, celebrated with enthusiasm at Golden Gate Park, San Francisco. I wandered through the crowd with my grown son, Ryan, as we pushed our bicycles, enjoying the sights and sounds – 60’s music coming from the bands,tie-dyed banners, the smell of incense and herb, and booths selling candles, New Age books and music, psychedelic art, and healthy food. The event was free, and so was the painting – on your face, cloth banners, or sheets of paper on the ground. Peace signs were all around. The folks with gray hair and fond memories were well represented, but so were young people who missed the Summer of Love. Young girls had long hair and headbands, flowers, and even wings.

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