Kate Pruefer is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist , CA MF#32648, specializing in individual, couples and family therapy and maintains a private practice in Encinitas, California.
With thirty years of clinical experience , and as a graduate of Antioch University specializing in a systems approach, she is currently serving as private practitioner working with a broad spectrum of clients. She treats both adults and adolescents for depression, anxiety, addictions, abuse recovery, post-traumatic stress disorder, bereavement, relationship and sexual problems, as well as self-esteem and personal growth issues .
Kate is an interactive, solution-focused therapist . Her therapeutic approach is to provide support and practical feedback to help clients effectively address personal life challenges. She integrates humanistic and cognitive behavioral approaches as well as other complementary methodologies to offer a highly personalized approach tailored to each client. With compassion and understanding, she works with each individual to help them build on their strengths and attain the personal growth they are committed to accomplishing.
With training and experience as a therapist at the San Luis Rey Psychiatric Hospital, Kate is a specialist in addiction recovery , helping people with various forms of addictive or compulsive behavior gain control of their lives in a grounded and supported healing path. She also worked as a bereavement counselor with the Grossmont Hospice in her early career. She is trained in the resolution of physical and emotional symptoms related to various forms of trauma --- using the cutting-edge technique of EMDR (see www.emdr.com). A strong couples therapist , Kate assists partners in a safe and structured approach to honest communication and mutual respect as the path toward individual and relationship growth. She also teaches ways to maintain clarity, love and high ideals as families cope with the challenges of separation and divorce . Kate loves to work with adolescents and their parents in the particular challenges of that life stage. She particularly enjoys working toward women's empowerment , both with identity and career development, various stages of motherhood or spiritual growth and awareness throughout the life cycle.
Kate explored other interests in depth previous to her clinical career, including co-leading trekking expeditions in the Himalayas and working as an actor and theatre director in New York City. She practices yoga and uses a meditation and writing process in both her work and personal life. Kate greatly enjoys wilderness and cross-cultural adventures with her family, including her two young adult children.
* Masters in Clinical Psychology, Antioch University, Los Angeles, CA, 1992.
* Master of Fine Arts in Theatre Directing, Catholic University, Washington, D.C., 1986.
* Bachelor of Arts in History, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 1979.
* Licensed in Marriage and Family Therapy by the CA Board of Behavioral Science Examiners in 1995, MF #32648.
* Member of California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists since 1993.
Kate will be happy to speak with you in a complimentary phone consultation - call her at 760-954-0109.