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About

Suzanne Lerner

I've had the good fortune to have Dr. Richard Schwartz, the Founder of IFS (Internal Family Therapy) as my direct 1:1 Supervisor for my year-long Clinical Internship.  Thus, I’ve been practicing IFS (Parts Dialogue) for over 20 years.  I offer an Advanced, Somatic Based IFS Approach, that integrates Energy Psychology (EFT) Expressive Arts, and some of the latest Neurobiological Understandings of how long-lasting change best occurs. 

 

People I work with say that they find themselves in a warm, safe and authentic space,
where they can encourage their strengths and work more skillfully with their challenges. 
Utilizing Courage, Confidence, Connection, Calm, Clarity, Creativity & Compassion,

“All Parts Are Welcome Here!”

 

I teach internationally on such topics as IFS,  EFT, Ericksonian Hypnotherapy and Expressive Arts Therapy and have published over 20 articles on, trauma, trance and transformation.

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Experience

I'm a Somatic-based Licensed Psychologist
and Advanced IFS, EFT
& Expressive Arts Coach

I have always been fascinated my the ways we all have Conscious AND Unconscious Learnings, that impact everything we think, feel & do in the world, for better or worse!  for example, how can a Medical Doctor know all the harmful effects of smoking cigarettes, and still smoke close to a pack a day?  How can a successful, caring and deeply loved woman, still suffer from extremely low self-esteem and have an inner critic who is merciless with her?
It has been my Life's Journey to find approaches that help my people to become aware and then be able to "re-write" unconscious "Core Beliefs" & "Emotional Knowings" so that they can learn to be naturally confident and sharing their unique gifts skillfully and joyfully in this world.
I bring together many years of dedicated trainings in Breathwork, Therapeutic Expressive Arts, Ericksonian Hypnotherapy, Meditation, EFT Tapping, Gestalt, Stair Method, Focusing, and of course, my core approach of Internal Family Systems (IFS), where we learn to recognize and bring compassionate healing, through the Compassionate, Calm, Clear & Creative SELF.

Qualifications

MY INSPIRATIONAL TEACHERS

& TRAINING IN THE HEALING ARTS

 

I come from a long line of Doctors and Healers on my father's side, and a long lineage of Intuitives on my mother side.  In addition, I have dedicated my life to learning, which has included studying with some of the top internationally recognized teachers in the fields of hypnosis, meditation, psychology, biology, neurology, philosophy, expressive improvisational arts, psychic development and healing. Below is a list of some of the many beautiful, extraordinary teachers I have had the pleasure of studying with, in-depth, including a 10 year apprenticeship with one of the top Ericksonian Hypnotherapists in the world.

 

I am continually broadening my perspectives, so that I may offer my clients the best solutions possible, to their often quite challenging issues. I look forward to supporting you in truly discovering why you are here and learning to share all your gifts, with deep love and satisfaction.


BLESSINGS!

Suzanne Improvisation Lerner, PhD

 

A small portion of my Background and Trainings:

 

HYPNOSIS:

Vice President, N. California Society for Hypnosis

Presenter at the International Milton Erickson Hypnosis Congresses on the topics of "Some Unconscious Drivers to Addictions" &  an Interactive Presentation on "Spontaneous Creativity."

Apprenticed for 10 years with Dr. Stephen Gilligan,
considered one of the top Ericksonian Hypnotists in the World.

 

MEDITATION:

Meditating since I was 16 years old

Spent the good part of 4 years studying Advaita ("The Power of Now") in Lucknow, India
with HR Poonja-ji (an awakened disciple of Ramana Maharashi)

Several initiations with H.H. the Dalai Lama
including 10 day Kalachakra Initiation & Blue Medicine Buddha Initiation

Regular weekly sittings with Jack Kornfield at Spirit Rock Meditation Center

 

PARTS WORK:

One year full internship plus an additional externship in "Internal Family Systems" (IFS) with Dick Schwartz, PhD, who teaches a remarkable application of Family Systems therapy, learning how to work with your various inner sub-personalities, through the Healing Perspective of the SELF. at IJR in Chicago, IL

3 years on-going trainings and personal work with gifted Gestalt teacher Chris Price,
long time teacher at Esalen Institute, in Big Sur, CA

Intensive Study of Virginia Satir, Robert Assagioli, John & Helen Watkins and Hal & Sidra Stone's models for working strategically, creatively and effectively with our internal conflicted Parts.

 

EMOTIONAL FREEDOM TECHNIQUES (EFT):
Certified Levels 1, 2 & 3 with Gary Craig, the founder of EFT.
Research on EFT at the University of California, Berkeley together with Dr. Dawson Church.
Presentations with Gary Craig and Dawson Church at the World Presidents Organization (WPO)
Assisted Gwyneth Moss in her first USA EFT training.
Additional intensive EFT studies with Carol Look, Nick Ortner, Pamela Bruner, David Feinstein
and a number of other EFT Pioneers.

MATRIX REIMPRINTING:
Certified Matrix Reimprinting Practitioner.  Participated in 2 Year-long trainings with Sasha Allenby, who coauthored with Karl Dawson of the groundbreaking  text: "Matrix Reimprinting: Using EFT." 
Assisted Sasha in her Vancouver Matrix Reimprinting Training.

 

HEALING:

Spent 4 months in Brasil, studying with Spirit healer, Joao de Deus (John of G*D), and also with Thafkeshkeshkya, a Fulnio indigenous healer and

Training with Polarity Expert & Healer James Kent

Study with Adam Dreamhealer, remarkable healer who began at 15, healing his mother of MS.

5 day intensive and on-going study with Donna Eden, world reknown healer and author of Energy Medicine.

2 year long Programs with research backed Australian Healer, Charlie Goldsmith, including an Intensive in Nutrition and its impact upon both Emotional & Physical Health.

 

INTUITIVE TRAINING:

5 day intensive and on-going study with the great Intuitive Sonia Choquette

On-going study with Carol Ritberger, the extraordinary Medical Intuitive, whom many therapists, nurses, acupuncturists and even doctors consult

 

COGNITIVE THERAPY:

Director of Human Research for Marti Seligman's "Learned Helplessness//Learned Hopefulness" studies at the University of Pennsylvania

Intensive Training with Aaron Beck's group, studying cognitive interventions for depression and anxiety

12 weeks intensive training with Dr. David Burns in the T.E.A.M. approach.  Dr. Burns is honored worldwide as one of the founding fathers of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) with his book "Feeling Good" having sold over 4 million copies.  His TEAM approach builds upon CBT, adding a crucial emphasis on how to assess and enhance motivation, together with a variety of other powerful and effective therapeutic innovations.

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EXPRESSIVE IMPROVISATIONAL ART THERAPY:

Dance:

Baba Olatunji Nigerian musician & healer 5 years apprenticeship

Anna Halprin, who healed herself of cancer thru expressive arts, 4 years

Manfred Fishbeck of Group Motion, 5 years

 

Singing & Sounding:

Various members of Bobby McFerrin's Improvisational Voicestra, including several years of study with Rhiannon, Joey Blake, & Dave Worm

Jai Uttal, amazing Kirtan improvisational singer, two 10 day intensives, and on-going study

Tahir, ecstatic Sufi chanter, one month intensive study

Dave Stringer Kirtan Flight School culminating in a performance at Shakti Music Fest in Joshua Tree, CA

 

Personal Theater & Improvisation:

Ruth Zaporah, ACTION theater, four years, on-going classes

Nina Wise, Solo Biographical Performance Pieces, three years


Painting:
Michelle Cassou, The Painting Experience, several classes together with an intensive at Esalen Institute

Shiloh Sophia McCloud, Visionary Artist and Teacher of Intentional Creativity.
Several Classes including "Queen of Her Own Heart" and "Fearless Belonging" together with Shilo Shiv Suleman

 

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