Paul D. Zak, L.C.S.W., C.A.S.
Paul has been doing counseling and psychotherapy for over 30 years, and has worked with individuals, couples and people in other relationships, and psycho-therapeutic groups. He works with a diverse clientele, both gay/lesbian and straight. He endeavors to help people identify their strengths, as well as to mobilize their inner wisdom to help in their healing.
Paul Zak specializes in matters involving:
- Life transitions (coming out; midlife, other aging and career issues)
- Relationship concerns
- Living with chronic illness (HIV/AIDS, cancer)
- Depression; anxiety
- Grief and loss
- Addiction and recovery
- Spirituality
His training is in psychodynamic psychotherapy. He employs family systems theory and cognitive-behavioral strategies to help clients frame their experience with more understanding and possibility.
Paul has degrees in theology and pastoral ministry from Aquinas Institute of Theology in St. Louis, MO. As a former Roman Catholic priest, he did pastoral counseling for nearly 20 years, largely on university campuses and in hospital settings. Paul obtained his Social Work degree from San Francisco State University in 1992, and his license as a Clinical Social Worker in 1995. He did additional coursework post-license to earn the Certified Addictions Specialist credential in 1996. He is certified in alcohol, drug, and sex addiction. Paul D. Zak became a Board Certified Diplomate in Clinical Social Work in 2004.
Paul presents various workshops. They include: Depression, Anxiety, Codependence in Relationships, Building Intimacy, Communication in Intimate Relationships, the Enneagram and Couples, Gay Male Midlife, and Gay Spirituality.
He also taught for the Psychiatry Department of Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in San Francisco (Depression and Anxiety), and trained alcohol and drug counselors through the West Coast Institute of Addiction Studies in San Francisco. He has presented at various local, national, and international conferences.
Paul is a member of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), the California Society for Clinical Social Work (CSCSW), and The California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT)
He may be contacted at 760-898-4581
Website:
www.pauldzak.com