Dr. Mary C. Lamia PH.D.
Psychologist | Psychotherapy
Box 163 Kentfield CA, 94914About
Independent psychotherapy practice with adults, adolescents, preteens, and couples in Marin County, California; Professor at the Wright Institute in Berkeley, California.
Education and Training
University of CA, Berkeley B.A. 1971
CSPP Ph.D. 1977
SF Psychoanalytic Institute Cert. in Psychoanalysis 1995
Provider Details
Dr. Mary C. Lamia PH.D.'s Expert Contributions
The Many Faces of Anxiety and Why It Can Be a Friend
The designation of emotions as positive or negative has little to do with their value, but instead involves how they motivate us by the way they make us feel. Nevertheless, there are undoubtedly times when normal anxiety has led you to feel a bit unhinged. At excessive levels, anxiety places you on...
How can I help my separation anxiety with my baby?
Our emotions are wonderfully designed to provide us with information and motivation. They influence our lives by silently directing the decisions we make. Your emotions are informing you of a possible disruption in your connection with your baby. Your thought is that you have "separation anxiety," but the emotions behind it are likely distress, fear, sadness, guilt, and other feelings as well. If we step back and imagine living hundreds of years ago, it would seem rather strange for humans to leave their babies. You feel "separation anxiety" because you are attached as you should be. Children do adapt, given they are with good caregivers, but that does not remove the loss we may experience from separation, especially if we prefer to remain at home with the child. Understand that you feel as you do because that is what a mother who has closely bonded emotionally with her 2-year-old is supposed to feel under the circumstances. I do not believe it is something to "overcome." But, instead, these feelings are something to acknowledge and accept if you decide to go back to work at this time. READ MORE
How can I get over a fear of going to a psychologist?
Embarrassment, which is related to the core emotion of shame, is something all humans experience. Often we are relieved when we can admit our hesitation to say or do something because we are fearful about the possibility of experiencing shame. As well, when we can express what it is that creates shame in us to someone who is accepting and helps us understand why we feel the way we do, it can be a tremendous relief. So if an individual closes up when they meet a therapist, hopefully the therapist will be able to recognize the difficulty and help the patient learn from it. READ MORE
Do psychologists ever have a "time frame" in mind?
In the context you mention, psychotherapists are quite different depending on their theoretical orientation and their personal approach to treatment. Is therapy for many years better than a short-term fix? Impossible to say. Some therapists focus on the process of treatment, where there seems to be beginning, middle, and end phases. Others have a specific protocol depending upon the symptoms presented. Then there are those who are flexible in their approach and treat the presenting issues and are available if later issues arise and the patient wants to return. Your question is complex and the answer depends on many factors, including financial ones. Nevertheless, it is a very interesting question that I will present to my graduate students for discussion as I believe they should be aware of their own biases in this regard. READ MORE
Meltdowns Behaviour
Often it is best to talk to a child when he is not having a meltdown, rather than at the time. Bedtime can be a time to tuck him in and be curious about what he is feeling when he runs off in a meltdown. But tread lightly and make sure the question is phased in a way that doesn't shame the child. When we can't put feelings into words sometimes the only recourse is a meltdown. It's important to help children find words for what they feel at any given moment, but when they are in the middle of a meltdown, it's impossible. READ MORE
Looking for help with my teenage daughter
Rather than see a mental health professional, it is important for teens to remain connected to their parents. A psychiatrist or psychologist cannot "stop any issues before they start." However, a strong relationship between parent and child can be protective. READ MORE
Expert Publications
Data provided by the National Library of MedicineAreas of expertise and specialization
Faculty Titles & Positions
- Professor Wright Institute, Berkeley 2001 - Present
Awards
- 2012 Family Choice Book Award
- 2011 Italian American Psychological Society, Distinguished Italian American Psychologist Award: “Outstanding achievements and distinguished contributions to psychology”
- 2007 San Francisco Psychoanalytic Institute and Society (San Francisco Center for Psychoanalysis), Distinguished Service Award
- 2004 The Northern California Psychiatric Society Media Award
Professional Memberships
- National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology
- American Psychological Association
- American Psychological Association, Division of Psychoanalysis
- Division of Qualitative Psychology, American Psychological Association
- California State Psychological Association
- Marin County Psychological Association
Areas of research
Emotion, grief, shame, procrastination, motivation, and anxiety.
Dr. Mary C. Lamia PH.D.'s Practice location
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Write ReviewRecommended Articles
- What Is Panic Disorder?
A panic attack is characterized by sudden tremendous waves of fear that initiates a number of physical responses. These reactions are often seen during situations that are not very threatening or frightening. The attacks may repeat after a period of time. Under normal conditions, fear and anxiety...
- Tips for Parents who are Raising a Child with Autism
If you are a parent who has a child with autism, you need to be proactive when it comes to understand your child's condition, and weighing out different treatments options. It is common for you to work with a multitude of people to help make the best decision for your child. A child's ability to...
- What Medications Help in Treating Eating Disorders?
According to statistics, binge eating disorder is very common among young adults in the United States in comparison to anorexia and bulimia. In the last couple years, it has been treated as real medical disorder. According to the Youth Risk Behavior survey that was conducted in 2001, 35 percent of...
- X Factor Star Susan Boyle on Asperger's Diagnosis
In 2012, Scottish singer Susan Boyle was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome (AS). Before her diagnosis, Susan’s team believed that her ‘unpredictable’ and ‘eccentric’ behavior was due to her being a diva and hot-headed. They considered that she acted the way she did because she was...
- “Did You Say Mama?” Five-Year-Old with Nonverbal Autism Surprises Parents
Around 30% of individuals on the autism spectrum use only a few words or do not speak at all. These individuals are described as having nonverbal autism and 5-year-old Taylor Blakenship from Athens, Alabama is one of them. ...
- How is Binge Eating Disorder Diagnosed?
Binge eating disorder can often go undetected for long periods of time because it is a condition characterized by shame, denial and secrecy. Being open about it is always the first step to its diagnosis. This makes diagnosis of this particular eating disorder challenging in most cases. Binge eating...
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