MARC SADOFF, MSW, BCD

I've been a psychotherapist for over 25 years treating people with depression, anxiety and posttraumatic stress disorders.

Twenty-two years ago I began my work in domestic violence men's groups and continue to co-facilitate a weekly group for abusive men.

I started my couples communication skills simulation training program called 'Handling Conflict With Confidence' in 1998.   Now 40% of my private practice is working with couples.   While I use an educational approach in helping couples handle conflict, my work can still be called marriage therapy or couples counseling.   As a licensed therapist,  I assess the individuals to evaluate whether one, or both of them, has a disorder that results in poor impulse control.  I'll make the appropriate referrals for medication or medical assessment when necessary. However, my skills training program is part of the assessment of medical issues.   If someone cannot reasonably follow through on his agreements; then he is not in control of his own behavior, and may benefit from medications.   I'm doing my workshops for couples once a month.  

Web Special Offer For Private Couples Therapy

Cost- $700.  Five hours of private sessions.   Two sessions of one and a half hours each & then a two hour session.   Normally 5 hours at $150./hr. is $750.   You get two complimentary workshop manuals are included, valued at $80.

In order to get this special rate I ask that you commit to the 3 sessions in advance.   If, after the first session, you do not think my style is right for you as a couple, you may simply pay the regular rate ($150. x 1.5 hours) of $225. for the first hour and a half session.

To schedule your Five Hours of private sessions with Marc please call at 310 444-1951.

Relationship Phone Coaching

Your particular relationship problem may be a simple matter of some brief instruction, or a quick summary of agreements to make with your partner.   Half hour and one hour phone consultations are available with Marc Sadoff, MSW, BCD.  The session will be scheduled for the first available time available.   You should be scheduling with Marc within 24 hours; and having your session within 3-5 days. Click HERE to learn more about Relationship Phone Coaching with Marc.

Your phone consultation with me will give you practical solutions and hands on advice for you and your partner. If you can follow direction and are willing to do what it takes to stay connected with your partner, then keep this address bookmarked for possible later use.

Expert Witness In PTSD
(posttraumatic stress disorder)
For Asylum Cases In Immigration Court

For ten years I've done expert witness forensic psychological report writing and testifying in court for refugees seeking asylum in U.S. Immigration courts.   I worked with the Program For Torture Victims, Los Angeles from 1998 to 2002 helping victims of government torture and discrimination by doing a good psychological evaluation that helps to enhance their credibility in court.   In addition to helping asylum clients who have been tortured, I've done many cases of government failure to protect or discrimination.   I've done discrimination and government failure to protect cases involving persecution and discrimnation against homosexuals, christians, women, molested children and political opponents of government ruling powers.

Click HERE to download a
.pdf of my curriculum vitae (CV).

  I've submitted 60 psychological evaluations to the court and my testimony has been accepted, as an expert witness in posttraumatic stess, in all 28 times that I've testified in immigration court to testify about my psychological evaluation report.   About 15 of these cases were assessments of the client for cases being filed under VAWA (Violence Against Women Act).  Most of these clients were seeking a suspension of deportation.   Those 15 cases did not require my testimony, as they are filed in Vermont.   My psychological assessment interview and report is often used to assist the attorney in establishing credibility to the applicant in respect to whether the person did indeed suffer from domestic abuse.   I am familiar with the requirements of meeting the needs of the legal statute.  Because of my 24 years of domestic violence clinical experience, I have good credentials to make the case convincingly that the abuse occurred as the client's declaration indicates it did.  I am usually referred these cases by the client's lawyer.

Drug & Alcohol Interventions In Family & Work Settings

  To get someone you care about to seek treatment. I also conduct alcohol or drug and behavioral family interventions or work related interventions. These are loving but firm interventions for behaviors that range from alcoholic or drug addicted husbands, wives, employess and children to other behaviors such as gambling, non compliance with medical instructions or work related control problems. I use the methods of my friend Ed Storti. HIs principles of preparation and attention to details are inspiring. And, the attitude of being a last chance cheerleading session for getting someone to get into treatment for their problem is effective. Remember the real work is done in getting the people doing the intervention to get into the proper attitude about confronting the person with the problem. That's why I'll spend 4-6 hours with the family or supervisors before we meet with the person.   Drug or Alcohol Interventions can be done in my office, in the target person's home or office.  Or it can be done at a friend's house.

The cost for most interventions is in the range of $1200.-$1500. for the total cost of the intervention. This includes tthe meetings that occur prior to the intervention as well as the actual intervention hours too.

The workbook that I wrote does contain the essence of much of the therapy work I do.

see email below

A Testimonial About My Workbook

THANK YOU AGAIN SOOO MUCH FOR TEACHING ME IN A FEW DAYS WHAT MY PARENTS HAVE NOT IN 37 YEARS!  Getting my relationship with the "outside" world ( but mainly my marriage), on track is the GREATEST GIFT one could ever give me.  Last week I read your manual and this morning I am for the first time in my life saying sorry to my husband for being late without trying to come up with thousands of stupid excuses why it had happened.   I simply admitted that I should have done better job planning my other activities and promised to do a better job in the future.

Gabi

Read other emails or watch video testimonials HERE.

Click on the subject you want more information-

•   Psychotherapist - Fees, Forms & Office Policies
•   EMDR Therapy - Eye Movement Desensitization And Reprocessing Therapy For PTSD (postraumatic stress disorder)
•  Forensic Psychological Evaluations For Immigration Court - Expert Witness (PTSD) In Asylum Cases
•  Phone Relationship Coaching - Private Individual & 3-Way Calls To Help Couples Handle Conflict With Confidence. Relationship advice.
•  Couples Therapy/Coaching - Private Sessions - Web Special - Description 
•  Domestic Violence / Anger Management - Court Ordered Group & Private Treatment For Individuals
•  Relationship / Marriage Workshop - Seminar description and cost.
•  Alcohol / Drug Interventions - Family & Friends Gathering To Strongly Encourage The Alcoholic/Addict To Get Help
•  Map - Map & Directions To Office
• Marc Sadoff's Curriculum Vitae

Individual Therapy

Confidential Effective EMDR Therapy For Childhood
Abuse, Depression, Panic and Anxiety Disorders

I've been a psychotherapist treating depression, panic and anxiety & couples conflict & general marriage and relationship wellness management. Nineteen years of EMDR Eye Movement Densitization & Reprocessing experience. People often ask what the BCD stands for in my title. That stands for Board Certified Diplomate which is the highest level of confidence in knowing that a clinical social worker is experienced and qualified to do clinical psychotherapy. It is similar to being board certified in any medical specialty. It is granted by the American Board of Examiners in Clinical Social Work. California Lic.# LCS 11725

EMDR Treatment For
Anxiety & PTSD

Eye Movement Desensitization
And Reprocessing Therapy

  For nightmares, intrusive thoughts & images from humiliating, sexual or violent past experiences. Psychotherapy, couples or family and marriage therapy, stress, anger & violence therapy in Los Angeles.  Memories can be desensitized so they no longer make you feel bad, scared or ashamed.  Childhood physical or sexual abuse often leaves a person with some form of posttraumatic stress disorder.  This may come in the form having the following:

• Recurring unwanted, intrusive thoughts, feelings & images that you can't stop thinking about.
• Irritibility, anger sensitivity around people.
• Feeling a sense of being different.  No one has experiences like you have had.  Because they haven't.
• Instability in relationships.
• Insomnia or restless sleep & nightmares, flashbacks.
• Exagerrated startle response to loud noises.
• Cannot find pleasure in doing activities that used to bring you pleasure or joy (anhedonia).
• Avoiding things or people that trigger memories, thoughts or feelings that remind you of the bad experience.

I was trained in 1991 by Francine Shapiro Ph.D. in using EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing) for the treatment of PTSD (posttraumatic stess disorder) stress symptoms such as insomnia, bad dreams, intrusive unwanted thoughts, hypervigilance, thinking all the time about your life, nightmares intimacy problems and being irritable.   This therapy helps eliminate bad thoughts, images, feelings or behaviors.

Absolutely confidential therapy and treatment for any types of bad thoughts, fantasies or imagery.   If you want to stop being so affected by those images, nightmares or intrusive bad memories, EMDR is a brief and effective treatment for a broad range of symptoms of anxiety and depression. It's been researched very thoroughly and been found to be very effective at reducing symptoms and subjective feelings of unease. You can read more about EMDR at their website.

I just can't stop thinking about
what's happened in my life!

Stop feeling so bad when you can't stop thinking about: Violent acts...as victim or perpetrator... sexual incidents... humiliating experiences...near death accidents ...physical trauma & violence, losses, grief, experiences you regret or are ashamed of.  EMDR can help reduce these unwanted, intrusive and disturbing thoughts, feelings and images.  It's called desensitization, and as a principle of treatment for anxiety disorders desensitization has been found to be a very successful technique.

Examples: Memories from Viet Nam or other wars, rape victim, sexual molestation or incest, pet or animal abuse, bad memories from school or childhood, victim of childhood teasing, shame as a result of your behavior, excessive thoughts or feelings about abandonment, spiritual estrangement, can't get over lost love relationship or just plain feeling bad when you think of certain memories.  EMDR often works when other treatments fail to desensitize the bad feelings, thoughts and images.

Reserve your seats in the next ' Handling Conflict With Confidence' Los Angeles Seminar HERE.

The Seminar costs about as much as three sessions with a marriage therapist.  The only difference is that you might be done spending money on therapy if the workshop turns out to be enough to set your relationship on a good course again!

• It's Affordable
• It's Convenient
• And, It's Really FUN!

Go HERE for more information about the couples seminar.

Private Couples Coaching
Marriage Counseling

Some couples prefer the privacy of meeting privately with me, without other couples present, such as at a workshop.   In private sessions I am more free to do a more thorough assessment of both parties.  For instance, talking about addictions or childhood abuse issues cannot be done at the seminar, but can be explored in private couples sessions.    While it can be useful to explore each partner's history more thoroughly, it can also take up time that might better be used for learning the agreements and the skills.  If you do not suspect that addictions, depression or PTSD (posttraumatic stress disorder) is a part of your problems as a couple, then I would recomend signing up for the couples workshop.

A final comment about my style of therapy - I do not sit calmly, nodding my head saying "Uh-huh, tell me more... Sorry, time's up." Especially with couples!  I will be directive. You will know who I am. You will know what I think.    If I think that a man or woman is acting with contempt, aggression or hostility while speaking in a session, I make it clear that hostility is unacceptable.   That hostility will  probably become the focus in that session.  Contempt, aggression, blame and hostility stops communication and it is poison to repairing the relationship.   I've developed methods and techniques for moving through conflict like this in a compassionate yet firm style.

I will tell you exactly how I think I can help you find relief; and I'll tell you if I don't know.  

Since I believe that many problems occuring within relationships are a result of not knowing other ways of expressing or listening to each other; then my manner of therapy can be didactic and educational at times. This means that I will talk more than most other traditional therapists.   I encourage my clients and couples to let me know if they feel we are not on the right track.  I want you to tell me if you think we are going down an unproductive street or subject.  I can also shut up and listen to the patient, or the couple, when the problem is not so simple as those requiring the agreements, skills and methods of the Course.

Contact & Info

Pacific Skills Training Co. owns RealHope.com

Marc Sadoff, MSW, BCD - Founder/Owner
Pacific Skills Training Co.
2211 Corinth Ave. Suite 309
Los Angeles, CA 90064

Phone- 310 444-1951

Email Marc at Marc@RealHope.com

Office Hours- Monday - Friday from 9 am through 8 pm.
Map to office go HERE.

Psychotherapy
Fees & Forms
Download

Click HERE to download 2 page Intake Form.   The file is called InsHxPatientInfo.doc. Please have this filled out prior to our session.   

My fee for therapy is $150. a session.  I have some spaces for low fee or pro bono cases, only as available.

Insurance Companies
I Work With

• United Behavioral Health
• ValueOptions
• Cigna
• Anthem Blue Cross
• Blue Shield
• United Behavioral Health
• Medicare
• I cannot take CA MediCaid
• Victim Witness Funds
• Cash, check or credit card accepted for fee for services.
• Some sliding fee available upon discussion.

Afghanistan & Iraq Veterans Services

I provide some pro bono therapy services for Veterans
through the GiveAnHour.org Psychotherapy services for depression, anxiety, stress or postraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are offered pro bono.

I also offer low fee or no fee couples treatment for Iraq & Afghanistan Veterans and their partners.   I especially encourage vets and their wives, or husbands, to attend, at no cost, my monthly Couples Communication Skills Simulation Training called, 'Handling Conflict With Confidence.' It's One Day Workshop teaching couples the skills needed to move through conflict without harming each other.  The rules are clear, and when I have veterans in the class workshop then I take a little extra time talking about the effects of PTSD on relationships.

Communication Skills For Couples One Day Saturday Seminar

My Couples Communication Skills Program was featured in Time Magazine (1-19-04) as a representative of the PREP training for couples.   This skills learned in this workshop are excellent for newlyweds because it's like a primer on what rules help make a relationship or marriage succeed. And, the skills learned in this workshop are helpful for very high conflict couples and relationships. That's because if a couple tries these agreements and one, or both of them, cannot stop the abusive behaviors then their problems require professional help. Trying to use the agreements then becomes the means by which the assessment is made that professional help is required. I've done communication skills and conflict management training for Catholic & Jewish organizations, the Veterans Administration, the FBI, other government agencies and many hospitals.  

Since 1998 I've conducted over 150 workshops for the couples trying to 'find the period' when it comes to arguing; and to help them resolve conflict in a way that the couple grows and learns more about each other through the problem. See videos and read emails of couples who have taken the workshop HERE.

Reserve your seats in the next ' Handling Conflict With Confidence' Los Angeles Seminar HERE.

Originally trained by the PREP organization in 1998, I've added some of my own concepts and techniques that I think enhance their great program.   My domestic violence experience compelled me to add an expanded section on taking Time Outs.   The rules of a Time Out I've added are very specific and directive.   The fact is that when there is adrenaline coursing through the bloodstream of some people they CANNOT CONTROL THEIR BEHAVIOR!   It's rarely that these people are extremely abusive or mean or evil.   It's usually more the case that they just don't know what else to do when they get worked up.    So, teaching couples to accept the fact that sometimes one needs to surrender to the fact that nothing will prevent a bad outcome from occurring except for separation from each other for up to an hour.   The belief that I can still get the other person to listen, when that person is agitated and filled with adrenaline; is the belief that will keep me in the room with you.