Mary Ann Kassier is a compassionate Clinical Social Worker and Therapist, holding an LCSW and CGP. She believes that each individual navigates their family of origin and early environments by developing coping strategies to contend with life's challenges. However, these strategies can sometimes hinder the ability to foster healthy relationships and manage stress effectively. As a therapist, she helps individuals, couples, families, and groups to unravel the complexities of entrenched relational patterns, which can often lead to frustration, anxiety, disappointment, and resentment. Through psychotherapy, clients gain insights into their interactions and develop new choices in how they respond to others, enriching their emotional well-being. Mary Ann's engaged and active therapeutic style promotes forward movement by emphasizing strengths and examining beliefs that may impede self-esteem and authentic communication. She earned her MSW from U.C. Berkeley in 1980 and has extensive experience, having served as the Director of Social Services in two hospitals and maintaining a private practice since 1990. In addition to her clinical work, she is a member of the faculty and currently chairs the Group Therapy Training program at The Psychotherapy Institute in Berkeley, where she also teaches a monthly Group Development Course, showcasing her commitment to professional development in the field.