Tamara Ellis, Ph.D., M.F.T
Dr. Ellis studied Counseling Psychology at Lewis and Clark Graduate School of Professional Studies in Portland, Oregon. Her training was focused in both traditional psychodynamic theory (Self Psychology, Object Relations, contemporary psychodynamic theory) and Cognitive Behavioral Theory. Her original clinical focus was the study of children and adolescents, family therapy and group therapy. She completed a full internship at a local hospital, in the psychiatric treatment facility for adolescents and youth.
Upon receiving her Master’s degree, Dr. Ellis began her in-depth training in the Humanistic theories of psychology. She completed a five year training program with the Portland Gestalt Therapy Training Institute (PGTTI) and went on to train other Gestalt therapists at the national level. She also completed training in various theories of trauma resolution such as EMDR, Traumatic Incident Reduction (TIR) and hypnosis. In private practice, Dr. Ellis specialized in working with adolescents, eating disordered clients, families facing infertility, adoption and adoptees, clients affected by HIV/AIDS and adult development issues. Dr. Ellis worked as a pro bono therapist for Cascade AIDS Project for many years. Also while living in Portland, Dr. Ellis worked in the forensic arena of psychology as a custody evaluator and co-parenting mediator.
Dr. Ellis' doctoral studies were focused primarily around issues of marital dissolution, high conflict divorce and alternative dispute resolution (ADR) work. She has also worked and trained extensively with both the Gestalt and Enneagram communities. She has worked closely with Collaborative Practice Santa Cruz (www.collaborativepracticesantacruz.com) as a Communications Coach, Child Specialist and Management Team member. She remains dedicated to improving the process of creating healthy bi-nuclear families in Santa Cruz County. Dr. Ellis has worked closely with her advisor and mentor, Dr. Pamela Brill (author of "The Winner’s Way") throughout her post-master's training. Dr. Ellis has also trained extensively with Helen Palmer, Ph.D. and David Daniels, M.D. of the Enneagram Studies in the Narrative Tradition program in Palo Alto, CA. (www.Enneagramworldwide.com).
Dr. Ellis is in private practice in Aptos, CA, where she treats individuals, couples, families and groups. She works in conjunction with the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Cruz as a Parenting Coordinator, Therapeutic Visitation Supervisor and Reunification Therapist. She also offers private co-parenting mediation services.
TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE TIME LINE
| 1986.1989 | The Private Industry Council (Social Service Agency Management) |
| 1988.1991 | Parents Anonymous (Play Therapy Supervisor) |
| 1989-1990 | Eating Disorder Group Therapist |
| 1991-1992 | Holladay Park Hospital, Adolescent and Youth Unit
(Family and individual therapist) |
| 1990.1992 | Lewis and Clark Masters Degree Program |
| 1993.1999 | Portland Gestalt Therapy Training Institute Program |
| 1997.1999 | National Gestalt Therapy Training Programs
(Los Angeles, Cleveland, Washington) |
| 1997 | National Presenter, AAGT Conference (Cleveland, OH)
"Gestalt and Creativity" |
| 1991.1999 | Private practice, Portland, OR |
| 1999.2002 | Organic Farmer, Corralitos, CA |
| 2003-present | Private practice, Aptos, CA |
| 2005 | Monterey College of Law
(mediation and collaborative practice) |
| 2004-present | Enneagram Training Program, Palo Alto, CA |
| 2005-present | Collaborative Practice Santa Cruz (Coach, Child Specialist) |
| 2007 | Completion of Doctoral studies |
| 2006-present | Parenting Coordinator Program development |
| 2005-present | Board member, local nonprofit organization |
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
Association of Enneagram Teachers in the Narrative Tradition (AETNT)
California Association of Marital and Family Therapists (CAMFT)
Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC)
California Board of Behavioral Sciences MFT
