UCB Parents Therapy & Counseling Recommendations

Mary Haake

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Re: Divorce & Children's Issues
Kaiser Oakland Psychiatric Dept. runs a kids divorce group -- led by a very good, kind therapist Dr. Mary Haake. Quite low key but a nice, safe experience for the kids to discuss weighty issues w/peers. Groups are divided by age, not by gender. Both my kids (age 4 and 8) loved Dr. Haake (the feeling doctor)
Re: Therapist for 4-year-old son
Kaiser- Oakland absolutely does provide short-term counseling for kids and families and I'd recommend Dr. Mary Haake. When my husband and I separated, my son - 2.5 years old at the time - had screaming-sobbing fits, especially about going to my new home. We had several appointments with Dr. Haake, some all together, some separately. My son didn't always have to be there. She even called me at home so we could talk before she went on vacation. I last went to her sometime this last fall. She interacted with my son, observed him playing, and listened a lot to our accounts of his behavior. In the end, she didn't really "counsel" my son, but rather counseled me and my husband on handling parenting during the separation. Her recommendations partly led to my husband to seek further counseling for himself. She also provided a lot of insight on re-assuring my son. I also found that even when I hadn't seen her for a while I was able to get an appointment with her quickly when a "crisis" occurred. I do not recall if I had to get a referral or not, but you can call child psychiatry (I think it is accessed through the main psychiatry number). It does count against your annual number of mental health visits. Dr. Mary Haake is in the Broadway building, 4th floor, 596 1075 - direct line, but you might have to call the psychiatry number to get the first appointment. Alan
I want to second the recommendation for Dr. Mary Haake at Oakland Kaiser. When my husband and I separated, she saw both my kids. A 7.5 year old girl and 4 yr old boy. (my son was too young to really engage with her, but she offerred a lot of insight and advice to me on how to help him) She also runs a kids divorce group which my daughter attended and from which we all benefitted. We had some health and custodial conflicts in the family and Dr. Haake was very good to work with on those also -- always helping to place things in the kids perspective and looking out for their best interest. She even spent time talking to me over the phone when things were particularly tough.
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