About Scott Menasco, PhD, LMFT
Hi, I'm Dr. Scott Menasco. I’m a transdisciplinary scholar and therapist. When clients come to me, I help them learn to relate to their challenges in the context of their lifelong development. Rather than seeing symptoms or conflicts as something that shouldn’t be happening, we begin to look at them in terms of what purpose or function they are serving for the individual. This opens the door for clients to be engaged in a process of self-revelation and insight.
My Journey To Becoming A Therapist
When I was in college I struggled with substance abuse and just knowing who I was. I felt empty inside. The things I did to try and bolster my self-esteem began to feel meaningless. After a sports injury I began studying meditation and psychology. I volunteered as a wildlife ranger in South Africa, and then lived in Kathmandu for almost six months. When I returned home I knew I needed to continue studying psychology. That was just the beginning of my healing journey.
My Professional Background
In 2013, I graduated with a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology. I am licensed as a Marriage and Family Therapist in the state of California (License #111342) ). Additionally, I completed my doctorate in Transformative Studies. My research focused on the intersection of Buddhist philosophy and the concept of mental health.
I began working with clients in 2012. while receiving intensive training from the previous affiliate of the John Bradshaw Center. There I gained in-depth knowledge of working with codependency and recovery from shame. I received extensive training on healing the inner-child and working with childhood trauma. This was a unique training in both its intensity and focus on shame. Subsequent to that I worked with the impact of trauma in different settings; with folks exiting incarceration, with children many of whom were in foster care, families, and individuals. Here is a list of some of the trainings I have participated in (in addition to my Master’s and Doctoral degrees).
Natural Awakening: Nondual Teacher/Therapist Training - Timeless Wisdom - 10 months, 2011-2012
transpersonal, nondual transmission oriented training for one-on-one and group practice
Foundations for Clinical Mastery - Center for Creative Growth - 2 years - 2012-2014
Former affiliate of John Bradshaw Center; 12-step, recovery from shame, codependency, complex trauma, boundaries. Training in Gestalt-therapy (parts-work), Relational Therapy (transference/counter-transference dynamics), Family systems, Expressive Arts, Hypnotherapy/Closed-eye work, Focusing.
iRest Yoga Nidra, Guided Meditation Teacher Training Level 1 - 2017
Guided meditation training for PTSD/Anxiety/Depression
Introduction to Sandplay - Sandplay Training Worldwide - 2018
Sandplay for Complex Trauma - Sandplay Training Worldwide - 2020
The Shamanic Journey - Depth Hypnosis Foundations Course -Applied Buddhist Psychology I - Working With Dreams - Fundamentals of Integrated Energy Medicine - Relationships & Karma -
Sacred Stream School for Consciousness Studies, 2023
Embodied Experiential Dreamwork - Dr. Leslie Ellis, Inward Bound, - 1 year - 2024-2025
Year training on working with dreams, nightmares from scholar-practitioner and nightmare researcher Dr. Leslie Ellis.
Let’s Discover How I Can Help
Start feeling better about yourself. Get your free phone consultation where you can share what’s going on for you and we can explore how I can help.
Email me today at scott@scottmenasco.com . I'd be glad to discuss your concerns and how I think therapy might help.