About — Scott Menasco PhD, LMFT

Many of the people I work with are thoughtful, self-aware, and committed to growth.

They have read books, reflected on their experiences, and tried to understand themselves, but still find themselves caught in anxiety, self-criticism, or relationship patterns that do not fully make sense.

You may notice yourself overthinking, feeling overwhelmed by emotions, or struggling to express your needs clearly in relationships. At times, you might feel disconnected from yourself or unsure how to move forward.

Therapy can be a space where these patterns begin to make sense, and where real change becomes possible.

How I work

My approach is relational, trauma-informed, and experiential. Rather than focusing primarily on managing symptoms, we explore the deeper processes that drive them.

This often means working with early attachment patterns, self-critical and protective parts of the self, and emotional experiences that have been difficult to process or express. I draw on somatic awareness, paying attention to what the body knows, alongside more reflective and interpretive work.

Many of my clients have done therapy before. They come looking for something with more depth, work that moves beyond coping strategies toward a more lasting shift in how they relate to themselves and others.

What I specialize in

–     Anxiety, overthinking, and emotional overwhelm

–     Self-criticism, shame, and chronic self-doubt

–     Codependency and relational patterns

–     Developmental and relational trauma

–     Religious trauma and shame-based conditioning

–     Dreamwork, integrating dreams as a living dimension of the therapeutic process

Background

I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a Ph.D. and advanced training in integrative, experiential, and trauma-informed approaches.

My doctoral research explored consciousness and the nature of mind through Buddhist contemplative philosophy, an inquiry that informs how I think about well-being at its deepest levels.

My clinical training includes work in developmental trauma and attachment, experiential and somatic methods, inner child and parts work, and transpersonal and depth-oriented psychology. I completed a year-long Embodied Experiential Dreamwork training with Dr. Leslie Ellis, whose work integrates dreamwork with somatic and relational therapy.

I work with individuals online throughout California, and in person in Petaluma.

Getting started

If you are considering therapy, I invite you to reach out for a free consultation. This gives us a chance to connect, talk about what is bringing you in, and see if working together feels like a good fit.