About Edna Wallace, M.A.,MFT, CGP  

Mostly online or telephone therapy; some in-person spots available at San Carlos office.

Work with Couples and Individuals:

I am a member of CAMFT (California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists) and NCGPS (Northern California Group Psychotherapy Society). In my work, I seek to coach couples in maintaining their separateness and the ability to “hold onto oneself” whilst working out differences. I strive to provide a respectful and empathic stance to assist in the difficult process of opening up and talking through issues. I realize that these are complex, sometimes irresolvable issues. I also bring practical skills into the picture, such as training in “speaking for self” and “active listening.”

With individuals, I have worked with clients on many different presenting issues—from alternative lifestyle referrals through to transitions and coping with loss … the loss of a marriage, the loss of a loved one, the loss of function and identity through old age. I aim to help clients navigate through the treacherous channels and emerge with some sense of peace or growth.

Community Wellness:

I believe in community service—getting involved and doing local outreach. In 2017 and 2018, I gave presentations on depression and CBT skills at the Sunnyvale Senior Center and at the Bay Area Older Adults Organization. I also trained interns and new staff at El Camino Hospital on facilitating process groups for patients. I was Adjunct Faculty at Santa Clara University (2010-2012), leading process groups for students in counseling psychology. I have also frequently spoken at universities on group therapy and on alternative sexuality (2007-present). In the wellness realm, I have a particular interest in speaking to common life struggles—giving community talks on topics such as: “Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Techniques & Mindfulness” (Sunnyvale Senior Center, 8/2018); “Depression and Anxiety in Older Adults” (Sunnyvale Senior Center, 3/2018); “Active Listening Skills” (Notre Dame de Namur counseling class, 3/2016); “Treating Depression in Older Adults” (Santa Clara County Behavioral Health board, 11/2015); “Challenging Negative Thoughts” (Santa Clara University, 4/2011, City Govt. of Cupertino, 6/2011, 2/2012); “The Art of Time Management” (City Govt of Cupertino, 9/2011); “The Complex World of Decluttering” (City Govt. of Cupertino, 3/2011); “Stress-Busting” (Los Gatos Networking event, 1/2011); and “The MFT Journey” (Santa Clara University, 4/2008-5/2011, Notre Dame University, 8/2011). I also wrote training materials on Group Therapy Facilitating and conducted advanced workshops in leading groups (El Camino Hospital, 6/2018, 10/2015).

Publications:

Wrote two articles on the OATS program for INSIGHT Community-wide ECH newsletter (2012, 2013), which were also used for marketing OATS to local senior centers and for the 2013 OATS Open House. Wrote an article on Therapy and Mindfulness for SCV-CAMFT’s Quarterly Professional Newsletter (2011). Wrote an article on gratitude for Palo Alto Weekly (2011). Wrote poetry and essays for IMC’s Mindfulness-based Creative Works magazine (2014). Group Therapy Poem published in NCGPS’s Quarterly Professional Newsletter (2014). Interviewed and featured as the Community Therapist for SCV-CAMFT Quarterly Professional Newsletter (Jan. 2015). I am a regular contributor to the newsletter of the local chapter of CAMFT (2019-present).

Background:

I have worked at Pathways Hospice, counseling clients for grief and loss; the SC County Suicide and Crisis Hotline; the Department of Alcohol and Drug Services (DADS)—running substance abuse groups and doing intakes; and the Center for Healthy Development (CHD). At CHD, I counseled adults, teens, and children and ran groups addressing high-conflict divorce and domestic violence.

I earned my Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology from Santa Clara University in 2006. In 2010, I received certification as a group therapist (CGP) and joined the Northern California Group Psychotherapy Society.

Services:

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (MFC #46206) and Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPC #82) with my private practice office in San Carlos, California. I seek to help individuals and couples improve relationships and enhance their sense of self. In this complex work, I strive to remain compassionate and empathic with the issues brought into the room.