Alison Leigh
Somatic Psychotherapist
Marriage and Family Therapist
Licenses & Certifications
California Licensed Psychologist, 25,500 hours to date (2023)
Licensed (MFT) Marriage and Family Therapist, California, 25,500 hours to date (2023)
Licensed Somatic Psychotherapist, California, 25,000 hours, 2007
Licensed Clinical Psychologist, California, 21,000hours, 2007
Licensed Clinical Sex Therapist, California, 21,000 hours, 2007
Certified Hakomi Method Practitioner, Body Based Psychotherapy, 1500 hours, 2006
Certified Integrative Therapist, The Institute of Health & Healing, 3500 hours, 2004
Certification in Integrative Medicine & Spirituality, (CPMC) California Pacific Medical Center, 500 hours, 2002
Certified Massage Therapist, 4500 hours, Chicago School of Massage Therapy, 1998
Certified Money Coach, Money Coaching Institute, Deborah Price, 2011
Certified Trauma & PTSD Therapist, National Institute for the for the Clinical Application of Behavioral Medicine, 2015
Certified Somatic Experiencing Practitioner, Somatic Experiencing International, Peter Levine, 2014
Certified in (CBT) Cognitive Behavioral Therapist, Berkeley Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Clinic, 2013
Certified in Diversity, Inclusion & Equity, University of Maine, 2019
Certified Executive Coach & Leadership, Harvard University, 2018
Master in Reiki & Energy Healing, Institute of Reiki and Healing, San Francisco, CA 2001
Certified in Acupressure, The Acupressure Institute, Berkely, CA, 1999
Certified Guided Imagery Practitioner, Academy of Guided Imagery, 2003
Certified Medical Hypnotherapist, California Pacific Medical Center, 2002
Certified Yoga Instructor, Alive & Well, Bali, Indonesia, 2011
Certified Mindfulness Instructor, UCSF, Osher Center for Integrative Health, 2004
TV/Film: On-Set Consent & Movement Specialist
On-Set TV/Film Sex Therapist
Certified Mental Health Advocate
Awards & Recognitions
5 Star Rating 20 Years in a row, San Francisco, CA
Dr.Oz Show
The Anatomy of Sex, Guest Health Expert
The People’s Choice Awards
5 Years in a row
GQ Magazine, “Improve your sexual performance"
Voted "San Francisco's Top Sex Therapist" 15 years in a row with a consistent 5 star rating, Yelp
"America's Top Sex Expert", San Francisco Chronicle
Expert Sex Therapist, Dr. Oz Show
“The Best in the Biz” GQ Mens Magazine description
Awarded National Institute of Health (NIH) 5 Year Research Study Grant, The Life Tapes Project: “ An Existential Intervention of Symbolic Immortality”
The People’s Choice Award, 2012, 2013, 2014
Certified Law & Ethics Provider, CAMFT, 2013
National Institute of Health, 5 Year Research Grant for The Life Tapes Project, UCSF
Resume/CV
Doctor of Human Sexuality, Ph.D
The Life Tapes Project
“An existential intervention of Symbolic Immortality”
California Institute of Integral Studies
MA, Somatic Psychology, 2002
California Pacific Medical Center
UniversityWisconsin, Madison
BA, Psychology, Business 1992
California Association of Marriage and Family
Hi. I’m Alison!
I’m a Clinical Psychologist, Somatic Sex Therapist, and Executive Coach. I’ve been helping individuals and couples achieve profound personal and professional success for over 25 years in both my private practice as well as in their workplace as an Executive Coach.
My approach is holistic and integrative which means YOU are at the center of my attention instead of your symptoms. My practice is body-based and utilizes principles from Buddhism such as Mindfulness to help you feel grounded, safe and free to express yourself. To add value to your experience, I also bring a 15 years of success in the Healing Arts as a Bodyworker, Energy Healer and as a Medical Intuitive.
One of my passions includes educating the public. I’m a communication expert and a sexual health advocate for companies as well as their employees. I’ve teamed with Human Resources to create stigma free, inclusive and safe environments to express emotions and teach empathy. I’ve trained thousands of staff members on how to use Emotional Intelligence, mindfulness, and empathy to find more joy and pleasure in their jobs and career aspirations.
Clinical Experience
Support Groups Led
Sexual Trauma Recovery for Women
Married Men’s group: support group for men with infants
The Orange Buddahs: practice group for mindful and happy people
The White Tantras: learning somatic skills for sexual healing
Classes Taught
Somatic Tools for health professionals: learning how to use the body in health and healing (6 weeks)
Sensory Awareness: introduction to using your senses fully
*Workshops : (1-2 days)
Zen and Now: Learning and appreciating what “is”
Somatic Experiencing: Trauma Release Recovery
Body Awareness: learning the language of the body
Mindful Sex: How to go slow during sex
More Me, Less Him: how to make yourself happy first
Sensory Awareness: Learning how to feel
He said, She didn’t: The differences between female and male sexuality
Corporate Presentations:
The Mindful Workplace: living and working together in harmony
Stress-Less: Bridging the gap with somatic tools at the workplace
Stanford Cancer for Integrative Medicine
California Pacific Medical Center
Marin General Hospital
Institute of Health & Healing
UCSF
Osher Center for Integrative Medicine
Continued Education
NEW PERSPECTIVES CENTER FOR COUNSELING
Provided Cognitive/Behavioral (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral therapy (DBT), and
Solution Focused therapy to people with Axis I, II disorders, chronic pain, PTSD and
worked extensively with the LGBTQ community.
Anxiety and depression
Couples counseling
Co-dependency
Addictions
Anger and stress management
Self-esteem and empowerment
Eating disorders (Bulimia, Anorexia, Body Dysmorphic Disorder)
Sexual, physical, and emotional abuse
Trauma recovery/rehabilitation,
Intimacy
PTSD (Post traumatic Stress Disorder)
Chronic pain/terminal illness
Psychosomatic illness
Mood disorders
Trichotillomania
Personality disorders (Borderline, OCD)
Gender/Identity disorders
Sexual dysfunction
Clinical Research Director, Oral Historian
The Life Tapes Project
o Maintained and developed collaborative efforts with Stanford University Statisticians in order to track the statistical analysis of cancer patients and their families.
o Awarded a 5 year National Institutes of Health Research Grant.
o Directed and conducted a five year research study called the “Life Tapes Project: An Existential Intervention of cancer patients” which was internationally published in The Journal of Oncology (link here)
Collaborated and formed a team with David Spiegel, Chief of Psychiatry at Stanford University.
o Maintained and developed collaborative efforts with Stanford University Statisticians in
Partnered with Statisticians to create, implement and assess each patient and their short and long term clinical prognosis.
Awarded a 5 year National Institutes of Health Research Grant.
Implemented and maintained a synchronistic and collaborative culture between departments.
Created & developed detailed questionnaire templates which were approved by the National Institute of Health & Committee on Human Research.
o Granted & Completed a research Dissertation in Psychological Assessment and development for the Life Tapes Project.
o Independently recruited all cancer patients and their families.
o Charted and documented the daily activity of over 500 patients.
o Conducted confidential videotaped sessions in person for patients and their families.
Clinical Psychologist & Patient Case Manager
o Created and led and the first team of supervised of interns in the history of the hospital.
o Provided Cognitive-Behavioral and Solution-Focused therapies.
o Provided Guided Imagery and Medical Hypnotherapy
o Taught basic hospital medical diagnostic skillsets to interns.
o Provided patients with Medical Hypnotherapy, Guided Imagery and pain reduction.
o Counseled clients with Depression, Anxiety, Panic Disorder, and PTSD.
o Created support groups for patients with Cancer, AIDS, and other terminal illnesses.
o Guided patients through trauma to recovery
o *Provided Physical, Psychological, Clinical and Rehabilitative
Evaluations
o *Easily and Effectively Collaborated with all Departments (ER, Neo-
Natal, Trauma)
o *Accompanied Clients to ER, Hospitals and Recovery Programs
o *High Adaptability to different cultures and multiple environments
o *Establish Base Line and Acute Care Treatment Plans
o Uphold highest Ethical Standards and Professionalism
o Communicate Effectively and Actively with all positions and Teams.
o *Conducted and lead Breast Cancer Support Groups
o *Educated Physicians on Holistic Pain Managment---
Behavioral Medical Psychologist
o Provided pain relief, stress management, and Interactive Guided Imagery to inpatients.
o Conducted and led mind/body support groups for patients’ families.
o Collaborated with Oncology department to learn new medical procedures.
o Certified and led chronic pain and terminal illness recovery groups.
o Treated hundreds of patients’ life enhancing skills while they were surviving cancer.
o Led mind-body women’s support groups to pregnant women in the ICU.
o Taught stress reduction to patients’ families with terminal illnesses.
o Analyzed patient psychosocial lifestyle using qualitative statistical measurements.
o Provided instruction to Physicians on bedside manner and rapport building for their patients.
Medical Hypnotherapy Therapist, Pain Recovery Specialist
o Provided Hospital Patient Assessments and Medical diagnosis.
o Provided Cognitive/Behavioral, Dialectical Behavioral therapy, and Solution Focused therapy
people with Axis I, II disorders, chronic pain and post- traumatic stress disorder.
o Worked extensively with the LGBTQ community and sexual trauma recovery.
o Collaborated with massage therapists, guided imagery specialists and medical
hypnotherapists.
Research Medical Director, Oral Historian
Directed, Conducted, Recruited and Interviewed a 5 year NIH approved research study called “The Life Tapes
Project: An Existential Intervention of cancer patients” which was internationally published in collaboration with Ernest H. Rosenbaum, MD, David Spiegel, Chief of Psychiatry at Stanford University
o Independently recruited all cancer patients and their families.
o Charted and documented the daily activity of over 500 patients.
o Conducted confidential videotaped sessions in person for patients and their families.
The Rosen Method Bodywork- Marion Rosen
Additional Training The Rosen Method Bodywork- Marion Rosen
Anna Halprin's Dance for Life- Anna Halprin, Ph.D
Fundamentals of Accupressure -Michael Reed Gach, Ph.D
Cells and the Sacred-Sondra Barrett, Ph.D
Embodied Anatomy-Terri Katz, PT
Psychology of Play- Jaques Verduin, M.A.
Law and Ethics-Padma Catell, Ph.D
Family Dynamics- Tina Stromsted, Ph.D
Advanced Family Therapy- Jonathan Rosenfeld, Ph.d
Sensory Awareness-Judith Weaver, Ph.D
Human Sexuality-Jack Morin, Ph.D
Human Development- Alan Kubler, Ph.D
5 Element Theory of Chinese Medicine, Jon Elke, C.
Emotional Release Bodywork
Yoga and Pilates
Buddhism
Eastern philosophy, Chinese Taoism, and Five Element Theory
Psychoneuroimmunolgy (how emotions affect physical health)
Feng Shui
Emotional Response Training
Professional Affiliations
Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA
UCSF, University of California, San Francisco, CA California
CAMFT (California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists)
United States Association for Body Psychotherapy Professionals
European Association for Body Psychotherapy Professionals
California Institute of Integral Studies
American Massage Therapy Association
California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists
The Hakomi Institute
Provided Mindfulness-Based Meditation and massage therapy to stressed executives
Inspired cultural organizational shifts
Provided Strategy Consulting with C-Level leaders.
Taught Emotional Intelligence and Active Listening Skills
Led Anger and Stress Management Support Groups for stressed out executives.
Trauma Management
Case Management
Human Performance Risk Management
Fostered both Independent and Team Interdisciplinary Teams
Ensure Operational Needs of Department
Constructed Treatment Plans and Progress Reports
Documented and Managed 1000’s of Case Loads and Medical
Interations
Upheld HIPPA Compliancy, Legal Requirements and Confidentiality at
all times
Alison Leigh, PhD, MFT
My approach is somatic — body-based — which means I work with the whole person, not just their symptoms.
“Alison is the best therapist in the world. I never could have overcome my issues without her”
Daniel Hanes, CEO
“She made me feel so comfortable and settled. ”
Amanda Wells, Author
CONTACT
