Dr. Molly Kierein: Expert Psychologist and Therapist

Dr. Molly Kierein completed predoctoral training at The University of Arizona, College of Medicine (UA) and postdoctoral training at The San Francisco Veteran Affairs Medical Center (SFVAMC). Her research focused on the neurological functioning associated with psychotic symptoms and other brain-behavior mechanisms corresponding to a mental health. Her therapy training embraced the concept of neuroplasticity. Neuroplasticity is the ability of the brain to form new connections and pathways and change how its circuits are wired based on, among other things (e.g. medication, cognitive remediation) conscious and consistent behavioral changes. Often when we change our behaviors, our thoughts and feeling will follow.

Dr. Kierein specializes in treating issues related to trauma, depression, performance anxiety, life transitions, shyness, low self-esteem, perfectionism, and self-criticism. Her area of expertise is in helping individuals and couples overcome a variety of relationship concerns including infidelity, internet addiction, dating difficulties, commitment issues, co-dependence, and other barriers to having effective relationships.

Dr. Kierein has a special interest in mindfulness and acceptance-based therapies. Mindfulness-based treatments help individuals learn stay mindful of and observe uncomfortable thoughts, feelings and sensations, without clinging to them or attempting to avoid them.  She practices mindfulness-based cognitive behavioral approaches that help individuals cultivate self-awareness self-compassion and acceptance through experiential work in the present moment. She has obtained extensive training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy(CBT), Schema Therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). She is committed to providing personalized and effective evidence-based psychotherapy and takes a holistic approach to helping people achieve greater emotional, mental, relational, and spiritual health.

Are you experiencing symptoms that are getting in the way of work and relationships? Are you repeating patterns that keep you stuck? Are you feeling alone as you face common life struggles? Life is hard and I’m here to help you navigate through in a way that strengthens your resilience and improves your wellbeing.

I use evidence-based methods to address a broad spectrum of challenges for adults and adolescents from diverse backgrounds who are experiencing difficulties associated with life transitions, emotional dysregulation, suicidality, addiction, bereavement, anxiety disorders, depression, body dysmorphia, eating disorders, phobias, trichotillomania, trauma related difficulties, shyness, low self-esteem, self-criticism, and adolescent psychosis.

I use exposure therapy, motivational interviewing, and psychodynamic approaches as well as mindfulness-based treatments including emotion-focused therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Mindfulness-based treatments help individuals strengthen the ability to observation uncomfortable thoughts, feelings and sensations, without clinging to them or attempting to avoid them. The goal of deepening our self-observation skills is to create more choices in the face of discomfort, which will lead to greater self-mastery. We want to lean into the discomfort in order to cultivate greater self-awareness, self-compassion, acceptance, and distress tolerance.

My therapeutic style, depending on client need, aims to strike a balance between “passive” process (insight/talk) and “active” self-observing behavioral experiments both inside and outside of therapy. It is important that what we talk about in session is matched with our actions. Therapy homework is always evidence-based and collaborative and treatment choices are personalized and adapted to fit your individual needs throughout the varying stages of treatment. I will work with you to you resolve self-defeating patterns. I will help you identify your unique personal values and develop the skills necessary to live a values-consistent life. And with sensitivity and compassion, I will provide supportive feedback to help you recognize your strengths, overcome your barriers, and achieve your goals.

I believe that each individual is capable of living the life he or she yearns for, and my passion is to help you create the change necessary to live your life to the fullest. My active and practical approach to therapy has inspired me to integrate pertinent techniques so that I can understand each individual’s unique circumstances.

I am dedicated to working collaboratively with you to overcome self-defeating patterns and create the life you desire. I will work with you to learn to mindfully observe all your experiences and take steps that bring you closer to the kind of person you want to be and the life you desire. I use up-to-date strategies to help resolve current problems and long-standing patterns. With sensitivity and compassion, I provide supportive feedback to help you recognize your strengths, overcome your barriers, and achieve your goals.