Meet Barbara

Barbara Findeisen has been the driving force behind STAR for decades. From her early insight into prenatal and perinatal psychology to her exploration of the most recent advances in neuroscience, Barbara remains a lifelong student. As she travels the world to meet with and learn from the thought leaders in psychology, spirituality, and neuroscience, she correspondingly updates STAR to incorporate her newfound knowledge. Although an avid student, Barbara is probably most recognized as a tremendous teacher. She has lectured nationally and internationally for nearly forty years and has been invited to address national audiences on radio and television. Her contributions to the world of prenatal and perinatal psychology have been seminal. Barbara is the heart and soul of STAR and you will find her imprint on every aspect of the STAR process.

 

I believe that within the consciousness of each individual lies a healing imprint of the whole authentic Self. The purpose of therapy is to clear away beliefs, fears, guilt and a host of other limiting barriers that restrict us from living in alignment with the essential core purpose and values of that Self. This uncovering is not merely a theoretical intellectual process, for the very nature of wholeness includes emotional, physical, intellectual, and Spiritual dimensions. We yearn for, and seek, an intrinsic balance within our heads, hearts and Spirit. Ideally, therapy's goal is to establish that balance.

The most effective therapeutic environment must be one of trust. The awareness and mindset of the therapist is an integral part of creating this trusting environment. The therapist must set aside personal needs and projections including limiting diagnostic judgments and expectations in order to allow the client's healing process to unfold.

Like an archeologist on an excavation, one can never know what might be discovered or what route the quest for Self may take. The therapist and the client must both trust the wisdom of the healing process. Working within this spacious and judgment-free environment, therapy empowers and transforms lives. This transformation affects not only behaviors, but attitudes and ways of thinking and feeling about oneself and others. With more compassion and wisdom everyone is blessed.

Selected Presentations, Conferences, and Workshops

  • Recovery Center of Excellence Project, State of Maryland
  • Utilizing Complimentary and Alternative Strategies for Recovery-Presenter (July 2010)
  • Mary and Martha’s Place: Center for Spiritual Growth and Nurture – Personal Narratives: The Therapeutic Value – Presenter – Atlanta, GA (Feb. 2010)
  • On Our Own Organization – Workshop Presenter with Cheryl Sharp – Baltimore, Maryland (Oct. 2009)
  • The Developing Brain: New Findings  - Lecturer – Stockholm, Sweden (May 2007)
  • ISPPM Conference – Practical Applications to Prenatal Psychology – Presenter – Moscow, USSR (May 2007)
  • University of Moscow – The Psychology of Infancy - Lecturer – Moscow, USSR (May 2007)
  • APPPAH 13th International Congress – Birth and The Human Family – Speaker – Los Angeles, CA (Feb. 2007)
  • APPPAH 11th International Congress – Birth, Brain and Bonding:  The Psychology and Science of Attachment – Congress co-Chair and Speaker – San Francisco, CA (Dec. 2003)
  • Santa Barbara Graduate Institute – Theory of Birth Psychology – Presenter – Santa Barbara, CA (Jun. 2003)
  • ISPPM International Congress - Embryology, Therapy & Society – Presenter - Arnhem-Nijmegen, The Netherlands (May 2002)
  • IPA 29th Annual Convention:  Exploring Methods of Healing Pre- & Perinatal Wounds – Lecturer – Elmer, NJ (Sep. 2001)
  • ATTACh International Conference: The Science & Psychology of Pre- & Perinatal Attachment – Co-presenter with Dr. Bruce Lipton – Minneapolis, MN (Oct. 2000)
  • Psychology, Stress & Spirituality – Presenter – Stockholm, Sweden (May 2000)
  • Spiritual Renewal Workshop – Leader - Yalapa, Mexico (Jan. 2000)
  • APPPAH 9th International Congress - Birth & Consciousness In The New Millennium–Co-chair and Speaker - San Francisco, CA (Dec. 1999)
  • Being, Doing, Having Workshop – Presenter – Atlanta, GA (Apr. 1999)
  • D.C. Area Guild of Body-Psychotherapist:  The Body / Mind in Pre- & Perinatal Development – Presenter – Washington, D.C. (Apr. 1999)
  • Greater D.C Body Psychotherapist – Keynote Speaker - Washington, D.C. (1998)
  • The Psyche & The Mind Workshop – Presenter – Atlanta, GA (Mar. 1998)
  • International Primal Association Meeting:  Miracles of Transformation - Through Primal To Soul – Keynote Speaker – Elmer, NJ (Aug. 1997)
  • Course In Miracles: Psychology & Spirituality Workshop – Leader - Yalapa, Mexico (Mar. 1997)
  • Midwifery Conference – Speaker - Dallas, TX (Oct. 1996)
  • Regression Therapy Workshop - Leader – Stockholm, Sweden (Apr. 1996)
  • Esalen Institute: Birth Workshop – Leader – Big Sur, CA (Feb. 1996)
  • ISPPM Birth and Society Conference: The Psychology of Birth – Speaker - Heidelberg, Germany (May 1995)
  • Transpersonal Psychology International Conference - Presenter - Ireland (May 1994)
  • ISPPM International Conference – Speaker – Krakow, Poland (1993)
  • University of San Francisco Nursing School Learning Lab: Pre- & Perinatal Psychology - Lecturer - San Francisco, CA (Sep. 1992)
  • IPA Summer Conference – Working With Emotions – Keynote Speaker – (Sept. 1992)
  • ITP International Conference – Lecturer – Prague, Czech. (June 1992)
  • Pre- & Perinatal Psychology Seminar - Speaker – Lund, Sweden (Feb. 1991)
  • Healing Birth Trauma Workshop – Presenter – Menlo Park, CA (Apr. 1989)
  • APRT Conference – Presenter – Ontario, CA (Apr. 1989)
  • California Association of Counseling Development: Birth & Psychology - Presenter  (1988)
  • The Healing Power of Love – Lecturer – Gothenberg, Sweden (Sep. 1987)
  • Gestalt Therapy Association of Scandinavia – Presenter - Denmark (Aug. 1987)
  • ISPPM European Association of Pre- & Perinatal Psychology & Medicine Conference– Presenter - Austria (Aug. 1986)
  • APPPAH 1st International Congress – Speaker – Toronto, Canada (1983)
  • Karolinska Hospital – Lecturer – Stockholm, Sweden (1976)

Education

  • B.A., Stanford University, Education, 1950
  • Elementary Education Teaching Credentials, State of California, 1972
  • M.A., Lone Mountain College, Clinical Psychology, 1974
  • PhD., Honoris Causa, Santa Barbara Graduate Institute, California, 2009

Specialized Training

  • Gestalt Therapy
  • EST
  • Psychodrama
  • Actualizations
  • Reichian Therapy
  • Fischer-Hoffman Process
  • Course in Miracles
  • Primal Therapy
  • Pre- & Perinatal Psychology
  • Attachment Disorder Therapy
  • Regression Therapy
  • Human Sexuality
  • Past Lives Therapy
  • Rolfing
  • Birth Psychotherapy

Professional Experience

1977 - Present
STAR Association, Stockholm, Sweden
Founder

1976 - Present
STAR Foundation, Geyserville, CA
Founder and President, Group Leader, Counselor, Staff Trainer, Workshop Facilitator

1976 – 2004
Private Practice, San Rafael, Healdsburg, Palo Alto, Aptos, CA
Therapist
Private practice including the Bradford Center, Palo Alto, CA, The Marin Center for Intensive Therapy, San Raphael, CA and other California offices in San Francisco, Healdsburg and Aptos.

1986 – 1996
Pocket Ranch Institute, Sonoma County, CA
President and Clinical Director
A 2600-acre retreat center for psychotherapy and crisis intervention, spiritual emergencies, workshops and transformation.

1980 – 1983
Grass Valley Matrix, Grass Valley, CA
Co-owner and Developer
Developed a retreat center for crisis intervention therapy.

1958 – 1961
Pied Piper Nursery School, Palo Alto, CA
Owner/Director

1950 – 1957
Palo Alto Unified School District, Palo Alto, CA
Teacher
Taught Kindergarten through 6th Grade elementary school students.

Selected Publications and Media

  • Findeisen, Barbara R., Wisdom Radio Network:  Inner Wisdom with Carolyn Craft. Radio interview, Bluefield, WV, (Oct. 2001).
  • Findeisen, Barbara R., The Psychology of Birth.  Documentary video co-producer and narrator.  STAR Foundation, Geyserville, CA, (2001).
  • Findeisen, Barbara R., TV and Radio Show with Patrick O’Rourke. Interview,  Sacramento, CA, (Feb. 2001).
  • Findeisen, Barbara R., Beyond Health on Radio KBZS: Health Solutions That Help You Cut Though The Confusion hosted by Raymond Francis.  Radio interview, San Francisco, CA, (Jun. 2000).
  • Findeisen, Barbara R., Boston Sunday Review Show on Radio WBCN-FM.  Live radio interview, Boston, MA, (Apr. 2000).
  • Findeisen, Barbara R., The Laura Lee Radio Show with Laura Lee.  Radio interview, Seattle, WA, (Feb. 2000).
  • Findeisen, Barbara R., Talk America Radio Network: Share Your Thoughts hosted by Andrea Star. In-depth radio interview on psychotherapy, MA, (Oct. 1999).
  • Findeisen, Barbara R., Mind Your Body Radio Show with Tom Katowski, Radio interview, Cleveland, OH, (Oct. 1999).
  • Findeisen, Barbara R., NBC – The Other Side with Dr. Will Miller. Prenatal Learning.  Television interview, Los Angeles, CA (Dec. 1994).
  • Findeisen, Barbara R., Oprah Winfrey Television Show: Pre- & Perinatal Trauma. Television interview, Chicago, IL (1994).
  • Findeisen, Barbara R., Pre- and Perinatal Losses.  Article in Pre- & Perinatal Psychology Journal 8.1, (Fall, 1993).
  • Findeisen, Barbara R., The Joan Rivers Show: Pre- and Perinatal Memories. Television interview, New York, NY, (1990).
  • Findeisen, Barbara R., KLMN Radio with Lou Wright.  Radio interview, Denver, CO, (Oct. 1987).
  • Findeisen, Barbara R., Birth: The Prism of Life.  Article in Pilgrimage Psychotherapy and Personal Exploration Journal, Vol. 13.3, (May / June 1987).