Meet David Behar

Educational and Career Background:

I graduated from University of California Santa Cruz in 1985 with a Bachelors Degree in psychology.

While doing my undergraduate work, I began working with severely autistic children doing occupational therapy and became familiar with some of the biological and neurological underpinnings of developmental disabilities.

In 1990 I graduated from the University of San Francisco with a Masters degree in Counseling and Education Psychology with an Emphasis in Marriage and Family Counseling.

Prior to and following my graduate work, I became very involved with adolescent psychology which illuminated my understanding of trauma and ego development.

Following my graduate work, I spent much of many years doing therapy with adults with major mental illnesses such as Major Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia, Schizoaffective and other psychotic disorders. I also have a background in case management, geriatric psychology, case management and professional fiduciary and estate management.

The Healing Power of Music and the Arts:

I am an accomplished photographer and Bauhaus artist specializing in abstract and industrial forms.

I’m a Blues guitarist, a Jazz guitar enthusiast and historian, an ethnomusicologist focusing mostly Afro-Cuban, Afro-Caribbean and African music as well as Indian, Middle Eastern, Brazilian, Jazz, Funk, Rock, Hip Hop and Experimental and various blends of these forms.

I believe that the music arts can inspire and transform both the artist and those encountering the arts.

I strongly believe in music and the visual arts have the power to inspire and to heal. I have found that, often, the type of art and music a person appreciates can become a metaphor for a person’s world view. In fact, clients sometimes become exposed to new art forms during a period of growth through therapy.

I feel very blessed to be able to do work that is truly meaningful and in many cases transformational in the lives of others. For me, psychotherapy (like the visual and musical arts) is emotionally satisfying and intellectually challenging.

I value the artistic endeavors of my clients, and I often encourage my clients to explore their own creativity through whatever art form appeals to them most.