Survey Response: Susan Farber, MA, MFT
This survey was last updated in January 2010.
Degrees/Licenses Held: MA in Clinical Psychology, Licensed Marriage, Family Therapist
License number: 39125
Contact Information:
Susan Farber
PO Box 91727
Santa Barbara, CA 93190
(805) 886-5538
farbermft@yahoo.com
Locations where you practice:
22 West Micheltorena, Ste B
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
2 hours outside of Santa Maria and Los Angeles
Website: thewinningedgesb.com
TMS Wiki username (if applicable): susanfarbermft
Number of years in practice: 12
Number of years in practice with patients who have TMS: 11
Number of patients you have seen who have had TMS: 30
Do you work with other professionals when helping TMS patients? If so, please describe. I coordinate treatment with Physical Therapists, Orthopedic Doctors, and General Physicians.
How did you first become interested in TMS?
As a competitive cyclist, I have always believed strongly in the mind/body connection, in particular the impact of stress and negative emotions on the body and performance. I suffered low back pain for a number of years which was related to relationship issues. During that time, I was forced to stop cycling due to pain and swam instead. I shared a lane with an older gentleman who suggested that I read Dr. Sarno's book which helped him avoid surgery and recover from his own back pain. Dr. Sarno's book resonated with me from both a personal and professional level and I realized that I had TMS. Once I took ownership of the mind/body connection, my pain began to reside. At that point, I then initiated contact with Dr. David Schechter in LA who specialized in TMS. He confirmed my self-diagnoses and asked me to participate in his educational video as a patient/therapist who recovered from TMS.
Have you ever suffered from TMS? (See above)
What insurance plans do you currently accept? Blue Cross PPO, Aetna HMO/PPO, APS HMO, All PPO plans.
Do you have a sliding scale of payment for people who are not covered by insurance? Yes
What steps should TMS clients take before contacting you? Contact insurance plan to determine reimbursement.
Have you published any materials related to TMS? Yes, I have written an article for a physical therapy agency in town which can be downloaded on my website at susanfarbermft.com.
Which mind-body medicine books do you find yourself recommending most frequently to patients? In particular, do you feel comfortable referring people to Dr. Sarno's books? I refer my clients to the work of Louise Hay and Dr. Sarno.
Additional Questions for Therapists
What have you done to educate yourself about TMS, and what plans do you have for further education about TMS?
As a Marriage Family Therapist intern, I worked under a mind/body therapist who taught me how denied emotions can manifest in chronic pain. In addition, I have read Dr. Sarno's work and continue to receive consultation pertaining to the mind/body connection.
Are you able to conduct therapy sessions over the phone? If so, which states are you licensed to practice in?
I conduct sessions by phone and via Skype nationwide. I am licensed in California as a Marriage, Family Therapist.
Introduction:
My name is Susan Farber and I am a licensed Marriage, Family Therapist, in private practice located in Santa Barbara, California. I take a mind/body approach to treatment which enables me to work well with clients who are experiencing TMS. I am also trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and help clients examine the negative impact of their self-limiting beliefs on achieving a state of peace, self-attunement and calmness.
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