In My Own Words

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Dr. Melinda Ginne Licensed Psychologist Behavioral Medicine + Geropsychology Current Professional Activities In 1980 I began my professional career as a Behavioral Medicine Specialist at Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Hayward, California. Six years later I left Kaiser to complete my doctoral studies. I spent the next 15 years developing an expertise in geriatrics. In 2001 I returned to Kaiser as a Behavioral Medicine Specialist, I treat patients who have both a medical and psychological concern. For example, diabetes and depression, heart disease and anxiety, or migraine headache and stress. I consult with the department of Neurology, co-leading medical groups for patients with a variety of neurological disorders such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, traumatic brain injury, and migraine headache. As a geriatric specialist I see patients referred by the geriatric medical clinic and I specialize in diagnosing and treating geriatric mental health concerns including: late-life depression, anxiety, post-stroke syndrome, vascular dementia, and Alzheimer's disease. I have been active in the Alameda County Psychological Association (ACPA) since 2004, serving as President in 2007. For many years I have taught at UC Berkeley Extension on topics related to aging and behavioral medicine. In addition to creating and promoting, IN MY OWN WORDS ®, a video advance directive recording service, I have a private practice in which I see patients and their family members. I occasionally offer one of these three groups In my off hours I enjoy playing with my cats, going to the movies, traveling to Canada and Mexico, and growing orchids, roses, azaleas, gardenias and herbs. Education and Training History Undergraduate Degree In 1972, I earned my Bachelor's Degree in Sociology from California State University at San Diego (CSUSD). The chair of the Sociology Department, was also the Director at the Center for the Studies of the Person (CSP). Carl Rogers, Ph.D., a fellow at CSP, is known for development of Client Centered Therapy and was one of the most noted psychotherapists of the 20th century. During my college years, I spent many nights and weekends in encounter groups with Dr. Rogers and his colleagues. In my junior and senior years of college, I became involved with a community of psychotherapists in San Diego that used Gestalt Therapy to staff the telephone crisis line at the YMCA. Two to four times per week we participated in personal-growth Gestalt therapy groups, and we honed our clinical skills in training and supervision groups. Gestalt Therapy Training When I graduated from college I moved to the Gestalt Institute of Canada. Fritz Perls, MD, the creator of Gestalt therapy had founded a community of Gestalt practitioners on Vancouver Island in British Colombia. They lived at Lake Cowichan, a compound of cabins built in 1926 as a lakeside retreat. Ms Barry Stevens wrote about her experiences at Lake Cowichan in her book, Don't Push the River: it flows by itself. I spent the Fall and Winter living at the Gestalt Institute of Canada's College House program for people 21 years of age and under.

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