About Our Counselors

John Van Hagen, Ph.D.

Treatment approach

John Van Hagen Originally trained in psychoanalytic psychotherapy, I still appreciate the psychological explanations offered by this theory. However in working with challenging populations in clinics and treatment centers, I saw the need for the skill based contributions of cognitive behavioral therapy. In work with families and couples I found systems theory to be quite helpful. My overall treatment approach is then a pragmatic one which seeks to match theory and techniques with presenting problems.

Experience

Teaching: University of San Francisco, School of Educational Psychology graduate courses in family therapy and child therapy (1990-1993)
Clinical: licensed as a psychologist in 1976 (PSY4469); member of West Portal Counseling Associates since 1989
Administrative: developed and administered child and family programs through CYO (1975-1988)
Supervisory: supervised psychology interns at USF's family therapy clinic (1989-2000)

Personal statement

My supervision of therapists in training helped me to articulate my treatment approach in a practical matter that was understandable to both therapist and patient. My administrative experience has given me a greater appreciation of workplace problems and the workplace culture in which those problems must be solved. A year-long externship at the Mental Research Institute in Palo Alto furthered my skills in working with families and couples. Long interested in psychology and religion, I recently published an essay that uses trauma theory as a way of understanding the development of second century Christianity.