• EDUCATION:

    In 1994, I began my training in Voice Dialogue with the creators, Drs. Hal and Sidra Stone. In 1998 I became part of their senior staff, facilitating and teaching at their Voice Dialogue trainings in Albion, California.

    I received my Master's degree in Counseling Psychology from the University of San Francisco in 1997, and, after acquiring 3000 practice hours and passing a written and oral exam, I received my California Marriage and Family Therapy license to practice psychotherapy in 2001.

  • EXPERIENCE:

    In addition to my formal education and the learning that has come from working with my clients over the past 12 years, I draw upon my experience as a partner in a 35 year marriage and as a mother of three children, now all in their 20's. I have also learned invaluable lessons about living and loving through my own journey of healing and growth. I am personally familiar with the rewards of using therapy as a resource to help an individual and couple find their way through difficult times. I also have come to deeply appreciate how therapy can be a safe and creative place for someone to meet and embrace what inner selves live in their unconscious, and by making them conscious, experience a new sense of wholeness.

  • PRACTICE THEORIES:

    My work is primarily informed by the profound creative ideas of Drs. Hal and Sidra Stone, who developed the Voice Dialogue method within their Psychology of Selves & the Aware Ego theory. I also draw upon the work of Carl Jung, Alfred Alder, Virginia Satir, Aaron Beck, Julia Cameron, Ellen Bader, Peter Pearson, David Schnarch, Dorothy Corkille Briggs and Murray Bowen.

  • TESTIMONIALS:

    "Mary Disharoon is a warm, insightful, and truly competent practitioner who works well with both individuals and couples. She brings to her work a combination of the knowledge that comes with education, and the wisdom that comes from having lived a full life. We are happy to recommend her both as a facilitator and teacher of Voice Dialogue."
    -Hal Stone, Ph.D. & Sidra Stone, Ph.D., Creators of Voice Dialogue, Albion, CA

    "Mary questioned without criticizing, analyzed without judging, informed without controlling. Our experience together transformed my life."
    -L.F., Cupertino, CA

    "I can't imagine what my life would be like without the input you have given me over this last year. I feel like every time I leave I have something to work on or a tool to use to further me in my life."
    -B.Y., Santa Rosa, CA

    "I never could have come to love myself as I do without your incredible wisdom, guidance and love. Your words live in me and I do often hear your voice – it will always be with me wherever this big wonderful life leads me."
    -D.C., Santa Rosa, CA

    "You are a model of what it means to be a good therapist, a good human. Thank you from the bottom of my heart."
    -J.F., Santa Rosa, CA

    "You have touched my heart in such a deep and profound way. You have assisted both my daughter and myself to be able to give and receive love, and to me this is the greatest gift of all. Thank you!"
    -M.R., Petaluma, CA

    "When Mary facilitates me, she begins by listening closely to what I have to say. She then follows a thread of meaning and discovers which inner selves are involved in the issue and need to be heard. Her compassion and kindness always come through. She does her work with a lot of heart and she makes it safe for my vulnerable child."
    -Iudita Harlan, Hellerwork and Voice Dialogue Practitioner, Solon, OH

    "I never could have come to love myself as I do without your incredible wisdom, guidance and love. Your words live in me and I do often hear your voice -- it will always be with me wherever this big wonderful life leads."
    -D.C., Santa Rosa, CA

    "I appreciate the help you have given me to accept and appreciate what i have and tools to work through problems in a positive manner."
    -G.E., Santa Rosa, CA

    "Your incredible insight, compassion, and big heart were/are blessing in my life and I will forever be grateful for all your help at such an important time in my life."
    -N.E., Santa Rosa, CA