A seasoned professional with over 25 years of therapy experience, Patricia Gimer, M.A. is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist working exclusively in private practice.   

Before moving to San Luis Obispo in 1987, Pat earned her M.A. in Counseling Psychology from Santa Barbara's esteemed Pacifica Graduate Institute.   Working with a broad spectrum of clients, her areas of expertise include Healthy Relationships, Parenting Education, Chronic Illness and Disability, Military Families, Blended Families, Grief,  Depression, and Anxiety.   She uses an eclectic approach, providing treatment that is individually suited to each client situation including Mindfulness-Based, Cognitive-Behavioral, Solution-Focused, Systems, Transformational, Bowenian, and Gestalt therapies.

In addition to private practice, Patricia has presented at conferences and general audiences on the topics of Parenting Self-Destructive, Out of Control Teens; Healthy Responses to Chronic Conditions; and  Problem-Solving.  She has facilitated a variety of inpatient and outpatient support/psychoeducational groups including The Parent Project, Gifted and Talented Children, Well Spouse Support, and most recently, Lifer's Writing  and other treatment groups for inmates at The California Men's Colony in San Luis Obispo, CA.    

Over the course of her career, Pat has held the following positions:  Director of Social Services, Hospital Staff Social Worker,  Psychiatric Unit Staff Therapist, Hospital Psychiatric Assessment Team Member, Community Relations Coordinator, Behavioral Health Classroom Instructor, Parenting Class Instructor,  Volunteer Counselor/Support Group Facilitator for hospitals, clinics, and public and private agencies.

EDUCATION :  M.A. Counseling Psychology  - Pacifica Graduate Instutute, Santa Barbara, California 1985 with internships at Pinecrest Hospital, Cottage Hospital, Phoenix Counseling Center, Community Counseling Center (San Luis Obispo) and in the private practice of psychologist, Peter Claydon, Ph.D. of Santa Barbara, CA.    B.A. Social Services and Corrections - University of Nevada, Reno, 1979 with internships at The Suicide Prevention Center, St. Mary's Hospital, and Washoe Medical Center.

LICENSE:  Since 1993, Marriage and Family Therapist, Lic. #MFC30829 in good-standing.

ADDITIONAL TRAINING:    Certified Life Coach;  Certified Military Family Life Consultant;  Parent Project Facilitator;  Gifted and Talented Children's Program Facilitator;  WellSpouse Association Support Groups Facilitator;  Trained in John Gottman's Scientific Marital Therapy;  Experienced Clinical Case Manager for the California Dept. of Corrections and Rehabilitation at the California Men's Colony;  Certified provider for the California Problem Gambling Treatment Services Program;  Certified Provider for the National Transportation and Safety Board's Disaster Assistance Response Team through the Crisis Care Network.

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES & MEMBERSHIPS:    Member - California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists since 1986;   Member and Board Member (2 terms)  -  Central Coast California Association of Marriage & Famiy Therapists;  Member and past Board Member - National Wellspouse Association;  Member - American Red Cross, Disaster Services.