Atlanta Psychologist - Bernhard Kempler, Ph.D., ABPP

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Bernhard Kempler, Ph.D., ABPP

Phone: (404) 325-8512 Ext: 707
E-mail: drkempler@pineriverpsychotherapy.com

Diplomate in Clinical Psychology, Licensed Clinical Psychologist in the State of Georgia,
I earned my BA in psychology from Brandeis University in 1958, where I studied humanistic psychology under Abraham Maslow. I received my Ph.D. in clinical and developmental psychology in 1964 from Clark University in Worcester, MA. In my teaching, research, writing, consulting, and clinical practice I have consistently been informed by a humanistic, phenomenological, and growth oriented approach.

For many years, while teaching in the graduate programs of Emory University and Georgia State University, I maintained a private clinical practice. Since leaving the university six years ago I have been in full time practice of psychotherapy and consultation to business and other organizations. I work with adult individuals, with couples, and with groups. In my work I stress the importance of deep listening, of the here-and-now relationship with my client, and of the creative expression of unconscious processes in dreams and imagery.
In the past several years I have worked with many couples, who are either in crisis or are attempting to negotiate important transitions in a long-term relationship.

I have become convinced that each person has his or her unique optimal way of confronting and working though personal/emotional difficulties. Consequently, my approach has become increasingly tailored to each client and less and less theoretical, ideological, or technique based.

As a Holocaust survivor, who grew up in Poland and Sweden and then immigrated to the United States, I have become interested in human resilience, particularly in the face of severe trauma. I understand these issues both from the perspective of my personal experience and from my humanistic growth orientation. These perspectives have proved useful for me in the trauma relief work I have done in Bosnia for the past five years and, more recently, with Katrina evacuees in Little Rock, Arkansas

Every person is a unique "experiment" in the great enterprise of living a human life. My objective in all my work is to recognize, acknowledge, and cooperatively promote this process towards its most creative expression. I feel privileged to do work that is forever fresh and that always deals with the essential challenges of living.

CLINICAL SERVICES:

Individual psychotherapy with adults
Couples therapy
Group psychotherapy with adults
Consultation to business and other organizations, including staff development programs.
Psychotherapy training and consultation for mental health professionals.

EDUCATION:

Ph.D., 1964. Clinical and Developmental Psychology, Clark University, Worcester,MA

M.A., 1960. Psychology, Clark University, Worcester, MA

B.A., 1958. Psychology, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA

PROFESSIONAL CREDENTIALS:

Licensed Psychologist, Georgia Board of Psychology Examiners, License, No. 180

Diplomate in Clinical Psychology, American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP)