Mindfulness Centered Psychotherapy

I have had the pleasure of working with colleague Ivan Skolnikoff and have been impressed by his ability to draw on and integrate several therapy modalities. Ivan uses Hakomi, RCS, EMDR and many other skills to tap into clients’ core beliefs that keep them stuck and to explore and implement more skillful ways of being. In addition to his solid clinical skills, he also draws on his natural ability to connect with others in an easeful and natural way. Ivan’s compassion, sensitivity, open-​mindedness and deep caring for others help distinguish him as a truly valuable psychotherapist. I highly recommend working with him.

Dr. Ivan is the best. Therapy can be intimidating. At a certain point every adult has to acknowledge that their parents did the best they can. They are left with a genetic makeup, life experiences and predispositions that can help them or hurt them. As an adult, it is your job to fix things as best you can. Dr. Ivan has a technique that expedites the normal painfully slow nature of therapy and gives results within a few sessions. I cannot recommend him more highly.

I went to see Ivan for about 18 months. I appreciate his warm nature, deep listening and reflections on what was going on for me. I never questioned if he was on my side, or wondered why he asked me a certain question.
You know you found a good therapist when they ask you the right questions!
I’ll never forget after many months of seeing him (and him asking me this question several times) «What do you need right now» to feel safe etc… and I would often go to touch. Holding my hand. I finally built up the guts to ask him to hold my hand and he did. That meant a lot to me. I was clear on what I needed, and he pushed his boundaries to give that to me, even when it’s not «the norm» in the therapy world!
After our last session together, it really felt like a break up and it was so sweet! Thank you for being there for me during a hard time Ivan!

I have known Ivan as a professional colleague for over five years. I hold a deep respect for him. I see his dedication to his work in how he consistently continues to learn and grow, and push his own edges. I also think he offers something special to his clients – he is willing to be get vulnerable and be real with them. He is sincere, humble, and warm. I think this makes it easy to open up to him. I never have a fear that I will be judged by him, either. I know he is particularly skilled in working with mindfulness and with men’s issues. If you’re looking for a good therapist, Ivan is a solid choice.

I am a colleague of Ivan Skolnikoff MFT, and I have gotten to experience his work first-​hand. He is a finely attuned and compassionate therapist. He is grounded and caring, while managing to do deep work with subtleties in each moment. He works in Berkeley and does Group Therapy, including men’s groups. He is also an EMDR Counselor and has Mindfulness Therapy deeply woven into his practice.

Ivan Skolnikoff is an incredibly devoted marriage and family therapist, with a depth of compassion, patience, and clinical skills. He guides and supports you to explore your issues of concern, with expertise, empathy, and respect. In my efforts to be a better therapist myself, I began treatment to address relationship issues. His professional expertise was authentic, reassuring, and enabled me to highlight and transform relationships, beginning with myself. The journey of healing is a lifelong process, and it helps to have a great healer. I highly recommend him as one of the best therapists!

Ivan is a very sensitive and gentle man, who is perfectly suited as a therapist. I met Ivan while in my Counseling Psychology Masters program and I hold him in high regard. He is dedicated to his clients and considers each individual client and what would be ideal to help them. He is highly motivated to stay abreast of the cutting edge treatment modalities, and frequently attends workshops and trainings.
Although counseling couples can be challenging, Ivan’s sensitivity helps each individual feel comfortable, as he applies his couples therapy skills to facilitate a great connection between the partners. Ivan is deep, but also light-​hearted and playful and I highly recommend him.

I was lucky enough to attend a workshop that Ivan was leading. We worked with visualization and movement to open our hearts and create deep meaningful connections. I felt his guidance and leadership in these exercises was holding and insightful. I experienced a deeper connection with the people I was working with as well as with myself. I would highly recommend Ivan to my friends and I will definitely take another workshop.

I’m someone who is always interested in learning and growing as a man and as a person. Ivan is a courageous and skilled therapist who facilitates a Men’s Group called BOLD LOVE. In this group men can learn how to become more comfortable and relaxed about being vulnerable, which can help them feel more confident in their relationships. I would recommend this group and Ivan to anyone who’s interested in wanting to connect more deeply in their relationships.

In my line of work I am always looking to make referrals to therapists who are a good match for my clients. I feel confident referring to Ivan as I have got feedback from clients stating that they enjoy working with him because he is approachable, calm and helps them to resolve issues on their own terms using mindfulness in therapy

Ivan Skolnikoff, MFT, is a skilled and caring therapist. I have been navigating recent changes in my life because my children, as they begin the teen years, are increasingly independent. It has been difficult to know when and how to «let go» and let them be more independent while still providing support and discipline as needed.
Because of my own background in mindfulness meditation and experience as a yoga teacher, I wanted to speak with a therapist who understands the mind body connection and who can apply the tools and techniques of mindfulness based therapy and somatic therapy. I think mindfulness based counseling is the best way to go beyond mere talk and get a sense of how to best address my swiftly evolving role as a mother and what that frees up in my own life.
Ivan assured me that what I am going through is normal and gave me a framework for understanding my own feelings and also suggested a therapeutic framework to help me make the best decisions related to my boys but also taking into consideration my own feelings through the process.
I appreciate his thoughtful approach and careful listening. I felt inspired when he suggested that even some of the anxieties and grief I feel can be understood and incorporated as positive strategies — as long as I am mindful.
Ivan’s role is to help me express myself fully, get to the root my concerns, and then compassionately work with my situation so that I can feel free and confident as I move forward.
For me, it’s important that a therapist being willing to point out my blind spots and help me get beyond them. Ivan is that kind of therapist. I highly recommend him.

Ivan and I worked together for years, though some very difficult processing I had to do around my thinking. He is a bright, caring, gentle and strong person who led me through some deeply ingrained patterns I have struggled with. His approach is personalized, varied and agile. Highly recommended.

I came to Ivan at a time of real crisis in my family, work and personal life. He helped me, gently and clearly, regain my balance and support me in my journey.
He has a lot of tools to bring to the table.
I highly recommend Ivan.

My experience with Dr. Ivan Skolnikoff as a therapist has been an extremely wonderful and positive one. He is knowledgeable, thoughtful, kind and gentle, tremendously patient, and yet not afraid to address the hard issues that a patient has.
His healing methods are very effective mentally and physically especially with patient with difficult problems to deal with.
I would recommend Dr. Ivan Skolnikoff without reserve to anyone who is seeking an approachable and talented mental, physical and physiological health therapist.