Bernstein Institute Information

At the Bernstein Institute, we use the team approach in all aspects of treatment including counseling and psychotherapy with patients as well as all bodywork. When Dr. Bernstein was training in myofascial release, one of the things that impressed him was the practice of working in teams. Sometimes there would be as many as five practitioners working with a single patient. He saw that working in teams brings more healing to the patient in a shorter amount of time. That's why, at the Institute, teamwork is a major part of our approach to healing. Dr. Bernstein selects his staff members with care and carefully trains them in all aspects of treatment. Every staff member at the Institute is a highly qualified, certified professional as well as a compassionate, caring individual. Every practitioner at the Institute has also personally experienced Reichian-Myofascial Release Therapy. Dr. Bernstein believes that patients can tell whether the people who work with them are addressing their own pain. He knows that his practitioners' willingness to grow emotionally is vital to the integrity of the therapeutic process for the patient. Staff members assist at every step of the treatment process. Dr. Bernstein carefully selects which members of his staff will work with each new patient. He recognizes that the presence of female staff members can be particularly supportive for new female patients. Patients benefit not only from the valuable physical skills of the staff, but also from their compassionate support and insights. We would like to introduce our staff and tell you a little about each of them:Peter M Bernstein, PhD: Dr Peter Bernstein is the founder and director of the Bernstein Institute for Integrative Psychotherapy. Please see "About Dr. Bernstein" for his biographical information and credentials. Lynn Bernstein: Lynn Bernstein serves as the head of the Institute's Women's Program. Lynn is a Reichian-Myofascial Release Therapy practitioner, a Certified Massage Therapist, and helps with administrative duties. She has been married to Dr. Peter Bernstein for over thirty years. Lynn trained in psychotherapy, is a horsewoman, and has two sons and two daughters. Hilloah Levy: Hilloah Levy assists Lynn Bernstein with the Institute's Women's Program. Hilloah is a Reichian-Myofascial Release Therapist and a Certified Massage Therapist. She has been married for over twenty years to Larry Levy, an employee relations consultant. Hilloah has been an interior designer and is an accomplished watercolor and pastel artist. She raised two sons and has three grandsons. Jenny Stevenson: Jenny Stevenson serves as Office Manager for the Bernstein Institute. Jenny is a Reichian-Myofascial Release Therapist and a Certified Massage Therapist. She has been married for almost thirty years to Dwight Stevenson, an economics and planning engineer. Jenny has been a chemical process engineer, trained for many years in classical piano repertory, and has one son. Susan Underwood: Susan Underwood serves as part-time administrative assistant for the Bernstein Institute. Susan has been married for over 13 years to Chris Underwood, a marine mechanic. She runs her own bookkeeping and office management business, and provides her services to many of our patients. Susan has a son and a daughter. Armando Maliano: Armando Maliano is an Addiction Specialist and Team Leader with the Bernstein Institute for Integrative Psychotherapy, registered for certification with CAADAQ, is a recovered alcoholic and heroin addict who has maintained sobriety since 1967. Armando was born in San Francisco and lost both parents by the time he was nine years old. At age 13, he began living on the street and using drugs and alcohol. After Army service in Korea and Japan, he worked as a marine electrician at Hunter's Point Naval shipyard. Armando joined the floor covering union, working as an apprentice and a journeyman, and then served on the labor union Health and Welfare board as a trustee. In his thirties Armando realized he needed help to break his addictions and entered a hospital for treatment. He has been successfully sober since that time. Armando recognized that his underlying emotional issues could undermine his sobriety, so he entered psychotherapy to work toward resolving them. Encouraged by his therapist, he began training in family therapy as a co-therapist. He taught at the College of Marin and worked at the Family Service Agency of Marin as a group co-leader and instructor. He trained in Reichian psychotherapy for four years with Gerald Frank, DC, and also with many of the leading family therapists at that time, including Fritz Perls and the Gestalt Institute of San Francisco. During that time, Armando worked with Dr. Peter Bernstein for three years as a consultant in his private practice in Marin. Armando also served as a clinical director, senior staff therapist, and instructor at the Family Therapy Institute of Marin, where he worked with world-renowned psychotherapists and family therapists Dr. Martin Kirschenbaum, Virginia Satire, and Shirley Luthman. During his time at the Family Therapy Institute, Armando gained over 15,000 hours of clinical experience. He has worked with Catholic Social Services, the Center Point Drug and Alcohol Treatment Program, where he was a program director and staff trainer, and the Helen Vine Detox Center for over five years. He has lectured widely on drug and alcohol abuse topics. In November, 2007, at 78 years old, Armando graduated from the University of California at Berkeley with an Alcohol and Drug Abuse Studies Certificate. He is currently working toward completion of his CAADAQ certification. Armando expresses his vision in this way:"Throughout my life, I have served others through a wide variety of venues. This passion is fueled, in part, by my personal experience as a survivor of a painful childhood and early adulthood. I understand the difference that a wise and caring adult can have in someone's life. I have a special interest in adolescent delinquency and issues related to being a male in our society. Since 1967, when I first began working with drug users in treatment programs, I have found satisfaction in serving as a catalyst for those seeking positive change." Now, thirty years after their first partnership, Armando and Dr. Peter Bernstein have teamed up once again at the Bernstein Institute for Integrative Psychotherapy. They are collaborating in updated, innovative, and very effective ways to work with families in crisis, particularly couples and families affected by substance abuse.