Therapist in San Francisco, California,
Ronald “Max” Yusim, LCSW

I am strong in treating people with depression, OCD and anxiety issues. That being said, my true expertise is in the area of alcohol and addiction therapies. I am a recovering alcoholic and love educating folks on the principles of addiction and recovery. I’ve even had the fascinating experience of leading drug and alcohol group therapy for inmates at San Quentin State Prison. I believe there is no distinction between the many forms of addiction: alcohol, drugs, sex, internet porn, eating, working, video games, social media or gambling…all of these are triggered by the same things: fear, stress, and anxiety. And ALL are treatable. In the first half of my career, I wrote and work with parents of children and adolescents. In particular, I led over two dozen workshops on the subject of “how to teach your teenager more responsibility.” I also trained at the Ackerman Institute for Family Therapy in Manhattan with a focus on the “alcoholic family system.”

I have been a therapist for over 25 years. I graduated Phi Beta Kappa from UC Berkeley with a degree in Psychology. My graduate school work took place at Columbia University where I received a Masters in Clinical Social Work. Recently, I have expanded my expertise and trained in Seattle with John Gottman and his proven science based couples therapy approach. Thus, I offer therapy to couples, in general and more specifically, to people who’s relationships are damaged by addictions, alcoholism, co-dependency and affairs. Personally speaking, I am an avid tennis player. People say I may have transferred my compulsive behavior to tennis (haha). I look forward to working with you your family.