Dr. Annette Schonder, Clinical Counsellor, Marriage Counsellor, Hypnotherapist, American Board Certified

Dr.Schonder is born and raised in Augsburg, Germany. Upon completion of her high school education, she moved to the USA where she studied Psychology and Sociology at George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia, USA.  She finished her studies with High Distinction. She continued her scientific studies at Breining Institute, Orangevale, California, (USA), earning a Doctorate in Psychology. Dr. Schonder partook in the rigors of additional education and over 2000 hours of supervised clinical work which preceded her independent work as a Certified Clinical Counselor. Later she was theoretically educated and practically trained in hypnotherapy and became a Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist and member of the National Guild of Hypnotists (NGH), USA.

Dr. Annette Schonder has 20 years of experience working in mental and behavioral health.  She has worked in public institutions, private clinics, and private practice.  Parallel to her psychotherapeutic work Dr. Schonder lectured for a total of 15 years at Frederick Community College, Chapman University, Mission College and Orange Coast College, USA.

Dr. Schonder is trained in evidence based treatment methods, such as Person Centered Therapy (PCT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), Exposure Response Prevention (ERP), The Gottman Method, Family of Origin Dysfunction, Trauma, Grief Work, and Ericksonian Hypnotherapy.

Dr. Schonder has over two decades of experience in counseling and educating clients. She provides client centered one on one psychotherapy, group psychotherapy, couples counseling, and hypnotherapy. Dr. Schonder works with clients who wish to improve their quality of life by getting relief from emotional distress, and managing problems that are hindering their personal fulfillment and happiness. She examines underlying issues through her humanistic, client centered approach to effect positive mental and behavioral changes. The overarching goal of treatment is to facilitate well-being through stability, personal growth and happiness. Clients` needs are varied and through a careful and thorough assessment process their unique and specific areas of concern are highlighted and addressed with on target treatment goals.
Dr. Schonder is a native speaker of English and German.

Areas of expertise:

Treatment of mood disorders (depression, bipolar disorder),
Anxiety disorders (panic attacks, generalized anxiety, phobias),
Personality disorders, psychosis, addictions, compulsions and dementias.