About Scott Menasco, Ph.D., LMFT
Online and in-person therapy for individuals in California.
Dream Groups & Nondual Consultation for individuals worldwide.
Hi, I'm Dr. Scott Menasco. I'm an interdisciplinary scholar-practitioner, a licensed psychotherapist, and a casual birdwatcher. When clients come to me, I help them learn to relate to their challenges in the context of their lifelong development. This is a teleological approach— meaning rather than seeing symptoms or conflicts as something that shouldn’t be happening, we begin to look at them in terms of what purpose or function they are serving for the individual. This opens the door for clients to be engaged in a process of self-revelation and insight.
My Journey To Becoming A Therapist
So much of my clinical experience comes from being on the path of healing myself.
When I was in college I struggled with substance abuse and just knowing who I was. I felt empty inside. The things I did to try and bolster my self-esteem felt meaningless. After a sports injury I began exploring meditation and psychology. This ultimately led me to become a therapist. Training to be a therapist was challenging because I had to learn about all of the ways I related to myself that led to substance abuse. It really required me to dig into my own issues. This process led me to understand how deep and healing therapy can be.
This is what I’m meant for…
You could say healing is my calling. I come from the wounded-healer model, meaning that I am not someone who has all the answers, rather I am a co-participant. I help others through my own relationship to challenge and suffering. Psychology is something I live and breathe.
People who know me often say that I am very insightful and skilled. I can find patterns and help people change them for the better. This leaves people feeling empowered.
My Professional Background
In 2013, I graduated with a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology. I am licensed as a Marriage and Family Therapist in the state of California (License #111342) ). Additionally, I completed my doctorate in Transformative Studies. My research focused on the intersection of Buddhist philosophy and the concept of mental health.
I began working with clients in 2012. I have intensive training from a previous affiliate of the John Bradshaw Center. There I gained in-depth knowledge of working with codependency and recovery from shame. I received extensive training on healing the inner-child and working with childhood trauma. I have worked in many different settings with addiction, children and families. Now I primarily work with adults and young-adults. Here is a list of some of the trainings I have participated in (in addition to my Master’s and Doctoral degrees).
Natural Awakening: Nondual Teacher/Therapist Training - Timeless Wisdom - 10 months, 2011-2012
transpersonal, nondual transmission oriented training for one-on-one and group practice
Foundations for Clinical Mastery - Center for Creative Growth - 2 years - 2012-2014
Former affiliate of John Bradshaw Center; 12-step, recovery from shame, codependency, complex trauma, boundaries. Training in Gestalt-therapy (parts-work), Relational Therapy (transference/counter-transference dynamics), Family systems, Expressive Arts, Hypnotherapy/Closed-eye work, Focusing.
iRest Yoga Nidra, Guided Meditation Teacher Training Level 1 - 2017
Guided meditation training for PTSD/Anxiety/Depression
Introduction to Sandplay - Sandplay Training Worldwide - 2018
Sandplay for Complex Trauma - Sandplay Training Worldwide - 2020
The Shamanic Journey - Depth Hypnosis Foundations Course -Applied Buddhist Psychology I - Working With Dreams - Fundamentals of Integrated Energy Medicine - Relationships & Karma -
Sacred Stream School for Consciousness Studies, 2023
Embodied Experiential Dreamwork - Dr. Leslie Ellis, Inward Bound, - 1 year - 2024-2025
Year training on working with dreams, nightmares from scholar-practitioner and nightmare researcher Dr. Leslie Ellis.
Let’s Discover How I Can Help
Start feeling better about yourself. Get your free phone consultation where you can share what’s going on for you and we can explore how I can help.
Email me today at scott@scottmenasco.com . I'd be glad to discuss your concerns and how I think therapy might help.