​Holistic Psychotherapy is rooted in the principle that it is essential to acknowledge the whole being 

in the process of healing.



Rather than traditional ‘talk’ therapy, a holistic approach seeks to bring balance into the biological, psychological, spiritual, and socio-cultural aspects of the self. This suggests that when our mind-body-spirit realms are aligned with the present moment, we can transcend mere thought, sensation and emotion.

           Our time together will facilitate the (re)emergence of

hidden potentials and intricately

restore you to the balance that's right for you.

​    HOLISTIC PSYCHOTHERAPY OF MARIN

              Dr. Arinn Testa, Psy.D

Education

              --> Dissertation: The Psychology of Evil: An Illumination of                       the Shadow


Trainings & Certifications

        30-day Moon Intensive, 2005


Work with First Responders:

Crisis Intervention Team (CIT)

Train Law Enforcement, Firefighters, and Mental Health professionals on the significant dimensions of the Impacts of Stress on Health, Suicide Prevention, Psychopharmacology, Developmental Disorders, Active Listening, maladaptive Behavior/Psychopathology, and Effective Rules of Engagement with Persons living with Mental Illness, Substance Intoxication, and Individuals living with Homelessness.  Special Attention to trauma, crisis response strategies, and how to manage the impacts of stress for better job performance and personal satisfaction.


West Coast Post Trauma Retreat (WCPR) - 2005-6

The WCPR residential program provides an educational experience designed to help current and retired first responders, recognize the signs and symptoms of work-related stress including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in themselves and in others.

And, a list of my education, certifications, trainings, & major areas of professional interests :      ​

Dr. Arinn Testa, picking flowers for The Begonia Festival River Float,

Capitola, California

 A  B  O  U  T

What is Holistic Psychotherapy?​​​

I traveled back once, to a time when I was about 4 years old. In this portal of me, I instantly connected with the absolute wholeness of my being. All was right, and it was clear that this feeling of rightness came from inside, and not the circumstances of my life. An acceptance of what is and a willingness to be a part of it all. All of it made sense, even the horrible, awful things that would come to be a part of my story. I laughed out loud, with tears of bliss at its pure simplicity. And still today, I get chill bumps just thinking about it.


Some of the ingredients that yield the fruits of my practice today are: healing arts wisdoms, a persistent practice of exploring my history, many years of academic study, ordinary and extraordinary life experiences, and when all is right in the world (wink), simultaneously focusing my awareness on the present moment. These are the guideposts along the way that I've relied upon so that I can be more of me with you - as we endeavor to bring out more of you for you, and the people in your life.


They shift me from a mechanical, textbook approach in working with others, into a traveler's mindset, full of discovery and awe in your history, your present, and the groundwork you architect for your visions.​

Professional Affiliations:


American Psychological Association (APA)

California Psychological Association (CPA)


Presentations/Workshop Facilitation:

  • Trauma-Informed Care
  • ​Neuroscience of Grief, explorations from the inside out
  • Neuroscience of De-escalation & Effective Applications
  • ​Resiliency & Action in a Crisis
  • Neuroscience of Self-Regulation
  • Sensory Awareness/Pleasures-Biological Antecedents
  • Eudonic Yoga: What is it & an Opportunity to Practice 
  • Neuroscience of Memory
  • Working Memory- The Mental Sketch Pad
  • The Biology of the Stress Response System
  • Suicide Risk & Interventions
  • What Happens in the Brain with Anger &

         How Does Anger Promote Spiritual Aliveness?

  • Psychopharmacology Fundamentals & Your Health
  • The Juvenile Offender
  • High-Risk Psych -

        What is it & how to be an effective clinician


Teaching:

Graduate Forensics &  Counseling Psychology Professor - SF Bay


Courses Taught:


​Biological Bases of Behavior, Cognitive-Affective Bases of Behavior, Clinical Psychopharmacology, Personality Assessment, Fundamentals of Forensic Psychology, Police Psychology, Stress Inoculation, Advanced Social Psychology, Dissertation Proposal Development, Maladaptive Behavior & Psychopathology, Techniques in Child & Adolescent Counseling, Research & Evaluation, Advanced Counseling Skills, Psychology & the Law, Psychology of the Criminal Mind, and Psychology of the Victim

​​


​Global Philanthropy

Arthur B. Schultz Foundation

Chief Program Officer, Advisor, & Consultant addressing:

Women’s Empowerment: At ABSF, we believe that women are powerful agents of change. Providing them with opportunities to do their work will advance their lives and build healthier communities. To further this vision, we focus on two main areas:  education & entrepreneurship.


Disabled Mobility: Addressing the overwhelming need for wheelchairs and other mobility solutions in the developing world by supporting various innovative and replicable projects.​​

​​About Me

Some of my work with The Arthur B. Schultz Foundation

Copyright 2024 © Dr. Arinn Testa. All rights reserved.

Holistic Psychotherapy of Marin offers individuals, couples and families

a comprehensive approach to therapy that is both flexible and sustainable.

Holistic Psychotherapy  recognizes that imbalance in one aspect of an individual will ultimately lead to over or under functioning in the other aspects of a person’s life to compensate.  For couples and families in therapy, this is exponentially challenging due to the consideration of the additional relationship dynamics in the room. To support my client's through their unfolding experience, I integrate the most current applications of brain science with an array of holistic practices. 


This holistic, brain-based approach is influenced by many healing art traditions and Jungian depth psychology teachings.

​​​​Professional journey roadmap - 

I'm a licensed clinical psychologist (#PSY 22398) with an emphasis in neuroscience and the Director of Research for Emotional Brain Training (EBT). My Holistic Psychotherapy private practice is located in Marin County at Gathering Thyme - a Holistic Health and Education Center. 

I'm as comfortable backpacking with midwives through the remote rainforests of Central America as I am presenting at a conference center to a group of first responders on the critical fundamentals of suicide intervention.  I'm at ease working at a pace appropriate for older adults in Hospice and responding to acute, chaotic crisis situations. I've birthed 3 babies at home surrounded by family and danced barefoot until the sun came up to live music and DJs. I've experienced incredible grief and the impacts of trauma in my personal life and I've reclaimed an awe for the grace and mystery of life.