The Pathways Institute for Impulse Control Core Principles
We provide the highest standards of assessment and compassionate, sensitive treatment to those (adults, adolescents, and children) suffering from the devastating effects of impulse disorders, addictions, out-of-control behaviors, and/or learning differences and their partners and families.
Our staff specializes in treating compulsive stealing, alcohol and chemical dependency, eating disorders, anger management, sexually compulsive behaviors and sex offending, and other impulse control disorders. We are trained in techniques such as motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral interventions, psychoeducation, harm reduction, abstinence, psychodynamics, psychological assessment, and relapse prevention. We work collaboratively with medical professionals when appropriate and have experience with alternative treatments such as yoga and meditation. We maintain close relationships with leaders in the field of evidence based treatments and write and publish our own research and findings; we are committed to educating ourselves and others.
Pathways Institute for Impulse Control was founded by Elizabeth Corsale, M.A., MFT, and Samantha Smithstein, Psy.D.:
Elizabeth Corsale, MA, MFT
Director
Ms. Corsale is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She has worked for over 18 years with individual, couples, and families, on issues related to trauma, attachment, and relationships, learning and attention differences, and has specialized in impulsive disorders and addictions. She has offered comprehensive education, training, outreach and consultation to clinical professionals and to criminal justice institutions. She also founded and directed one of the few nationally recognized treatment programs for compulsive stealing: the Shoplifters Recovery Treatment Program (SRTP) – now a part of Pathways Institute. She is a Certified Problem Stealing Therapist (CPST) and trainer, and is a member of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT) and the Parents Education Network (PEN). She also provides treatment in her private practice. (MFC 36769)
to view Ms. Corsale’s CV click here
Samantha Smithstein, PsyD
Director
Dr. Smithstein is a licensed Clinical and Forensic Psychologist who has assessed and provided help for adults, adolescents, couples and children for over 15 years on issues related to relationships, attachment, trauma, addiction, and impulse control. Dr. Smithstein also has considerable experience related to sexuality, working with and evaluating people who have a sexual addiction and/or have been arrested, charged, convicted or otherwise gotten into trouble for their sexual behaviors. As a forensic psychologist, she has provided hundreds of evaluations for the courts and has provided expert court testimony and community consultation and training. She is a member of the American Psychological Association (APA), Association for Treatment of Sexual Abusers (ATSA), and the California Coalition On Sexual Offending (CCOSO). She is a Certified Problem Stealing Therapist (CPST). She also provides treatment in her private practice. (PSY19074)
to view Dr. Smithstein’s CV click here
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Pathways Institute staff members are professional licensed therapists and therapist interns specializing in the treatment of impulse disorders. They are selected for their skill, training, and empathy.
Jennifer Fernandez, PhD
Psychological Assistant/Clinician
Dr. Fernández received her Doctorate in psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology. She specializes in evaluating and treating addiction and impulse control disorders including compulsive sexual and stealing behaviors as well as substance misuse, abuse and dependence with dually diagnosed adults and adolescents. She is particularly interested in the relationship between attachment and impulse control disorder and works from psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral and interpersonal modalities within a harm reduction philosophy. She is a Certified Problem Stealing Therapist (CPST). Dr. Fernández is a bilingual therapist and provides therapy in Spanish. (PSB 36207)
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Michael Nold, MA, MFT
Clinician
Mr. Nold is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who has worked extensively with substance abuse (outpatient and residential), eating disorders, sexually-compulsive and offending behavior, and chronic pain, as well as depression, anxiety, trauma, and relationship issues with both straight and gay individuals, couples, and families for over 10 years. He works from cognitive-behavioral, psychodynamic, brief solution-focused, and existential perspectives, but utilizes other modalities as appropriate. He has expertise in conducting substance abuse evaluations. He is a member of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists, as well as local chapters. He also provides treatment at his private practice in Berkeley and San Francisco, CA. (MFC41834)
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Tara Kline, PsyD
Clinician
Dr. Kline received her Doctorate in clinical psychology from Alliant International University. She has extensive experience treating substance misuse, abuse and dependence, as well as mental illness, trauma, and impulse control disorders including compulsive sexual and stealing behaviors. She works from psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral and interpersonal modalities and a harm reduction philosophy. She has a special interest in exploring trauma and anxiety as a way to understand how these issues manifest in people’s lives.
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Jason Arkin, PsyD
Psychological Assistant, Assessment Specialist
Dr. Arkin received his Doctorate in clinical psychology from Antioch University Santa Barbara. He has conducted numerous psychological and educational evaluations. He has worked with children, adolescents, and adults in a variety of settings, on issues related to learning and attention differences, anger management, impulse control, addiction, and mental illness. He works from a cognitive-behavioral, solution-focused, and psychodynamic approach, depending on what is best for the client. He also views therapy through a systemic lens, which takes into account how different aspects of a system can influence a person’s life. Dr. Arkin is a bilingual therapist and provides assessments and therapy in Spanish. (PSB 37014)
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Pathways Institute for Impulse Control is a professional member of The Society for the Advancement of Sexual Health (SASH) and Parents Education Network (PEN).
