Clinical Program Faculty

Ellen Balis, EdD
Professor Emeritus
ebalis@wi.edu

BA Mathematics, University of Rochester, 1972
MEd Counseling Psychology, Antioch University, 1975
EdD Counseling Psychology, Boston University, 1984

Dr. Balis’ relational psychodynamic orientation is enriched by over thirty years of meditation practice. Her early training was in feminist and humanisticexpressive therapies, and during the five years between receiving her master’s degree and beginning doctoral studies, her clinical work focused on adolescents and families dealing with child sexual abuse. After completing her doctorate, she worked in a private practice setting and supervised graduate and post-graduate trainees at the Boston Evening Medical Center/Massachusetts General Hospital for fifteen years..

Since moving to the Bay Area in 2001, Dr. Balis opened a private practice in Berkeley for adults, adolescents, and couples, with a sub-specialty working with gay, lesbian, and transgender clients. From 2003 – 2006, she supervised interns and postdoctoral fellows at the Hume Center, serving as director of training for a year. She has offered continuing education classes on supervision focusing on supervisory impasses and multicultural awareness. Currently, in addition to clinical work and teaching at the Wright, Dr. Balis offers seminars on psychology and spirituality and writes fiction as well as articles on meditation and spiritual practice.