Michael Shaw

About

I'm a Clinical Psychologist in private practice and I coach entrepreneurs, creatives, and other professionals. The theory I follow, Characterological Psychotherapy, is based on the understanding of character or personality style. Character consists of attitudes, ways of thinking or modes of action that are often highly consistent. Although the theory sees everyone as essentially healthy, people can lose touch with their own true values or instincts. Insight and opportunity for growth occurs when that person has a conscious, "in the moment" experience of genuine thoughts and feelings or else experiences him/herself as being who he/she isn't. This approach has been highly effective reducing symptoms in the short run, and consistently leads to meaningful, long-term behavior change. I also provide coaching and personal development services to entrepreneurs, design professionals, and executives in start-up as well as legacy organizations. I originated and spent eight years managing the Coaching and Professional Effectiveness Program at Volt Information Sciences, a Fortune 500 staffing company. I also originated and managed organizational consulting and clinical roles at The Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-Arc) and Otis College of Art and Design. I was the consulting psychologist at Matter.vc, the former San Francisco media accelerator, and I am currently affiliated with “The House Fund," the UC Berkeley’s incubator/venture fund investing in top alumni, faculty, and student startups. I'm also the publisher of Reading The Pictures, the only site dedicated to the daily analysis of news photographs. Launched in 2004, the site is closely followed by journalists; photojournalists; university journalism, photojournalism, and communication programs; and citizens interested in news and visual culture. We also create the unique online video series, Chatting The Pictures, in which we analyze and deconstruct key photos to understand how the media visually frames the major news events of the day. I live in Berkeley, CA., and my office is in Oakland's Market Hall.