Marcia’s Extended BIO
While growing up Marcia’s neighbors were corn, oats & alfalfa fields. Some people are surprised to learn that she grew up as a farm girl in southern Wisconsin. Marcia spent her first seventeen years actively helping her parents, three siblings, grandparents and neighbors with their large four generation dairy farm. Her fondness for nature was heightened by unlimited access to hundreds of acres of rolling, fertile farmland and enough pets to float the ark. Creativity sprouted in their large farmhouse attic where she and her first cousin-sister would write, produce, direct and perform in their own comedic skits. Marcia even got the bright idea to create tickets and charge each family member an admission price. Her entrepreneurial spirit was unleashed! Leaving her simple, rural, childhood roots Marcia soon entered the world of advanced academia.
At the age of 20, Marcia obtained her Bachelor of Science degree. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh with a double major in Middle School & Secondary Education and in Sociology/ Social Sciences in 1980. After teaching Middle School and High School students in the Midwest, she moved to California to pursue her graduate work. Marcia graduated from Pepperdine University, Malibu, in 1986 with a Masters of Arts in Clinical Psychology with a Marriage & Family Therapy emphasis. Marcia has trained or studied with a variety of transformational experts, therapists and authors including Louise Hay, Marianne Williamson, Dr. Barbara DeAngelis, Dr. Judi Hollis and Jerry & Esther Hicks. Since the early 80’s, Marcia has continued to be an avid supporter and student of the teachings of Prem Rawat, also known as Maharaji through Words of Peace Global www.wopg.org
Marcia was published in Alcoholism & Addiction Magazine with an article on eating disorders in the workplace; “Biting the Hand That Feeds You” May, 1988. She appeared on several TV shows of The Addiction Network based in Los Angeles in a health series that she developed. Since the early 80′s, drawing on her own recovery from addictive disorders, Marcia was one of the rare recovering psychotherapists to promote wellness solutions in a field that was quickly becoming more focused on the medical model of diagnosis, diseases and pharmaceutical treatments.
Marcia moved back to Wisconsin in the late 80’s and established an Outpatient Family-Centered Addiction Treatment Program. She also trained area physicians on addictive disorders and the role of involving family members to increase successful treatment outcomes. Marcia served as the Founder and Clinic Director of her six-member Mental Health Clinic. In addition, she provided Employee Assistance Wellness Programs to Wisconsin-based companies. She has been featured on TV- Channel 4 -Milwaukee for her expertise working with clients recovering from money addictions. Incorporating the twelve step model of recovery and other universal principles, she developed and facilitated classes, groups and weekend retreats for couples and individuals. Marcia continues to maintain her Wisconsin licensure as a Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT #421) and Professional Counselor (LPC #1851) and enjoys visiting her roots and spending time with family, friends and clients in the Heartland.
In 2000, Marcia relocated to Gainesville, Florida to establish an Integrative Natural Health Clinic with her life partner, Dr. James Barrass, a Chiropractic Physician. Marcia shifted her focus to body-mind oriented therapies including becoming a Certified Neuro Emotional Technique (N.E.T.) Practitioner. With new professional excitement, Marcia found quicker and more lasting results with her clients using a bodymind approach incorporating applied kinesiology. During her six years in Florida, she and Dr. Barrass founded Alliance of Body and Mind, Inc., which offered wellness solutions to the community, local agencies and businesses in North Florida. She maintains her Florida licensure as a Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT#1862).
Culminating a shared vision in the fall of 2006, Marcia and Jim (Dr. Barrass) returned to Southern California to establish their new home base and professional practices. In January 2009, Marcia was introduced to Dr. Eric Pearl and The Reconnection® and Reconnective Healing® and now offers this fuller spectrum of healing in her practice. Twenty six years and thousands of client hours later, Marcia offers her global services specializing in life transitions with a body-mind focus.
Marcia’s offices are located at Thousand Oaks & Malibu CA. In addition, she practices out of the integrative medical clinic of Hanzelik, Horton and Daya in Westlake Village, CA. She is a California Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (MFC#43065) and a clinical member of the California Association of Marriage & Family Therapists (CAMFT). Marcia’s home base is in Thousand Oaks, CA with her partner, Jim. She enjoys film & theatre, global traveling, hiking, swimming, and visits with his two grown sons. Marcia relishes her time with their Midwest & Nova Scotia families and a dear circle of light-hearted friends.
