Stuart S. Light, MFT Intern #52339
Education & Professional Training:
Stuart received a Masters in Counseling Psychology from the University of California at Santa Barbara, and a Masters in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University, Santa Barbara, California. He is also a Personal Life Coach who received his training under the late Thomas Leonard, founder of Coach U.
He has been trained in Gestalt Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, many psychodynamic therapies and group process. Stuart has gained expertise in individual and family issues involving substance abuse and other addictive behaviors, in particular, co-occurring disorders.
Professional Experience:
Stuart worked with the local non-profit, PathPoint, Inc. developing and implementing a harm-reduction program designed for dually-diagnosed clients with severe and persistent mental disorders and co-occurring substance disorders. He has worked as a personal counselor at Santa Barbara City College counseling a diverse population of students. Stuart spent two years at UCSB under special grant funding serving as an individual and group therapist in the Alcohol and Drug Program. He currently serves on the Santa Barbara County Assertive Community Treatment team (ACT) as a lead clinician providing therapeutic interventions to individuals with severe mental illnesses and their families. In addition, Stuart is a member of the Adjunct Faculty at Antioch University teaching a wide variety of courses in the Psychology Concentration of the BA division, and in the Master’s Program in Clinical Psychology. He is also an Adjunct Faculty member at Santa Barbara City College teaching classes in the Alcohol & Drug Certification program.
Treatment Philosophy:
We are all one. By knowing ourselves we can be known and know others. Empathy is the foundation of all helping relationships; judgment, blaming and shaming have no useful role in human relations. It is my belief that all humans strive, innately, to become their authentic selves and find their place in this ever-changing, complex, and difficult passion play called life. All organisms strive for homeostasis – we all want to feel “good.” Accepting “what is,” letting go of what never was or could be, and grieving our losses are all part of finding the path back to good emotional and mental health.
Personal Life:
Stuart lives in Santa Barbara with his wife of almost 25 years, Judy. Along with reading and lifelong learning, he is a prolific writer having written numerous columns, essays and opinion pieces that have appeared over the years in the Los Angeles Times, the Santa Barbara News-Press, Santa Barbara Independent, Montecito Journal, Coastal Woman Magazine, CAMFT Newsletter among many other publications.
