Counseling Therapy Depth Psychotherapy: Cabo Todos Santos La Paz Baja California
recommendations from colleagues
and testimonials from clients
Robert Saltzman is an unusually skilled psychotherapist. I attribute the effectiveness of Robert's work with people to his deep well of wisdom and his genuinely compassionate heart.
---Robert K. Hall, M.D., El Dharma of Todos Santos, Baja California
(Psychiatrist and lay Buddhist priest Robert Hall is the co-founder of the Lomi School and Counseling Clinic, and presently conducts dharma talks and vipassana meditation retreats in Todos Santos.)
I gained a deep appreciation for Robert's abilities, his sensitivity, and his willingness to stand on the edge and overlook the abysses where most researchers prefer to stay away.
---Dr. Robert Sardello, Ph.D., Director, The School of Spiritual Psychology; Former Co-Director, Dallas Institute of Humanities and Culture
The young people in our community knew Robert because of his music and art, and held him in high regard--he was a kind of legendary character with a deep influence on the kids and families with whom he worked. . . . He left us in 1993, and I doubt that we will ever be able to completely replace him because he brought such a unique perspective to his work . . .
Robert developed his deep perceptivenss of people during many years as a gifted and internationally recognized photographer. He is a patient and precise observer who has the gift of seeing meaning and story in people easily and accurately. He has the highest integrity, and the ability to speak truthfully to clients in a manner that does not raise resistance. His natural compassion is tempered by a keen realism and worldliness that bring a powerful focus to his therapeutic work.
---Charles Bush. M.A., M.F.C.C., Headmaster, Chamisa Mesa Educational Center, Taos, New Mexico
I have known Robert as friend and colleague for nine years now. My respect for his work is unqualified.
---Leirion, psychotherapist, Todos Santos, Baja California
A psychotherapist of uncommon skill, intuition, and sensitivity, Dr. Robert Saltzman provides a style of therapy that is not merely counseling, but more like a conversation from soul to soul, allowing hidden meanings, entertaining deeper longings, and encouraging the verbalization of heretofore unspeakable ideas. In this atmosphere of open-eyed awareness, detailed attention to nuance, and "listening with the third ear," ordinary life--so often filled with problems and suffering, so often vacant of meaning and direction--again, as in the best moments of childhood, begins to feel like an adventure, a possibility, an open door. Fear gives way to seeing; secrets seem less important to hide; one wants, at last, to empty the bag of shadows on the table for respectful consideration: a small miracle.
In addition to a rigorous academic training as a depth psychologist and psychotherapist, Dr. Robert brings to his psychotherapy and counseling practice a background and personal history which has produced a person of unflagging compassion, startling open-mindedness, and true caring for his fellow beings.
In this time when psychotherapy and counseling seem to have fractured into the extremes of brain chemistry and medication on the one hand, and every manner of narcissistic new age vanity on the other, how refreshing to sit with a person whose outlook is simply non-judgmental, and here now.
---Anne Valley Fox, Director, Project Crossroads, Santa Fe, New Mexico; co-author of Your Mythic Journey, Finding Meaning in Your Life Through Writing and Storytelling, author of Sending the Body Out; 10,000 Joys 10,000 Sorrows; and other collections of poetry.
Es para mí un honor expresar lo grato que es conocer al Dr. Robert Saltzman, y como médico me es muy satisfactorio contar con un gran elemento en Todos Santos. Su recia y humana personalidad, siempre entusiasta y dispuesto a ayudar a calmar el dolor del alma, su trayectoria académica, y su estancia en esta población hablan por sí sola. La psicología es un parte indispensable e inseparable de la medicina y del cuerpo humano; un hombre sin alma no es humano y un alma sin cuerpo es . . . un ángel
---Dra. Lucilla Oliva Martinez, Médico Cirujano y Homeópata, Todos Santos, Baja California
I am honored personally to express my pleasure in knowing Dr. Robert Saltzman, and honored as a physician to express my satisfaction in being able to depend upon a great resource in Todos Santos. His strong and humane personality, always enthusiastic and ready to help to calm the soul's pains, his academic career, and his residence in this community all speak for themselves. Psychology is an indispensible part of medicine, inseparable from the flesh and bone of the human body: a body without soul is not human, and a soul without a body is but an angel.
---Dr. Lucilla Oliva Martinez, allopathic and homeopathic physician, Todos Santos, Baja California]
I like the website of Doctor Robert Saltzman, an American psychotherapist in Todos Santos, Baja California. I met Robert a long time ago, before he was a doctor. He was a great listener and when he talked, he cut through the bullshit and electrified you with gentle, intense sagacity. One meaty section of the site is Ask Doctor Robert, where he answers serious questions from people around the world.
En el ejercicio de mi profesión cada vez es mas frecuente encontrar problemas físicos relacionados con problemas emocionales, la mente nos juega rudo y nos hace sentir enfermos, los problemas nos agobian, no sabemos como resolvernos, nos metemos cada vez mas y mas en más enredos, pareciera que no quisiéramos salir.
Me ha tocado recomendar medicamentos antidepresivos e incluso tranquilizantes, de acuerdo, las emociones están reguladas por un equilibrio entre sustancias químicas llamadas neurotransmisores, pero, una vez que como medico prescribo medicamentos que regulen esos neurotransmisores, que pasa con mi paciente? - continúa desorientado, entonces, se requiere ayuda, es mejor que esta ayuda sea de tipo profesional, que venga de alguien preparado y que con algún método científicamente probado oriente al paciente a resolver los conflictos que de alguna manera aun están en su interior. .
Como persona y como profesionista tuve la oportunidad de conocer a Robert Saltzman, psicólogo certificado, quede plenamente conforme con su terapia y sigo conforme y tranquilo cuando lo recomiendo con algun paciente mío que considero necesita de la ayuda de Robert, puedo gratamente decir que el Dr. Saltzman es un profesional en lo que hace.
---Dr. Alfonso Nájar-Castañeda, MD, FACS, Cabo San Lucas, Baja California
More and more frequently in the practice of my profession I come across physical complaints which are related to emotional problems. The mind gives us a rough time, and we feel ill, problems overwhelm us; we don't know how to resolve them, and we become more and more entangled until seemingly we do not even want to get untangled.
I have had to prescribe antidepressants including tranquilizers. All right, emotions are regulated according to the equilibrium among brain chemicals calledneurotransmitters, but once I, as a physician, prescribe the medication to reestablish the balance among these neurotransmitters, what becomes of my patient?
He or she continues lacking orientation and will require help. It is best that this help come from a professional who is well prepared, and who employs a scientifically tested approach to help the patient resolve issues and conflicts which [despite the medication] still remain.
I have had the opportunity of knowing Dr. Robert Saltzman, a certified psychologist, both personally and professionally. I remain fully satisfied with his therapy, and I feel confident when I recommend Robert to a patient who needs his help. I can say happily that Dr. Saltzman is a complete professional in his psychotherapeutic work.]
---Dr. Alfonso Nájar-Castañeda, MD, FACS, Cabo San Lucas, Baja California
I was living in the U.S., but had spent a lot of time visiting Baja California, especially Cabo San Lucas and Todos Santos. I started thinking about moving to Cabo, and even found a possible job and a good place to live, but I had been in therapy for several years, and did not want to leave my therapist which I thought would end my therapy before it was really finished.
I heard about Dr. Robert, a psychotherapist in Todos Santos, and decided to make an appointment to discuss my whole situation, including my doubts about ending my therapy in California. I always thought my relationship with my therapist at home was so deep and special that it could never be recreated, but I was wrong. After speaking with Dr. Robert, I realized something about psychotherapy that I had never understood before--that it's really not so personal as I imagined. Its more a process, or a way of being together that trained psychotherapists know how to manage even if they have never met you before. This is just a long way of saying that I was able to speak honestly with Dr. Robert right away, and I saw that he listened to me, understood what I was feeling, and could respond to me just like my therapist at home.
When I returned to California, I spoke with my psychotherapist, and told her that Dr. Saltzman would be willing to speak with her by phone about my situation. After they talked, my therapist advised me that I could move to Cabo and continue my therapy with Dr. Saltzman, and that nothing would be lost.
To make a long story short, I did move to Cabo, and have been happy here. I still go to counseling with Dr. Robert once a week, and really don't want to stop going. Our conversations always teach me something about life and about myself. It's well worth the drive from Cabo and back.
I would recommend Dr. Robert highly to anyone who wants psychotherapy or counseling.
---J.G., Cabo San Lucas, Baja California
Conocer y platicar con Robert ha sido una de las mejores experiencias en mi vida. Su sensibilidad, su serenidad, su paciencia, su respeto hacia mi existencia, su sinceridad, pero sobre todo su compasión, su sabiduría y su profunda espiritualidad han representado para mi un parteaguas en mi camino.
El camino no había sido fácil, pero con la ayuda de Robert se convirtió en 'hacer camino.' Con él, he aprendido que los días nublados son solo eso, días nublados, que los días soleados, son solo eso, días soleados, y que la decisión de como experimentar y vivir cada uno de ellos está solo en mi.
Durante el proceso de la terapia he aprendido a abrir los ojos, a 'despertarme', constantemente, en el momento presente--en el 'ahora'-- y sonreir...llorar...enojarme...disfrutar...aceptar...amar...observar.....pero sobre todo....RESPIRAR.... en verdad vivir y sentirme viva!!.
---Marcia, Cabo San Lucas, Baja California
Meeting and speaking with Robert has been one of the most wonderful experiences of my life. His sensitivity, his tranquility, his patience, his sincerity, his respect for my own existence in this world, but, above all, his compassion, his wisdom, and his profound spirituality have been the turning point in my path.
For me, this journey was never easy, but, with Robert's help, I have learned to blaze my own trail. With him I have learned that cloudy days are just that, cloudy days, and that sunny days are just that, sunny days, and that how to experience and how live each one of these days is a decision that resides only in me.
Throughout this process of therapy I have learned also to 'wake up' to the present moment, to smile, to cry, to become angry, to enjoy, to accept, to surrender, to love, but most important of all, to breathe, to live truly, and to feel myself truly alive.]
---Marcia, Cabo San Lucas, Baja California
Contemplating a divorce, and feeling very unhappy, I came to Todos Santos intending to stay for a few days. After meeting Dr. Robert, I entered into analysis, and ended up staying for more than a month. . . . I left feeling like a different person, someone with renewed confidence, a deeper faith in life, and a new sense of the wonder and possibility of ordinary life.
---name withheld, Colorado
Mi nombre es Rosa Martha, mexicana con 43 años de edad, divorciada y con 2 hijas, mi experiencia con el Dr. Saltzman fué simplementede éxito, pues pienso que siempre al ver a un sicólogo esperamos que resulte erradicando el problema y no a medias o se lleven años en ello; y después de visitar muchos desde mi adolescencia nunca había dado con alguien que acertara y corrigiera lo que me hacía sufrir mucho.
Hasta hace 1 añ mi problema básicamente fue que me encontraba en una depresión que con los años iba pesando más sin dejarme ver las cosas a colores y todo me resultaba mal, sin encanto y en blanco y negro.
En mi caso, por ser ya una depresión crónica por tantos años fue necesario iniciar con medicamento, a lo que yo sentía algo de temor pero estaba tan cansada de ese estado de ánimo (teniendo aparentemente todo en mi vida y siendo más afortunada que muchos), y de buscar en sicólogos y siquiatras lo que ya casi pensaba no existía, que inicié los medicamentos rápidamente y la sicoterapia con el Dr. Saltzman.
En menos de un año cambió mi vida, los problemas y sube y bajas de la vida siempre hay, pero mi perspectiva a ellos es diferente, resultando una mejor relación con la gente, haciendo nuevos amigos. Me di cuenta que nadie se acerca si te ve malencarado o negativo y por el contrario si tu actitud es positiva funciona como un imán para la gente que te rodea.
El tratamiento me llevó como un año y medio pero desde las primeras sesiones siempre hubo una retroalimentación que me traía de regreso meditando y memorizando los ejercicios que debía poner en práctica para empezar a pensar y vivir más en elhoy que en el pasado o futuro.
A la fecha continúo bien y aconsejando la ayuda de un buen profesional como Roberto a la gente que veo con signos similares y que aveces por estar inmersos en un desajuste que se vuelve parte normal en ti no lo podemos ver.
Así que para mi que mejor que poder comunicar lo que quisiera compartir a muchos a través de esta pagina de quien admiro mucho...GRACIAS ROBERTO.
Si alguien desea corroborar mis palabras mi correo electrónico es rosmarta003@yahoo.com.mx. ---Rosa Martha, La Paz, Baja California y Cancún
My name is Rosa Martha. I am a Mexican, 43 years old, divorced with two daughters. My experience with Dr. Saltzman was simply a total success. Always when consulting a psychologist we hope to be rid of the problem completely, not just in part, and we hope that the cure will not take years, but after having consulted many since adolescence, I never met one who could find out what was making me suffer so much, much less one who could cure me.
Until one year ago, my problem basically was that I found myself in a depression that with the years had grown worse and worse until my world lost all enchantment--as if the colors had disappeared and I saw only in black and white--and things always turned out wrong.
In my case, because my depression was chronic and had lasted so many years, it was necessary to begin treatment with medication, which frightened me, but I was so tired of this state of mind (while apparently having everything in my life and being so much more fortunate than many), and of seeking with psychologists and psychiatrists that which by then I almost thought did not really exist, that I began the medication quickly and entered into psychotherapy with Dr. Saltzman.
In less than a year, my life changed. The ups and downs of life are always there, but my perspective towards them is different, resulting in better relations with people and making new friends. I found out that no one wants to know you if you are sad-faced and negative, and, on the other hand, a positive attitude is attractive to everyone.
I was in treatment for a year and a half, but even from the first sessions there was a feedback that, on my way home, left me meditating and memorizing the exercises that I needed to put into practice in order to think and to live more in thenow, than in the past or the future.
I am fine now, and I recommend the help of a good professional like Robert to anyone with symptoms like mine who sometimes is so immersed in this disorder that depression seems normal and is not even noticed.
So, for me it's the greatest to be able to share with everyone through this website someone I admire a lot. . . . Thanks, Robert.
If anyone wants to corroborate my recommendation, my e-mail is rosmarta003@yahoo.com.mx..'] ---Rosa Martha, La Paz, Baja California y Cancún
Through the years, I've been fortunate to be able to seek help in times of need. My life changed significantly for the better after receiving help from Dr. Saltzman. I am blessed to have a man with his talents practicing so close to Cabo!
---Chuck Lohrman, Baja California, Cabo San Lucas
After my wife leaving me, being fired from my job, and wrecking my new car, I finally admitted that I was an alcoholic and got into AA. I was able to quit drinking, which I am sure saved my life, but otherwise I was as compulsive and unhappy as ever. I remained a dry drunk, as we say in Alcoholics Anonymous. Every day was a kind of torture.
My sponsor suggested that I get into psychotherapy with Dr. Saltzman. Two years later, the picture is completely different. I have found my calm center which is the only place that happiness is ever found. I don't even think of taking a drink. I'm working again, and my wife and I are back together. I am amazed at the change in me.
---name withheld, San José del Cabo, Baja California,
I had a problem having to do with sex that was very embarrassing to discuss with anyone, let alone a man. I really don't trust men very easily since I had been abused as a child by a close male relative in many ways, including sexually. No one in Todos Santos knew anything about this. It was my secret. Finally, knowing that I had to choose between getting some help or simply continuing to suffer with my problem, I made an appointment to see Dr. Robert.
I was so nervous on the day of my appointment that I almost cancelled, and then, on the way to his office, I almost turned around and went home without showing up. But I kept going, and now I'm so glad I did. He put me at ease right away, and before our first hour was finished, I felt that I had come to see someone who would not hurt me, and who perhaps really could help.
Although the matters we had to discuss were extremely sensitive and personal, I never felt that my privacy was being invaded. Dr. Robert always completely respected me and my life, and I never felt judged. He took everything seriously and yet lightly at the same time, and I felt that he really understood what I was going through.
After several months of weekly meetings, my problem began to lessen, and now has disappeared.
---name withheld, Todos Santos, Baja California,
Over time, Robert skillfully crafted a container of caring and integrity. It mirrored a vision of wholeness that I was soon able to recognize as myself, without need for addition or exception. As fear dissolved into trust I opened to my own vulnerability. Robert, thank you so very, very much. Warm hugs.
---Janel Beeman, Todos Santos, Baja California,
Robert came into my life for a reason, in the form of an ad hanging from the door of a heavenly store in Todos Santos, where he established his practice since 1996. I was in despair, so much stuff has been going on inside my head and in my heart, for so long, that I quickly wrote down in a piece of paper his name, phone number and e-mail address, intending to call him soon.
The piece of paper got lost from my sightnot of my life though, but my intentions to call him soon got lost into oblivion for some six months, while incomprehensible pain, sadness and hopelessness were really disturbing my will to live.
The piece of paper came back to me some day of deep pain, and halfhearted I wrote him an email which he quickly responded to set up a time, after clearing somehow to do concerns about going to therapysince some previous experiences with different approaches just left me frustrated.
I was somehow defying from the very beginning, but Robert is certainly older and much wiser, and knows very well what he's doing. Almost every Friday afternoon, for the next six months, he entered kindly into my head, listened a lot, and understood my situation perfectly. He helped me a lot in sorting out major issues, and worked hard with me in trying to find my own ways to cope with my own feelings and destructive emotions, identifying and understanding somehow the causes behind them. Robert even shared my deep emotional pain from time-to-time.
My therapy sessions were also helpful in the way that they were conducted in English, from my side, in Spanish on hissometimes, so we both benefited by practicing our conversation skills in our foreign languages... and this was also fun!
The first major issue was somehow cleared in a way that I could proactively manage it, or at least to stop reacting against it in a painful way. This happened really fast at the end of this six month period. As soon as I was suddenly feeling better, I asked him some sort of scoring-card of my condition. Instead, Robert took the time to explain the whole healing process clearly and lovingly, and encouraged me over my disbelief that our work was really worthwhile and that I was a different person now. I shared with him some future plans and ongoing matters, that he cheered sincerely, and I appreciated it a lot!
Being myself a hard-core rationalist-a mask that I use most of the time to hide my own feelings and emotions--and trained as a scientist, I deeply appreciate Robert's effort to work with me on both camps of rationality and emotion... this kind of blending approach really worked on me, and I think I'm ready now to continue working with him on some other issues that now I think I'm ready to approach under his wise and tender guidance.
--Luis G. López Lemus, La Paz, Baja California Sur
While visiting Baja California, I had several sessions of therapy with Robert. As someone who had a great deal of experience with psychotherapy, I must say that I was surprised. Robert was not at all what I expected. The psychoanalysis that I was accustomed to was only a very small part of what we did together. Work with Robert seemed to go very much faster, and seemed to be conducted mostly in the present--not in the past as I was used to. He kept on referring to what I was feeling now.
I left Todos Santos wishing that I could continue this kind of therapy with Robert. I cannot recommend him highly enough.
---H.R., Seattle, Washington, U.S.A.
As a writer I grapple with the big questions--How do we live our lives? What choices do we make? How do we deal with other people? Why do we thwart ourselves?--but these are also the problems I live out rather messily every day, sometimes painfully, rarely understanding why. At times it can get to be quite overwhelming--this ordinary, mildly neurotic life--even debilitating. I am very fortunate to have met Robert Saltzman.
Robert is a great listener, but he also has--and this seems rare among therapists--the ability to talk, to speak plainly and share his wisdom (which is considerable) both earnestly and with a great sense of humor. Countless times he has helped me remove a hurtful obstacle from my path (usually put there by myself), but each episode is of a piece with the path itself, with the search for some higher truth about our lives. Robert is a teacher as well as a healer, and like many I am grateful he is here in Todos Santos.
---Michael Mercer, Todos Santos, Baja California, author of Mexicoland and of Banditos, which was banned in Todos Santos.
Before my work with Robert, I did not believe that people could change, but now I know they can. I have changed!
---Michele Hernandez, Todos Santos, Baja California
dr.robert.saltzman "at" gmail.com
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