What patients are saying
Overall rating
1.00
Average wait time
1.00
Bedside manner
1.00
About Dr. William Shearer
Focus areas
Anxiety Disorder
Couples Therapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Family Therapy/ Marriage Therapy
Couples Conflict Resolution
Marriage Counseling
Clientele seen
Young adults (18-24)
Individuals
Adults (25-64)
Couples
Seniors (65+)
Families
Treatment approaches
Acceptance and Commitment (ACT)
Family / Marital
Compassion Focused
Interpersonal
Emotionally Focused
Mindfulness-Based (MBCT)
Identity
Gender
MaleSexuality
StraightLanguages spoken
English
Getting to know Dr. William Shearer
Hi - I'm Dr. Bill Shearer, a couples counselor with extensive training and experience. I earned my EdD in Counseling Psychology from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. I also hold a Bachelor's from East Carolina University, an MBA from Pepperdine University, and a Master's in Public Health from Loma Linda University.
My wife Robin and I are both therapists, seeing clients with a variety of issues in individual, family, and couples therapy. Our focus includes anxiety disorders, relationship issues, addictions, compulsions, and eating disorders. My primary focus is working with couples and relationship challenges.
Robin and I authored *Mindful Choices for Well-Being*, and our approach, largely cognitive behavioral, combines multiple modalities. We also wrote *Being the Right Partner, Mindful Choices for Couples*. Our newest book, *The Couples Paradox: Finding Your Relational Super-Power*, will be released in Summer 2023.
Our work is based on nearly forty years of clinical and personal experience and integrates diverse approaches. While incorporating frameworks such as object relations, social learning theory, cognitive behavioral strategies, interpersonal or systems theory, and systems thinking, we emphasize four primary pillars:
1. Mindfulness, contemplative practices, Buddhist psychology, and Stoicism.
2. Mindfulness and acceptance-based behavioral therapies, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT). A significant part of our work is inspired by ACT. We also draw on Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT), earlier Rational Emotive Therapy (RET), Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT), and Schema Therapy (ST).
3. Positive psychology and the science of happiness and well-being.
4. Neuroscience and brain-based change strategies, psychobiology, mind-body medicine, and cognitive neuroscience.
What should a new client know about working with you?
I’m Dr. William C. Shearer (Dr. Bill), a California psychologist since 1977.
I am the co-author of Mindful Choices for Well-Being, Being the Right Partner, and The Couple’s Paradox (pending publication).
In my clinical work, I have three specializations. First, I deal with troubled relationships. Over half of my work is couples/marriage counseling.
Second, I have also worked for 30-plus years in the treatment of addictive and compulsive behaviors (alcohol dependence, drug abuse, gambling, etc.), and eating disorders such as Anorexia Nervosa, and Bulimia.
Finally, I specialize in treating stress and anxiety disorders such as panic disorder.
I am also an organizational consultant and leadership coach. I have worked with major corporations and government agencies. I am formally a vice president of a Southern California healthcare corporation.
I am a wellness consultant and "Wellness and Well-being Coach" drawing upon my background in exercise physiology, clinical nutrition, and experience with health psychology. I have been a nutrition professor for over 15 years.
I've had a varied career. I started out in New Jersey as a high school United States history teacher until accepting an Air Force commission. I continue to have a love of history and have taught history classes for a dozen colleges and universities.
I entered the Air Force in 1966. Prior to retiring as a Lt. Col. I had served as a nuclear weapons instructor, an adviser to the Royal Saudi Air Force, an ROTC instructor, and the director of a drug and alcohol rehabilitation program and Air Force counseling center. I know those things don't really go together, but that's often the case with a military officer's career.
My psychology doctorate is from the University of Tennessee. My MBA is from Pepperdine. My MPH (master’s in public health) is from Loma Linda University. I also have graduate degrees in education, and health services administration
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Out-of-pocket fees and assistance
Initial session: $150 for 55 minutes
Ongoing session: $150 for 55 minutes
- Files your insurance claim: You pay the session fee upfront and the provider files the claim for you, so you can get reimbursed directly without worrying about the paperwork
Education and background
Practice names
Education and training
- University of Tennessee, Knoxville, EdD in Counseling Psychology
- East Carolina University (Bachelor's)
- Pepperdine University, Master's in Business Administration
- Loma Linda University, Master's in Public Health
- Kean University, Master's in Education and Contemporary Civilization
- Columbia Pacific University, PhD in Health Services Administration
NPI number
1013096890
Patient reviews
All reviews have been submitted by patients after interacting with the practice.
Overall rating
1.00
Wait time
1.00
Bedside manner
1.00
Your trust is our top concern, so providers can't pay to alter or remove reviews. We also don't publish reviews that contain any private patient health information. Learn more here
1 review
Most relevant
July 7, 2023Initials hiddenVideo visit
How soon can I make an appointment with Dr. William Shearer?
Generally, Dr. William Shearer has appointments available on Zocdoc within 1 week. You can see Dr. Shearer's earliest availability on Zocdoc and make an appointment online.
Is Dr. William Shearer accepting new patients?
Dr. William Shearer generally accepts new patients on Zocdoc. You can see Dr. Shearer's earliest availability on Zocdoc and schedule an appointment online.
Does Dr. William Shearer accept my insurance?
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Can I make an appointment with Dr. William Shearer online?
Yes, you can make an appointment online with Dr. Shearer using Zocdoc. It’s simple, secure, and free.
What practice does Dr. William Shearer work with?
Dr. William Shearer works with Alternative Group Inc..
What are common reasons for patients to see Dr. William Shearer?
Dr. William Shearer frequently sees patients for Anxiety, Couples Therapy, Depression, Psychotherapy, and Therapy. You can see other visit reasons for Dr. William Shearer on their profile.
What languages does Dr. William Shearer speak?
Dr. William Shearer speaks English.
How do patients rate Dr. William Shearer in reviews?
1 patients have reviewed Dr. William Shearer. The overall rating for this doctor is 1/5. They have a 1/5 rating for bedside manner and a 1/5 rating for wait time. You can read individual reviews and ratings on their profile.