Known as “Dr. B” to clients, Bertoli specializes in teaching people to live with an entirely different life focus. “Instead of focusing on the outside world and its many stimuli, I help people come back to themselves and their connection with ‘All That Is,’” she says. “So many are ready, so many have been ignoring the inner callings of their hearts and are ready to change their lives.”
Bertoli has a doctorate from Florida State University in marriage and family therapy and a master’s from East Carolina University in child development and family therapy. She completed her undergraduate work in business, computer science and management. “My heart beats business,” Bertoli said, “and my business must help raise the consciousness of the planet … it can be no other way.”
Referring to her time in Washington, D.C., she said, “I received great experience in the belly of the beast.” There, Bertoli developed a specialty in high-conflict couples who were dealing with affairs, deciding whether or not to stay married, and generally couples who were on the brink of divorce or disaster.
Bertoli said the main reason for her work is helping leave societal expectations behind to live the lives they are meant to live. “We all know our inner calling; I knew I was meant to give more,” Bertoli said. As for starting over in a new city, her perspective is, “Be as good as you can at what you do and people will come to you.”
Why did she choose Santa Barbara to open her office? “I really felt drawn to here,” Bertoli said.
Her soon-to-be-published book is “For All Who Hunger: How to Leave Societal Influences Behind and Life the Life You’re Meant to Live.”
Bertoli works locally as well as nationally, using the online video service Skype. She also writes a biweekly blog and provides psychoeducational lectures and workshops. She lectures about consciousness shifting and finding peace of mind in a time of chaos.
She has been featured in Redbook and Washingtonian magazines, the Washington Post, NBC-TV and Wisconsin and Minnesota Public Radio. Bertoli is a clinical member of the American Association of Marriage & Family Therapy and was chairwoman of the licensing board for marriage and family therapy for five years in the nation’s capital. Bertoli enjoys sailing, being with friends, and playing with her dog. For more information, see www.DrBertoli.com.