About Sil Machado, Ph.D.
Experienced, compassionate, and relational care.
I offer in-person Neurofeedback, Biofeedback, Somatic Therapies, and Psychotherapy in Petaluma, serving Sonoma & Marin County. As a Professor of Clinical Mental Health Counseling and a seasoned Licensed Psychologist, I bring clinical depth and far-reaching expertise to every session.
Clinical & academic background
Licensed Psychologist & Professor of Counseling
Full-time Professor of Counseling at Sonoma State University – Educating and training aspiring clinicians at the graduate level, supervising counseling trainees, and publishing on trauma, depth psychotherapy, and LGBTQ+ issues.
Qualifications
Education, licensure & clinical background
Sil Machado, Ph.D. is a licensed psychologist and professor of Mental Health Counseling at Sonoma State University. He brings advanced clinical training and a rigorous academic background to in-person care in Petaluma.
Qualifications Summary
Sil Machado, Ph.D.
Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist · Professor, Sonoma State
Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. Licensed Psychologist in California (PSY25053). Three master's degrees. Professor of Counseling at Sonoma State University. More than 21 years of clinical experience and over 18,000 sessions.
- Full-time, tenured Professor of Counseling at Sonoma State University – education & training graduate clinicians supervising trainees.
- 21+ years of clinical experience; over 18,000 sessions completed.
Find me on
Education, license, & certifications
- Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, Saybrook University
- MA in Counseling, Sonoma State University
- MA in Clinical Psychology, Saybrook University
- MA in Jungian Depth Psychology, Sonoma State University
- Licensed Psychologist PSY25053
- Certified Transforming Touch® Practitioner
- Certified Rest and Restore Protocol Provider, Unyte Health
- Board Certification in Neurofeedback in Progress
- Craniosacral Therapy Training & Certification in Progress
Specialty training & modalities
- Neurofeedback, Biofeedback, Somatic Therapies, and Psychotherapy in Petaluma. Neurofeedback & Biofeedback for children, teens, and adults; Somatic Therapies and Psychotherapy for adults.
- Specialized advanced training in neurofeedback, biofeedback, Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP), attachment-focused relational psychodynamic psychotherapy, Jungian psychotherapy, Emotion Focused Individual Therapy (EFIT), Transforming Touch®, Neuroaffective Touch, craniosacral therapy, expressive arts, Jungian sandplay, sandtray therapy, focusing oriented therapy, Existential-Humanistic psychotherapy, EMDR, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), mindfulness-based psychotherapies, emotional freedom techniques.
A personal note
Why I Do This Work
As a clinical psychologist, neurofeedback and biofeedback provider, and somatic practitioner, I consider it a privilege to cultivate meaningful, collaborative relationships in my work – relationships specifically intended to support resilience in clients. I work with clients to find relief from and deeper meaning in their difficulties, and believe that, when carefully attended to, dark moods, unwanted habits, difficult symptoms, and disturbing thoughts, feelings, and behaviors serve as doorways through which a deeper relationship with oneself is possible.
There is a secret love hiding in each problem.
Detailed bio
We all have the potential to lead a fulfilling life. Difficult challenges may keep us from reaching that potential, and we can find ourselves stuck in repetitive cycles of suffering. I offer somatic therapy, neurofeedback, and biofeedback with a focus on the alleviation of symptoms through inner transformation.
With close attention to the unresolved emotional pain and nervous system dysregulation that drive symptoms, I help clients find resilience within the difficulties they face. In my practice you will find a welcoming space where you belong and are free to explore your past pain and triumphs, current challenges and strengths, and hope for the future.
I am currently accepting new clients. I offer neurofeedback for children, teens, and adults, and biofeedback, somatic therapies, and psychotherapy for adults. Sessions are held in person at my Petaluma office.
I have particular expertise in adult psychotherapy for trauma, anxiety, depression, LGBTQ+ issues, loss, shame, and relationship problems, drawing on time-tested and evidence-based approaches suited to each client's unique needs. I am a seasoned neurofeedback provider who has worked with a wide-range of clinical issues, including the painful mental health, neurodevelopmental, neurocognitive, and mind-body issues that negatively impact clients' day-to-day life.
Areas of focus
Therapy tailored to what you are navigating now.
These are the current services offered in Dr. Machado's practice.
Neurofeedback
Drug-free, brain-based training that teaches the nervous system to regulate itself. Offered to children, teens, and adults.
Biofeedback
Evidence-based mind-body training that uses real-time signals from your body to build calm and resilience. Offered to teens and adults.
Somatic Therapies
Body-based approaches for nervous-system dysregulation, working with sensation and felt experience rather than talk alone. Offered to adults only.
Psychotherapy
Depth-oriented, integrative psychotherapy that works with the unresolved emotional pain at the core of symptoms. Offered to adults only.
