Financial Therapist
Financial Therapy
As a financial therapist, I am neither a psychotherapist nor a financial planner. My work is at the intersection of the two. My particular brand of financial therapy, that I've been doing for more than thirty years, is devoted to changing hard-to-break patterns, combining that with practical, real-world financial solutions.
First we stabilize--then we build solid footing.
My clients have had every kind of money struggle, every kind of fire we needed to put out. They included compulsive spenders and shoppers; those in trouble with debt or taxes; parents struggling with boundaries with teenage or adult children; couples trying to stop arguing about or being resentful about money in their marriage; families trying to navigate difficult dynamics or troubling behavior; family members struggling with inheritance or estate dynamics; the problems that inevitably come along with wealth.
About Ron Gallen
Ron and his work have been featured around the world, including in The London Times and New York Magazine. He is the author of The Money Trap (HarperCollins) and regularly consults with a broad array of other helping professionals: psychotherapists, counselors, coaches, attorneys, family money managers, treatment centers, bankers...
Services
Individual
Meeting one-to-one to relieve financial pressure, to resolve ongoing money behavior, and to establish a solid basis for working through all types of financial conflict.
Family
Improve family dynamics, resolve conflicts, and strengthen bonds and boundaries.
Couples
Resolve money conflicts and align financial goals in your relationship.
20 Minute Call
Introductory brief call to decide whether we would work well together
The Money Trap was published twenty-five years ago, when I was a pioneer in the field of financial therapy and money disorders. In the book I describes the different categories of money disorders. Although it was written as a self-help book, it is still used by a wide array of professionals. It also happens to be compelling reading.
Client Feedback
“I’m a single mother and business owner, always at the brink. After seeing so many CPAs, attorneys, and counselors--Ron was different. He helped me get my financial house in order with his mix of knowledge, experience, humility, and humor. This felt less like hiring a professional and more like school for the soul.”
AC
“Ron is a true ‘Individual Consultation’ provider. No matter what you’re facing, he helps you break it down and organize it so it makes sense and feels far less stressful or scary.Once you have your arms around the issues, he puts together a plan to help you move through them. Ron helped me organize my finances while going through a divorce—something I dreaded—and set me up for financial success. I’d recommend him a million times over.”
AN
“Working with Ron has been a game changer. He ’s revolutionized my relationship with money, business, and life in general. He’s so much more than a therapist or a financial consultant. For over 15 years, I’ve turned to Ron for everything from starting a business and marketing strategies to investments and sensitive money issues involving my family. He combines clear financial advice with deep empathy, getting to the heart of the matter in a thoughtful, comprehensive way. I can’t imagine where I’d be without his down‑to‑earth, perceptive approach.
KD
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do people generally work with you?
It depends. Most people find relief and new ways with money in their lives or their families within three to six months. Some choose to stay longer. I have families I have been seeing into the next generation, but also have clients who rearrange things and don't need me anymore after a few weeks. So, it depends. I do tend to be good, though, at getting straight to the issues at hand.
Do you work with different family members at the same time?
Often I do. Mostly one family member or parents see me first about some difficult family financial dynamic. That often leads to bringing other members into the conversation. When called for, I sometimes will act as a go-between for family members who can't speak to each other without fighting.
Do you help with taxes and lawsuits?
While I am not an attorney, neither am I an accountant, these matters are often discussed in stabilizing things.