Individual psychotherapy is indicated if across the lifespan you or a family member experience anxiety, sadness, depression, loneliness, grief and loss, uncontrolled anger, destructive repetitions or habits, and/or an overall sense of loss of meaning or purpose in life (Learn about our specific expertise in working with older adults). The circumstances that lead to these difficult experiences vary for all of us; what does not vary is the emotional distress, dis-ease or suffering we seek understanding of and relief from.  When mental distress is felt internally and causes problems in everyday functioning, individual psychotherapy can help.  There is usually no single cause for our distress and no one motivation for seeking professional help.  We will closely listen to your story and help identify your particular concerns and motivations for therapy (see video below).

Our approach to psychotherapy is sometimes called psychodynamic. We focus on increasing self understanding and deepening insight into emotional issues and conflicts. We pay close attention to our ways of relating, our unconscious thoughts and feelings, and how habits of mind and relating are repeated between therapist and patient, and understanding how we use defenses to obstruct emotional awareness. The frequency of therapy sessions varies from one to four times weekly.

The efficacy of psychodynamic approaches is supported by research. See articles below.

• Lazar, S. (2010). Psychotherapy is Worth It; A Comprehensive Review of Cost Effectiveness, American Psychiatric Publishing.

• Shedler, J. (2010). The Efficacy of Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, American Psychologist, 65, 98-109.

• Summers, R., Barber, J. (2009). Psychodynamic Psychotherapy: A Guide to Evidence Based Practice. The Guilford Press.

• Gatta, M., Miscioscia, M., Svanellini, L., Spoto, A., Difronzo, M., De Sauma, M., & Ferruzza, E. (2019). Effectiveness of brief psychodynamic therapy with children and adolescents: an outcome study. Frontiers in Pediatrics, 7, 501.

• Steinert, C., Munder, T., Rabung, S., Hoyer, J., & Leichsenring, F. (2017). Psychodynamic therapy: as efficacious as other empirically supported treatments? A meta-analysis testing equivalence of outcomes. American Journal of Psychiatry, 174(10), 943-953.

• Briggs, S., Netuveli, G., Gould, N., Gkaravella, A., Gluckman, N., Kangogyere, P., ... & Lindner, R. (2019). The effectiveness of psychoanalytic/psychodynamic psychotherapy for reducing suicide attempts and self-harm: systematic review and meta-analysis. British journal of psychiatry, 214(6), 320-328.

• Abbate-Daga, G., Marzola, E., Amianto, F., & Fassino, S. (2016). A comprehensive review of psychodynamic treatments for eating disorders. Eating and Weight Disorders-Studies on Anorexia, Bulimia and Obesity, 21(4), 553-580.

Individual psychotherapy is indicated if across the lifespan you or a family member experience anxiety, sadness, depression, loneliness, grief and loss, uncontrolled anger, destructive repetitions or habits, and/or an overall sense of loss of meaning or purpose in life (Learn about our specific expertise in working with older adults). The circumstances that lead to these difficult experiences vary for all of us; what does not vary is the emotional distress, dis-ease or suffering we seek understanding of and relief from.  When mental distress is felt internally and causes problems in everyday functioning, individual psychotherapy can help.  There is usually no single cause for our distress and no one motivation for seeking professional help.  We will closely listen to your story and help identify your particular concerns and motivations for therapy (see video below).

Our approach to psychotherapy is sometimes called psychodynamic. We focus on increasing self understanding and deepening insight into emotional issues and conflicts. We pay close attention to our ways of relating, our unconscious thoughts and feelings, and how habits of mind and relating are repeated between therapist and patient, and understanding how we use defenses to obstruct emotional awareness. The frequency of therapy sessions varies from one to four times weekly.

The efficacy of psychodynamic approaches is supported by research. See articles below.

• Lazar, S. (2010). Psychotherapy is Worth It; A Comprehensive Review of Cost Effectiveness, American Psychiatric Publishing.

• Shedler, J. (2010). The Efficacy of Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, American Psychologist, 65, 98-109.

• Summers, R., Barber, J. (2009). Psychodynamic Psychotherapy: A Guide to Evidence Based Practice. The Guilford Press.

• Gatta, M., Miscioscia, M., Svanellini, L., Spoto, A., Difronzo, M., De Sauma, M., & Ferruzza, E. (2019). Effectiveness of brief psychodynamic therapy with children and adolescents: an outcome study. Frontiers in Pediatrics, 7, 501.

• Steinert, C., Munder, T., Rabung, S., Hoyer, J., & Leichsenring, F. (2017). Psychodynamic therapy: as efficacious as other empirically supported treatments? A meta-analysis testing equivalence of outcomes. American Journal of Psychiatry, 174(10), 943-953.

• Briggs, S., Netuveli, G., Gould, N., Gkaravella, A., Gluckman, N., Kangogyere, P., ... & Lindner, R. (2019). The effectiveness of psychoanalytic/psychodynamic psychotherapy for reducing suicide attempts and self-harm: systematic review and meta-analysis. British journal of psychiatry, 214(6), 320-328.

• Abbate-Daga, G., Marzola, E., Amianto, F., & Fassino, S. (2016). A comprehensive review of psychodynamic treatments for eating disorders. Eating and Weight Disorders-Studies on Anorexia, Bulimia and Obesity, 21(4), 553-580.