Clinical Psychology & Psychoanalysis
Psychoanalysis is about freeing
yourself from the old
and getting more in touch with the new.
To those looking for help: To put it briefly, I work with people in long-term therapy and I'm most effective when we can meet at least twice weekly. The therapy becomes a space where you can get help in slowing things down and taking a closer look at how your mind works. This helps you to identify, confront, and work through the issues causing problems in your life.
I work with all different kinds of people. Psychoanalysis is not tailored to a specific category of mental health problem because it sees symptoms as symptoms of processes running in the background of your mind. Compare this description of psychoanalytic psychology from the American Psychological Association.
The process starts with a phone call. If you're comfortable, we can set up an intial meeting. If that goes well, I recommend that we meet consistently for a while. It takes time for me to get to know you and for you to get a sense for how I do therapy. At some point we'll formalize a working agreement and then let the treatment play out.
Credentials
The credentials that support my practice are as follows: I hold a doctorate in clinical psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology in San Diego which, in addition to my state granted license, qualifies me for the title of psychologist. I’m also a graduate of the five year psychoanalytic training program at the San Diego Psychoanalytic Center which grants me the title of psychoanalyst. I meet regularly and often with a community of peers and mentors both here in Rochester and elsewhere in this country and abroad. I also participate in seminars led by accomplished teachers which focus on various themes central to the psychoanalytic literature. Finally, I'm currently spending much of my free time developing introductory presentations and seminars on psychoanalytic thought and practice that I hope soon to offer to the clinical community here in Rochester. You can read more about those ideas here. As for my involvement in professional organizations, I'm a voting member of the San Diego Psychoanalytic Center and the American Psychoanalytic Association, a full member of the International Psychoanalytical Association, and I'm beginning to engage more with the Genesee Valley Psychological Association where I am also a member.