Psychoanalytic Therapists in San Francisco, CA

Svenson Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, MSW, LCSW, LICSW
Verified Verified
2 Endorsed
San Francisco, CA 94118
I draw on intensive post-grad certifications in psychoanalytic therapy, & trauma & dissociation, as well as decades of experience working with children, to offer experienced, evidence-based care.
If your child has experienced trauma & dissociation, they may have trouble managing their feelings, communicating their needs, or be using challenging behaviors. The world can feel scary to the traumatized child, so it's hard for them to communicate. They often cope in ways that were the best solution during the trauma, but no longer fit current circumstances, and which seem confusing or destructive. I see it as my job to help your child explore their inner world, so, through the language of play, they can learn how to express emotions, solve problems, & get needs met in healthy ways that fit the present!
I draw on intensive post-grad certifications in psychoanalytic therapy, & trauma & dissociation, as well as decades of experience working with children, to offer experienced, evidence-based care.
If your child has experienced trauma & dissociation, they may have trouble managing their feelings, communicating their needs, or be using challenging behaviors. The world can feel scary to the traumatized child, so it's hard for them to communicate. They often cope in ways that were the best solution during the trauma, but no longer fit current circumstances, and which seem confusing or destructive. I see it as my job to help your child explore their inner world, so, through the language of play, they can learn how to express emotions, solve problems, & get needs met in healthy ways that fit the present!

My background is in the application of existential philosophy and psychoanalytic ideas to clinical practice.
People who come to see me are suffering in some way, whether it be with work, relationships, or other issues, and they want to know why and what they can do about it. Some people have identified the problem as having to do with a mental health diagnosis, stress, intimacy issues, or some other term that has helped them describe the outward appearance of the problem. However, they have come to therapy because these descriptions do not get to the heart of the problem. With time and a good therapist, therapy is the perfect place to confide your thoughts with another and find a better way through the challenges of life.
My background is in the application of existential philosophy and psychoanalytic ideas to clinical practice.
People who come to see me are suffering in some way, whether it be with work, relationships, or other issues, and they want to know why and what they can do about it. Some people have identified the problem as having to do with a mental health diagnosis, stress, intimacy issues, or some other term that has helped them describe the outward appearance of the problem. However, they have come to therapy because these descriptions do not get to the heart of the problem. With time and a good therapist, therapy is the perfect place to confide your thoughts with another and find a better way through the challenges of life.

I use a psychoanalytic psychodynamic approach that gives me the insight and compassion to help you create profound and lasting change.
Having a safe and supportive space where one can talk openly, is so very important. Feeling understood and listened to promotes growth and change. I am warm and understanding as well as insightful and objective, bringing experience and honesty to my work. Together we will talk about what’s going on now, past events and relationships, and how they might be affecting you. I will work to develop a trusting, supportive relationship to more clearly understand what is troubling you. My clients have enjoyed success in overcoming anxiety and depression, connecting with others, defining and attaining goals, and increasing self-esteem.
I use a psychoanalytic psychodynamic approach that gives me the insight and compassion to help you create profound and lasting change.
Having a safe and supportive space where one can talk openly, is so very important. Feeling understood and listened to promotes growth and change. I am warm and understanding as well as insightful and objective, bringing experience and honesty to my work. Together we will talk about what’s going on now, past events and relationships, and how they might be affecting you. I will work to develop a trusting, supportive relationship to more clearly understand what is troubling you. My clients have enjoyed success in overcoming anxiety and depression, connecting with others, defining and attaining goals, and increasing self-esteem.

Drawing from my background as editor of an arts magazine and a contemporary artist, I offer tailored psychoanalytic consulting services aimed at helping artists and other individuals tap into their imagination, surmount creative blocks, and unearth fresh inspiration.
I specialize in empowering rare clients to redefine attachment styles and boundaries in work & love through establishing a two-way discourse around desires, and embracing mistakes as valuable learning experiences. I encourage individuals to break free from convention, to embrace particular and apriori elements of creativity, spirituality, intellect and eros.
Drawing from my background as editor of an arts magazine and a contemporary artist, I offer tailored psychoanalytic consulting services aimed at helping artists and other individuals tap into their imagination, surmount creative blocks, and unearth fresh inspiration.
I specialize in empowering rare clients to redefine attachment styles and boundaries in work & love through establishing a two-way discourse around desires, and embracing mistakes as valuable learning experiences. I encourage individuals to break free from convention, to embrace particular and apriori elements of creativity, spirituality, intellect and eros.

I specialize in depth oriented therapy guided by psychodynamic and psychoanalytic principles.
I approach my work as a therapist with care and an appreciation for all that you might bring into the space. We will work together to understand what is causing you distress and evaluate the things getting in the way of this understanding. I am ready an willing to help whether you are struggling in relationships, feel chronically stressed, are feeling lost among life transitions, or are dealing with other problems like depression and anxiety. I have experience working with teens, adolescents, adults and people in the LGBTQ+ and HIV impacted communities.
I specialize in depth oriented therapy guided by psychodynamic and psychoanalytic principles.
I approach my work as a therapist with care and an appreciation for all that you might bring into the space. We will work together to understand what is causing you distress and evaluate the things getting in the way of this understanding. I am ready an willing to help whether you are struggling in relationships, feel chronically stressed, are feeling lost among life transitions, or are dealing with other problems like depression and anxiety. I have experience working with teens, adolescents, adults and people in the LGBTQ+ and HIV impacted communities.

As a licensed psychoanalytic psychotherapist and relational psychoanalyst, I believe in the collaborative process of assisting clients in uncovering their emotional and personal truths.
I specialize in working with adults and teens to help mitigate depression and anxiety, interpersonal challenges, life transitions, school or professional difficulties and entrenched familial conflicts. My treatment modality is psychodynamic psychotherapy and relational psychoanalysis —for those whose past trauma needs a more immersive approach to heal.
As a licensed psychoanalytic psychotherapist and relational psychoanalyst, I believe in the collaborative process of assisting clients in uncovering their emotional and personal truths.
I specialize in working with adults and teens to help mitigate depression and anxiety, interpersonal challenges, life transitions, school or professional difficulties and entrenched familial conflicts. My treatment modality is psychodynamic psychotherapy and relational psychoanalysis —for those whose past trauma needs a more immersive approach to heal.

Attachment based and psychoanalytic psychotherapy guide my practice.
You are hurting, or anxious, are considering psychotherapy and whether to trust me to facilitate your healing. My experience with adults, couples and children will support your inner journey and that of loved ones. We will create space for you to contemplate internal, external and relationship challenges. Through an attuned therapeutic relationship, I will help you address internal challenges - depression, anxiety and trauma. Empathically, I help you face external challenges - discrimination, immigration and life transitions. I also support you in navigating relationships, in which your internal worlds connect with those of others.
Attachment based and psychoanalytic psychotherapy guide my practice.
You are hurting, or anxious, are considering psychotherapy and whether to trust me to facilitate your healing. My experience with adults, couples and children will support your inner journey and that of loved ones. We will create space for you to contemplate internal, external and relationship challenges. Through an attuned therapeutic relationship, I will help you address internal challenges - depression, anxiety and trauma. Empathically, I help you face external challenges - discrimination, immigration and life transitions. I also support you in navigating relationships, in which your internal worlds connect with those of others.

As a psychoanalytic therapist, I will be curious about the deeper meaning of your difficulties and where they might have originated.
I like helping people who desperately want to stop a perpetual cycle of self-sabotage, and are ready for a meaningful change in their life. Therapy can give you a space to speak freely and listen to yourself in new and different ways. Many people I see in my practice are adult children of immigrant parents who experience painful conflicts within their family of origin that lead to separation, emotional distance, or even estrangement. I also work with individuals who want support with exploring sexuality, gender identity, and coming out. I also help couples who want to change repetitive, destructive patterns in their relationship.
As a psychoanalytic therapist, I will be curious about the deeper meaning of your difficulties and where they might have originated.
I like helping people who desperately want to stop a perpetual cycle of self-sabotage, and are ready for a meaningful change in their life. Therapy can give you a space to speak freely and listen to yourself in new and different ways. Many people I see in my practice are adult children of immigrant parents who experience painful conflicts within their family of origin that lead to separation, emotional distance, or even estrangement. I also work with individuals who want support with exploring sexuality, gender identity, and coming out. I also help couples who want to change repetitive, destructive patterns in their relationship.

I work hard to make a relationship with clients that provides a context for understanding; using, in a few words, a relational psychoanalytic approach.
I believe that as human beings, we are hard-wired with the need to get our emotional experience into the mind of a trusted other. My work as a psychotherapist is to find emotional resonance with my clients' life experiences, deriving both from their family of origin and from present-day situations and relationships. Whether a client is depressed, anxious, struggling with relationship problems, trying to overcome traumatic experiences, or trying to find their own unique, personal voice in a complex world, talking in psychotherapy can help to expand your capacity for growth and happiness.
I work hard to make a relationship with clients that provides a context for understanding; using, in a few words, a relational psychoanalytic approach.
I believe that as human beings, we are hard-wired with the need to get our emotional experience into the mind of a trusted other. My work as a psychotherapist is to find emotional resonance with my clients' life experiences, deriving both from their family of origin and from present-day situations and relationships. Whether a client is depressed, anxious, struggling with relationship problems, trying to overcome traumatic experiences, or trying to find their own unique, personal voice in a complex world, talking in psychotherapy can help to expand your capacity for growth and happiness.

I love working with people who are curious about the growth potential psychoanalytic psychotherapy can generate.
I have a specialization in psychoanalytic and art therapies. I offer talk and art therapy, as well as clinical supervision for post-masters level MFTs working on their hours in California.
I love working with people who are curious about the growth potential psychoanalytic psychotherapy can generate.
I have a specialization in psychoanalytic and art therapies. I offer talk and art therapy, as well as clinical supervision for post-masters level MFTs working on their hours in California.

I am ready to meet with you to listen to your particular needs, regardless of type of treatment, whether psychoanalytic psychotherapy, coaching, brief analysis, or psychoanalysis proper.
I offer a range of private services from coaching and consultation to psychotherapy and psychoanalysis. Contact me today to discuss your particular situation, whether in person, by phone, or online. I look forward to hearing about your unique needs. Also be sure to visit my website at https://www.drpabrown.com.
I am ready to meet with you to listen to your particular needs, regardless of type of treatment, whether psychoanalytic psychotherapy, coaching, brief analysis, or psychoanalysis proper.
I offer a range of private services from coaching and consultation to psychotherapy and psychoanalysis. Contact me today to discuss your particular situation, whether in person, by phone, or online. I look forward to hearing about your unique needs. Also be sure to visit my website at https://www.drpabrown.com.
Meet Our Psychoanalytic Therapists

Rebecca Chadwick
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified Verified
3 Endorsed
San Francisco, CA 94118
I work from contemporary psychoanalytic, psychodynamic, and relational approaches.
I help individuals who are feeling anxious, lost, disconnected, overwhelmed, unstable, or alone. These feelings may be related to a specific season of life or could be ways that you’ve felt for a long time. My areas of focus include anxiety, depression, developmental trauma, identity exploration, survivors of intimate partner abuse, life transitions, and relationship issues. My approach is compassionate, engaged, and warm.
I work from contemporary psychoanalytic, psychodynamic, and relational approaches.
I help individuals who are feeling anxious, lost, disconnected, overwhelmed, unstable, or alone. These feelings may be related to a specific season of life or could be ways that you’ve felt for a long time. My areas of focus include anxiety, depression, developmental trauma, identity exploration, survivors of intimate partner abuse, life transitions, and relationship issues. My approach is compassionate, engaged, and warm.

As a psychoanalytic therapist, I'm trained to provide intensive psychotherapy that leads to long-term change.
Many of my clients experience complex life situations with social, cultural, and political significance. I carefully explore these situations without trying to 'fix' them. In general, I tend to think clients have conflicts that need to be better understood rather than problems that need to be fixed.
As a psychoanalytic therapist, I'm trained to provide intensive psychotherapy that leads to long-term change.
Many of my clients experience complex life situations with social, cultural, and political significance. I carefully explore these situations without trying to 'fix' them. In general, I tend to think clients have conflicts that need to be better understood rather than problems that need to be fixed.

In addition to my clinical work with patients, I also offer consultation for other clinicians and teach and supervise with various psychoanalytic sites in the Bay Area.
Once we better understand the difficulties, I can also help you figure out what to do about them by making changes both on the inside as well in your external life. I also see children ages 4 and older in play therapy. In addition to my training in clinical psychology, I hold a BA in Buddhist Studies from Columbia University and a MFA from Yale.
In addition to my clinical work with patients, I also offer consultation for other clinicians and teach and supervise with various psychoanalytic sites in the Bay Area.
Once we better understand the difficulties, I can also help you figure out what to do about them by making changes both on the inside as well in your external life. I also see children ages 4 and older in play therapy. In addition to my training in clinical psychology, I hold a BA in Buddhist Studies from Columbia University and a MFA from Yale.

I work relationally psychodynamic/ psychoanalytic with present-centered approaches that bring attention and mindfulness to what is overlooked or difficult to address.
Often in life there are unexpected events or life transitions that challenge our abilities to cope or understand our sense of self or purpose. When what has been helpful to navigate life is no longer working, symptoms may show up in the form of sadness, depression, anxiety, stress, physical ailments, feelings of isolation, or an overwhelm of emotions that may be difficult to manage alone. I view therapy as a unique opportunity for honest observation and exploration in service of creating a deeper connection with your inherent nature as a way to discover how you can find support from yourself, as well as, feel supported by others.
I work relationally psychodynamic/ psychoanalytic with present-centered approaches that bring attention and mindfulness to what is overlooked or difficult to address.
Often in life there are unexpected events or life transitions that challenge our abilities to cope or understand our sense of self or purpose. When what has been helpful to navigate life is no longer working, symptoms may show up in the form of sadness, depression, anxiety, stress, physical ailments, feelings of isolation, or an overwhelm of emotions that may be difficult to manage alone. I view therapy as a unique opportunity for honest observation and exploration in service of creating a deeper connection with your inherent nature as a way to discover how you can find support from yourself, as well as, feel supported by others.

I am interested in helping people create all of the above, and do so through a combination of psychoanalytic depth therapy and evidence-based techniques.
Do you feel you have it all/have enough, but do not feel satisfied, content, happy, or at peace? Do you want to find meaning and purpose in your life? Do you want to examine the root causes of your emotional suffering instead of putting a bandaid on your symptoms? If so, I invite you to schedule a 20-minute consultation with me to begin exploring your healing and transformation. I can help you to learn to trust yourself, discern what you have and don't have control/responsibility over, and find your center/ true north, which you can utilize to make decisions more effectively and flow through life's ups and downs with more ease.
I am interested in helping people create all of the above, and do so through a combination of psychoanalytic depth therapy and evidence-based techniques.
Do you feel you have it all/have enough, but do not feel satisfied, content, happy, or at peace? Do you want to find meaning and purpose in your life? Do you want to examine the root causes of your emotional suffering instead of putting a bandaid on your symptoms? If so, I invite you to schedule a 20-minute consultation with me to begin exploring your healing and transformation. I can help you to learn to trust yourself, discern what you have and don't have control/responsibility over, and find your center/ true north, which you can utilize to make decisions more effectively and flow through life's ups and downs with more ease.

I am a candidate in psychoanalytic training at the C.
Self-discovery is a process that can be both incredibly challenging and tremendously rewarding. Sometimes we seek it out and often it finds us through painful and uncomfortable symptoms or experiences. Some symptoms that I see in my practice include relationship challenges, anxiety, depression, health issues and inner critic challenges. As a parent, I also work with new parents. Challenging experiences can lead to powerful healing and profound change. I believe in this process because it revolutionized my own life. I am honored to accompany others in their version of this process.
I am a candidate in psychoanalytic training at the C.
Self-discovery is a process that can be both incredibly challenging and tremendously rewarding. Sometimes we seek it out and often it finds us through painful and uncomfortable symptoms or experiences. Some symptoms that I see in my practice include relationship challenges, anxiety, depression, health issues and inner critic challenges. As a parent, I also work with new parents. Challenging experiences can lead to powerful healing and profound change. I believe in this process because it revolutionized my own life. I am honored to accompany others in their version of this process.

Jacob Glazebnik
Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, AMFT
Verified Verified
3 Endorsed
San Francisco, CA 94123
I offer individual and couples psychotherapy from a relational psychoanalytic perspective.
I specialize in helping clients identify patterns in relationships, career and family. This work requires a patience, but the fruits of this effort will help you dramatically improve your life.
I offer individual and couples psychotherapy from a relational psychoanalytic perspective.
I specialize in helping clients identify patterns in relationships, career and family. This work requires a patience, but the fruits of this effort will help you dramatically improve your life.

If you've tried other therapy methods without success, it may be time for a more psychoanalytic approach.
It is my passion and a privilege to help people struggling with anxiety, depression, self-esteem, trauma, family dynamics, relationship issues, career stress, life transitions, existential angst, and finding meaning and purpose. I welcome people of all types and backgrounds into my practice. I see you as a unique individual and I look forward to getting to know you on a deep level. I am here to support you every step of the way on your journey of self-discovery and healing transformation.
If you've tried other therapy methods without success, it may be time for a more psychoanalytic approach.
It is my passion and a privilege to help people struggling with anxiety, depression, self-esteem, trauma, family dynamics, relationship issues, career stress, life transitions, existential angst, and finding meaning and purpose. I welcome people of all types and backgrounds into my practice. I see you as a unique individual and I look forward to getting to know you on a deep level. I am here to support you every step of the way on your journey of self-discovery and healing transformation.

Maeve Odile Jackson-Dufault
Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, MA
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
San Francisco, CA 94123
My approach to therapy is integral; I work from an attachment and trauma informed lens with a deep grounding in relational psychoanalytic theory.
I am particularly passionate about working with couples from a sex positive, LGBTQ+ affirming, attachment based, and psychodynamic lens. I love to welcome those from the Poly community who are beginning their non-monogamous journey or have been on it for a long time. I work from an array of modalities including Gestalt, Feminist, EFT, Jungian, and IFS.
My approach to therapy is integral; I work from an attachment and trauma informed lens with a deep grounding in relational psychoanalytic theory.
I am particularly passionate about working with couples from a sex positive, LGBTQ+ affirming, attachment based, and psychodynamic lens. I love to welcome those from the Poly community who are beginning their non-monogamous journey or have been on it for a long time. I work from an array of modalities including Gestalt, Feminist, EFT, Jungian, and IFS.
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Nearby Psychoanalytic Therapists Searches for San Francisco
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- Albany
- Berkeley
- Daly City
- Emeryville
- Mill Valley
- Oakland
- Pacifica
- Piedmont
- Sausalito
- South San Francisco
- Tiburon
Psychoanalytic Therapists
Does psychoanalytic therapy work?
Psychoanalytic therapy derives from the work of Sigmund Freud. In this type of therapy, discovering buried thoughts and emotions from the unconscious will help a person work through their difficulties and negative behaviors. Research shows that psychoanalytic therapy can be highly effective, with patients reporting improvement in mood, quality of life, and overall well-being.
How long are people typically in psychoanalytic therapy?
Traditional psychoanalysis is in-depth and is conducted in five sessions every week. Today, modern psychoanalytic therapy is less intense and normally incorporates as few as one or two sessions a week. In some cases, positive change can occur quickly. However, if the condition, difficulty, or behavior is deep-seated, improvement may require many months or years of therapy.
Is psychoanalytic therapy suitable for young people?
Children and adolescents can benefit from this type of therapy. Many kids and teens are often unable to form and communicate their thoughts and emotions. Psychoanalytic therapy uses specific techniques such as dream analysis, symbolism, and free association or word association; all of which can be useful tools for less-communicative young people. Through this therapy, a patient will hopefully make connections between what they feel inside and how the world works outside.
Can psychoanalytic therapy be done online?
Modern-day psychoanalytic therapy is very different from traditional psychoanalysis. While an individual can sit face-to-face with the psychoanalyst for multiple sessions a week, they do not have to. Today, psychoanalytic therapy can be effectively conducted online or by phone. The key is that the individual confronts what is repressed and avoided, and this can be done whether in person or over online video.