I am a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) based in Toronto, Ontario, with a focus on psychodynamic and psychoanalytic approaches. In my private practice, I aim to create a supportive, informative, and confidential environment for patients from various sociocultural, gender, and economic backgrounds.

I specialize in working with adults dealing with a wide range of issues, especially anxiety, stress, depression, relationship issues, and personality disorders. Throughout our usually long-term therapy, we will work on identifying and ameliorating your deeply rooted behavioral and emotional patterns, so you can better engage with and enjoy your life.

Life is always tough, but sometimes it can feel quite overwhelming. This is when making the courageous and commendable decision to seek help becomes especially important. Whether you aim to resolve life problems or deepen your self-knowledge, if you've decided to embark on psychotherapy, I'd be more than happy to meet you.

A Few Words on Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy

Some people prefer to get a sense of therapy before diving in. As someone considering psychotherapy, you have every right to understand what you’re about to experience. To support this, I’m here to outline psychoanalytic therapy and highlight its main differences from other therapeutic approaches.

However, nothing beats the experience of therapy itself to truly grasp what it’s like and determine if it’s right for you. If you’ve never been in psychoanalytic treatment before, try not to let preconceptions cloud your view. Approach it with the openness and curiosity of a newcomer. Remember, each therapy journey is a unique human experience. You and your therapist will embark on a path toward understanding and healing that is entirely your own.

What is Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy?

Psychoanalytic psychotherapy is a modern offshoot of psychoanalysis, the renowned ‘talking cure’ pioneered by Sigmund Freud over a century ago. Sometimes called Psychodynamic therapy, psychoanalytic therapy is designed for those looking to explore their inner world more deeply and gain insights into their lives, but who might not need the intensity of traditional psychoanalysis (which typically involves four or five sessions a week with the patient reclining on a couch).

What is unique about Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy?

Psychoanalytic therapy stands out from other therapeutic approaches in several key ways:

• Our conscious awareness is just the tip of the iceberg. Beneath the surface, our minds harbor a parallel, unconscious realm that shapes our feelings, thoughts, decisions, and actions in ways we're often unaware of. While we might have some ideas about why we desire certain things or dislike others, the real, unconscious forces influencing us are typically hidden from our immediate awareness.

• Our early years, from infancy through childhood, play a pivotal role in forming this unconscious mind. However, this doesn't mean we're merely the product of our past experiences. Research shows that psychoanalytic therapy is effective in helping us understand that while our childhood shapes us, we're not doomed to be victims of it. Instead, we develop unconscious patterns—cognitive, emotional, interpersonal, and behavioral—that continue to impact our lives today. These patterns often lie at the heart of our difficulties and may need to be addressed and changed.

• Given that we have these unconscious patterns, it's essential to have a therapist who can help illuminate our 'blind spots'—the aspects of ourselves that we frequently miss.

• Because these emotional and behavioral patterns develop over many years through numerous interpersonal experiences, gaining awareness of them and understanding their full impact takes time. This is why psychoanalytic therapy is often long-term and open-ended, without a set number of sessions.

• Although it can be challenging, maintaining a curious rather than judgmental attitude toward our psychological suffering can be beneficial. It may seem counterintuitive, but the issues that prompt us to seek help are not always the most crucial ones to address. Symptoms like depression, anxiety, obsessions, relationship conflicts, identity confusion, and substance abuse are certainly significant and deserving of attention. However, these are often just the surface issues, the tip of the iceberg. Psychoanalytic therapy encourages a deeper exploration, fostering a spirit of curiosity and understanding beyond the immediate symptoms.

Psychoanalytic Therapy Vs. Other Therapies

With so many types and styles of psychotherapy available, it’s challenging to compare psychoanalytic therapy with every other approach in just a brief overview. However, breaking down the main categories of therapy can help you determine which might be the best fit for your needs.

The first category includes therapies that are derived from psychoanalysis but have been adapted to meet different needs or stages in a patient’s life. These therapies include psychoanalysis, psychoanalytic therapy, psychodynamic therapy, transference-focused psychotherapy (TFP), mentalization-based therapy (MBT), and interpersonal psychodynamic therapy (IPT), among others. Let’s refer to these as 'insight-oriented therapies.'

In the second category, you’ll find therapies that are more rooted in cognitive and behavioral traditions. Popular examples include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), emotion-focused therapy (EFT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and mindfulness-based therapy. We can call these 'problem-focused therapies.'

It's important to note that it's not about which therapy is superior or inferior—each approach has its merits. Effectiveness can vary based on individual needs. The key is to find the therapy that aligns with your current self, needs, and preferences. Here are some basic distinctions to help you decide which type of therapy might interest you:

• Insight-oriented therapies focus on gaining a deeper understanding of who you are and who you want to become. They’re less concerned with immediate symptom relief and more with exploring your inner world. In these therapies, sessions usually don’t follow a set agenda; instead, you express your thoughts and feelings as they arise, and over time, themes may begin to emerge and connect.

• On the other hand, problem-focused therapies aim to address specific issues you bring to the sessions. They prioritize reducing symptoms and often involve a more structured approach. Sessions typically have a set agenda, and there's a clear sense of continuity in the work you and your therapist do together.

• In insight-oriented therapies, therapists are generally less directive. They don’t usually prescribe what’s right or wrong but rather offer a space for you to explore and express yourself freely. They listen attentively, ask relevant questions, and provide thoughtful feedback. In contrast, problem-focused therapists are often more active and directive, giving advice or providing psychoeducation to help you tackle specific issues.

• With insight-oriented therapies, you’re unlikely to have specific tasks or assignments between sessions. Problem-focused therapies, however, frequently involve assignments and practice of skills to discuss in subsequent sessions.

• Typically, insight-oriented therapies are long-term, lasting several months to many years. Problem-focused therapies tend to be shorter and often completed in less than a year.

In summary, insight-oriented therapies (such as psychoanalysis and psychoanalytic therapy) are ideal for those dealing with deep-rooted issues and seeking long-term understanding. Problem-focused therapies, on the other hand, are better suited for individuals who are generally well but need help with specific, recent issues, providing practical tools and skills for resolution.