David Parnes

I think of emotional and psychological growth as occurring throughout one's life - from birth onwards. But, at times, this growth can become curtailed. We can get stuck. I see psychotherapy as an opportunity to get unstuck. With patience, compassion and curiosity, even longstanding ways of thinking, feeling and behaving can be changed.

I offer psychotherapy and psychoanalysis to adults, children and teens. My approach is based on a psychodynamic orientation, meaning that I understand emotional and behavioral problems to be a product of past experiences, how these experiences were perceived and responded to, and how these experiences live on within oneself, impacting one's emotional and psychic life.

Therapy with Adults: I see psychotherapy as an opportunity to identify and address obstacles to health and happiness, as well as to promote growth and change. Psychotherapy offers the chance to examine your emotional and psychic life – your internal world – in a consistent and confidential setting. I am open to working with a range of presenting concerns, including depression, anxiety, relationship difficulties, self-esteem, trauma and emotional regulation. I work with individuals seeking help with transient difficulties as well as those wanting to address more longstanding problems. Psychoanalysis is an intensive form of psychotherapy, with patients coming more frequently (3-5 times a week) and often lying on the couch. Together, we can discuss and decide on the approach and frequency that is right for you.

Child Therapy Services: I provide therapy for children age three and older. I see children with a range of emotional, behavioral and learning difficulties. With younger children, play and art are used as means of exploration and communication. With older children and teenagers, talking becomes the primary modality through which we work together. As with adults, the frequency that we meet depends on a number of factors and is something we will discuss together. My work with parents is one of collaboration. I strive to help parents deepen their appreciation for their child’s emotional life, increase their confidence as parents, and strengthen their relationship with their child.

Consultation: I provide consultation to psychotherapists interested in a psychoanalytic approach to psychotherapy. My theoretical orientation is strongly influenced by Freud, Klein and Bion.