David Quagliana

I am a licensed psychologist with 20+ years of experience providing therapy, psychological testing, and related psychological services. I earned my Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Fuller Graduate School of Psychology at Fuller Theological Seminary, as well as a Master of Arts in Theology. I work with individuals, couples, and groups and have particular expertise in complex trauma, eating disorders, and dissociative disorders. My clinical work is grounded in extensive training in a variety of psychological modalities, though I find that psychodynamic therapy is the foundation of my approach to client relationships. I also have specialized experience with Autism (ASD), ADHD, spiritual-integrated therapy, EMDR (trauma treatment), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy.

I offer highly relational, in-depth therapy for people seeking to work through complex circumstances and wounds toward greater self-understanding, self-acceptance, and meaningful change. My approach is compassionate, curious, and collaborative: using both exploration of the past as well as the “here and now” of the therapy relationship to bring about insight, healing, and growth. Though insight can be gained through particular therapeutic techniques and a client’s intellectual engagement in therapy, I find that true healing and growth are found through the emotional and relational aspects of therapeutic work. Psychodynamic therapy (including relational psychoanalysis and Kleinian therapy) is central to my therapy work, though I also utilize EMDR and DBT, spiritual integration, existential psychotherapy, and many other treatment approaches when they fit a client’s needs and goals.

Our first session is an opportunity to begin getting to know one another and to consider whether working together feels like a good fit. A first session contains a bit of paradox: while an initial appointment includes assessment and the beginning of treatment planning; I believe that building a trusting relationship is essential from the outset. My aim in our first session is to create a thoughtful, accepting, and nonjudgmental space where you can feel heard, ask questions, and begin identifying goals for our work together. I feel it is also a relational task in early sessions for us to co-create an understand of what therapy is and how it works – universally and in the particularity of your presentation and needs.