Dr. Elissa Buchman

I received my master’s and doctoral degrees in clinical psychology from The Wright Institute, an APA-accredited graduate school in Berkeley, California. I completed both my pre-doctoral internship and my postdoctoral fellowship at The University of San Francisco Counseling and Psychological Services. I worked in private practice for several years, specializing in couples therapy using a combination of the Gottman Method, EFT for couples, and psychodynamic theory. My background includes working with teens and adults, focusing on treatment for complex trauma, personality disorders, interpersonal difficulties, and identity development. I work particularly well with creative individuals whose rich inner lives are often labeled as "too intense" by a world who misunderstands them. I also work with survivors of the troubled teen industry.

I believe that therapy is both a science and an art. I approach therapy as a collaborative and creative effort, utilizing psychoanalytic and relational models to understand the nuances of your specific concerns, and a combination of behavioral and analytic interventions to address them.

As a therapist, I aim to create an environment that is conducive to growth and change. For some clients, that may require softness, gentleness, and a slower pace. For others, it may require direct engagement, challenge, and humor. My aim is to take the necessary time to understand who you are, how you came to be, and what you hope for and imagine for yourself and your life. Therapy can be a painful and difficult process, and you can expect me to treat you with respect, empathy, and genuine care every step of the way.