Padma Desai

I am a NY and NJ based psychoanalytic psychotherapist with 20 years of clinical experience working with adults. My practice draws on rigorous training in Object Relations theory and contemporary psychoanalytic approaches, combined with evidence-based methods to address a wide range of psychological concerns.

I have worked across intensive outpatient, partial hospitalization, and private practice settings, bringing both depth of training and breadth of clinical experience to my work. I am formally trained at The Object Relations Institute for Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis in New York, and I regularly present at national and international psychoanalytic conferences.

I work with adults who are serious about understanding themselves more deeply and making meaningful, lasting change — not just symptom relief.

NY and NJ sessions are conducted via a HIPAA-compliant video platform, accessible from any device. I offer a free 15-minute phone consultation to determine whether we are a good fit before beginning treatment.

My approach is rooted in contemporary psychoanalytic and Object Relations theory — a depth-oriented framework that explores the underlying patterns and early relational experiences that shape how we think, feel, and relate to others today.

Within this framework, I draw pragmatically on evidence-based methods including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Family Systems Theory when clinically indicated. This allows for both insight-oriented work and concrete, practical strategies tailored to your specific needs.

With 20 years of clinical experience across intensive outpatient, partial hospitalization, and private practice settings, I bring both theoretical depth and practical skill to every session.

The first session is a structured clinical consultation. I will conduct a thorough assessment of your presenting concerns, relevant history, and goals for treatment. By the end of our first meeting, you will have a clear sense of what we are working toward and an initial framework for how we will get there.

I provide a professional, confidential, and nonjudgmental space where you can speak openly. For clients who need immediate support, I integrate practical strategies early in the treatment process while building toward deeper, more lasting change.