What I do
I have extensive experience providing scientifically-based therapy to individuals with anxiety, depression, trauma, ADHD, and related psychological challenges. In addition, I provide psychological coaching (both live and remote) to individuals and couples seeking to make important changes in their personal and/or professional lives, and to teen and adult high performers and innovators in fields ranging from sports to finance.
Mission and strategy
Rather than think about my practice primarily in terms of the problems I treat, I think of it more in terms of the kinds of bold leaps and ambitious life ventures that my clients are working toward. Sometimes these ventures are professional (like leaving the comfort of a “safe” 9-to-5 job to pursue an artistic career or launch a startup); sometimes they’re romantic (like finding new love or leaving a marriage that’s not working); sometimes they’re deeply personal, as in the case of clients who are questioning the fundamental worldview they were raised with. My job, as I see it, is never to push or pressure my clients into choosing a given path, but rather to arm them with the knowledge, inspiration, and psychological resources they need in order to make the choices they truly want.
My ultimate mission, in other words, is to inspire and empower you to 1) form a bold, honest vision of what you really want; and 2) make it real. Sometimes this means overcoming significant physical or psychological roadblocks. Sometimes it means casting off unchosen burdens and thinking in new, unconventional ways about what you really want and how to get it. Regardless of what sorts of dragons you need to slay, I listen closely and try to reflect as honestly and helpfully as possible what I understand you to be saying (and, sometimes, not saying). And I provide an arsenal of science-based tools – including cognitive-behavioral therapy, mindfulness, motivational interviewing, values clarification, acceptance and commitment therapy, schema-based therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, and other well-tested approaches – along with an endless supply of moral support to help you fight your chosen fight, and to remember why it’s worth it.
How I’m different
While I use all the same well-established therapeutic tools as any provider trained in modern “evidence-based” approaches, you will find that my method is also distinct in some important respects. The core difference is that I have an explicit, philosophically-informed perspective on human nature and thriving that shapes every aspect of my approach. This perspective is unapologetically secular, and also deeply spiritual; ruthlessly realistic, and also profoundly hopeful about the power of one’s unfettered mind and imagination to change one’s life for the better. As a result, you might find that I cheer you on with more fervor, but also challenge you to think deeper, fight harder, and aim higher in the direction of your chosen vision than some other therapists might do. It also means I will strongly encourage you to challenge and push back on my perspective, and will welcome honest disagreement as an opportunity for mutual exploration and learning. Indeed, one of my favorite aspects of this work is getting to learn and grow in step with my clients, and being inspired—even humbled—by them in turn. If this sounds enticing (even if a little scary) to you, I welcome you to get in touch by filling out this contact form and telling me a bit about what you’re looking for.
Dr. Gena Gorlin: Professor and licensed psychologist 