Joyce Yuan, PhD

Psychodynamic 

Psychodynamic therapy assumes thoughts, feelings, and motivations aren't always fully accessible to conscious awareness. However, behaviors and relationships can still be influenced by unconscious forces, sometimes in problematic ways. By exploring patterns and experiences that have shaped the way you think and feel, you can gain insight into what drives you and start making conscious changes.

Interpersonal

Interpersonal psychotherapy emphasizes the transformative power of relationships--both those you have with family, friends, and colleagues and that which you have with your therapist. This therapy focuses on developing corrective experiences, in which you can practice relating to people in new ways and start healing from damage done in previous relationships.

Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)

CBT is a popular evidence-based therapy that focuses on the relationship among thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. In this therapy, you will learn how to evaluate and challenge thoughts that give rise to negative feelings and behaviors. You will also learn how to change problematic behaviors by gradually exposing yourself to triggering situations while practicing new coping strategies.

Depression

Depression is the experience of persistent sad mood and loss of interest in enjoyable activities. It can manifest in hopeless, self-critical thoughts, social isolation, and changes in sleep and appetite. Depression can occur in relation to a variety of life stressors (e.g., loss, illness, trauma). I have had success treating depression with cognitive-behavioral and insight-oriented techniques.

Anxiety

Anxiety is the unpleasant experience of excessive worry, fear, and stress that can interfere with daily activities and your ability to rest/relax. Anxiety can manifest in repetitive thoughts and acute physical symptoms, such as heart-racing and difficulty breathing. I have had success treating anxiety with a combination of relaxation, problem-solving, and graded exposure exercises.

Personality Disorders

Personality disorders are conditions in which people have trouble relating to others and managing emotions, in a consistent way over time. Sub-types include borderline and narcissistic personality disorder. I have had success treating these conditions with a combination of skills-based Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and interpersonal therapy.

PTSD

Through my work at veterans hospitals, I have gained experience and skill at treating PTSD. This includes not only combat trauma, but military sexual trauma, childhood trauma/abuse, and the combination thereof. PTSD treatment can involve processing feelings about past trauma, understanding how trauma affects your thinking and relationships, and developing new ways to feel safe and empowered.

Veterans/Military Service

I am both pleased and proud to have had the opportunity to work with military veterans at VA hospitals in OR, NY, and CA. I have experience providing psychotherapy to veterans from all eras of service (Vietnam, Gulf War, OIF/OEF/OND). I am familiar with the challenges of combat exposure and of re-integrating into civilian society. I am happy to serve those seeking care outside the VA setting.