Explore The Unconscious to live Consciously

Psychoanalytically informed psychotherapy offers important insight into what you can’t always know. a deep dive into the inner architecture of your life—the unconscious patterns, early experiences, and emotional truths that shape how you relate, love, work, and live. Psychoanalytic psychotherapy offers a steady, reflective space to examine your inner world with curiosity and care. For New Yorkers craving depth, insight, and a more meaningful relationship with themselves, this is where transformation begins—not through strategies, but through understanding.

Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy offers a deeper, insight-driven approach to lasting change. Serving high-functioning clients in New York City, Massachusetts, Montana & Worldwide. Current neuroscience suggests that up to 95% of brain activity is unconscious, meaning that most of our decisions, behaviors, emotions, and conflicts occur beneath the surface of awareness. These unconscious patterns can significantly contribute to anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, low self-worth, and other emotional struggles—even in highly accomplished individuals. At Holistic Therapy & Wellness NY, I offer psychoanalytically informed psychotherapy for clients who seek more than symptom relief. This approach provides a space to explore the deeper psychological forces that shape your present experiences—many of which were formed early in life. By accessing and working through this unconscious material, clients gain lasting insight and greater agency over their emotional lives, relationships, and choices.

Going Beyond Talk Therapy

While traditional talk therapy can offer support and coping tools, psychoanalytic psychotherapy helps you uncover the root causes of distress—particularly when patterns persist despite your efforts to change. Often, clients find themselves repeating behaviors, engaging in relationships, or struggling with perfectionism, guilt, or dissatisfaction without fully understanding why.

This deeper work focuses on identifying unconscious conflicts and internalized beliefs that drive self-defeating patterns. In our sessions, we’ll explore how early experiences shaped your current sense of self, including the formation of defenses, identity, and emotional resilience. By making the unconscious conscious, we free up space for intentional, life-enhancing change.

An Integrative, Boutique Approach

My approach draws from classic psychodynamic and Freudian theory, as well as modern relational and neurobiological insights. I work with high-functioning adults—those not in acute crisis but seeking depth therapy for enduring issues such as:

• Chronic anxiety, low self-worth, or persistent stress

• Relationship difficulties, emotional withdrawal, or fear of intimacy

• Trauma-related patterns and unresolved childhood pain

• Perfectionism, burnout, and career-related pressure

• Emotional dysregulation or compulsive behaviors

• People-pleasing, boundary issues, or identity confusion

Sessions are conducted face-to-face (not on a couch), allowing for a rich, collaborative process. Clients are encouraged to speak freely, and through free association, dream analysis, and attention to transference, we work together to bring awareness to unconscious material. This is not brief therapy—it is a deep, unfolding exploration that creates sustainable transformation.

The Role of Defense Mechanisms and Transference

Psychoanalytic therapy pays close attention to defense mechanisms—automatic strategies developed in early life to protect against painful feelings or conflict. While some defenses are adaptive, others can become rigid and self-limiting. Common defenses like projection, denial, or intellectualization may hinder emotional intimacy and clarity.

Through our work, we begin to notice these defenses in action, understanding their origins and loosening their hold. Additionally, the therapeutic relationship itself often reveals unconscious patterns through transference—the redirection of feelings from past figures onto the therapist. This offers a powerful opportunity to work through unresolved emotional wounds in real time.

Neurosis and Root-Cause Healing

Psychoanalytic therapy is highly effective in treating neurotic symptoms such as obsessive thinking, anxiety, emotional instability, and rigid patterns of behavior. These symptoms often arise from unresolved unconscious conflict or developmental trauma. Rather than managing these symptoms, psychoanalysis seeks to resolve the underlying sources, allowing individuals to live more consciously and freely.

What to Expect in Psychodynamic Therapy Sessions

You’ll be encouraged to speak openly—without filtering—while I listen carefully for patterns, themes, and emotional undercurrents that signal unconscious material. Together, we’ll explore how childhood dynamics, attachment wounds, and internalized expectations continue to impact your current experience.

Expect increased clarity, emotional freedom, and deeper self-awareness as you begin to:

• Understand the origin of long-standing struggles

• Develop healthier emotional regulation

• Reduce reactivity in relationships

• Gain freedom from perfectionism, guilt, or shame

• Cultivate a stronger, more integrated sense of self

A deeper Experience for High-Functioning Clients

This therapy is best suited for high-functioning, motivated clients who are not in acute crisis but who are seeking lasting emotional transformation. My clientele includes professionals, executives, creatives, public figures, and individuals navigating high-stress environments such as New York City, Boston, Bozeman, and other international urban centers.

Sessions are offered in-person in Manhattan or virtually for clients across Massachusetts, Montana, and globally, with complete discretion, flexible scheduling, and concierge-level attention.

Psychoanalytic Therapy for the Stressed-Out New Yorker

In the high-stakes environment of NYC, many individuals suffer from chronic anxiety, perfectionism, or performance pressure. Psychoanalytic psychotherapy offers a rare opportunity to slow down and explore the unconscious factors driving stress, burnout, and emotional fatigue. Instead of pushing through, clients learn to work with themselves—leading to more empowered decisions, healthier boundaries, and a renewed sense of balance.

Begin the Work of Deep Healing

Whether you're grappling with persistent emotional struggles, stuck in unsatisfying relationship patterns, or simply seeking greater meaning in your life, psychoanalytic psychotherapy offers a path to sustainable, transformative change. You don’t have to keep repeating the past. Together, we can uncover the why behind the what—and help you step into a more fulfilling, conscious, and resilient life.

About Psychoanalytic Therapy NYC

This practice provides a range of psychological & wellness services in NYC and throughout NY state. The goal is to individualize treatment to your unique physical, emotional, cognitive, and spiritual needs. I have experience working with a broad range of symptoms and approaches in psychotherapy, including but not limited to EMDR Therapy, Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Solution-Focused Therapy, Internal Family Systems, and Holistic Mind-Body Medicine. Therapy begins with a therapeutic consultation, where you will gather a wealth of information about your difficulties. Many people feel better after the first session. The initial consultation also lays the groundwork for future treatment as we determine the best modalities to help you heal.

Psychoanalytic Therapist With Nearly 20 Years Of Experience

This practice offers supportive, compassionate, and comprehensive care, staying current on research related to mental health. My goal is to use my expertise and extensive training to get you back to living your life as quickly as possible.

Book An Appointment For Psychoanalytic Therapy NYC Today

Book an appointment directly or text 212-529-8292 to get started. Integrative Psychotherapy & Wellness Manhattan can help you with your healing journey guiding you towards optimal mental health. 

Kimberly Seelbrede is a New York University-trained psychotherapist, an expert in EMDR therapy, and a couple's therapist with nearly two decades of clinical experience. She operates a private practice in New York City and Montana, providing virtual sessions as well. Kimberly has received extensive training and certifications in trauma resolution, Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy, Internal Family Systems (IFS), Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Somatic Experiencing (SE), and Nutrition & Integrative Medicine For Mental Health. She is passionate about honoring the exquisite interplay of the mind-body connection. Holistic Psychotherapy & Wellness Manhattan offers a wide variety of online services to fit the needs of busy New York professionals. Psychotherapy and wellness practices provide the support to help clients cultivate resources, resilience, and enhanced emotional health, as well as uncover conflicts and obstacles that may interfere with having the life they desire.