Victor Barbetti, Ph.D.
Clinical Psychologist
We often find ourselves struggling in the relationships that matter most to us, whether it’s with co-workers, family members, or friends. Perhaps something feels “off,” or we feel “stuck.” We can choose to continue to suffer through these conflicts without direction or purpose, or we can embark on a new path of healing and self-care fueled by new levels of awareness and hope. The work of repair and growth in our relationships with others requires measured focus and attention to the underlying psychological dynamics inherent in every relationship, including the one we have with our self. Psychotherapy can be the space where we find new insights into our behaviors and thoughts, which in turn leads us toward self-empowerment and a more authentic engagement with others.
From a yogic perspective, the work we do in therapy is svadhyaya, or “self study.” Sva means “self’ and adhyaya means “inquiry” or “examination.” This kind of study or examination asks us to intentionally find self-awareness in all our activities and efforts, even to the point of welcoming and accepting our limitations. It teaches us to be centered and non-reactive, and to reflect on our own engagement with the world and other people. This kind of self-study moves us from a place of stress or tension, to a space of balance and equanimity.
My primary work is with adults age 30 and over. My orientation is existential, psychodynamic and client-centered. My specialties include working with anxiety, depression, trauma, grief and loss, relationship struggles, as well as phase of life problems such as career transitions, identity challenges, and finding one’s path in life. I am a sex positive therapist and LGBTQIA ally. I have experience and I enjoy working with individuals in non-traditional relationships and alternative lifestyles.
Member and Past President: Greater Pittsburgh Psychological Association
Member: American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT)