Hi, I’m Rebecca Goettsche

I’m a psychotherapist, but you might also call me an emotional interpreter, a practical philosopher, and an ally in this whole "being human" thing.

I am an engaged, welcoming, and (at times) silly therapist. I am a queer parent who is invested in helping people build lives that actually work for them. I am a nerd who is endlessly fascinated by people and how they navigate the world, themselves, and their relationships. I think that people heal in relationships, and while my ultimate goal is to help you build deeper and more satisfying relationships in your life, psychotherapy can be a very helpful container for understanding, playing with, and building new patterns of relating.

I am deeply invested in recognizing the subtle (and not so subtle) impacts of socio-cultural influences on all our lives.  My clients come from a variety of racial and ethnic backgrounds, identify all along the spectrums of gender and sexuality, and exist within diverse and creative relational ecosystems.

Psychotherapy cannot solve the cultural problems created by capitalism, colonialism, white supremacy, and fascism. However, it can help minimize extra suffering caused by the internalization of external systems of power, and the patterns we developed to survive our lives, and in so doing allow us to create and access joy in our lives and face the problems we need to face.

In terms of schools of thought, I am a Relational, Existential, Cognitive, and Somatic therapist who uses Sex-Positive and Anti-Oppression lenses. 

Relational - Since we develop and play out patterns in relationships, I often use my experience with you and your experience with others to understand some of these patterns.  Our relationship is also a place to "try on" different ways of relating and assess how new modes are serving you.  Perhaps there’s an opportunity to set boundaries or share more honestly with others in your life?

Existential - Some suffering is a part of being human: losses, disappointments, attachments, and some levels of worry are non-negotiable.  What is in our power is how we relate to, respond to, and cope with these challenges.    

Cognitive - Our thoughts have a huge impact on how we feel and behave.  Becoming conscious of unconscious beliefs and thinking patterns can shed light on why you feel how you feel and why you do what you do.  Plus, if you’re aware of it, you have more agency in the system.  

Somatic - Our bodily experience is a valuable tool in understanding emotional injuries, identifying boundaries, coping with anxiety, and healing trauma.  Western culture tends to teach us to ignore or control our bodies.  I'd love to support you in developing a responsive and informative relationship with yours. 

Anti-Oppression - I am always thinking about the impact of socialization and cultural messages on our experience and want to help people to recognize, interrogate, and reject internalized societal bullshit.  I also want to support us all in developing ways to cope with historic injuries and the perpetual assaults of white surpremacy, capitalism, and cis-hetero-patriarchy.  Intersectional feminism is a big part of this...but as bell hooks* reminds us, “feminism is for everybody.”

Sex-Positive - Sex is a part of our humanity, and the shaming that occurs in our culture is harmful and straight up terrible.  Unfortunately, the history of psychotherapy has caused a lot of damage in this area to queer, trans, non-binary, polyamorous, and kinky folks.  I believe in creating more spaces where all aspects of one’s sexuality and desire can be expressed and explored within the context of curiosity, openness, consent, and satisfaction.
 

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EDUCATION

PhD in Clinical Psychology, with an emphasis in Depth Psychology --- Pacifica Graduate Institute

  • Dissertation Research: Analysis of the Experiences of Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual clients’ experiences working in both cross and shared-orientation therapeutic relationships including perspectives on how all clinicians can provide more effective and sensitive care.

MA in Counseling Psychology --- John F Kennedy University
BA in Philosophy --- Tufts University

TRAINING 

  • California College of the Arts - (2 years) Counseling clinic serving undergraduate and graduate art students

  • Women’s Therapy Center - (2 years) Social justice and feminist oriented low-fee clinic

  • Community Institute for Psychotherapy - (2 years) Low-fee community clinic

  • Ohlhoff Recovery Center - Outpatient substance abuse treatment

  • Pacific Center for Human Growth - Queer community center

  • EMDR Training - John F Kennedy University

Professional Affiliations:

  • APA - Division 35, 39, & 44

  • Bay Area Open Minds

  • NCSPP

  • WTC

License

Licensed in California as a Clinical Psychologist, PSY#28557

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