Dr. Joanna Fava, PHD

I posted a review after seeing her for three years. She did help me cope and keep my head above water somewhat. She was helpful in terms of DBT... But i’m posting again to say that after 6 years with her, I ended up in the worst possible condition I ever have. My work with her led to chronic dissociation, retraumatiziation, chronic use of maladaptive resources... and not actually feeling like I had any say in my own care. She is NOT a competent trauma therapist especially when it comes to complex PTSD. She denied and brushed off my developemental trauma & defended my parents abuse & emotional neglect. She let her own judgement cloud her support as a therapist and it led to feelings of unsafety when working with her. She is the type to pathologize your life experience, and not actually listen to your experience. After working with her, and now seeing a therapist for my complex PTSD, I realize I was coping, not actually healing and establishing autonomy. Thankful I’m healing now

Dr Fava haa been kind, caring, not judgmental and an excellent listener.

Dr. Fava has literally saved my life. I went to her when I was in severe crisis, had numerous hospitalizations, was hurting myself, seriously contemplating suicide, and my relationships were a disaster. She was validating yet also really helped get me the tools I needed to better manage my emotions. Once I was stabilized, I revealed a past trauma to her and she began trauma therapy with me that was intense and yet gave me my life and sanity back. I would highly recommend Dr. Fava.

I have been seeing Dr. Fava for 3 years, and at first switching therapists were hard. I gave it 3 months, and while I was immensely unstable at the time, I can look back and I can say that she really has helped improve my life in addition to helping me cope with many things that have happened along the way.

Did not create a safe environment to discuss feelings. Brought too much of her own emotions in. Created feelings of divide in outside relationships.