Jessica Ngiam, AM LSW

As a psychoanalytic therapist, my approach is based on a process of understanding the deepest realm of one’s feelings, needs, and wishes in a relationship-based engagement. My work is grounded in a developmental perspective that our past experiences and relationships – as well as thoughts outside our conscious awareness – influence our present-day feelings and behaviors. Understanding can help us to put things in perspective; however, understanding without a relationship where one feels connected and held by another person is not enough to bring about a new sense of emotional well-being. At the same time, a relationship without understanding is empty. I believe that taking the time to understand the underlying reasons for your unhappiness and difficulties in a therapeutic relationship that offers companionship and unique moments of play, humor, joy, recognition, seriousness, grief, and compassion as well as new, corrective emotional experiences can help you to realize a new sense and experience of being in the world.

I work with adolescents, young adults, and older adults who are experiencing difficulties with school/work/retirement, social and family relationships, depression, anxiety, grief/loss, trauma, self-esteem, death, loneliness, challenging life circumstances or events, and meaning in their lives. I help adolescents and young adults to navigate between external pressures in their surroundings and their innermost wishes, and actualize their potential. In my work with older adults, I help them to reflect on past and present accomplishments and disappointments, resulting in a greater capacity to continue living in the face of loss, bear loneliness, enjoy solitude, and experience meaning and fulfillment.

Psychoanalytic therapy does not offer surface-level solutions or a quick fix; it is a slow, depth-oriented process that requires commitment to the therapeutic work and relationship. With this in mind, I work with patients at a frequency of once a week, and welcome those who are interested in working two or more times a week. I invite you to contact me via phone or email; alternatively, you can schedule a phone consultation or meeting on my calendar by clicking on “Book an Appointment.” I look forward to meeting you.