David

Dr David Gatta

Licensed Clinical Psychologists

“I am a clinical psychologist with 11 years experience treating adults from a holistic and psychodynamic perspective.”

About Me

I am a clinical psychologist with 11 years of experience, guiding adults to explore their inner world. My holistic and psychodynamic approach invites you to understand how past experiences shape your present. We can collaboratively uncover deeper patterns, fostering lasting change. This style suits those seeking profound self-discovery and a comprehensive path to emotional well-being.

Approach

Work unfolds through attentive exploration of how earlier relationships shape current patterns, pairing reflective curiosity with practical, paced interventions. In my Oakland office or via English-language telehealth, sessions feel steady and focused—leaning into emotion while tracking behaviour and themes between meetings when useful. I use assessment findings to tailor the work—sometimes longer reflective talk, sometimes skill-focused experiments—to gently challenge entrenched responses and deepen self-understanding. People facing trauma, relationship struggles, or major life transitions often find this blend grounding and clarifying.
Contact David

Ask a quick question or arrange a time to meet.

Basic Information

In-person & Online

Services

Services Offered:

  • Psych & Diagnostic Assessment

    Formal psychological testing to identify conditions, understand cognitive and emotional functioning, and guide treatment planning.

  • Psychodynamic Therapy

    A therapy that explores how past experiences and unconscious patterns shape current feelings, relationships, and behaviour.

    Learn more about Psychodynamic Therapy

Works With:

  • Adults

Area of Expertise

Scope of Practice:

  • Relationship Issues

    Difficulties in romantic relationships, including communication problems, trust breakdowns, conflict patterns, or uncertainty about the relationship's future.

    Learn more about Relationship Issues
  • Abuse

    Emotional, physical, or sexual mistreatment by another person that causes lasting psychological harm and disrupts a person's sense of safety.

  • Addiction

    A compulsive dependence on a substance or behaviour, such as alcohol, drugs, or gambling, that causes harmful consequences to health, relationships, or daily life.

    Learn more about Addiction
  • Life Transitions

    Major life changes, such as relocation, retirement, parenthood, or career shifts, that disrupt routine and require psychological adjustment.

    Learn more about Life Transitions
  • Anxiety

    Persistent worry, nervousness, or fear that is disproportionate to the situation and interferes with daily functioning.

    Learn more about Anxiety
  • Mood Disorder

    A category of mental health conditions, including depression and bipolar disorder, in which a person's emotional state is significantly and persistently disrupted.

    Learn more about Mood Disorder
  • Identity Issues

    A person's sense of who they are, including their values, beliefs, roles, and self-perception, and the distress that arises when this sense is unclear, fragmented, or negative.

  • Trauma

    The lasting psychological impact of deeply distressing events, such as violence, abuse, accidents, or disasters, that overwhelm a person's ability to cope.

    Learn more about Trauma

Professional Title:

  • Licensed Clinical Psychologists

    A psychologist licensed to independently assess, diagnose, and treat mental health conditions.

Credentials

Registrations

California Board of Psychology

Clinical Psychologist

Qualifications

The Wright Institute

Service Areas

Dynamic Change Psychotherapy

In-person & Online

Oakland, California

United States