Stephen Lugar, PsyD

Those words have been a source of inspiration to me for years as a person and as a psychotherapist. I have worked with many people who have been brave enough to try to understand and make changes to what they struggle with in life, and also to live their lives more fully, creatively, and lovingly.

I am a licensed clinical psychologist (CA PSY 25254) with over 20 years of experience providing clinical services to adults, children, and adolescents. I earned my doctorate in Clinical Psychology from The Wright Institute in Berkeley, CA, and hold a B.A. in English Literature from the University of Virginia.  Prior to my graduate studies in clinical psychology I worked in the book publishing industry in New York, NY, and still hold a deep appreciation for the power and importance of personal narratives.

I am certified as a psychoanalyst by the Psychoanalytic Institute of Northern California (PINC). I am the co-chair of the Curriculum Committee of PINC and a member of its Training Chairs leadership team. I also currently teach at PINC and have taught at the San Francisco Center for Psychoanalysis (SFCP) in the past.

Clinical Experience

I have trained and provided clinical services in community settings including county hospitals, outpatient clinics, and multiple public middle and high schools. I completed my predoctoral internship at the National Asian American Psychology Training Center at Richmond Area Multi-Services, Inc. (RAMS), an American Psychological Association-accredited internship site. During my internship I worked with adults and children in individual psychotherapy, conducted psychological testing, and worked at UCSF/San Francisco General Hospital’s Psychiatric Emergency Services. I have also been a clinical supervisor and teaching faculty at RAMS and the Access Institute for Psychological Services, both community mental health centers in San Francisco. My clinical and research interests include relational psychoanalysis, applying psychoanalytic principles to work in community contexts, cross-cultural work, and cultural and developmental issues for LGBT populations.   

I've presented at national and international conferences for psychoanalysts and psychotherapists on a range of topics. I also enjoy clinical and theoretical writing and have published in academic journals and contributed book chapters on topics ranging from gender and sexuality to the impacts of technology and AI. I am a past co-chair of the Early Career Committee of Division 39 (psychoanalysis) of the American Psychological Association.

Stephen Lugar, PsyD (CA PSY 25254)