"Cris' work with her patients has as its centerpiece a level of integrity and compassion that is hard to find in clinical work."

"Cris is a great teacher and clearly cares about imparting knowledge to the psychology interns, social work trainees, and child fellows at the psychiatry clinic.  I cannot think of a better human being who embodies and exemplifies the rare and unique combination of knowledge, caring, and teaching than Cris Powell."


I have been doing this work since 1986, and I have been in private practice since 1995, working with adults and couples,
children, adolescents, and families, therapy interns and licensed clinicians.  I've served as clinical supervisor at UCSD and
Children's Hospital, and as clinical director at YMCA (adolescents and families), Casa de Amparo (children, adolescents
and families), S.T.E.P.S. (juvenile sex offenders), and A.P.S., Inc. (older adults).

Throughout my career I have pursued the best training available so that my clients receive excellent care.
I have specialty training in attachment, trauma, communication, substance abuse, CBT, eating disorders, art therapy, play therapy,
contemporary psychoanalysis, leadership and management, and many other areas.

As a training and supervising analyst for the Institute of Contemporary Psychoanalysis, I provide
clinical supervision and psychoanalysis for psychoanalytic candidates in the doctoral program.  I enjoy supervising
both licensed and unlicensed therapists.  

I provide therapy, supervision, and consultation via Skype and telephone to other cities and countries including
London, Tokyo, Bangkok, New York, Las Vegas, and Dallas.  I also pursue ongoing consultation from my own mentors.

The International Journal of Psychoanalytic Self Psychology featured my article, "The Juvenile Delinquent:
Psychopathology or Self-Preservation?" in their Winter 2011 issue.


"I have always felt that Cris believed in me as a therapist.  She has made our supervisory relationship a safe place to discuss (and learn from) failure as well as success.  
I come away from every session with Cris feeling invigorated, armed with a deeper understanding of what's going on between me and my patients, and confident about
my ability to be effective as a clinician."