GAURI SAVLA, Ph.D.
Clinical Psychologist (California License Number: PSY 25907)

I was born in Mumbai, India, and lived there until I moved to the United States in December 2000. My pronouns are she/her/hers. English is my first and preferred language. 

 

I am a clinical psychologist, licensed to practice psychotherapy in the state of California (License Number: PSY 25907). I have a Ph.D. from the Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology at San Diego State University and the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). I also have two masters degrees in Clinical Psychology from the University of Mumbai, India and San Diego State University, respectively. I began my career in psychology in an academic research setting at UCSD and completed research and clinical fellowships at UCSD, the University of California, San Francisco, and the San Diego Veterans Health Administration System (i.e., the VA Hospital). I have worked directly with human beings living with a wide range of emotional and cognitive challenges in a variety of settings for 26 years. This is my 11th year in private practice. 

 

I have co-authored over 30 peer-reviewed articles in scientific journals and book chapters,  based on my research on schizophrenia, neuropsychology, and aging, conducted at UCSD. Most of these papers are freely available via PubMed Central (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed). However, my clinical skills and expertise are less the product of my prestigious research training, and more the result of the tutelage, supervision, and wisdom of the many skilled clinicians with whom I have trained and/or who provide valuable consultation. I am affiliated with the extraordinary Pacific Gestalt Institute in Los Angeles, and participate in ongoing rigorous training and consultation with their faculty and with my Relational Gestalt colleagues in San Diego. 

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My therapeutic style is rooted in humanistic and relational gestalt traditions, which means that I will work collaboratively with you, value you as a whole person, and celebrate (and help you celebrate) your humanity. I have worked with adults with anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia both in outpatient and hospital settings, but I do not "treat" diagnoses; I work with human beings. I have a special interest in and extensive experience with older individuals facing aging-related challenges, such as grief and loss, physical limitations, new medical diagnoses, late-life emotional disorders, and caregiver burden, but my practice comprises older adolescents and adults ranging in age from 18 to 100 years.

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When I am not immersed in Gestalt-related activities, I enjoy spending time with my loved ones, reading, writing, cooking, walking my dogs, spending time outdoors, and traveling. In the spirit of ongoing self-improvement and self-evolution, I have been in relational therapy myself for many years. 

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