David Scharff M.D.

About

David Scharff, M.D., is a Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Georgetown University, as well as at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. He is also Co-Founder and Former Director of the International Psychotherapy Institute; former Chair of the International Psychoanalytic Association’s Committee on Family and Couple Psychoanalysis; and editor-in-chief of Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy in China. He directs training programs in analytic couple and family therapy in Beijing and Moscow. Scharff is the 2021 recipient of the Sigourney Award for pioneering work in psychoanalysis.

Books by David Scharff M.D.

Recent Posts

How Much Should You Tell Your Clients About Yourself?

Therapists: How much of your own story do you share with clients? One psychoanalyst explains why detailed sharing harms the therapeutic experience—and what you can do instead.

How to Teach Students, and Treat Clients, in Hostile Countries

How can we work with people whose home countries are at odds with our own? One well-traveled psychotherapist shares his thoughts.

What Is Empty Heart Disease?

They've sacrificed everything for success, and they've made it. But why do so many young people feel like the struggle was meaningless?

Is It Time to Stop Talking About COVID?

Two years into the pandemic, many parts of the world have returned to life as usual. How do we keep ourselves safe—and where do we go from here?

Facing the Realities of War With Our Clients, for Ourselves

The realities of war now live within us all. How do you adjust your therapeutic technique for a client in crisis? And how do you manage your own emotional needs in the process?

Why Many Therapists Have Waitlists Right Now

Does your therapist have a waitlist? Here's why (and what you can do in the meantime).

Handling Anxiety about the Russian Invasion of Ukraine

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has left us feeling helpless, afraid and alone. How can we channel those feelings toward the greater good?

How to Make Plans in a Time of Uncertainty

How do you plan for your future during a pandemic? Here are some points to keep in mind.

A Few Certain Things About Living With Uncertainty

No one truly knows what the future will hold—but here's what we know about living with uncertainty.

Children's Mental Health and the Pandemic

Growing up in a pandemic isn't easy. Here's what we can do to help.