Dr. Barsness holds a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology – Los Angeles, a Masters Degree (M.A.) in Theology from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, CA, a Postgraduate Certificate in Family Studies from the Los Angeles Family Institute and has completed an intensive training program in Psychoanalytic Theory from the Northwest Alliance for Psychoanalytic Studies. Dr. Barsness also holds a Clinical Associate Professor appointment at the University of Washington in the Department of Psychiatry and the Behavioral Sciences. Prior to coming to The Seattle School, Dr. Barsness was Director of Clinical Training at Seattle Pacific University. He has also taught at Fuller Theological Seminary and Antioch University. His primary interest is in the intersection of psychoanalytic thought and theology. He is a member of the American Psychological Association; the Christian Association of Psychology, the Center for Object Relations and the NW Center for Psychoanalytic Study. He also enjoys forays into acting and played the part of Creon in Oedipus at Colonus.
Dr. Roy Barsness is the founder of the Relationally Focused Psychodynamic Therapy, an evidence-based treatment approach with strong roots in depth psychology, embodied theology, dialogical philosophy, and neuroscience. He has also developed a Post-Graduate Certificate through The Seattle School where clinicians are able to deepen their understanding and application of relational psychotherapy over a two-year […]
“Moonias! Moonias!” (“White Man! White Man”) the children screeched as I stood outside their home on the Maskwacis First Nations Reservation. As a Community Social Worker, I had been summoned to investigate a child abuse allegation. I was twenty-two years old and it had never occurred to me that the color of my skin was […]
Dr. Roy Barsness challenges us to consider love as a primary category in the work of psychotherapy and the ongoing healing process.
Dr. Roy Barsness discusses the vision behind the Relational Perspectives Series, and why he looks forward to this year’s guest, Dr. Annie Rogers.
In his Charge to the President at the Inauguration of Dr. Craig Detweiler, Dr. Roy Barsness offers a charge to us all, an exhortation to remember, restore, and reimagine.
Dr. Roy Barsness, Professor of Counseling Psychology, has released a new book, Core Competencies of Relational Psychoanalysis: A Guide to Practice, Study, and Research. Inspired and challenged by his students, Dr. Barsness embarked on a significant qualitative research project with the aim of demystifying the what and the how of relational psychotherapy.
Photo © 2014 Caleb Dodson. Several years ago, I stumbled upon simple but profound text, Listening to the Heartbeat of God. It was a book that resonated deep within my own soul as it eloquently reminded me of the heart of God beating in each and everyone of us – inviting me to look and […]