Psychotherapy Blog
Insights on Therapy, Relationships, and Emotional Life
I’m Andrea Crapanzano, Ph.D., a San Francisco psychologist and psychodynamic psychotherapist. Here I write about relationships, identity, men’s mental health, young adulthood, LGBTQ+ experiences, and the recurring emotional patterns that shape how we understand ourselves and connect with others.
Redefining Success: Finding Purpose Beyond Work and Achievement
What does success mean to you?
Supporting Trans Partners: Affirmative Therapy for Couples Navigating Gender Transition
When one partner in a relationship transitions, it can bring about profound changes—not just for the individual transitioning, but for the relationship as a whole.
How Repressed Emotions Contribute to Anxiety and Depression
When emotions aren’t processed, they don’t disappear—they manifest in psychological and physical symptoms.
Finding Meaning Outside of Work: Why Your Job Shouldn’t Define Your Identity
How to Cultivate Passions, Hobbies, and Self-Worth Beyond Career Achievements
The Myth of the Stoic Man: How Suppressing Emotions Hurts Mental Health
Do you ever feel like you have to keep it together, no matter what?
How to Stop Attracting Emotionally Unavailable Partners
Do you find yourself repeatedly attracted to partners who are distant, emotionally unavailable, or unable to meet your needs?
Dating as a Queer Person: Navigating Fears, Rejection, and Building Intimacy
Dating as a queer person can feel complicated, but it’s also an opportunity to build connections that reflect your truth
The Art of Self-Reflection: Why Slowing Down Leads to Emotional Growth
Do you ever feel like life is moving so fast that you don’t have time to process your thoughts and emotions?
Why Men Struggle to Express Love (And How Therapy Can Help)
Do you have a hard time telling the people in your life that you love them?
Attachment Styles in Friendships: Why Some Friendships Feel Draining and Others Feel Safe
Have you ever noticed that some friendships feel easy and safe, while others leave you feeling anxious, drained, or unsure of where you stand?
Breaking Toxic Patterns: How Therapy Can Help You Choose Healthier Relationships
Have you ever found yourself in the same kind of unhealthy relationship, wondering why the pattern keeps repeating?
Bisexual Erasure in Therapy: Affirming Bisexual Clients in a World That Invalidates Them
Have you ever felt like your bisexuality was questioned, dismissed, or misunderstood—even in spaces that are supposed to be supportive?