Walter Spear, PhD

I am an engaging, down to earth therapist, with over 35 years experience, working with adults, adolescents, parents, and couples. I believe that people are shaped by their relationships and life experiences. I work to create a trusting relationship where we can explore your difficulties and improve your life. I’m easy to talk with, respectful, attentive, compassionate and responsive. Many of the people I work with are quite thoughtful and accomplished, but they are not happy. They find that they could benefit from personal inquiry in the problems of living that they are experiencing. After receiving my doctorate from Columbia, I received post doctoral training at Yale and Cornell Medical Schools, followed by psychoanalytic training at the William Alanson White Institute. I have taught in the Clinical Psychology Programs at Yale, Columbia, and Yeshiva Universities. I am currently on the faculty at the White Institute.

I look forward to working with you.

I believe that people are shaped by their relationships and life experiences. I work to create a trusting relationship where we can explore your difficulties and improve your life. Many of the people I work with are quite thoughtful and accomplished but they are not happy. They feel that they could benefit from personal inquiry into the problems of living that they are experiencing. Having complex emotions and struggles is normal. It is an aspect of life. But it’s best not to live with it all alone. We need to express our grief, confusion and fear, and we need someone to listen, to respond and to empathize.
I am an engaging, down to earth therapist with over 35 years experience. I work within several psychotherapeutic modalities that I adapt depending on my client’s needs and character, including psychoanalytic therapy, interpersonal and relational psychotherapy and cognitive/behavioral therapy.
Psychotherapy is a place where it is ok to have your feelings- whatever, as confused, painful or overwhelming as they are. But it’s best not to live with it all alone- it’s best to talk about it, to share it with an ally who can help you to figure it out, move on, and build a happy, productive and enjoyable life. That’s what psychotherapy is all about.