Research Interests

Phenomenology, Multicultural Oriented Therapy, Gestalt Therapy, and Neurobiology of Attachment, Buddhist Psychology

Biography

Anna Benassi, MA, LMFT, (they/them) is a licensed psychotherapist with a private practice that spans the SF Bay Area. They have worked in hospital and clinic settings for over thirty years. As a queer activist, Anna has worked clinically with homeless individuals suffering from AIDS/HIV and in crisis settings; they currently work with individuals, couples and non-conforming queer and polyamorous families. Anna did their practicum and associate studies at the Integral Counseling Center at Church St. Anna was mentored in Gestalt therapy by Lu Grey and Gieve Patel and has studied Gestalt therapy at the Instituto di Gestalt in Italy. Anna is a founding member of the Bay Area Gestalt Institute, and was the acting director for many years, and is a current board member. Anna has over twenty years of experience facilitating and leading groups of all kinds from police officers to clinical associates and licensed clinicians. Anna has supervised individuals obtaining their LMFT license in individual and group settings.. They have also held many management and supervisory positions throughout their working career. 

Anna is a practicing Buddhist and began meditating in 1993 in the Zen tradition, and currently maintains a daily Vipassana practice. 

Education

Vocational Nursing Certificate -New Haven Vocational School of Nursing Bachelor of Arts degree in English with a concentration in Creative Writing from San Francisco State University, Master of Art’s degree in Counseling Psychology from the California Institute of Integral Studies, Integral Counseling Psychology Program. 

Courses

Therapeutic Communication. Clinical Relationship, Couples Therapy, Gestalt Therapy, Clinical Practice Lab, The Psychology of Harry Potter