Esther Dreifuss-Kattan holds a Ph.D. in both Art Therapy/Psychooncology and Psychoanalysis. She has worked extensively with adult and pediatric cancer patients, survivors and their families, with children and adolescents with chronic pain, patients with anxieties, depression, or who have recurring problems in intimate relationships. Due to her experience with cancer patients and patients with other chronic, potentially life threatening illnesses, she is well versed in loss, mourning and grief work.
Given her own artistic background, Dr. Dreifuss-Kattan also does psychotherapeutic work and psychoanalysis with clients who feel that they are confronted with creative blocks in their work, do not live life to its full potential or would like to find creative solutions to their changing life situation. Part of her practice is thus reserved for artists, directors, writers, actors, designers and other creative individuals of any age.
She is a licensed Research Psychoanalyst #RP 58 with the Medical Board of California and a Registered Art Therapist since 1976 with the American Art Therapy Association. She is a professional member of the American Psychological Association, the American and International Psychoanalytic Association, and the New Center for Psychoanalysis in Los Angeles. (LAPSI/SCPI)
In addition to her private practice in Beverly Hills, she is affiliated as a clinical consultant with the Pediatric Pain Program at UCLA under its Director Professor Lonnie K. Zeltzer, M.D. and as a Group Facilitator for "The Healing Through Art Group" at the Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center's Simms/Mann UCLA Center for Integrative Oncology, under its Director, Anne Coscarelli, Ph.D.
Dr. Dreifuss-Kattan is the Director of the Beckstrand Cancer Foundation’s Art Therapy Programs which provides Art Therapy Groups free of charge for adults, young adults, teens and children in West Los Angeles at Premiere Oncology and Orange County.
Dr. Dreifuss-Kattan teaches at the New Center for Psychoanalysis, formerly LAPSI and SCPI, as a Senior Lecturer. She lectures nationally and internationally.
Languages: English, German, Hebrew, French
