Madeleine Foster
Hi, I'm Madeleine. I work with couples, families, and individuals who are focused on improving their relationships because I believe the quality of our connections directly influences the quality of our lives. Healing happens both on a personal level and within the dynamics of our relationships. While I understand that strong partnerships or marriages take effort, I also believe the rewards of nurturing and maintaining solid relationships are invaluable.
I have a BA from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and a Master’s in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University. I'm certified in Somatic Psychotherapy, which allows me to integrate the mind-body connection into my work. Currently, I’m expanding my expertise through training at the Boston Graduate School of Psychoanalysis. I offer online therapy throughout California and in-person sessions in Santa Barbara, working with clients on various relationship issues.
My approach is informed by psychoanalytic principles, focusing on emotional communication, unconscious processes, and early relationship patterns. By exploring how past experiences shape current behavior, I help clients uncover underlying emotions and thoughts influencing their relationship dynamics.
Through psychoanalytic techniques, I guide clients toward deeper self-awareness and insight, fostering meaningful and lasting change. My integration of somatic and psychoanalytic approaches creates a comprehensive transformative experience, combining psychological and embodied perspectives.
Having been a yoga teacher and trainer for over a decade, I bring a deep understanding of the mind-body connection into my therapeutic work. This background allows me to incorporate somatic awareness and mindfulness into sessions, supporting my belief that healing can occur both individually and within relationships.
Additionally, I use Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), which helps individuals and couples transform negative interaction patterns by focusing on emotional experiences. Through this approach, I support clients in strengthening emotional bonds and fostering more secure attachments.
By combining psychoanalytic insight, somatic awareness, and EFT, I offer a holistic and multi-dimensional approach to relationship work.