Olga Gerasimenko

About Olga Gerasimenko

I help thoughtful, creative professionals move from feeling stuck to feeling seen, understood, and empowered, especially during times of change in identity, work, or relationships.Before shifting into clinical practice, I worked for over a decade as an organizational psychologist. I led human development programs, built leadership trainings, coached teams through high-stakes change, and consulted on communication, team dynamics, and resilience. I also drove performance and talent evaluation processes across corporate, creative, and educational environments—bringing both psychological insight and strategic clarity to complex systems.As a coach, I supported professionals in finding clarity and making decisions aligned with their values.My clinical journey began in Eastern Europe and continued in the U.S, where I completed an APA-accredited doctorate at the Wright Institute in Berkeley. Today, I work with individuals and couples in the Bay Area, and also support clients across California and internationally via telehealth.My approach combines EMDR for trauma-informed healing, psychodynamic therapy to explore identity and relationships. Also, I apply coaching tools and strategic thinking to support forward movement and integration.I am fluent in English, Ukrainian, and Russian, and I also read and write in French In-person & online sessions available | Based in Albany, CA Learn more or connect: https://drgerasimenko.com

Experience

1. Adjunct Faculty

   The Wright Institute

   Sep 2025 — Present · Berkeley, CA, US

   I teach Psychopathology and Psychodynamic Interventions to doctoral students preparing for clinical practice. These two courses integrate multiple diagnostic frameworks (DSM-5-TR, ICD-11, PDM-2) with psychodynamic and trauma-informed approaches.In Psychopathology, we explore how symptoms make sense within someone\'s life story and cultural context, moving beyond checklist diagnostics to understand the person behind the diagnosis. In Psychodynamic Interventions, students learn to listen beneath the surface, recognize patterns in the therapeutic relationship, and understand their own reactions as valuable clinical information. The focus is on developing practical skills for psychodynamic therapy while staying attuned to cultural context and trauma.My role involves facilitating weekly discussions, providing feedback on clinical reasoning, and helping students navigate the complexity of real-world practice. I regularly update course content based on student needs and current research, aiming to create a learning space that balances academic rigor with practical relevance.The goal is straightforward: help students develop the clinical thinking and cultural awareness they\'ll need when they sit across from their first patients.

Education

• The Wright Institute

  Doctor of Psychology, Clinical Psychology

• Lomonosov Moscow State University (MSU)

  Bachelor's degree, Japanese Language, Literature and Culture

  1992 — 1998

• Lomonosov Moscow State University (MSU)

  Master's degree, HR Management and Organizational Psychology

  1999 — 2000

• The Wright Institute

  Master of Arts - MA, Clinical Psychology

  2018 — 2023

• Lomonosov Moscow State University (MSU)

  Master of Arts - MA, Clinical Psychology / Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy

  2015 — 2018