Welcome!
I'm Dr. Natallia Khamenka, a licensed psychoanalyst with over 20 years of clinical experience. I provide psychotherapy and psychoanalysis in New York State and offer sessions in both English and Russian.
Schedule a Free Consultation →About Me
My path to psychotherapy and psychoanalysis began as a psychiatrist and medical university professor. I noticed something puzzling: people with identical symptoms responded completely differently to treatment. Some recovered quickly while others remained stuck. The placebo effect alone showed me that biology couldn't explain everything.
My doctoral research on genetic and environmental factors in psychotic disorders deepened these questions. I became fascinated by family patterns, unconscious attachment to symptoms, and how certain conversations could strengthen belief in oneself or spark curiosity about one's life.
I wanted to understand more — immersing myself in the talking therapies, studying and practicing several approaches, including Gestalt therapy and EMDR. Each contributed something valuable, yet none felt enough.
Over time, I was drawn to psychoanalytically informed psychotherapy and psychoanalysis, where I remain today. These approaches offer ways to explore a person's inner world — often hidden, even from the person living it. When left uncharted, this inner world can express itself in ways that interfere with creativity, work, and relationships.
Now, I join people in the gradual discovery of parts of themselves that have gone unnoticed, misunderstood, or unspoken. To witness that process and participate in it is deeply meaningful and rewarding.
Who I Work With
- Adolescents and young adults navigating identity, meaning, and the transition to adulthood
- Adults experiencing depression, anxiety, relationship struggles, or asking "What next?"
- High-pressure professionals seeking to balance career ambition with personal values
- Older adults navigating grief, health challenges, or retirement transitions
- Individuals with complex mental health conditions and their loved ones
- Immigrants and expats finding their place and overcoming the feeling of being "caught between two worlds"
- Those with persistent somatic and psychosomatic symptoms seeking relief and answers
- Mental health professionals seeking supervision in psychodynamic therapy and diagnostic support
- Anyone ready for change and deep self-discovery beyond symptom relief
About My Practice
Finding the right fit matters. Here's what makes my practice unique:
Clinical Experience
In addition to psychoanalytic training, I bring over 20 years of experience as a psychiatrist. If your situation requires specialized attention (e.g. complex mental health conditions) I can offer that expertise while tailoring our work to your specific needs. I understand how life experience, genetics, biology, and medication interact, and I keep in mind all of these factors in our work. I can hold space for your deepest pain and fear, staying present with you through difficult moments.
Bilingual Practice
I enjoy and welcome conversations in English, Russian, and a blend of both. Sometimes our most authentic feelings surface when we speak in our mother tongue. Expressing yourself in your native language can open doors to understanding that English might not reach.
Personal Understanding
Having rebuilt my career from the ground up, I understand what it means to start over — the weight, the frustration, the courage it takes. I'll help you integrate the strengths from your past as you build your future.
How I Work
Remember asking yourself, "What do I want to be when I grow up?"
Working with me, you'll revisit this question — not as nostalgia, but as a catalyst for real change. By reconnecting with your genuine desires and examining them in light of who you are now, we can bridge the gap between who you see yourself as today and who you truly want to become.
Together, we'll create a conversation that moves you forward with purpose. I offer a safe space and thoughtful questions that bring clarity, whether when you're carrying depression or overwhelmed by anxiety. We'll uncover patterns — like isolation or harsh self-criticism — that hold you back and find new ways to navigate them. I'll help you honor your past while building a meaningful present and future.
My Background and Training
Medical & Psychiatric Training
- MD, Minsk State Medical Institute, Belarus (1999)
- Advanced Training in Psychiatry, Belarusian State Medical University (2010)
- PhD in Psychiatry, Belarusian State Medical University (2015)
Psychoanalytic Training
- Certified Psychoanalyst, William Alanson White Institute, NYC (2025)
- Intensive Psychoanalytic Program, William Alanson White Institute, NYC (2019)
Specialized Training
- Certified Gestalt Psychotherapist, Moscow Gestalt Institute, Minsk, Belarus (2017)
- Neuropsychopharmacology, European College of Neuropsychopharmacology, Oxford, UK (2015)
- Salzburg Weill Cornell Seminars in Psychiatry, Austria (2013)
Sessions & Fees
Fee: $300 per individual session. A limited number of sliding scale spots are available – please contact me.
Insurance: I'm an out-of-network provider. I provide superbills (detailed receipts with medical codes) that you can submit to your insurance for possible reimbursement.
Schedule a Free ConsultationReach Out
Contact
- n.khamenka@wawhite.org
- Phone
- (929) 939-7567
- Location
- Upper West Side, Manhattan, New York
- Sessions
- In-person & online · New York State
- Profiles
- Psychology Today · LinkedIn