Gina Keefer, Ph.D.
Accredited Psychologist
Available for new clients
“Nothing ever goes away until it has taught us what we need to know.”
Chödrön, 1997
Chödrön, 1997
I specialize in:
At a glance
Last active
Experienced on It's ComplicatedAlmost 2 years and 560+ sessions on It's Complicated
Usually responds within 4 hours
About me
Hello - I’m a native-English-speaking American therapist from Oregon, professionally trained in San Francisco, and now based in Paris, France. I have lived and worked in Prague, Czechia;Kobe, Japan; Chetumal, Mexico, and Hanoi, Vietnam— so have seen firsthand what it means to build a life across cultures, with insights that drives my passion for helping individuals, couples, and families cope in diverse, global contexts. So, I have lived experience as an international employee and as a couple with children, as well as lived experience in multiple areas connected to my family of origin that have helped me build a core of antifragility (still building it!).
As a therapist, I try to offer a warm, trauma-informed, and solution-focused approach tailored to your unique story for improved relationship dynamics, more seamless cultural transitions, and a focus on your person and/or coupledom for growth. I offer ongoing empathy, attempted clarity, and try to insert occasional challenges to your perceptions alongside actionable real-world strategies. My work is rooted in individual as well as marriage, couple, and family therapy, with a strong emphasis on systems and intercultural understanding. In addition to my private practice, I serve as a consultant for the United Nations in organizational psychology and a professor of psychology & behavioral relations (via an intersectional lens in both the sciences and humanities departments) at the University of Paris.
I work best with an eclectic, holistic approach to therapy, integrating narrative tools such as literature and film. When I’m not reading or researching, you’ll likely find me outdoors—hiking, biking, skiing, running and playing tennis—activities that keep me grounded. I also love literature, film and exploring the intersection between art and therapeutic healing.
If you’re looking for a therapist who gets the complexities of cross-cultural living and leads with compassion, curiosity, and authenticity—I am here to try to help you find enhanced clarity, connection, and confidence in your life.
As a therapist, I try to offer a warm, trauma-informed, and solution-focused approach tailored to your unique story for improved relationship dynamics, more seamless cultural transitions, and a focus on your person and/or coupledom for growth. I offer ongoing empathy, attempted clarity, and try to insert occasional challenges to your perceptions alongside actionable real-world strategies. My work is rooted in individual as well as marriage, couple, and family therapy, with a strong emphasis on systems and intercultural understanding. In addition to my private practice, I serve as a consultant for the United Nations in organizational psychology and a professor of psychology & behavioral relations (via an intersectional lens in both the sciences and humanities departments) at the University of Paris.
I work best with an eclectic, holistic approach to therapy, integrating narrative tools such as literature and film. When I’m not reading or researching, you’ll likely find me outdoors—hiking, biking, skiing, running and playing tennis—activities that keep me grounded. I also love literature, film and exploring the intersection between art and therapeutic healing.
If you’re looking for a therapist who gets the complexities of cross-cultural living and leads with compassion, curiosity, and authenticity—I am here to try to help you find enhanced clarity, connection, and confidence in your life.
I speak:
English
Location:
Rue du Laos 10, 75015 Paris, France
Media Gallery
Approach
Treatment Approaches
ACT: Acceptance and Commitment TherapyRecommended for those who want to stop fighting negative thoughts and learn how to live with more acceptance and focus on what really matters in life.
GSRD (Gender, Sexuality & Relationship Diversity) TherapyRecommended for those seeking affirmative support and guidance while navigating the complexities of identity, sexuality, and relationships.
Humanistic psychologyRecommended for those looking for a therapy that emphasizes personal growth and self-fulfillment, focusing on becoming your best self in a positive, non-judgmental space.
Several years ago, I sat across from a client—a thoughtful professional who had recently moved abroad. She told me, through tears, “I feel like I’ve lost myself. I used to know who I was, what I believed in. Now I just feel… unmoored.” Her words echoed something I’ve heard from many clients, whether they’re navigating a relationship rupture, a cultural transition, or simply the quiet confusion of change. And I understood, deeply—because I’ve been there too.
Therapy is often sparked by this very moment: the subtle, aching awareness that something within us is shifting, or breaking, or quietly calling out to be understood. That moment holds an inherent risk—the risk of change, of honesty, of vulnerability. But it also holds immense power. My work begins at that threshold: where discomfort meets the possibility of transformation.
Choosing to seek support is a brave and meaningful act—especially when it comes to the most personal parts of life: our relationships, our sense of self, and the paths we hope to walk. I understand that therapy involves a natural vulnerability. There is an inherent risk in opening up, but that risk is also where the greatest growth and healing begin. That’s why I offer a space grounded in gentle, non-judgmental care—where your courage is met with deep respect, emotional safety, and the belief that every story matters.
In our work together, we’ll explore the rich and layered landscape of your inner world. Using integrative methods that draw from acceptance and commitment theory, internal family systems, and mindfulness-based practices, we’ll look at the “parts” of your mind and how they relate to your emotions, relationships, and decisions. These parts often hold past pain, unmet needs, and protective patterns that have helped you survive—but they can also keep you stuck. Our goal will be to build clarity, compassion, and connection—so that you can move forward with a greater sense of wholeness and direction.
What guides my approach is not only professional training, but a commitment to presence, empathy, and authenticity. I specialize in supporting individuals and couples navigating life transitions, cultural identity, trauma, relationship challenges, and personal development. Whether you’re dealing with disconnection, uncertainty, anxiety, or longing for more meaning, I offer careful listening, thoughtful questions, and warm relational support. Together, we’ll co-create an experience that is tailored to your unique needs—grounded in practical strategies and personal insight.
Therapy with me is both reflective and forward-moving. It’s a space where we uncover the patterns that no longer serve you, strengthen the parts of you that want to grow, and build practical tools that support your goals. My intention is always to help you feel seen, empowered, and capable of creating the life and relationships you deserve.
Experience
10 years in practice560+ sessions on It's ComplicatedAlmost 2 years at It's Complicated
2020-present: Assistant Professor of Psychology, University of Paris, France
2018 - present: Psychotherapist; Private Counseling Practice, Paris & London
2016-2018: Psychotherapist; Betterment Counseling Center, Paris, France
2012-2016: International Relationships Counselor; Paris, France
2000-2002: Adjuct Professor, Czech Technical University
1998- 2000: Adjuct Professor, University of Quintana Roo, Mexio
1990's: Coordinator, Haight Ashbury Free Clinics, San Francisco, California
2018 - present: Psychotherapist; Private Counseling Practice, Paris & London
2016-2018: Psychotherapist; Betterment Counseling Center, Paris, France
2012-2016: International Relationships Counselor; Paris, France
2000-2002: Adjuct Professor, Czech Technical University
1998- 2000: Adjuct Professor, University of Quintana Roo, Mexio
1990's: Coordinator, Haight Ashbury Free Clinics, San Francisco, California
Education
2026 Doctorate of Psychology, New York Medical College, New York
2025 Advanced Training Doctorate Marriage and Family Therapy, Columbia University, New York City, New York
2012 M.A. International Psychology, Lehigh University, Pennsylvania
2024 Advanced Specialization in Men's Work, New York University,, New York
2024 Advanced Certification, Intercultural Relationships, Harvard University
2024 Certificate in Emotionally-Focused Therapy, NICABM, National Institute for the Clinical Application of Behavioral Medicine, Storrs, Connecticut, USA
2024 Certificate in Trauma-based Therapy, New York City, New York USA
2024 Certificate in EMDR, Portland, Oregon, USA
2023 Certificate in Anxiety-Reduction Therapy, San Francisco, USA
2023 Certificate in LGBQT Family Therapy, San Francisco, USA
2015 Mindfulness Instructor Qualification, San Francisco,, USA
2014 Parenting-Well Instructor Qualification, Portland, Oregon, USA
Active Memberships:
The Taos Institute for Social Constructivism, Taos, New Mexico
Organization for Polyamory and Ethical Non-monogamy, Oakland, California
Asile LGBTQ+ Soutien aux demandeurs d'asile LGBT (Organization for the Support of LGBTQ+ Refugees in France) Paris, France
American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, Alexandria, Virginia
2025 Advanced Training Doctorate Marriage and Family Therapy, Columbia University, New York City, New York
2012 M.A. International Psychology, Lehigh University, Pennsylvania
2024 Advanced Specialization in Men's Work, New York University,, New York
2024 Advanced Certification, Intercultural Relationships, Harvard University
2024 Certificate in Emotionally-Focused Therapy, NICABM, National Institute for the Clinical Application of Behavioral Medicine, Storrs, Connecticut, USA
2024 Certificate in Trauma-based Therapy, New York City, New York USA
2024 Certificate in EMDR, Portland, Oregon, USA
2023 Certificate in Anxiety-Reduction Therapy, San Francisco, USA
2023 Certificate in LGBQT Family Therapy, San Francisco, USA
2015 Mindfulness Instructor Qualification, San Francisco,, USA
2014 Parenting-Well Instructor Qualification, Portland, Oregon, USA
Active Memberships:
The Taos Institute for Social Constructivism, Taos, New Mexico
Organization for Polyamory and Ethical Non-monogamy, Oakland, California
Asile LGBTQ+ Soutien aux demandeurs d'asile LGBT (Organization for the Support of LGBTQ+ Refugees in France) Paris, France
American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, Alexandria, Virginia
Services
Individual Session
€52 • 50 min • Online
Individual Session
Sliding scale
€42 • 50 min • Online
Insurances
Private Pay
At a glance
Last active
Experienced on It's ComplicatedAlmost 2 years and 560+ sessions on It's Complicated
Usually responds within 4 hours
Next available: Dec 6