This is not traditional therapy. It’s a concentrated, structured process designed for people who want to move faster.

10 Outcome-Focused Sessions

Most psychoanalytic therapy moves slowly by design. Frequent sessions, deep exploration, years of work. That approach has its place.

But there’s a different kind of client: someone already functioning at a high level, who knows something is in the way, and who wants to do concentrated, serious psychological work - on their own schedule, with someone who will meet them where they are.
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The Analytic Intensive was built with that person in mind.

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Who This is For

This program is designed for high-functioning individuals who are motivated to take a deep dive into what is preventing them from achieving greater agency in fulfilling their potential.

You are a strong candidate if:

You’ve done therapy before and want to go deeper, faster.
You’re facing a specific challenge - a transition, a pattern you can’t break, a relationship dynamic you want to understand.
You value rigor and relatedness. You want someone who will think seriously with you, while guiding you through the rough territory.
You can commit to engage intensively over five weeks.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Dr. Samstag

Dr. Nicholas Samstag is a clinical psychologist and psychoanalyst with over 20 years of experience helping individuals and couples in New York City and virtually. He received his analytic training at the William Alanson White Institute and holds advanced certification in Emotionally Focused Therapy.
One size does not fit all. No therapeutic schticks, gimmicks, props, bells or whistles. Just psychological best practices. From the initial interview to the last session, Dr. Samstag considers everyone to be unique and deserving of a treatment curated for them personally. He creates a safe, collaborative space where dreams, free association, and personal narrative become pathways to deeper understanding. His goal is not just symptom relief, but helping clients uncover the unconscious patterns driving their behavior and build a more authentic life.

Education & Training

Bard College — B.A., Theatre Arts
Columbia University — M.A., Classics
New York University — M.A., General Psychology
Adelphi University, Derner Institute of Advanced Psychological Studies — M.A., Ph.D., Clinical & Research Psychology
William Alanson White Institute — Certificate in Psychoanalysis

Ready to take the next step toward a more integrated, fulfilling life?

If you’ve read this far, you likely already know if this is for you.
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Apply below.
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Dr. Samstag reviews every application personally.

Apply for the Analytic Intensive

Apply for the Analtyic Intensive Project

Submission does not guarantee an intake interview. Dr. Samstag reviews all applications personally.
Candidates invited to an intake will be contacted within five business days.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Analytic Intensive

What does the $1,000 intake evaluation include?

The intake is a comprehensive clinical evaluation conducted by Dr. Samstag. You'll receive a written report with detailed findings and individualized recommendations — a standalone document of real clinical value. If you're accepted into the Intensive, the $1,000 is credited toward your total program fee.

What happens if I'm not accepted?

You keep the written clinical report from your evaluation. It's yours regardless of the outcome. The intake is designed to determine mutual fit — not everyone will be the right candidate for this particular format, and that determination benefits both sides.

How is this different from traditional therapy?

The Analytic Intensive is individually designed around a specific clinical goal, with a defined structure and endpoint. It's built for people who want focused, high-level work — not an open-ended weekly appointment.

Who is this program for?

It's designed for high-functioning individuals who are ready to do substantive psychological work within a concentrated framework. Most candidates are people whose professional demands or personal standards make an unfocused approach impractical.

How many spots are available?

Each cohort is capped at ten. Dr. Samstag works with a limited number of candidates at a time to ensure the depth and individualization the program requires.

If I'm accepted, what should I expect by the end of the program?

The Analytic Intensive is designed to produce a meaningful, measurable shift in how you understand and operate within the area of focus identified during your intake. That might mean resolving a pattern that's been limiting you professionally or personally, gaining clarity on a decision you've been unable to move past, or developing a fundamentally different relationship with a recurring issue. The specific outcome depends on what you bring in, but the structure is built to get you somewhere definitive, not to keep you in treatment. That said, many participants find that the work opens up something they want to continue exploring, and ongoing treatment is always an option.

A 5-week intensive for high-functioning people who feel stuck in patterns they can’t think their way out of

This is a focused, individualized process designed to help you understand what’s holding you back and move forward.Watch the 4-minute introduction below. If it resonates, apply to work with Dr. Samstag.

Start here.

Frequently Asked Questions