Dr. Ana Eugenia Ferreira, PhD

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Celebrating More than Four Decades of Transformative Practice and Philanthropic Excellence

New York, New York  – Dr. Ana Eugenia Ferreira, a distinguished clinical psychologist and psychoanalyst, has dedicated nearly four decades to providing compassionate care to her patients and making significant contributions to the field of psychology through her philanthropic efforts. Operating her private practice in Manhattan since 1985, Dr. Ferreira has become known for her commitment to fostering meaningful relationships with her patients, prioritizing conversations with the homeless population and providing pro bono work to those who need it. 

In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Ferreira has an impressive academic background. She served as a clinical assistant professor of psychiatry at what is now the NYU Grossman School of Medicine from 1985 to 2009 and was actively involved as a psychotherapist at Columbia University's University Health Center from 1997 to 2009. Her role as a supervisor of psychotherapy at the William Alanson White Institute of Psychiatry, Psychoanalysis & Psychology from 1993 to 2010 further underscores her dedication to training the next generation of mental health professionals.

Dr. Ferreira’s journey began in Brazil, where she excelled academically before earning her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Italy in 1966. She continued her education with a Master of Science in Clinical Psychology from Pontifical Catholic University in Brazil, completed coursework at the Eckersley School of English in Oxford, England, and conducted research on Alzheimer’s patients at New York University. Her linguistic proficiency in several languages, including Italian, Spanish, French, Portuguese, and English, has enriched her ability to connect with diverse patient populations.

It was at this point that Dr. Ferreira remained in the United States, ultimately becoming a visiting professor at Brigham Young University in Utah from 1979 to 1980 and a clinical psychologist at the Puerto Rican Association for Community Affairs Inc. in the Bronx from 1981 to 1985.

An accomplished author and editor, Dr. Ferreira has contributed significantly to the literature in psychology. She authored “Parental Behavior in the United States and Brazil: Cross-Cultural Study” in 1979; co-edited “Personalidade e Psicoterapia Hoje (Personality and Psychotherapy Today)”; authored “Therapeutic Relations in the Psychoanalytic Modality” in 1983; co-edited “Psicologia do Ajustamento (Psychology of Adjustment)” in 1984; authored “Tributo – Genealogical Study of a Family” in 2008; authored “O Legado de Luiza Belém Ferreira” in 2011; co-authored “Inês de Castro, Through Digital and Psychoanalytical Lenses, A Bilingual Analysis” in 2019; co-authored “Inês de Castro Sob o Prisma do Computador e da Psicanálise Uma Análise Bilíngue” in 2022; and authored “Cross-Cultural Differences in the Manifestation of Transference Outside the Psychoanalytical Setting” in 2022, showcasing her commitment to integrating cultural perspectives into her practice.

Dr. Ferreira's contributions have not gone unnoticed. She has received numerous accolades, including a Teacher of the Year Award and two federal scholarships from the Brazilian government. Her memberships in esteemed organizations such as Division 39 within the American Psychological Association, the Bellevue Psychiatric Society at NYU, and the William Alanson White Psychoanalytic Society, reflect her ongoing engagement with the psychological community.

Beyond her professional achievements, Dr. Ferreira is deeply committed to philanthropy. She actively supports an orphanage in her native Brazil and engages in various charitable endeavors aimed at uplifting underserved communities. Her work exemplifies a holistic approach to mental health, prioritizing not just clinical efficacy but also social responsibility.

Dr. Ana Eugenia Ferreira’s unwavering dedication to her patients and her philanthropic efforts serve as an inspiring model for mental health professionals and community leaders alike. As she looks forward to the future, she remains resolute in her mission to help others, embodying the essence of compassion and care in every interaction.

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