Welcome

I am Cynthia Playfair MD, a psychiatrist practicing in Austin for over 25 years. I treat patients, teach, and provide supervision and consultation to professionals in the field. I provide psychotherapy and psychoanalysis, sometimes with medication. As a board-certified training and supervising analyst credentialed through the American Board of Psychoanalysis, I also treat mental health professionals who are pursuing training to become psychoanalysts.

​

I am passionate about what I do. I develop a unique fit with each patient where continual growth and change occurs. Working psychoanalytically, I believe that an experience in the relationship informs us about dysfunctional patterns occurring in one's real life, making way for desired change. That being said, my treatment philosophy is holistic. I try to understand and enliven the many facets of ones humanness. Together we will work to address psychological, physical/medical, social, creative, and spiritual needs.

​

When meeting a new person in my office I start with good old-fashioned commonsense. I explore medical concerns and begin to think about theoretical approaches which might be helpful. Theoretically I ascribe to an integrative approach and work with object relations theory, attachment theory, developmental theory, ego psychology, self psychology, mentalization, Freudian theories, and cognitive behavioral theory. 

​

My practice is private pay and does not take insurance. However, I am happy to provide a superbill that you can submit to insurance. I offer in-person and virtual appointments.