Diana E. Moga, MD, PhD | psychiatrist | 139 West 82nd Street, New York, NY, USA

Dr. Diana E. Moga, MD, PhD

"Psychotherapy takes place at the overlap of two areas of playing: that of the patient and that of the therapist."

- D. Winnicott

I am a psychiatrist and psychoanalyst with a background in neuroscience, specializing in neurodiversity, trauma and Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy. I see adults and families on the upper west side of Manhattan.

Approach

“It may be possible through detachment, to gain knowledge that is 'useful'; but only through participation is it possible to gain the knowledge that is helpful.”

- H.S. Sullivan

My approach is eclectic, combining elements of IFS, AEDP and mindfulness based approaches while being rooted in psychodynamic psychotherapy and psychoanalysis.

I believe that dis-ease comes from the disconnection from oneself, others and from sources of joy and vitality. Some of that disconnection is inherent to our modern lives, but some of it began long ago in childhood, in response to implicit and explicit messages from caregivers about what were acceptable and safe ways to act, feel and think. I explore the past with my patients not to blame or dwell but to reprogram those old narratives about who you can be in this world. I strive to help my patients connect to their whole mind, joyful parts and shameful parts, angry parts and hopeful parts, young parts and sad parts, and their embodied experience, so that they can have the freedom to choose how they want to be.

Background

“Meanings are not determined by situations, but we determine ourselves by the meanings we give to situations.”

- A. Adler

I am a board certified, Columbia-trained psychiatrist and psychoanalyst. My clinical experience with adults encompasses a wide range of issues including neurodiversity and twice exceptionality, trauma, psychedelic harm reduction and integration, gender and sexual identity, anxiety and mood disorders, difficulties with self-esteem, identity, agency, life transitions and family therapy with neurodiverse clients. My approach is tailored to each individual patient and ranges from psychodynamic psychotherapy, psychoanalysis,

psychopharmacology, and Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy.

I have always been interested in the mind and the brain, and how it shapes our perspective. I received my medical degree and doctorate in Neuroscience from the Mount Sinai school of medicine, and completed a residency in psychiatry and psychoanalytic training at Columbia. I now supervise and teach psychoanalytic candidates about psychedelic assisted psychotherapy, neuropsychoanalysis, sexuality and neurodivergence.

Services

Neurodiversity affirming evaluation and consultation:

My assessment process is collaborative, respectful, and tailored to adults who may present with subtle or "high-masking" autistic traits—individuals for whom traditional tools, like the ADOS, often fall short. Rather than relying solely on standardized testing, my evaluations include:

2–3 individual appointments with you
Interviews with two people who know you well
Subjective measures and self-assessments
A comprehensive feedback session, where we’ll explore my impressions, the reasoning behind them, and what an autism diagnosis might mean for you.

We’ll also talk openly about the potential pros and cons of obtaining a formal diagnosis. I believe that discovering one’s autistic identity is a meaningful, ongoing journey. It often begins before diagnosis and unfolds in stages—often bringing relief, clarity, grief, and joy. Because of the emotional depth of this process, I highly recommend doing an evaluation as part of an ongoing psychotherapy with me or another psychotherapist.

Ongoing Support for Autistic Individuals and Families

Beyond diagnosis, I work with autistic adults with low support needs and their families to foster understanding, communication, and meaningful connection. Every person’s neurotype is different, and I prioritize each individual's unique goals and lived experience. In our work together, I provide:

Family and couple's therapy to address communication differences
tools for emotional regulation and sensory awareness
support in navigating relationships, work, identity, and self-advocacy

My goal is to help each person better understand and embrace their own nervous system—what I often refer to as their “unique operating system”—and to learn how to thrive in a world that is not built with neurodivergence in mind.

Psychodynamic psychotherapy and psychoanalysis:

Psychodynamic psychotherapy and psychoanalysis, from which it is derived, are based on the idea that we are often driven by unconscious wishes, fears, and relationship patterns formed in childhood. These hidden motivations shape how we relate to others, perform at work, and understand ourselves. By exploring our choices, dreams, spontaneous thoughts, and emotional responses—especially in the context of the therapeutic relationship—we can uncover these patterns. While such patterns may have once served us as children, they can become obstacles in adulthood.

Pharmacotherapy:

Psychopharmacology is both an art and a science. That’s why I approach medication management in a highly individualized and collaborative way. Rather than using a one-size-fits-all model, I work with you to identify the medications, supplements, and lifestyle changes that are best suited to your unique body chemistry. With a background in neuroscience and a strong interest in integrative and complementary medicine, I take a holistic view of mental health—recognizing the deep connection between the brain and the rest of the body. When appropriate, I collaborate with other healthcare providers to ensure we’re addressing your overall well-being—not just your symptoms

Ketamine assisted psychotherapy:

Ketamine has been safely used for anesthesia for over sixty years, but is increasingly used off-label to treat conditions like depression, PTSD, anxiety, and chronic pain. Though not yet FDA-approved for these uses, studies support its potential therapeutic effects, especially when combined with psychotherapy. Ketamine promotes neuroplasticity and may also disrupt trauma-related brain pathways.

I use Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy to treat trauma which cannot otherwise be accessed by talk therapy alone. Ketamine helps buried traumatic memories surface without shame or fear, allowing us to integrate these experiences with the rest of your personality in our psychotherapeutic work. Please note that I only do ketamine-assisted psychotherapy with patients who are in a long term psychotherapy either with me or another provider who agrees to our collaboration. Insurance may not cover our treatment since it is not yet FDA approved but will partially reimburse our psychotherapy time.

CV

Training

2025

AEDP™ Immersion certificate
The AEDP TM Institute, New York, NY

2023

Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy certificate
The Ketamine Training Center, CA

2021-2023

Training and Supervising analyst certificate

Columbia Center for Psychoanalytic Training and Research, NY

2011-2017

Psychoanalysis certificate

Columbia Center for Psychoanalytic Training and Research, NY

2007-2011

Columbia New York Presbyterian Hospital/NYS Psychiatric Institute

Residency in Psychiatry, NY

1998-2007

MD/PhD - AOA. PhD in Neuroscience “Glutamate Receptor plasticity in the
rat hippocampus”, Matthew L. Shapiro and John H. Morrison
Mount Sinai School of Medicine, NY

1994-1998

BA, Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa
Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, NY

Selected Awards

2025

The Ralph Roughton Paper Award for an original and outstanding contribution to the

psychoanalytic understanding and/or treatment of LGBTQ*
The American Psychoanalytic Association

2015

The Alexander Beller Award in recognition of significant scholarly study in the general

area of psychoanalytic theory
Columbia University Center for Psychoanalytic Training and Research, NY

2015

Irma Bland Award for Excellence in Teaching Residents

American Psychiatric Association

Teaching Appointments

2024

The Green Clinic, New York, NY

2018-present

Columbia Center for Psychoanalytic Training and Research

2023-2025

Greater Kansas City Psychoanalytic Institute, Kansas City, MO

2023

San Francisco Center for Psychoanalysis, CA

2016-2019

NY Presbyterian Hospital-Columbia Campus/NYS Psychiatric Institute, NY

2001-2002
Sophie Davis Medical School of CUNY, NY

Selected Publications

Moga DE and Cabaniss DL (2014) Learning objectives for supervision: benefits for candidates and beyond.
Psychoanalytic Inquiry; 34(6): 528-537.

Moga DE (2018) So What is Gender Anyway? And Who’s Having Sex with Whom. Journal of the
American Psychoanalytic Association; 66 (3): 527-543.

Moga, D. E. (2024) Gender Without Identity. By Avgi Saketopoulou and Ann Pellegrini. New York: The
Unconscious in Translation, 2023, 203 pp., Journal of the American Psychoanalytic Association 72:706-
712

Moga, D. E. (2025). Sex on the spectrum: Sexuality’s potential to free up autistic
subjectivity. Psychoanalytic Psychology, 42(2), 71–78. Editor’s Choice selection.

Moga, D. E. (2025) Neuroqueering the psychoanalytic lens. Accepted for publication, journal of the American psychoanalytic association.

Moga DE , Reading, RA: Chapter 28: Psychotherapy with Lesbians: Gabbard’s Textbook of
Psychotherapeutic Treatments, second edition, Crisp H and Gabbard G, American Psychiatric Association
Publishing, 2023.

Cabaniss DL, Moga DE and Hyun A: The Psychodynamic Treatment of Mood Disorders in Clinical
Handbook for the Management of Mood Disorders, Mann JJ, McGrath PS and Roose SP, Cambridge Press
2013, pp 289-299.

Cabaniss DL, Cherry S, Graver RL, Schwartz AR, Moga DE, The Psychodynamic Model of the Mind, in
Psychiatry, Fourth Edition. Edited by Allan Tasman, Jerald Kay, Jeffrey A. Lieberman, Michael B. First,
and Michelle B. Riba. John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. 2014, Chapter 28, pp 463-477.

Patient Resources

On neurodivergence and autism:

Recommended books for late diagnosed adults:

Unmasking Autism by Devon Price.

What I Mean When I Say I'm Autistic: Unpuzzling a Life on the Autism Spectrum by Annie Kotowicz.

Neurotribes by Steve Silberman.

Is This Autism? by Donna Henderson, Sarah Wayland, Jamell White

The Autistic Burnout Workbook: Your Guide to Your Personal Recovery Plan (Self-Care for Autistic
People) by Dr. Megan Anna Neff

A Field Guide to Earthlings by Ian Ford

Neuroqueer Heresies by Nick Walter

Contact

139 West 82nd St Suite 1CD, New York, NY 10024 diana@dianamogamd.com | Tel: 646-831-0379