Adam Ottavi

Adam Ottavi (he/him) is a current fourth year PsyD student at the California Institute of Integral Studies. His studies focus on relational, psychodynamic psychology and the integration of somatic care with psychotherapy. He has written papers on Donald Winnicott, mysticism, erotic countertransference, and the phenomenon of human touch. His dissertation examines the application of presence-based bodywork on psychologists; and considers how touch therapy helps illuminate a patient’s Unconscious processes.

Adam is a certified Rolfer ®, Esalen ® Massage Therapist, Deep Bodywork ® practitioner and teacher, and Yin Yoga Instructor. He has worked in this capacity for ten years and has auxiliary training in trauma-informed touch therapies. Personally, Adam is an avid tennis player, runner, writer, and reader. He is close with his extended family and enjoys domestic life, cooking, and gardening. His first career was in the arts in New York City, working as a visual artist and arts administrator. Before moving to San Francisco, Adam lived in Alaska for ten years and worked as a bodyworker, university art professor, and organic vegetable farmer; he spent his free time taking glass-plate portraits and fishing for wild salmon.