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Hello, I'm Dr. Vassilev

Are you seeking therapy that moves you forward? Do you want to live better with bipolar disorder, anxiety, mood symptoms, or trauma? I have the expertise and passion to help. Bipolar disorder in particular can feel terrifying because it seems you have no control over your neurobiology, as if you’re at the mercy of your brain. You may be relieved to learn that there is much they can do in therapy to bolster and further your wellness.

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About Dr. Vassilev

Andrea Vassilev, Psy.D., a.k.a. "Dr. V," is a registered psychological associate and clinician specializing in the treatment of mood, anxiety, and trauma disorders with specialty expertise in treating bipolar disorder. As someone with lived experience of bipolar disorder for over 25 years, Dr. Vassilev brings a deep, empathic understanding to all of her work. Dr. Vassilev's work bridges psychotherapy, research, and passionate advocacy.

In clinical practice, Dr. Vassilev provides individual therapy to adolescents and adults, with a flexible, best-fit orientation that draws from interpersonal social rhythm therapy (IPSRT), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), somatic interventions, and trauma-focused modalities.
 
Dr. Vassilev is the creator of Overcoming Self-Stigma in Bipolar Disorder (OSSiBD), a novel therapeutic program currently in use internationally with multiple translations underway. Her doctoral dissertation focused on this work, and international collaborative research studies on OSSiBD are now in advanced stages. Dr. Vassilev will publish "Beyond the Bipolar Label: A Workbook to Overcome Self-Stigma, Break Free from Shame, and Live Authentically," an adaption of the popular program for individual use, with New Harbinger Publications in June 2026.
 
Dr. Vassilev regularly presents at various academic conferences, including the American Psychological Association, the American Association of Behavioral and Social Sciences, and the International Society for Bipolar Disorders. Dr. Vassilev has published in academic journals, served as a peer-reviewer, and authored a chapter in the Handbook of Psychological Therapies for Bipolar Disorder (Springer Nature). 

​Dr. Vassilev is an active member of the International Society for Bipolar Disorders (ISBD), serving on the Board of Directors (2025–2028) and on the Task Force for Psychological Interventions in Bipolar Disorder. She also co-chairs the ISBD Experts by Experience planning committee, developing programming that integrates clinical expertise with first-person perspectives. She has served on various boards and advisory committees, including for the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance of California and the WISE Initiative for Stigma Elimination. An award-winning advocate, Dr. Vassilev is a frequent invited global speaker on the topic of bipolar disorder for organizations such as Bipolar UK, the International Bipolar Foundation, and the this is bipolar podcast. Her work and commentary have appeared in outlets including Slate, bpHope Magazine, and the Los Angeles Times.
 
Dr. Vassilev has conducted comprehensive psychological and psychoeducational assessments for clients aged 9 to 60, utilizing instruments such as the WAIS-IV, MMPI, MCMI, TOVA, Rorschach, among others. During her training, she worked in a variety of settings from long-term residential programs for psychosis to college counseling centers. 
 
As both a clinician and someone with lived experience, she is committed to advancing stigma reduction, clinical excellence, and recovery-oriented care in bipolar disorder and other conditions. Dr. Vassilev is currently completing supervised practice under the licensure of Dr. Adam Sternberg.

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