“we are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful about what we pretend to be”
– Kurt Vonnegut
Dr. Jacob Accola
PSYCHOLOGIST & POST-DOCTORAL FELLOW
Hi, my name is Dr. Jacob Accola. I am a Clinical Psychologist and Post-Doctoral Fellow at CPP. I believe therapy begins with a deep commitment to understanding who you are and how you have come to experience yourself, others, and the world. Through this shared understanding, our work can move beyond reducing suffering and toward meaningful, lasting change. I view therapy as a process of self-discovery in which we collaboratively uncover layers of meaning and personal narratives connected to your symptoms, with the aim of relieving distress while furthering your resilience, autonomy, and agency. Rather than telling you how to live, my role is to help you better understand yourself so you can move through life with greater connection, purpose, and freedom.
My clinical orientation is grounded in psychodynamic, existential, and relational perspectives, while remaining flexible and attentive to each person’s unique needs. I am especially drawn to deep work with individuals who are curious about their inner lives, including the spoken and unspoken dynamics that may keep them feeling stuck. Our work may involve exploring internal conflicts, fears, aspirations, relationship patterns, and the ways you have learned to protect yourself from discomfort that may no longer be serving you.
I pay close attention to what unfolds between us in therapy, as patterns from your relationships outside of therapy may also emerge in the therapeutic relationship, giving us an opportunity to understand them in real time. I strive to create a relationship that is trusting, collaborative, and authentic. Difficult conversations and moments of vulnerability may coexist with humor and playfulness, as finding light within darkness can be an important part of healing and growth.
Together, we explore the parts of yourself that may feel confusing, painful, or difficult to confront, meeting them with curiosity, compassion, and honesty. Over time, this exploration can help you make choices that feel more aligned with your values, desires, and identity.
I earned a Master of Counseling Psychology with a specialization in addictions from the University of Denver and a Doctor of Clinical Psychology with a concentration in Psychoanalytic Psychology from Widener University. My clinical training has spanned health psychology, community mental health, and university counseling centers at Haverford College and Swarthmore College. Across these settings, I have worked with adults from diverse backgrounds navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, addiction, identity concerns, unsatisfying relationships, and difficult life transitions. These experiences have deepened my appreciation for how an individual’s sociocultural background and broader life circumstances shape the way they experience themselves and relate to others. I believe that therapy is most powerful when it honors each person’s individuality while supporting meaningful change in everyday life.
