Erik Patterson (he/him)

Eclectic

I draw from numerous modalities that I have studied and used. I deeply believe that effective therapy requires a flexible, rather than dogmatic approach. The process of getting to know you and your specific situation is an essential prerequisite to developing an approach. While I have extensive knowledge and experience with many modalities, there are some approaches, such as EMDR and DBT, that I cannot provide. In general, I lean into approaches that emphasize "client centered" care.

Personal Growth

Counseling isn't just about problems! We work through difficult moments, and then what? Sometimes, the opportunity for growth occurs when we stay open to self exploration, becoming more resilient, and learning about ourselves simply for the sake of enriching our lives.

Self-Esteem

How we understand ourselves is central to our lived experience. Making sense of a world that is often unjust and unfair takes a personal toll. Finding meaning and purpose in life includes exploring how we have come to understand ourselves and creating space to shift. This is often central to creating real, tangible change.

Suicidal Ideation

Suicidal thoughts come up when we are faced with overwhelming challenges. This is a common experience for millions of people and it is an important part of the conversation we have. These thoughts can be especially hard for many people to talk about. I am very committed to creating an open, respectful environment where this important conversation can take place. Have questions? Ask me anything!

Depression

Depression is both a specific diagnosis, as well as a good way to describe a mental and emotional experience. My emphasis is on helping a person get through an experience and, although I am very comfortable with working with Major Depressive Disorder and I'm familiar with medications and treatment, I might de-emphasize the diagnostic label to focus on your specific situation.

Abuse

Counseling is often about looking inward, but it is essential that we also look to the very real injustices that occur in the world and our personal lived experiences. This concept is crucial to my work, and it's a huge part of why I deeply believe in an integrated approach rather than trying to fit clients into a specific counseling modality.