Hello. My name is Howard Patterson, but I go by Andy. I have been a mental health professional for over 45 years, with the majority of my experience being in the field of child welfare. My specialties include but are not limited to, stress, anxiety, depression, marital and other relationship issues, veteran issues, teenage emotions, and behaviors, as well as parenting styles and issues. My style is non-confrontational and non-judgmental, allowing you to take therapy in the direction you choose. My role is to offer wisdom gained from my many years of experience and to perhaps assist you in seeing your issues from a different perspective.
Our first meeting will mostly be a "get to know" each other session, discussing where we are from, our family, employment, as well as hobbies, and other enjoyable activities. We will then briefly discuss your reason for seeking therapy, as time allows. While I am not a Biblical scholar, I consider myself to be very spiritual and I will gladly offer my views and thoughts;, with respect to your issues, if you initiate that conversation. I have been a Christian since the age of nine.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
As we progress in the therapeutic process, it is hoped that our relationship will develop into one of trust and sharing. Consequently, I hope that you will benefit from my insight and experience and you will continue to grow as a person as you learn better coping skills and ways to approach the issues that you are dealing with.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
The two biggest problem issues that couples experience in their relationships are communication and finances. I believe I have the ability to provide an objective analysis of these problems and can help people see their issues from a different perspective. Patterns of thought, as well as behaviors can be changed. However, we must remember that they didn't happen overnight, thus they are not going to be changed overnight. Change requires practice and consistency.
About Andy Patterson
Appointments
Virtual
My treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
In my professional experience, I am convinced that all behavior is linked to thoughts and emotions. Therefore, changing behavior must focus on a person's perceptions regarding his/her world. One's perception is one's reality. I feel all behavior is learned and change must be viewed within the framework of learning new ways of thinking and feeling. Many problems that clients experience are due to irrational thoughts and beliefs. My role is to help clients identify and replace those irrational thoughts and beliefs with more rational thoughts and beliefs.
Psychodynamic
I strongly believe that maladaptive behaviors that a person currently exhibits are due to early traumatic experiences from childhood. I am also convinced that human behavior is influenced by unconscious memories, thoughts, and urges. As a therapist, I rely on the process of free association, which is based on the theory that simply talking about problems can help alleviate them. My role is to help the client explore their thoughts and feelings related to early childhood experiences and to assist them in seeing those experiences from a different perspective. I sometimes use Adler's birth order theory to help explain family relationships, especially with respect to dysfunctional relationships.
Couples Counseling
I have found that the two most common problems in relationships are communication and finances. My role as a therapist is to assist couples in learning better communication techniques. Additionally, I can assist couples in understanding the basic differences in the way men and women think and communicate. It is important to realize that many relationship problems arise when one expects their partner to think, feel and communicate just like they do. My approach is non-judgmental and acceptance of each client as the person they are fully capable of being.
Grief Therapy
I rely on the techniques of the Elisabeth Kübler-Ross theory of the stages of death and dying. The theory has stood the test of time and can successfully applied to other fields, such as divorce, etc.
Faith based therapy
My spiritual faith is very strong. I have been a Christian since the age of nine. I do not bring my religious views into my therapeutic practice unless requested to do so by the client. My goal as a therapist is to help the client reach his/her fullest potential.
