Dr. Lolade Bakrin PhD
I’m Dr. Lolade Bakrin, a Licensed Professional Counselor and counselor educator who is passionate about helping clients better understand themselves, navigate life’s challenges, and create meaningful change. I strive to provide a warm, supportive, and nonjudgmental space where clients can feel comfortable showing up as their authentic selves. My therapeutic approach is primarily grounded in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), while also incorporating person-centered, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive practices. I work with teens, young adults, and adults experiencing anxiety, depression, life transitions, emotional regulation challenges, identity concerns, relationship difficulties, and everyday stress. I believe therapy should be collaborative and practical. Together, we’ll explore the connection between your thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and experiences, and develop strategies you can use beyond the therapy room. I also recognize that everyone’s experiences are shaped by their unique identities, relationships, environments, and life experiences, so I tailor treatment to the individual rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach. My goal is for you to feel heard, supported, and challenged in ways that encourage greater self-awareness, confidence, and lasting growth.
First session
Your first session is all about getting to know you. There’s no pressure to have everything figured out, know exactly what to say, or share more than you’re comfortable with. We’ll take our time discussing what brought you to therapy, what has been happening in your life, and what you hope to gain from our work together. I’ll ask questions to better understand your experiences, current concerns, strengths, support system, and what you would like to see change. You’ll also have an opportunity to ask me questions and get a feel for my approach to make sure our therapeutic relationship feels like a good fit. By the end of our first session, I hope you leave feeling heard, a little more at ease, and with a clearer understanding of what our work together could look like. From there, we’ll identify goals and create a plan that feels realistic, collaborative, and meaningful to you. Most importantly, you don’t have to prepare a perfect story before you arrive. Just come as you are; we’ll figure out where to begin together.
Strengths
One of my greatest strengths as a therapist is creating a space that feels both supportive and real. I bring warmth, empathy, humor when appropriate, and genuine curiosity into the therapy room. I want you to feel comfortable being yourself, while also knowing that I will gently challenge you when it supports your growth. My approach is collaborative and practical. I don’t believe therapy should feel like you’re simply talking without moving toward something meaningful. Together, we’ll identify patterns, explore what may be contributing to the challenges you’re experiencing, and develop strategies you can realistically use in your everyday life. I also recognize that your culture, identity, relationships, environment, and lived experiences are important parts of your story. Rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach, I work to understand you as a whole person and tailor our work to your individual needs. Most importantly, I bring authenticity into my sessions. You can expect a therapist who will listen, celebrate your progress, hold space for difficult moments, and help you continue moving toward the version of yourself you want to become.
Ideal clients
My ideal client may look like they have everything together on the outside but feel overwhelmed, anxious, emotionally drained, or unsure of their next step on the inside. You may be navigating a major life transition, struggling with relationships, questioning your identity or direction, or finding that the ways you’ve always coped are no longer working for you. You don’t have to come to therapy knowing exactly what you want to change. You simply need to be open to exploring yourself and willing to take small steps toward growth. I enjoy working with teens, young adults, and adults who want to better understand their emotions, recognize patterns in their thoughts and behaviors, improve relationships, strengthen boundaries, and develop healthier ways of coping with stress. You may also be someone who wants more than a space to vent. You’re looking for a therapist who will listen and validate your experiences while also asking thoughtful questions, offering practical tools, and gently challenging you when needed. Ultimately, my ideal client is someone who is ready to invest in themselves, even if they’re still figuring out exactly what that looks like.
Treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help you better understand how your thoughts, feelings, and responses connect in everyday situations. Sometimes we get stuck in patterns of thinking that heighten stress, anxiety, self-doubt, or other difficult emotions without even realizing it. During our sessions, we’ll slow those moments down and look beneath the surface. I’ll help you recognize thoughts or patterns that may be getting in your way, explore where they come from, and consider different ways of looking at or responding to situations. We’ll also focus on practical strategies you can use outside of therapy. This might include learning to manage overwhelming emotions, communicate your needs, set healthier boundaries, challenge negative self-talk, or respond differently when you’re stressed. My goal isn’t to tell you how you should think or feel. Instead, we’ll work together to understand your patterns and find healthier approaches that feel realistic and meaningful for you.
Person-centered (Rogerian)
I use a person-centered approach to make sure therapy feels like a space where you can be yourself without fear of judgment. I believe you are the expert on your own life, and my role is to support you as you explore your experiences, emotions, relationships, and goals at a pace that feels comfortable for you. In our sessions, you can expect me to listen with genuine curiosity, ask thoughtful questions, and help you make sense of what you’re experiencing. Rather than telling you what decisions to make, I’ll help you explore what feels right for you and become more confident in trusting your own voice. I also understand that sometimes you may simply need space to process without immediately trying to “fix” something. Together, we’ll create a supportive environment where you can gain a deeper understanding of yourself, recognize your strengths, and move toward changes that feel meaningful and authentic to you.
Trauma-Focused CBT
I use Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) to help my clients safely work through difficult or traumatic experiences and understand how those experiences may be affecting their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors today. Our work happens gradually and at a pace that feels safe. I help clients build skills to manage strong emotions, cope with stress, recognize unhelpful thoughts, and talk about difficult experiences when they feel ready. For younger clients, I may also involve a parent or caregiver, when appropriate, so they can better understand how to support them outside of therapy. I believe healing from trauma is about more than focusing on what happened. It’s also about helping clients recognize their strengths, feel more in control of their emotions, rebuild a sense of safety, and develop confidence moving forward. Throughout the process, my goal is to create a supportive environment where clients feel heard, respected, and never pressured to share more than they are ready to discuss.
Location
Virtual sessions
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Licensed in
- GeorgiaLicense LPC016281