LMHC, 5 years of experience
New to Grow
👋 Hi, I’m Donald Patton, a licensed mental health and substance use therapist. I specialize in helping people navigate recovery, manage anxiety and depression, and rebuild a sense of purpose after difficult life experiences. My approach is collaborative, compassionate, and practical. I draw from evidence based methods such as CBT, REBT, Motivational Interviewing, and trauma informed care, but I tailor each session to meet your unique needs. Whether we’re challenging unhelpful thought patterns, exploring motivation for change, or building healthier coping skills, I work to create a safe, supportive space where growth can happen.
If you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure where to start, I’d be honored to walk alongside you. My goal is to help you find clarity, regain stability, and move forward with confidence in your own recovery and personal growth journey. Our first session will be mostly focused on getting to know each other and building a new and trusting relationship.
👉 Put simply: my ability to blend structured, evidence based methods with a compassionate, client-centered approach.
I’ve worked extensively in residential treatment, guiding individuals through the early stages of recovery, relapse prevention, and emotional regulation. At the same time, I understand the importance of integrating therapy into everyday life and building skills you can use outside of session to strengthen relationships and manage stress, freeing you to live more authentically.
I use CBT to help clients identify and reframe unhelpful or distorted thought patterns that contribute to distress and unhealthy behaviors. I often guide them through tools such as thought records, behavioral experiments, and coping skills practice. I focus on showing the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, and I provide practical strategies clients can use to challenge negative thinking and respond in healthier ways.
I use REBT with clients to uncover irrational beliefs that drive unhealthy emotions and behaviors. I help them recognize rigid “musts” or “shoulds” in their thinking and replace these with more flexible and rational alternatives. I emphasize that while people cannot always control what happens to them, they can learn to change how they interpret and respond to challenges. This approach allows me to support clients in developing resilience and greater self-acceptance.
MI is useful to explore and resolve a client’s ambivalence about change. I rely on open ended questions, reflective listening, and affirmations to draw out their own values and motivations. Rather than pushing for change, I focus on strengthening their intrinsic motivation so that they feel ownership of their decisions. This collaborative and non-confrontational style helps clients move from uncertainty toward commitment to positive change.
All of my therapy utilizes trauma-informed care, I prioritize creating safety, trust, empowerment, and choice in the therapeutic relationship. I am always mindful of possible triggers and take care to avoid re-traumatization. I approach treatment with sensitivity to a client’s past experiences while working to help them regain a sense of control and resilience. By integrating trauma awareness into all aspects of care, I create an environment where clients feel secure enough to engage fully in the therapeutic process.