LPC, 20 years of experience
New to Grow
I’m Dr. Iris Parkinson, a compassionate therapist dedicated to helping individuals heal, grow, and rediscover their strength. I specialize in supporting adults and families coping with grief, trauma, life transitions, and relationship challenges. My approach blends Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, and Compassion-Focused Therapy to meet each person where they are. I believe therapy should be a safe, empowering, and culturally sensitive experience—rooted in understanding, hope, and genuine progress.
In our first session, my main goal is to create a space where you feel comfortable, understood, and supported. We’ll spend time talking about what brought you to therapy and what you hope to gain from it. I’ll ask gentle, open-ended questions to learn more about your story, your strengths, and the challenges you’re facing. Together, we’ll begin identifying your goals and setting a pace that feels right for you. You can expect a relaxed and compassionate atmosphere—no pressure, no judgment—just a genuine conversation about where you are and what you need. By the end of our first session, you’ll have a clearer sense of what our work together might look like and some initial steps toward the healing and change you’re seeking.
My greatest strengths as a therapist lie in my ability to connect deeply with clients and create a space where they feel truly seen and valued. I bring warmth, patience, and cultural understanding to every session, meeting people exactly where they are without judgment. My approach blends Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, and Compassion-Focused Therapy, allowing me to tailor treatment to each person’s unique needs and pace. Clients often share that my calm presence and supportive guidance help them feel safe enough to open up and engage in the deeper emotional work necessary for healing. I focus on helping people find practical tools for managing challenges, rediscovering hope, and creating lasting change that feels both empowering and attainable.
My ideal clients are individuals who are ready to heal, reflect, and grow—even if they’re not quite sure how to begin. I work with people who are navigating grief, trauma, anxiety, or major life transitions and are seeking a safe space to process their emotions and find strength again. Many of my clients are caring, high-functioning individuals who have spent years showing up for everyone else, only to realize they’ve been neglecting their own needs and emotional well-being. I’m especially drawn to working with those who want to rediscover balance, build self-compassion, and create meaningful change that aligns with their values. Whether you’re grieving a loss, managing the weight of past experiences, or simply trying to feel more like yourself again, I’ll meet you where you are—with understanding, cultural awareness, and a focus on real, sustainable growth.
My approach to therapy is rooted in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which means we’ll work together to understand how your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors connect. I help you notice patterns that might be getting in your way and find new, healthier ways to think and respond. My goal is to give you practical tools to manage life’s challenges, feel more balanced, and build the kind of change that lasts long after therapy ends.
My approach to grief therapy provides a safe, compassionate space for you to process loss at your own pace. I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and supportive counseling to help you understand the thoughts and emotions that come with grief. Together, we’ll explore healthy ways to honor your loved one, manage difficult feelings, and rebuild a sense of balance and hope. My goal is to help you move forward—not by forgetting, but by finding meaning and peace in the midst of loss.
My approach to trauma-focused therapy is rooted in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), which helps clients safely process painful experiences while building tools to manage the impact of trauma. I start by creating a strong sense of safety and trust, then help clients understand how trauma can affect thoughts, emotions, and the body. Through gentle conversation, grounding exercises, and coping strategies, we work to reduce distress and replace fear-based or self-blaming thoughts with more balanced and healing perspectives. My goal is to help clients regain a sense of control, strengthen resilience, and begin to feel peace in their daily lives.
My approach with Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT) centers on helping clients develop kindness and understanding toward themselves, especially when they struggle with guilt, shame, or self-criticism. Together, we explore how life experiences and past pain can shape the inner voice and emotional reactions. Through mindfulness, imagery, and self-compassion exercises, I guide clients in learning to respond to their thoughts and feelings with warmth rather than judgment. The goal is to cultivate emotional balance, enhance resilience, and foster a more caring relationship with oneself and others.
My approach with Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) focuses on what’s working well in your life and how we can build on your strengths to create meaningful change. Rather than spending too much time on what’s gone wrong, we look at your goals, resources, and past successes to find practical steps forward. I ask empowering, hopeful questions that help you see your own abilities and possibilities more clearly. Together, we’ll focus on solutions, not problems—so you can make progress, regain confidence, and move toward the life you want.